Well,Friends of Aristocracy!
Line Up:
Inaki Angulo On Guitar, Vocals
Unai G. Kortazar On Drums
Mikel Vega On Bass, Backing Vocals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTpHaV9cnAE
We speak again of our newsroom, where in a little while, we will have, in all its emotions, the interview 122 of the Aristocracy.This time, we will talk to a band that uses Sludge Metal in an intense way and with an abused noise and full of sound alternatives.This band comes from the Basque Country, a region of Spain that is stuck in France. But, it's still Spain. A strong and capable work. We're talking about the Basques from Conteiner. They officially released, twenty-six days ago, their album debutante titled as Light Demolator.The whole band answered our questions, which you will start following now. But, before that, let's thank the band very much for the answers and for showing that the growth of Spanish metal is something that is here to stay.
A1:Let´s talk about the composition work in Light Demolator?
Conteiner:We started to write material in 2019. So it´s almost been a couple of years of composition until we entered the studio. No rush with it, even more if we take into account the pandemic situation and stuff. But we have definitely been constant and paid attention to little details. In this regard, the album is basically rehearsal room based. Feeling the room energy and the amp havoc is crucial for us. Besides, special attention is paid to creating dynamic song atmospheres and progressions. Compositions should be kind of a rollercoaster for us, no doubt. We just take it as a rhythm & chord game.
A2:The band plays one of my favourite styles of metal. But, I would like to know who is this wrecker that refers to and gives the album its name?
Conteiner:Well... haha. At first we were eager to include the term "Demolator" which doesn´t really exist in English in the title as a result of an internal joke on the one hand, and due to the power the word itself emanates on the other. Then came this kind of abstract concept: Light Demolator. Can anyone destroy or get rid of light? Nobody really,that´s why we like it. A global mass destruction scenario, maybe? Who knows. Anyway, sort of open to all interpretations.It´s weird because at the time the cover designer was finishing the whole artwork, war in Ukraine and those sudden nuclear menaces began. So, to be honest... reflecting this wasn´t really our intention when using that cover, just a coincidence.Then came this kind of abstract concept: Light Demolator. Can anyone destroy or get rid of light? Nobody really,that´s why we like it,A global mass destruction scenario, maybe? Who knows. Anyway, sort of open to all interpretations.It´s weird because at the time the cover designer was finishing the whole artwork, war in Ukraine and those sudden nuclear menaces began. So, to be honest... reflecting this wasn´t really our intention when using that cover, just a coincidence.
A3:What is Zahnzatt?
Conteiner:Zahnzatt is an imaginary animal. It looks like a huge Myanmarian platypus with bat wings and crocodile teeth.
A4:Is it easier or more practical to stay in a power trio band?
Conteiner:Drums-bass-guitar line-ups always work. Since Hendrix, Blue Cheer... to name a few. The perfection of the triangle in all periods.I´d say it´s easy to jam among three, being straightforward and nuance-based when it´s required at the same time. The sound spectrum is perfectly covered, so not really further info or sound elements are missed in a rock/metal context And yeah... definitely easier to gather just three people in a rehearsal room than a bigger band. So pragmatically talking faster decisions can be made too, sure.
A5:What progressive elements are realized on this album?
Conteiner:We all like classic bands with proggy elements such as King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra... even This Heat and stuff. Also 2000s math-rock classics Don Cab, Dysrhythmya... had a big impact on us.This influence may definitely be bigger in other bands/projects we take part in, but I´d say for us it is essential to create some kind of fluency and rhythm changes in order to be kinetic in a riff-filled land too.You know... Heaviness? Of course. But let´s swing with it at the same time.
A6:Why has the band this name?
Conteiner:We wanted a consistent sounding name. At the beginning we thought of calling it `Container´ but the name was already taken by the amazing electronic artist, so we just decided to replace a vowel and went ahead with it.
A7:Positiva, Killerkume, Meido, Loan, Orbain Unit or Ximel. Among these bands, which one would you say has similarities with Conteiner? Justify your answer, please?
Conteiner:Wow! That´s a big question, man. Some of us know each other from 20+ years and have played together in the past (e.g: the early days of Ximel, a noise-rock band that even toured Europe with Today Is The Day in 2005).All of us have been part of the local noise-rock and underground heavy rock/metal scene for a while. The bass player is also currently involved in the experimental / improvisation circuit by playing guitar and effects solo and together with other improvisers. Therefore, we´d say all this background and the contact with the creative side of music/sound itself may have a positive effect at the time of gathering together and writing heavy or riff oriented music. It just adds further nuances to what we aim at.
A8:Poetic to say that "the thunder follows sunshine". Where does the band want to go?
Conteiner:Well, just a sentence from the label promo text... hahaha.We just want to have a good time - live and in studio -, be immersed in a noise-ridden thunder riffage and thunderous drumming, and go with the flow after all.
A9:What is Gloonomorph?
Conteiner:Gloonomorph is an imaginary creature whose most relevant feature is the ability to kidnap its victims´ souls through the hypnotic and threatening effect generated by his gaze in nocturnal gloom situations. Gloonomorph´s skin turns grey each time a soul is swallowed and digested.
A10:What´s behind the album´s artwork?
Conteiner:Our friend Ibon Ugarteburu made it. He´s always been into comic books, horror/sci-fi, metal, sneaker customization and stuff. So yeah, it helped a lot at the time of managing to understand our cover ideas of an apocalyptic scene where an outer energy hypnotises a big reptile and creates an hallucinatory trail in its wake.
A11:Does the seventh song have a humorous tone or did the band naturally want it?
Conteiner:Do you mean... its lyrics? Yeah. In general, we try to play on that fine line between humour and more serious situations through our lyrics. We are very interested in it due to the power it has to create weird confusion contexts.
A12:What kind of subject doesn´t a Conteiner song deserve?
Conteiner:We are against any form of racism, homophobia, gender discrimination... and all that reactionary crap stuff. So obviously no place for it in our band.
A13:Is this album conceptual?
Conteiner:No!
A14:What would 2022 Container say to 2016 Container?
Conteiner:"Hey guys: go get your asses in studio with Mr. Xanp, bloody bastards!"
A15:I also liked that the band puts elements of thrash in their sound, how did it come about and who gave the space for this brilliant idea?
Conteiner:Oh, the power of palm mute and Dave Mustaine compelled us, man! Hahahah.Again, another resource from a classic genre we love to ride and which can be applied and enjoyed in a whole song structure. Horns up and make it greasy, for fuck´s sake! \m/
A16:How did the band arrive in Violence In The Veins?
Conteiner:It came rather spontaneously. A mutual friend Jon Imbernon from Gangrened recommended getting in touch with ´em. Just a phone call and everything went fluent.
A17:Explain song two, please?
Conteiner:Nothing special about it. Outer Signal Clash speaks of a near future in which signals coming from outer space produce an overpowering effect on human beings by affecting the neuronal tissue. All this leads to a never-ending collapse and confrontation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GMW6Dx3FIs
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