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Interview DECADENCE
A TalK With METALLIC KITTY (Vocals)
(Questions by Patrick de Sloover on behalf of Metal To Infinity webzine)
METAL TO INFINITY
Q: It's always great to discover an unsigned band. Most of them have auspicious talent, but aren't ready yet for a deal with a major record company, others have a brilliant point of view and signing is only a matter of time. Head-hunters beware, Decadence from Sweden is the next big thing, and Metal To Infinity is proud that we discovered this pearl already! Kitty, give us a short overview what happened since the start, so let's begin with the year 2003.
A: The year of 2003 in Stockholm, Sweden, at the age of 16, I joined a nameless band which had the focus on Melodic Death Metal. This is what I later named Decadence and has become what it is today - a Thrash Metal act with the heaviness of melodic Death Metal with no keyboards and with the addition of extreme, aggressive female vocals. We've had some line up changes since then, but what we have become and what we are today is what represents the real concept of what Decadence is and stands for and that's we want to show to the world!
Q: Although the band was originally named Ravenous, it only last for a couple of gigs before it turned into Decadence. What do you want to express with Decadence? Is it your vision on the society?
A: Ravenous was a name chosen by our ex-rhythm guitarist Christian Lindholm. He was in charge of organizing our first gig and he had to come up with a name fast - which we all, obviously, later rejected! I brought the name Decadence up because this was my vision of what this band would represent. Decadence for me means something which is mentally and physically deteriorated. It is a process of decline and decay and also a stage of corruption and depravity. When you glance through the lyrics I write for Decadence you see signs of all of these connections everywhere. It is mostly about personal struggles, anger and depression which could work as a guide and as a way to view the world, oneself and various situations through different perspectives.
Q: 2004: the band started looking for an appropriate drummer. When this quest was finished, everybody would expect that the line up was completed, but problems only begun. How did you get in touch with Mikael Sjölund and Roberto Vacchi? In what bands did they play before?
A: I found both Mikael and Roberto through a domestic Metal community. This line up consisting of me (vocals), Kenneth (lead guitar), Mikael (rhythm guitar), Roberto (bass) and Patrik (drums) lasted for a year until it totally collapsed. I think we were a bunch of people who really had no personal chemistry to work and live together as best friends/co workers / family (call it as you wish).
It ended up in major arguments and I had no choice but to totally diffuse this line up. Prior to Decadence, Mikael was the bassist in a band called Traumatage and Roberto was the drummer in a band called Calici. Roberto had previously applied as a drummer for Decadence but Patrik got the spot.
Q: You also recorded a demo called "Land Of Despair". Was it well received by fans and press?
A: At that time, being the first release we ever made, it was warmly welcomed by the fans! Now when I listen to that demo I'm grabbing my ears in despair as I'm listening to the production of it, but for being that young, inexperienced and for a first recording, I'm really happy we got it down on a recording. The press hasn't really reviewed this demo because we were so new at the time.
Q: In March 2005, the band completed their first full length album called "Decadence". I suppose that this was an independent release?
A: Yes it was, "Decadence" self titled (the gray album) was the first "real" recording we ever made being an independent full length and have a fair production.
Q: On that album, there are also two out of 4 tracks from the original demo. "Were Heavy Dose" and "Among The Fallen" the best songs from the demo, so you decided to record them again for the Decadence album?
A: Yes, "Heavy Dose" and "Among The Fallen" deserved a better recording than we had the possibility to do for "Land of Despair". Hopefully we'll be able to do even more remixes on these tracks that we really like in the future!
Q: In the same year, Decadence succeeded in releasing a second album, independent again. Isn't it strange that there was no interest at all from any label?
A: As egocentric as it may sound, yes I think it's strange that no label contacted us. However, during the red album period (The Creature) we had constant contact with Roadrunner Records who were reviewing are music and still are. But I believe it's hard for these big record labels to spend time and effort on something new which has not yet been presented to the people. It's a big and understandable risk but hey - risks are meant to be taken!
Q: Kitty, there is also one hidden track, played with an instrument called Prim. This is originally from Croatia, and the instrument that you used was 100 years old. Tell us something more about that prim, and what's so typical on it?
A: The particular prim that we used has been in my family from ages and on, approximately 100 years back. I have always watched my father play that instrument to me when I was little and I remember how happy he was when I first started playing guitar. Now since time passed I felt I wanted to put this prim down on a recording so that the sound of it could be remembered, and so it was!
Q: The album "The Creature" is also called "The Red Album". Why is that? Does it refer to Metallica's Black album?
A: No, it does not (I wish it was that perfect!). We actually have color themes on each album (as you could see when I was talking about it earlier). We have the gray album (Decadence), the red album (The Creature) and the green album (3rd Stage of Decay).
Q: Believe it or not, but there was another line up change in 2006. How comes that Decadence suffered so many problems to become a stable line up?
A: I mentioned that earlier. It was due to major issues in the personal chemistry between all of us. There were so many problems that I simply couldn't take it anymore. This band isn't a garage band either, we have high hopes and expectations and we have to be able to work together if we want to develop. Doing this business is not only work, it should be fun too! And that is what we have accomplished today with this new, fresh and best line up we've ever had!
Q: You played a while with a session musician, but at this moment, the band is a four-piece. Will it remain like this?
A: For a while longer we will be a quartet yes. It's all due to obvious reasons, we cannot afford taking another person in on the crew as fast as before - because we know what could happen now! We had a session guitarist for 5 gigs in 2006 and now we're training a new session guitarist and I think this time
you all have to prepare to see more of this guy in the future!
Q: Another remarkable step this year is the start of your own record label, called HTI records. What does it stand for, and will it be limited to release only material from Decadence, or will you sign other bands as well?
A: HTI Records was my way to finally stand up for Decadence and push us yet another step in the direction we want to go. It stands for (strangely enough) Human Technological Institute and for the time being it will be limited for Decadence releases only and we will see what I will plan to do with it in the future.
Q: The third album of the band is released on HTI Records and this time, 3rd. Stage of Decay is ready to lift the band to the next level. Tell us, how is the response so far?
A: The response has been overwhelming this 3rd time around! I think this whole signing and finally releasing a "real" Decadence album has been a real boost for us. We've gotten excellent response both from the press and fans and it's a really indescribable feeling to finally have made a statement.
Q: Recording, mixing and mastering was done by Kenneth Lantz, again. Is he the man that knows best how the band should sound? Is he the man 'behind the scene', an unofficial member?
A: Oh yes, in the sound (recording and production) matter, Kenneth is the Man. He has grown together with Decadence and nobody knows what sound we're after more than him. Of course, our resources have been limited but being creative with what we've got - he knows his stuff.
Q: Do you have license deals and distributions deals throughout Europe and the USA? Will people be able to find the records in the local stores as well?
A: We have some smaller distributors widely spread across the world but it's nothing major yet so to say. I'm working hard to make it spread to more distributors so that people will have to chance to get hold of our albums easier. Still, the best, fastest, easiest and cheapest way to get hold of our albums is always through the website ( www.decadence.se )! We're still kind of underground in that matter but that's cool, all CD's sent out are being personalized and so on!
Q: Are you planning to release the first two albums as well? Perhaps a kind of re-release, including some bonus material?
A: We are yes, not the whole albums but maybe chosen tracks. Keep your eyes and ears wide open and prepare for an attack!
Q: In the beginning, I mentioned that Decadence is an unsigned band, I suppose that the band is still looking to get a deal from a major company or not?
A: Decadence is not an unsigned band anymore but yes, we are still certainly open for deals from bigger record labels!
Q: Kitty, you like to hold the strings by yourself. Decadence is your band, you have your own record label, and you are also the manager of the band. Aren't you afraid that you bite off more than one can chew?
A: Haha yeah that's me in a nutshell. I always do that but I always seem to manage it somehow. Aside from the band I both work and go to university so I guess I'm used to the pressure.
Q: What is your main goal to achieve? What is the path that you want to follow to reach your goal?
A: The goal is to reach out to people with our music and to somehow be placed in history for it. Not necessarily in the sense of becoming the next Metallica but rather to earn our little spot in the world of Metal. We would be able to spread our music to many people and share our great experiences with them. This is what I hope the most.
I'm also a fan to various bands and now I also know how much fans means to a band like us. The path I want to follow to achieve that goal is to produce more albums, play a lot live (!) and hopefully get a bigger record deal at some point which could speed up this process!
Q: How would you like to describe the music of Decadence?
A: I think the best definition of our music is the one I've written down in our biography on our website www.decadence.se. It is as follows: Decadence music can be described as Thrash Metal with the heaviness of melodic Death Metal with no keyboards with the addition of extreme, aggressive female vocals and growl techniques as well as Thrash Metal screams. The original combination of these effects gives a specific sound which has evoked significant international enthusiasm.
Q: You dislike any comparison with Angela (Arch Enemy), but in a way, people like to pigeonhole bands and styles. Isn't it obvious that the fans of this musical direction automatically compare with Angela?
A: Certainly it is, we're both females with extreme vocal techniques.
Q: You also have the looks, the anger and the dedication, so I guess that the fans go wild when they meet up with such a wild animal? Is this a dream that comes true?
A: Interacting with the fans as being on stage, bringing our music to life and creating mosh pits from hell, yes that is a dream coming true!
Q: Recently the band did a few gigs I Italy, and that went really great. Is playing live the main thing to be part of the band. Is this the most important thing?
A: Yes, it definitely is! Playing live is as a mentioned above - bringing music to life!
Q: Can you tell us something more about the lyrics of the songs. I guess that you are responsible for the topics?
A: Yes I am, I also mentioned the topics earlier. Connections to the meaning "Decadence" comes up almost all the time in the lyrics. It is mostly personal struggles, coping with the self, with life and so on that is being brought up. I often make connections to my own life as well in a more abstract way which hopefully makes it possible for people to connect to own experiences and happenings.
It always feels as great when fans email me and tell me about their own interpretations - and that is what it's all about. Putting your own meanings to words that are only presented like pure thoughts.
Q: Is it important that a good song has a good lyric, or is it less important in this musical style?
A: I think it's very important! I would find it weird if a brutal gore grind track would have lyrics talking about the evils of society or an aggressive bay area thrash track talking about how evil satan is. I think it's important to show what the specific genre means to you. And, it's not only a genre, it's actually a way of life.
Q: Your personal quote is very applicable to the future of the band. If there is a will, there is a way. I totally agree, and I'm sure that within a while, the band will earn international success. Is there a thing that you want to add to end this interview?
A: Damn, I wanted to say my special quote! I'll have to give you a little something new then - time will tell, when we'll unleash hell! Also a HUGE thank you to all of our fans out there for supporting us in such a great way! Without you it would definitely be impossible. Also thank you Patrick and Metal To Infinity Belgium for giving me the opportunity to share my views in this interview.
Q: What are the plans for the next coming weeks and months?
A: Playing live as much as possible! Also it seems like we will visit your neighbors Holland during this summer for a tour so if any one of you Belgians out there have a chance to drop by for some brutal headbanging - you're most welcome!
Q: We all wish you all the best with the band and the upcoming gigs! Don't forget to stop by in Belgium and bang our heads!!
A: We will - I can promise you that much!
Q: And. please don't forget to send us a promo of the last album, so we can give it a review in our Webzine!
I won't forget! Horns up from Metallic Kitty of Decadence!