Interview with Russian death metal band GRACE DISGRACED.
- answered Polina.
translated by Markéta, thank you!
Ave GRACE DISGRACED! Your new
album „Lasting Afterdeaths“ has been released since June. How do you feel about
it now? What is the fans´ respond? And how about music critics?
- Hi!
Yes, the time goes too fast! Actually I am in love with this album because it
reflects my latest ideas. So I am glad they found realisation in that way. The
fans were happy too to get this long-awaited release. They knew that we
recorded it in 2015 and, as usual, had to wait in order to receive a
first-class official release. As for the critics… It seems that they did not
see much difference between “Lasting Afterdeaths” and “Womanumental”, though
there is some, in my opinion. Take the fretless bass, in particular.
How do you composed new songs for
“Lasting Afterdeaths”? How does GRACE DISGRACED compose?
- Composing
is Alexandr’s responsibility. He sometimes asks us for advice, but mainly
everything remains as he created. Certainly each of us is in charge of his or
her part depending on the instrument. And that brings some diversity to the
main music stream.
The lyrics in thrash metal are
sometimes underestimated. You sing about humanity, philosophy and misery. What
are the new album´s lyrics about and who is the author? Do you want to share
some message with your songs?
- And
that is my kingdom. I am absolutely mad about the lyrics. I just feel that I
should include as much to them as I could – the common idea, interesting
subject, my personal feelings, hints and all these “reed-between-the-lines”
things. “Lasting Afterdeaths” consists of 7 stories which tell us about death
and its consequences, i.e. what is left behind. And here meet the pathfinders –
first astronauts; the crazy racer; the silent suicide; the mysterious beast in
the woods and the group of Soviet tourists tortured in the distant mountains..
Who is the author of the new
album´s “Lasting Afterdeaths” cover? I really like this work. How did you
choose this motive?
- That’s
an Italian artist – Velio Josto. When I first saw his works I fell in love with
them. So, he had not only to paint the double main cover, but also to give us 7
illustrations each corresponding to the tracks. The creature that we put at the
main cover, the “Lasting Afterdeaths”’ mascot is a bat with the spider’s legs.
This creatures is cradling the hosts of souls. I think it was Aleksandr’s idea
first. The symbiosis of the two creature who are most commonly associated with
the fear, the dark side and the death. But here there is no need to fear it, it
expresses the sympathy and the sadness.
I love the sound of this album.
It is dark, cold and sharp at the same time. In what studio did you recorded
your album? Did you talked about the final sound and mastering?
- As
usual we went to Navahohut studio in Moscow, to a good old friend of ours –
Arkady Navaho. But this time we were more precise in our wishes. First of all,
we were more experienced in the studio work comparing to our previous
recording. And second, but not the least, Aleksandr had graduated from the
school of sound engineers.
You released your album by
American Razed Soul Productions. Why did you choose this label and how are you
satisfied with their work?
- Our
previous work was also re-released on that label. We found it in order to
expand worldwide – for better presence at the other shore of the Atlantic Ocean.
All in all they are quite good. It is one of that rare kind of labels nowadays
that don’t make the bands invest funds in their releases.
Nowadays, people like to download
new album on the internet and they use only its digital form. How do you see
this problem? I would like to know your opinion as a musician.
- The air
is overloaded with music. Everything has become so reachable. Bad musicians got
access to the public. And the public choose among the myriads of records
downloading them from the cyberspace. No exclusiveness, just this cyber litter,
where you can find as much as you wish the music of your favourite style. That
depraves. And for us it makes impossible
to learn how much people really listens to our music. Not to mention the losses
on sales. Yes, sometimes it makes me feel sad when I calculate how much we put
into the rehearsals, recording, mastering, gear, and artwork and realise there
is no chance to pay back due to these free downloads. But how not to get lost
in this ocean of digital musical shit?
Polina, how is it to be the only
girl in the band, don´t the guys trample you? And have you ever had any
problems during the concerts? You know, there is a lot of people under the
stage, drunk and you are nice and young lady…
- No,
I don’t let them trample me! What about the concerts, Aleksandr is my bodyguard
there. And nobody dares to say across because in his other life he is a
professional wrestler.
In the Czech Republic there is
not so many people on death metal concerts. How about in Russia? Do fans
support you? Buying CDs, merchandise, etc.?
- Russia
is not better that the other world in that sense. Yes, we have got our fan
base. These people buy our stuff and go to the concerts. Sometimes it seems
they are the only persons for whom we do all this.)) In Moscow, there is an
Underground metal community called “515”. Aleksandr and I are its members. They
really support us and we try to help them when we can.
If I remember it correctly you
played one time in the Czech Republic. Do you remember the concert? Did you
like it? Do you want to do a tour for your new album? And if so, will you come
to the Czech Republic?
- Yes,
we played in one little tiny town. It was a real pleasant place to play. The
club was overcrowded, the beer – tasty and cheap and the fans – cheerful and
mad! The police car patrolled the territory near the club. As for another tour,
there is one obstacle which does not let me go touring this year. Actually I
gave birth to my daughter in August and I need to stay with her until she
becomes more independent.
Are there any new albums which
you liked recently?
- Unfortunately
we don't often listen to the news.) Recently we have been buying a lot of vinyl
with the classic metal 80's-90's of the twentieth. What has hooked us recently
we can highlight Fallujah, the latest album from Paradox (like all previous
one), and new wave retro-wave Perturbator and Carpenter Brut.
Do you know and listen any Czech
bands?
- Personally,
I would name one group that produced a strong impression on me and dramatically
influenced my perception of the classic Death Metal. It is Scabbard, especially
their album “Beginning of Extinction”. It sounds very originally and unusually.
For me this is exemplary Death Metal the mid-nineties, the dawn. Also I can
highlight the Avenger, whose album “Feast of Anger / Joy of Despair” we have on
CD and enjoy listening to. What else… From Beyond, Demiurg, and very unusual
Forgotten Silence. And of course Fleshless and Krabathor.
What
are GRACE DISGRACED´s plans for the next few months?
- As
there is a dead season for the concerts, we have begun to create some material
for the new album. Aleksandr and I have some definite ideas and vivid images
for our next album. It will be something like a death metal opera with a
distinct storyline in futuristic anti-utopian style.
Thank you so much for the
interview and I wish a lot of sold out concerts and fans who are crazy about
your merchandise and CDs. And also I wish you a tons of brilliant ideas.
Contact: graceregeneration@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/gracedisgraced/
http://gracedisgraced.bandcamp.com/
https://www.reverbnation.com/gracedisgraced
https://new.vk.com/club390936
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZDTDUu9hVnOQuEIRW2LuPg
http://razedsoul.ipower.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gracedisgraced/
http://gracedisgraced.bandcamp.com/
https://www.reverbnation.com/gracedisgraced
https://new.vk.com/club390936
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZDTDUu9hVnOQuEIRW2LuPg
http://razedsoul.ipower.com/
