Ελληνικά
Rotting Flesh hails from Thessaloniki of Greece and it’s a trio who play Atmospheric/Melodic Death Metal with some black elements. They are active from 1992 and recently they release their third full-length album. Their previous works are six demos, three promos and two full-length albums. I had the opportunity of interviewing Rotting Flesh and here’s some of their thoughts!
Hello guys! Let me start with some general questions.
Rotting Flesh is active at least 22 years. Tell us few things about the band and your route in the world of music.
We have already offered to our fans 6 demos, 3 promos and 3 full-length albums. We continue to create, to express ourselves and, of course, we love what we are doing!
It’s sure that many changes have been mentioned both in Greek and foreign metal scene during all these years. How easy was 20 years ago dealing with music, recordings and releases and how easy is now to come off with all these things?
Of course there have been many changes. Recordings are now more professional, productions are quite improved and, generally, the way we work on these things is very-very different. The most important thing is to believe in your music and this makes you to offer more and more things.
The more years a group is active the more the responsibilities and the demands are, especially in things like music, releases, lyrics, live shows, interviews and so on. How difficult is to support a history of 22 years;
Of course, the responsibilities are too many and all the time we adapt to new situations. We concentrate on music and, parallel, we try to cope with the rest. We have already proven who we are and we would like to stay in this high level or get higher if it’s possible. This is “Rotting Flesh”.
Rotting Flesh is playing Atmospheric/Melodic Death Metal, isn’t it? What do you believe for the “Genres”; Is this important for you or the compositions are the most important fact;
This stands but we have no reason to hold on this and restrict our ideas. Our destinations are Atmospheric/Melodic Death Metal but as far as “Genres” is concerned put it in your ass (hahaha)…. with all due respect!!
Generally speaking, what is your opinion about the Greek metal scene? Is it competitive with the abroad or not;
There are so many notable Greek bands that can compete with those of the abroad but the most serious thing is promotion and nothing else.
Now, I would like to ask some things about Rotting Flesh itself. Ok;
What is your inspiration in order to create rhythms, to compose music and/or to write lyrics?
We are inspired by our beliefs and our music represents the dark side of ourselves. This is the way we work on these things.
As far as I know, Rotting Flesh had many changes in line-up the previous years. Recently, Mancer joined in the band and he is the guy who stands behind the drums. Tell us about this new cooperation and generally tell us whether all these changes make the band to backlog or not.
It’s true that Rotting Flesh’s line-up had been changed many times and this was a problem to our way. Every time that anyone left the band, it was a backlog and a regression. The reason Mancer had been chosen, except for his abilities on drums, is that he is a very good guy and helps us at most to get improved.
Your third full-length album, “Infected Purity”, was released on September. It was five years ago when you recorded the other full-length album “6 Enigma”. Did you face some difficulties during this period of time?
Although we faced many difficulties, “Infected Purity” comes true and this is the reason why we feel so proud for it. We tried to find the most appropriate solutions without makeshifts and we took our time at any step we made. There were a lot of changes in line-up but every problem has its answer.
Tell us few words about “Infected Purity”. How did you start working on this, how were the things going on and how was the finally recording?
As usual, we work on music at the first and then everything is coming by itself. We couldn’t even know what the finally result might be. The music is our guide to every album and we follow it.
Of course, you didn’t choose the specific album’s title, “Infected Purity”, by chance. Would you like tell us about this choice and, generally, about your lyrical themes;
This title (according to Blackmass) represents the dark side of everything that existed around us. Moreover, it means that the most pure and “clean” thing can be infected at any time. Our lyrics refer to this theme and anyone can make his/her thoughts about it.
Do you believe that “Infected Purity” can offer anything to someone who starts to listen to metal right now?
It offers true music without boundaries, limitations and prejudices.
You have, already, made the video-clip of “Terrorscope”. Is it possible for some more of this kind of productions in the future?
Be patience and you will be informed soon!
How pleased are you with the final result of “Infected Purity”? Actually, I mean the production, mixing, sound, mastering, layout and artwork.
We are too pleased with the final result of this album. We had very important co-operations with notable guys during the creation of “Infected Purity” and, finally, we achieve our aims.
Do you think that there are some negative parts or some of your songs that you would like to change?
If we start from the beginning, we would never change anything. The specific songs are exactly how we imagine this release. Every track is special and has its “personality”, so as the overall recording is quite powerful with the combination of many different elements.
What are the most characteristic differences in comparison with the previous releases? Mainly I refer to your albums “Dreaming… the Underworld” and “6 Enigma” and also to the rest recordings.
Of course, every album is different from the previous ones but all of them have a common music origin. Productions get improved, new elements are added and every time we try to find something new to do. Exactly this happened with “Infected Purity”.
Ok, guys, let’s tell us few things about live shows and then we can conclude this interview.
You have play in many live shows and take part in a lot of festivals (in some of them as Headliners). What do you think about live shows? Does any band get famous? Do you have any kind of advantage from them?
Live shows are the basic line to be in contact with your fans. It’s very important to attribute and support your music on the stage. This is the way the fans judge you and, of course, you get famous.
Have you scheduled some live shows or a tour during the next period of time? What are Rotting Flesh’s plans for the future?
There are some live shows in mind but we don’t finalize them yet. Generally, we announce our news and plans via our site (http://www.rottingflesh-band.com/).
This period of time, you are unsigned. You are the emperor of yourself. Would you like to sign in a big company so as to help you in promoting your releases?
Unfortunately, there were no important and no serious offerings. We try to support our works by ourselves, believing in what we are doing from the very first time of our activity. Companies create a specific mould and you have to follow it. So, if you don’t, then they have the power to destroy you.
I think that one of your most characteristic phrase is “To be always underground is the law”. What do you express with this phrase and what would you like to emphasise?
You know us very well, dude! It’s a so little phrase that expresses everything. Basically, the only thing that it’s worth for anyone is to believe in what he is doing with stable values, without getting changed from external influences.
As far as I know, Blackmass is in a project-group. Would you like to tell us few things about this?
This is true; it’s a new project with some old members of Rotting Flesh and some other guys. We try to follow different directions and we try new things and ideas. I cannot say anything more than that but a new release is coming true which might be very interesting. Wait for this!
The last words of this interview are for you!
Thank you for your interesting and so targeting questions!
Fans, thank you all! “Keep it up!” and “Rot with us!”!!!
Line-up:
Blackmass – Guitars and Vocals,
Argh – Bass and Backing Vocals, and
Mancer – Drums.
Discography:
1993: Necromancer (demo)
1994: Underground Conspiracy (demo)
1995: Temple of Rage (demo)
1996: Realms Beyond Heaven (demo)
1998: Follow the End (demo)
1999: Scary Path Promo 99
2000: Death Will Come (demo)
2003: Dreaming… the Underworld (1st official album)
2004: Rotten Live Rehearsal
2009: 6 Enigma (2nd official album)
2014: Infected Purity (3rd official album)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotting-Flesh/150473324985845?fref=ts
Official Myspace: https://myspace.com/rottingfleshgr
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/RottingFleshgr
Bandcamp: http://rottingflesh.bandcamp.com/
