INSIDEAD
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 24th October 2011.
Greek quartet InsIDeaD released their debut album "Chaos ElecDead" a few months back, so we thought we'd catch up with them and ask a few Q's...
Hi Guys, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
InsIDeaD: We’re doing just fine, setting the foundation for the future!
What's the history behind Insidead? How did the band form?
InsIDeaD: Insidead were formed back in 1997 by George T. (frontman) and Nick M. (bassist). It didn’t take long for the first live appearances to happen. In these first gigs the audience seemed to grow more and more enthusiastic. Of course these first steps were more amateur but in time the expectations were higher which brings us to today.
Who were the early influences for the band?
InsIDeaD: We admire many bands in the metal scene but I feel there are some particular ones which have influenced us the most. Some of those being Metallica, Megadeth, Sepultura, Slayer, Kreator, Death, Haunted and Messuggah.
Where did the band’s name come from?
InsIDeaD: The name of the band was first selected in 2005 which is a combination of the words 'inside' and 'dead'. It applies to everyone who feels dead inside in a world where human and social poverty grows constantly. Through the music and our lyrics we try to remind everyone that they are the controllers of their own destiny and they can change it.
Did you know what sort of sound Insidead was destined to have at the start, or did you simply let the sound develop organically?
InsIDeaD: I wouldn’t say that we decided on our sound in the beginning. We have certainly set the basis music wise and the themes we were going to cover. The current form of our music is the result of a more general evolution but also of our own personalities.
How would you describe your sound to somebody who hadn't heard you before?
InsIDeaD: I think I can give a complete picture by saying the words aggressive, melodic and contemporary.
It took a long while between the band forming and the release of the debut album "Chaos ElecDead". What was the reason behind this?
InsIDeaD: Well, 14 years are a lot, that’s true. But believe me if we wanted to we could have released our debut album much earlier. We didn’t because we had to grow within the circumstances in which we released our music. We didn’t want to settle for anything mediocre. By this I don’t mean that our album is the perfect album but we believe it to be a very good album for our debut in the music industry.
How does it feel finally being on a record label and having an album released?
InsIDeaD: My answer is more or less the continuance of the previous question. We wanted our first album to be within a working co operation with a record label that would force us to elevate our work. And we had to wait for a long time but Massacre Records was well worth the wait. Of course we feel proud to have such a co operation.
How do you go about writing your songs? Talk us through the construction of a typical track...
InsIDeaD: Usually we each work on our own on an idea of a riff or a melody. Then we bring it on to the studio where we present it to the rest of the band members and we talk it through on how to improve it. In this way we build up the basis of a song and then we do the original orchestration. At the same time George works on the lyrics and as soon as the music is complete he places them in the song.
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical writing ideas?
InsIDeaD: In terms of music we have more or less settled on our sound and we add elements of influences we have at the period of time we write the songs. The lyrics are somehow bound with an invisible string even though they’re not a concept. They concern humane, social, political, historic facts which are now more appropriate than ever. In general circumstances that trouble us in our everyday life.
Do you do anything unusual or special in the studio to get your sound?
InsIDeaD: No nothing in specific, Pure fucking metal I guess...!
Talk us through your existing touring/gigging plans...
InsIDeaD: Somewhere around mid November we will have a live gig and we will probably go on to supporting some important bands which will be appearing in our home town Athens. After that we will go on tour in Europe most of which will be in Germany. That will happen somewhere around mid 2012 when our second album will be out.
What have been the highlights of your musical life so far?
InsIDeaD: The milestone of our musical career so far has been the release of Chaos Elecdead, on the 29th of April 2011. It was a goal we had been trying to achieve for a very long time and it came true with the best circumstances possible. Over the last years we have had a series of important live appearances the most important one being in Wacken 2009, and also on the most popular greek festival Rockwave in 2008. Some other important turns so far have been supporting Nightrage, Ensiferum and most recently Dark Tranquility.
Any question you love being asked that I've missed? If so, what's the answer?
InsIDeaD: Well, I would like you to ask us which would be the ideal live experience for InsiDeaD and the answer to that would be opening for Metallica.
What are you up to once you've finished answering these questions?
InsIDeaD: I think I just came up with a pretty good idea on my guitar I need to run by the rest of the guys
Anything else you would like to mention?
InsIDeaD: We would like to thank everyone who has helped us and especially R.D. Liapakis, because we never would have gotten here without him. We would also like for your readers to give a listen to our work and let us know their thoughts on it, we would appreciate the feedback!
Thanks for your time!
InsIDeaD: Thank you for the interview! Metal On!
Thanks again to the guys for their time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of InsIDeaD's latest album "Chaos ElecDead" by clicking here.
Label: Massacre Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace | Facebook
