Interview with death metal band from France - DISFUNERAL.
Answered Renaud Mann (vocals), thank you!
Recenze/review - DISFUNERAL - In Horror, Reborn (2025):
Ave DISFUNERAL! Hello to the French underground. Let's get straight to the important stuff. You've got a new album out, "In Horror, Reborn", which is literally crammed with honest, dirty death metal. How was the album made and how do you feel about it? What direction did DISFUNERAL move in?
The album was written pretty much the same way as the previous one. The main difference lies in a darker direction and a move away from the more Swedish death metal vibe. Another change is that we have a new drummer. Even though the album was already written before Yann joined the band, he still brought his own touch to the rhythm section. As for the album itself, we're really satisfied with it, even though there’s always room for improvement. And that’s exactly what we’ll aim for on the third one…
I'm listening to it right now and I have to write that this time it took a while to get into my blood. I put the album in my player, I'm listening to it in the car. I like the sound a lot. It's lively, organic, old school, and at the same time very clear. I find it slightly different from your previous records. Where did you record and who is responsible for the sound?
Yes, you're right. The album might be a bit less accessible than the previous one, but it fits our vision of Death Metal much better. We deliberately went for a sound that’s maybe a bit less massive, but even more old school, to match the different atmospheres throughout the album. We recorded it with the help of Fabien Cruzille in his studio, and it was mixed and mastered by Robert Pehrsson, who’s really into that raw, old-school, almost untouched kind of sound.
I think you'll agree with me that the cover sells. You guys have it pretty dark this year. It's by Jon Whiplash. How did you and Jon get together and what exactly does the theme convey in relation to the music?
Yes, we love the artwork and Jon’s work. We knew him because he played in Skelethal and had done the artwork for their albums, which we thought were really cool. This visual perfectly represents our music and our intention to go in a darker direction, a return to the roots of the death metal we love. There’s definitely a connection to Mental Funeral by Autopsy in the spirit of the artwork.
I've been putting "In Horror, Reborn" over and over in my head, and I think what I like most about the album is probably that hard to describe old school death metal feel. Then I look at your promo photos and you're wearing the logos of my favourite bands. Looks like we're of the same blood. Who was and is your role model? Every musician started out somehow, there are role models that have shaped their signature. What were yours?
What motivated us to create the band Herpes (which later became Disfuneral) was already the idea of promoting a style of Death Metal that we consider, in our opinion, almost a subgenre in itself. That style is the one initiated by Autopsy: a mix of Death, Doom, and Punk, with dark atmospheres but very groovy music. The perfect blend for us.The bands that influenced us all revolve more or less around the Autopsy orbit: Death Breath, Murder Squad, Obliteration, Repulsion, just to name the main ones.
I remember years ago when I wrote a review of your first album "Blood Red Tentacle" I listened to the album over and over again. I have it set up that if I like a band, I want to see them live, to confirm how the songs sound in concert? How do you enjoy going to gigs? And how do the new songs work live? What kind of feedback do you get?
We love playing live. Our songs are written to be played on stage, with very few exceptions. New ones work really well in a live setting. We get great feedback at shows. We put a lot of work into preparing for gigs so we can be as tight and solid as possible.
How do you look at the current trend, widespread mostly among young bands, where they try to play as technically as possible, often putting into death metal, for example, saxophone, various keyboards and generally finding their way in a very complicated way. Do you enjoy such bands? I'm confused sometimes when I go to a gig and someone like that is performing. It seems like a jazz school exercise, but I end up not remembering anything at all. What about you and the current trends in death metal?
You said we’re of the same blood, and given how your question turned out, I think that’s true. Haha. So you can probably guess my answer...If complexity brings something in terms of atmosphere or meaning, then why not. But in my view, that’s rarely the case. Sometimes it feels like a way to hide compositions behind an excess of technique. I feel the same about absurdly brutal bands. For me, music is a language. There must be meaning behind artistic choices, and not just doing things simply because we can. As for integrating instruments or styles that are completely opposite to Death Metal, I think taking two totally opposed things and mixing them without any real thought doesn’t make the music complex or intellectual. At best, it’s boring; at worst, it’s crappy. Haha. Of course, some bands manage those daring blends, but it takes a lot of talent and a lot of thought in designing such music.
The scene in the Czech Republic is so closed. The band and the fans more or less all know each other and to be honest, it seems to me that not many people go to death metal anymore. The younger ones listen to something completely different. You're from Nancy, Grand Est, what's your scene like, what about the clubs? And the fans? Do they support bands, do they go to shows?
I have a similar feeling here. The metal audience is aging and isn’t renewing itself enough... People still support bands, but as they get older, they go out less.Moreover, in our region, it’s quite hard to find suitable venues to play Death Metal. But there are still some associations that really make an effort to keep the scene alive.
A lot of bands are already planning tours for the fall and winter. How are you guys doing with promoting "In Horror, Reborn"? I'd like to finally see it live. Are you coming to the Czech Republic? What about you and concerts in general? Do you like to play live? Do you prefer small clubs or big festivals?
We are looking for shows to promote the latest album for the rest of the year. We are also planning concerts for next year. Unfortunately, nothing is scheduled for the Czech Republic at the moment. But we would love to come! If you happen to have any contacts... Haha! I don’t have a clear preference between small clubs and big festivals. They each have their pros and cons. As long as the gear on site is good and we can hear ourselves play, we’re happy!
We are coming to the end and I always ask a slightly philosophical question. How would you define death metal and what does it mean to you? I don't mean now the technique of playing, but rather what it brings to you, takes, how you perceive it in relation to the fans. Did you grow up on it?
I see Death Metal as a cathartic music that allows us to experiment with violence. I also like the aspect of talking about death with a certain detachment, humor, even irony. To me, it’s a healthy way to approach death.
What are DISFUNERAL planning in the next few months? If you have a message for fans, promoters, labels, here is the space...
As I already mentioned, we’re looking for and have a few shows coming up... We will also quietly start working on the composition of the third album.
Thank you very much for the interview. I appreciate it. Now let the music do the talking. I'm going to put on "In Horror, Reborn" and I'm going to play it loud! I wish you all the best for the new album and that all is well in your personal lives. Thank you!
Thank you for your very interesting interview. Thanks for your support! And I wish you all the best as well! See you!
Recenze/review - DISFUNERAL - In Horror, Reborn (2025):
Recenze/review - DISFUNERAL - Blood Red Tentacle (2022):
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