Interview with Kin Beneath Chorus

Last Updated on 08:23 PM by Lilliana Tseka

Hi guys! How are you?

Hey, there! Everything’s good! We’re on the run!

First of all, congratulations for your efforts, which I must admit, are very valuable and you deserve to keep on this track! Starting the interview, I would like you to draw us a brief picture of the band, since you’ve been active since 2007, yet you’ve been even more productive with releases since 2011, so give a chance for our readers to know you better.

Thank you very much! We aim to considerably speed up our pace. Indeed the band exists since 2007, something that’s not frequently mentioned. The reason why this happens is that back then, there were other members in the band, we had another name but we hadn’t yet defined our music genre. We kept looking, but at the same time we did some concerts. In 2011 we changed our name but kept the material we had written. Some tracks of the record were composed quite a long time ago. For example, “Nothing is Sacred” was composed in 2008 and wasn’t changed at all, despite the fact that it came out in 2013 in our first record.

I’ll ask you a question that I am sure you‘ve already answered many times. What does Kin Beneath Chorus mean and why did you choose such a name?

We’ve been asked the same question many times, but I think that’s reasonable.

According to the history of the Mayans, Kin (you’ll also find them as Ah-Kin) was a degree of prophets and senior priests. These priests had great power and influenced the people. So, the priests saw the people who behaved as a mass, like a “chorus”. So we put Kin beneath this chorus. As for the reason why, we wanted a name that has nothing to declare. We had to do some research, of course but we liked this one and adopted it.

Although Ah Kin was a sun god –of light, optimism, joy etc-, in the mythology of the Mayans (correct me if I’m wrong), he predicted something unpleasant about the world; that it’ll be destroyed by human behaviors and actions. What do you have to say on this?

 Right! There are reports that they had predicted the destruction of the world by human factors, human acting. This is something that we see and we all experience every day.

Let’s go a little further and elaborate on your music career. Firstly, I would like you to tell us whether the age of members of a group may influence its musical career (you’re probably 24 to 25 years old)? In previous years did your age created setbacks (in collaborations, performances, labels, etc.)?

Whether age influences us on such levels is relevant. When you are younger, you lack maturity, but on the other hand you have much free time. So in this case it’s not considered an obstacle. The only obstacle is the experience because with the experience alone you can see things more clearly. Someone who is 20 years old can be experienced, provided they have lived the appropriate situations. The more you go along and see things more clearly, the more experienced you become.

Some refer to you as a Death Metal / Metalcore band and others as a Modern Death one. Would you choose a specific title for the music you play or are there no labels in there metal field?

It is difficult for us to characterize the way we’re playing. We cannot be absolutely objective toward our music. We believe that we go through all these “labels”. As for the labels themselves, their existence isn’t wrongful. There are mainly technical reasons.

Are there any groups, people, etc that have significantly influenced your musical interests? If so, who are they?

We listen to almost everything, really. Inspiration can be caused by the slightest thing. In general, we like the extreme sound and we’re people open to opinions.

Could you say a few words about your songwriting directions? What do you want to express via them? Do they refer to the prediction Ah Kin made?

The first record followed mainly this pattern; what would Kin’s first words be if he saw the current situation. In the second record we’ll try to distance ourselves from that. But again, there will be references to the “imaginary”.

“Futuristic Composed” is a dynamic and intense album. Sometimes it gives me the impression that there is continuity (musically and synthetically) between the songs and that one can perceive it as a concept album. When you were recording it, did a thought like that pass through your minds or is it simply a product of my imagination (Hahaha)? 

“Futuristic Composed” is out first album, with all that this entails. As we said above, we have tracks that were written in 2008 and even tracks written in 2013, and that went along with the maturity we talked about before. The album has variety and we somehow manage to split it into sections that actually make the album a concept one. It didn’t occur to us, but it happened. That’s why music is beautiful.

In May, you released a split-cd with the Thessalonians Embrace the Paradox. Tell us about this cooperation. Besides the fact that you’re from the same city, what else connects you with this band?

We wanted to release something between the records that would show which paths our second album will be based on. We wanted to introduce 1-2 tracks. Embrace the Paradox wanted to do the same thing. We had met the guys a long time before the release and kept very good relations. So with the assistance of Straight From The Hearts Records, this Split-ep became a reality.

Lately, I think you are on alert, as regards to the creation and recording of new rhythms and songs.
Maybe you’ve already started producing new songs. Tell us about your actions. Should we expect a new full album?

The new album takes shape slowly. We are almost every day in our studio and compose. Of course we have a long way ahead. Roughly, we are about 30-40% ready, but we are moving in a very good and relatively fast pace.

The album will be superior to the previous one and we can safely guarantee that. We are working in a different way now and this will be brightly evident. We believe the big change compared to the first album comes in vocals, which are attentively taken care of now.

If everything flows as programmed (which won’t happen) the album will be released in 2016.

As a continuation of the previous question, “Atticus” is one of your new songs and already has its own video-clip (released on September 6, 2015). Should we expect video clips of old or new songs?

There won’t be any videos on old tracks; however there will be on new ones! Definitely!

Very successfully and through your own viewpoint, you did a cover on “The Evil that Men Do”, originally performed by the legendary Iron Maiden. Are we going to listen to other adaptations in the future? Is it possible to present some of these in your next official release? 

For the record, there is no chance. As for some other, more “fun” release, we would be interested of course. It was a nice experience recording a track of the Titans, Iron Maiden. We would do it again.

Let’s move now to a new field, which I think is probably the most vital and crucial part of a band: concerts. How did live performances help KBC, especially in their first steps in the music business?

It is indeed the alpha and omega of a group. We’ve been helped a lot too, as natural; from our very first steps until now. Special concerts alongside large groups are similar to schools. Each concert is like a small seminar.

Also, how hard is it for a band to cope with a number of such requirements? By now, you have gained enough experience on this issue after several appearances in several cities.

We have played a considerable number of concerts as a local band, but we are not veterans. Difficulties exist but if you want it and liked it, nothing will ever stop you.

Of course, we don’t forget the most important, perhaps, event for you: your participation in the Anniversary Wacken 2014 for its 25 years. How important is it for a band from Greece and your range to participate in such a festival? After about a year, how do you think it has helped you?

It’s crazy that we played in Wacken. Even now it feels like a dream. Awesome experience, gave us too much. Now we see the stage in a completely different way. It’s one of those experiences that open your eyes. We were fortunate enough to speak with great names of the scene, producers, and directors of huge record labels that gave lots of useful advice. Of course we’ve had experiences that feel like a lie. Like seeing Fleshgod Apocalypse live on the side of the stage along with “Rasta” Piotrowski (vocalist of Decapitated) and Matt Greiner (drummer of August Burns Red) and such.

In about a week (on December 13) you’ll be traveling to Trikala for the first time if I’m not mistaken, where you will perform with Septic Flesh. How difficult and also how important it is for KBC to be an opening act for such a historical group? In general, do you believe that the crowd is waiting to listen to only the big names? 

This is indeed a negative point, if you want me to put it that way. Our job as a support band is to stand strong and to warm up the crowd. We’ve been expecting this concert more than anything else. Septic Flesh is a huge name and we are honored to be sharing the stage with them.

Have you planned to do any live performances, both in Greece and abroad, for the next period of time until the summer?

Unfortunately 2016 will be relatively “poor” in terms of our live performances. There are some final issues that need to be taken care of within this year, so we will focus mainly on the recordings of the new album. But for 2017 we are preparing too many gigs, in Greece and abroad.

Arriving at the end of our interview, I would like you to tell us your opinion about the Greek metal scene? Do you think it can match the scene of the abroad? What might be the advantages and disadvantages of bands coming from Greece?

There are bands that can stand out even overseas. What we see is that almost no one is chasing after that the way they should. Nothing comes alone. This requires intense hunting, perseverance and patience. Disadvantages are the classic shit, financial austerity and so on. As for the advantages, the Greek scene is small, so it is easier to stand out amongst few bands. There is less competition, but that’s not good, because sometimes the competition (fair competition) in pushing everyone to do better.

One last question. Share with us the best and the worst moment of your career so far. 

Our best moment was certainly Wacken. There hasn’t been a truly bad moment. There have been setbacks, big ones, but we keep anything positive they might give us and move on.

Thank you. You can seal the interview in any way you want it!  

Thank you very much! Your effort was good! We enjoyed your interview! 

There’s only one thing we could say… See you on the road!