Interview to BUBONIC (UK)

1. Hello my friend, pleasure to have you on Rotten Pages ´zine. How are you doing today? Let us set the scene first. Where do we find you right now? Please describe your surroundings.

I’m at home in Southampton, UK, watching YouTube and responding to these questions. It’s a Monday and the weather has been surprisingly decent by UK standards.

2. What was the reason into making death metal music and whom are the gateway entries for your discoveries getting into extreme music?

I would say my music taste (regarding metal anyway, I like all sorts of music generally) got more into the extreme side just from wanting to find the next levels of heaviness and speed. Death metal just fulfilled that easily! I guess the first death metal song I ever heard was “Slaves Shall Serve” by Behemoth, on a compliation album when I was 14. It scared the hell out of me and from then on I was basically hooked. My gateway entries would be classic bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Morbid Angel, along with newer bands (newer in the mid 00s anyway) like Nile, Origin and Decapitated.

3. How important is a band’s name? is it important that people can identify with it?

I’d say very important as it needs to fit the overall music and really grab the attention of fans. For example, you’d never find a salsa band called Napalm Death! I’d love it if that did exist, though.

4. You have put out your debut EP titled “The Stubborn Persistence of Human Suffering” and was released last December. How was the overall reception from the media press and what was the inspiration into writing this 5 tracks?

Truthfully, there hasn’t been a press response! I appreciate you guys for contacting me as this is the first real one. People who have heard it have been really positive and it’s been humbling. The inspiration was actually recording music that I’ve had written for years! The songs on the EP were originally written several years ago for a project that never got out of the studio, ultimately I just decided to do it myself and I’m extremely happy that I did, it’s been really awesome. I’m generally inspired by classic thrash/death metal and also stoner/doom, a bit of hardcore too. Big inspirations would be Slayer, Demolition Hammer, Obituary, Dark Angel and Suffocation.

5. Musicians often have a single favourite spot on each recording they make. What would be your moment of joy on this particular EP?

I’m particularly proud of how “Atrocitology” and “Ethical Homicide” turned out as those are two of my older songs that I’ve played for years. It’s amazing to hear them in a finalised, recorded version.

6. I can't really imagine the amount of work involved, but as a one-man project it's certainly huge. Is it worth it that you can implement your own ideas 100% without making compromises with other band members?

It’s a lot to do, I do all vocals, guitars, bass and drum programming. That’s definitely an advantage, along with being able to record/practice whenever I want without having to rely on other people’s schedules (and not having them rely on my schedule either!). I wouldn’t be against playing in a full band, but for Bubonic it works just doing everything myself. For now, anyway!

7. What are some techniques you haven’t used on your current demo that you would love to experiment with in future releases?

Maybe some guest appearances and collaborations!

8. Tell us about the recording sessions, how did it go? Was it your first time in the studio? How long did it take you to finish everything?

It was the first time for me in a studio, it all went well. The engineer is a real professional and really friendly and encouraging. It took 8 hours over 4 sessions overall, the drums were programmed beforehand so they were ready to go. The only real difficulties were recording guitars as these songs aren’t easy to play, but I created that problem for myself really!

9. Were there any songs that didn’t make it onto demo or did you use all of the material you wrote?

I used all material I wanted for this EP as it was all my older songs. I’m currently recording a second EP which I’m hoping to have out this year, and I’ve got some ideas for a third EP as well. I never stop, apparently.

10. When you write, are you also thinking about how the music may translate live or perhaps how a video may be used to promote a given song? I guess the music comes first but I’m interested in how soon the visual aspects become important.

I do think about how the songs will be live, as I’ve not played any shows so far, so that’s definitely an element. I haven’t thought so much about music videos, but I’d love to do one! It would have to suit the song, but humour would definitely play a part in it regardless.

11. When checking today’s extreme music scene, do you miss the ancient days? In which records were made with high spirit, communications were made more sincerely and honestly. What are the main differences for you?

I don’t think I could say I was really around in the ancient days, I was born in the early 90s and by the time I was into more extreme metal the older bands were already established legends. I’d say from what I can gather, it was easier in the older days to be original as it was a completely new genre at the time. There are plenty of newer, killer metal bands these days, but the ones who really get my attention are those who are doing something a bit different.

12. Who would you say are your current favourite bands in UK, and anywhere else, I’m always keen to discover more great music. I find a lot of people just refuse to open their eyes (ears) and give some of the newer stuff a go. Any thoughts?

I’ll give a shout out to some fairly local bands to me – Savini, Nihilith, Grim Ravine, and Bealusith. In terms of the general UK, I’m a massive fan of Hellripper and I’m looking forward to seeing them this week, their live shows are always amazing. Cryptic Shift have just put out a new album that deserves your attention if you’re a tech/prog death fan. Celestial Sanctuary are another band I’ve followed for a while and always crush live. I’d say it can definitely get easy to get stuck in listening to older bands, but having an open mind is the best way to be. You never know who you might end up discovering that’ll end up becoming a favourite.

13. What ways has been the best for you in order to promote the band? What do you do to reach as many interest as possible?

So far it’s been purely social media, but I’m thinking of creating some physical promo material such as stickers to help promote the band. And of course, your Zine will definitely help with that too!

14. As a metal band do you feel that you’re a part of a greater worldwide community of metalheads?

I’d say generally so, I went to Obscene Extreme Festival last year and it was amazing seeing people from all over the world together for a common purpose, metal is one of the few things that can truly do that.

15. Before Ending this interview, Why should everyone check out Bubonic and what does your music offer in comparison to other bands playing the same genre as you do?

I ultimately wanted to create a blend and contrast of speed and crushing riffs together as I love both, and just try to put my own spin on death metal. I can also offer a lot of sarcasm and twisted humour in the lyrics!

16. Last but not least, what are your biggest hopes for the upcoming half of the year? What do we need more of, and what do we need less of?

I’m hoping to get my new EP recorded and released, and to hopefully get round to playing some shows. We need more blastbeats, and less division and negativity.

17. I like to thank you for your time into doing this. Any final thoughts or words to the fans reading this?

Check out new music, and support independent bands/artists as much as you can! Cheers for the interview!

https://www.facebook.com/bubonicofficial1/