1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
As you might know, we’ve just released our first full length album ‘Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin’ through Demons Run Amok and we’re quite pleased with response we’re getting on the album since it came out. Furthermore we’re doing some nice shows in the next coming months and in between we’re always writing new songs. If all goes well, we might even release some new material by the end of the year. Or maybe later.
2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?
At first, we started out as a chaotic hardcore band influenced mainly by bands like Converge, Botch, Coalesce. Those kind of bands really got us into forming a band ourselves but we’ve all been into a huge variety of musical genres like doom, sludge, post-rock/metal as well, so after a while we started shifting to a broader sound combining those elements which resulted in Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin. We didn’t want to restrict ourselves to just playing one kind of genre or style of music or stick to one kind of sound because we started out like that. If you have listened to Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin, you will discover hints of most of the genres I just mentioned but you will still find similarities within the songs. Just listen to opening track ‘Hollow’ which is a 10+ minutes sludge/post-metal-ish song and compare it to a ending track ‘Standing Tall’ which is a doomy, fast fucker and still you will know it’s the same band.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Silvia, our vocalist writes most of the lyrics and they are mostly from the heart and written out of her personal perspective, but most of the things she writes can apply to all of us. Lyrics on ‘Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin’ deal with subjects like blind consumption and the lack of consideration in peoples choices and therefore not seeing the impact on earth, human- or animal welfare, and basically the overall self-destructive nature of man, also issues like isolation, loss and acts being justified in the name of religion.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
To be honest.. there’s no deeper meaning about our bands name, it’s just what it is, five individuals in a band forming some kind of “alliance” together and sharing the same passion and ideas about certain issues. We came up with this name 5 years ago and we decided to stick with it.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
It’s hard to pinpoint “our best shows” because we always try to perform at our best ability and make it as interesting for our audience as possible. I think our release show was one of the highlights for this year because of the great atmosphere and response we got. But we have some cool shows coming up soon, which could be potential highlights of this year. As for stage performance.. we’re quite energetic but since our music became slower due to the sludge and doom influences in our music, guitars are flying around as fast as they used to but there’s still enough energy when we’re out on stage.
6. Do you have any touring plans or shows lined up for the future?
There’re no concrete plans on touring right now, but we’re trying to get something on the road for this coming fall. And we’re always looking for new places to play and open for anything really. We were supposed to do some shows and a festival in Germany last weekend but unfortunately that whole trip got cancelled by some stupid mistakes. But we do have cool shows coming up with Downfall Of Gaia, In The Heart Of Emperors, Mouth Of The Architect and Atlantis. Looking forward to those.
7.Currently you are signed to Demons Run Amok, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
Around the time, when we recorded Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin, we were looking for a label to release our album on. After a while we got in contact with the guys from DRA who were interested in releasing the album. We knew the label for their releases for some Dutch bands but also for bands like Hierophant and Trapped Under Ice and the guys at DRA still have the true DIY attitude, so they will do whatever they can to support their bands as good as possible.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal, sludge and hardcore?
Overall feedback has been very positive, there has been lots of incredible reviews on the new album but there have been some really bad ones as well. But hey.. you can’t please everyone of course and it basically like you either hate it or love it. And that’s okay.. I don’t like every band around as well and it’s all a matter of taste, right.
9. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
Our other guitar player Ivo is currently also in another band called DORDT FOR LIFE, which is basically an old school punk/hardcore band. And Ruud, our bass player is a grind-hardcore/metal band called PIGTEETH. Check them out.
10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I think our music will keep heading more into the doom/sludge/post-metal direction but there will always be some hardcore fiber in our music I guess. But yeah.. nothing is sure when you’re writing new songs and anything can happen really, so we might up doing country songs on our next album..
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
For our last record it’s pretty hard to name bands but musically influences are mostly from sludge, hardcore and doom acts. Most band members grew up on hardcore and metal and for me, I got to say that bands like Converge, Neurosis, Cult Of Luna and Isis will definitely have left their mark on our sound. I listen to tons of bands like Panopticon, Cough, Amenra, Ash Borer Eagle Twin, Breach, Full Of Hell, The Smiths, Light Bearer, Masakari, Nails, Electric Wizard, Townes van Zandt, Altar of Plagues.. I could go on for days..
12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for this interview and hopefully we’ll see you all somewhere along the road!
*note: maybe you can put some line note underneath that you can listen our entire new album Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin on: http://thefifthalliance.bandcamp.com/
As you might know, we’ve just released our first full length album ‘Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin’ through Demons Run Amok and we’re quite pleased with response we’re getting on the album since it came out. Furthermore we’re doing some nice shows in the next coming months and in between we’re always writing new songs. If all goes well, we might even release some new material by the end of the year. Or maybe later.
2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?
At first, we started out as a chaotic hardcore band influenced mainly by bands like Converge, Botch, Coalesce. Those kind of bands really got us into forming a band ourselves but we’ve all been into a huge variety of musical genres like doom, sludge, post-rock/metal as well, so after a while we started shifting to a broader sound combining those elements which resulted in Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin. We didn’t want to restrict ourselves to just playing one kind of genre or style of music or stick to one kind of sound because we started out like that. If you have listened to Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin, you will discover hints of most of the genres I just mentioned but you will still find similarities within the songs. Just listen to opening track ‘Hollow’ which is a 10+ minutes sludge/post-metal-ish song and compare it to a ending track ‘Standing Tall’ which is a doomy, fast fucker and still you will know it’s the same band.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Silvia, our vocalist writes most of the lyrics and they are mostly from the heart and written out of her personal perspective, but most of the things she writes can apply to all of us. Lyrics on ‘Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin’ deal with subjects like blind consumption and the lack of consideration in peoples choices and therefore not seeing the impact on earth, human- or animal welfare, and basically the overall self-destructive nature of man, also issues like isolation, loss and acts being justified in the name of religion.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
To be honest.. there’s no deeper meaning about our bands name, it’s just what it is, five individuals in a band forming some kind of “alliance” together and sharing the same passion and ideas about certain issues. We came up with this name 5 years ago and we decided to stick with it.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
It’s hard to pinpoint “our best shows” because we always try to perform at our best ability and make it as interesting for our audience as possible. I think our release show was one of the highlights for this year because of the great atmosphere and response we got. But we have some cool shows coming up soon, which could be potential highlights of this year. As for stage performance.. we’re quite energetic but since our music became slower due to the sludge and doom influences in our music, guitars are flying around as fast as they used to but there’s still enough energy when we’re out on stage.
6. Do you have any touring plans or shows lined up for the future?
There’re no concrete plans on touring right now, but we’re trying to get something on the road for this coming fall. And we’re always looking for new places to play and open for anything really. We were supposed to do some shows and a festival in Germany last weekend but unfortunately that whole trip got cancelled by some stupid mistakes. But we do have cool shows coming up with Downfall Of Gaia, In The Heart Of Emperors, Mouth Of The Architect and Atlantis. Looking forward to those.
7.Currently you are signed to Demons Run Amok, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
Around the time, when we recorded Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin, we were looking for a label to release our album on. After a while we got in contact with the guys from DRA who were interested in releasing the album. We knew the label for their releases for some Dutch bands but also for bands like Hierophant and Trapped Under Ice and the guys at DRA still have the true DIY attitude, so they will do whatever they can to support their bands as good as possible.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal, sludge and hardcore?
Overall feedback has been very positive, there has been lots of incredible reviews on the new album but there have been some really bad ones as well. But hey.. you can’t please everyone of course and it basically like you either hate it or love it. And that’s okay.. I don’t like every band around as well and it’s all a matter of taste, right.
9. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
Our other guitar player Ivo is currently also in another band called DORDT FOR LIFE, which is basically an old school punk/hardcore band. And Ruud, our bass player is a grind-hardcore/metal band called PIGTEETH. Check them out.
10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I think our music will keep heading more into the doom/sludge/post-metal direction but there will always be some hardcore fiber in our music I guess. But yeah.. nothing is sure when you’re writing new songs and anything can happen really, so we might up doing country songs on our next album..
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
For our last record it’s pretty hard to name bands but musically influences are mostly from sludge, hardcore and doom acts. Most band members grew up on hardcore and metal and for me, I got to say that bands like Converge, Neurosis, Cult Of Luna and Isis will definitely have left their mark on our sound. I listen to tons of bands like Panopticon, Cough, Amenra, Ash Borer Eagle Twin, Breach, Full Of Hell, The Smiths, Light Bearer, Masakari, Nails, Electric Wizard, Townes van Zandt, Altar of Plagues.. I could go on for days..
12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for this interview and hopefully we’ll see you all somewhere along the road!
*note: maybe you can put some line note underneath that you can listen our entire new album Unrevealed Secrets Of Ruin on: http://thefifthalliance.bandcamp.com/
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