Interviews: Declared Dead
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This is a new interview with the Blackened Death Metal/Progressive Death Metal/Thrash Metal band Declared Dead from Belgium. Check out the interview.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, plan it or come out just like that?
It just popped into my mind after I went through a number of already taken band names. Finally, when it came to mind I searched to see if it was being used - oddly enough it wasn't! So, it worked perfectly as shortly thereafter it became apparent that the name took on deeper meanings as the band progressed.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
I like aggressive music that has a certain "warmth" to it. It's fun to play some jagged type riffs with hints of melody. So, this is what I naturally gravitate towards and express.
No. I started out with three other fellows when Declared Dead was assembled. They only lasted for the "Subterranean Nightmare" demo. Then, I kind of put "feelers" out for new band members that might click with what I was attempting to create and lucked out with three new band members that have a better fit (who've remained for nearly 8 years, now).
4. Each band member's favorite band?
Well, speaking for myself (Anders/Vocals & Guitars), I can't - really - pick just one favorite band. I did ponder, recently, what my top five favorite bands might be and they most likely would be (in no definitive order): TestAmenT, Annihilator, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, and Dream Theater. But there are so many more bands I enjoy, as well, of course. Those five I seem to have revisited more/most often. Sometimes I can get bored of them after so many listens and take an extended break from listening to them - however, I always return!
As for the other band members I can't say for sure but I'll give my impressions all the same. I'd say Deiter (our bass player) really holds Metal Church in high esteem. He tends to enjoy more of the "Hard Rock/Punk/Thrash" type of stuff. Slayer would be another top tier band of his. Armored Saint. Meliah Rage type of stuff. Some old school Death Metal, too - Deicide, etc. Our second guitar player (Dimitri) tends to enjoy the more technical and brutal Death Metal overall other stuff. I'm not even sure if he has ultimate favorites - he seems to always be exploring new to him bands. But he's really been into Suffocation and Prostitute Disfigurement before, I know. Oh, and Desecravity was a newer one, I remember, now. Our drummer (Mikhel) is the more "oddball" of us all. More "eclectic". With him, too, there doesn't seem to be a favorite. He jumps from this to that in constant exploration. Plenty of other genres besides Metal, too - a lot of it "goes in one ear and out the other" for me cuz I'm mostly into METAL and don't really care that much about other stuff that he references. Some of the quirkiness of our earlier releases can be attributed to good ol' Mikhel - the living cliche of walking to one's own beat, so to speak. He loves being a bit eccentric, I guess and seeing how far he can implement "his way" into Declared Dead.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Creativity, in general, I'd say. There's just some creative spark that's in me that desires to be expressed. Something that an "untamed life" should - probably - be about? Creation for creation's sake, etc.!
6. Where was your last gig?
An undisclosed spot near Oslo. A secret place! Only known to those who got to attend! We're not suited to be a touring band so we ventured to play a live show for some friends, friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends in that location with the hopes of attaining a live recording we could count as an official Declared Dead release. Which it was (titled "Kicking the Bucket - Live!"). So, that gig was the first and last (for now) - though, we hope to be able to do something like that again (I already have the album title for it, too!).
7. Where would you like to act?
I think putting on some shows in/around various castles would be a blast. Or - maybe, that and various "Star Forts"?
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
Hmm... That's a tough question. Mostly, no one would blow us out of the pond?! We kind of have our own niche style - I'm not sure who we'd be compatible with oddly enough. Okay - got one - Annihilator might be really fun to play a show with. But again - not sure we'd be completely compatible (though we both have some humourous songs and some that have deeper/more serious elements, etc.). It would be legendary for us (but maybe not so much for Jeff Waters and the crew!).
9. Whom not?
Any gross "pop star" types!
10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?
Well, that one and only show we played somewhat recently - hell yeah! It was a bit of a fright! I don't have ultimate confidence like Dave Mustaine or something, you know! But I just kind of swallowed the fear and tried to place myself in a zone of "solipsistic obliviousness" at first then once the audience gave some cheers (probably - mostly - from a few chugs of beers!), it became easier to pretend I was a devastating frontman who's been at it for years like a veteran! Luckily, we didn't really have to "win" anybody over - they were all there for a good time and played their roles as we played ours!
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
There are just so many. I gravitate towards the bands that have their own style and keep it while exploring and experimenting with it to the most of their ability. So, again, the five I listed above (TestAmenT, Annihilator, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, and Dream Theater). Then, there's stuff like Slayer, Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, Kreator, Immolation, Death, Savatage, Exodus, Deathrow, Overkill, Death Angel, Pestilence, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Mastodon, Lynch Mob, Scorpions, Judas Priest, White Lion, Motley Crue, early Skid Row, Emperor, Impaled Nazarene, Handful of Hate, Vio-lence, Mordred, Vicious Rumors, Centurian, Bruce Dickinson solo stuff... That's not even scratching the surface as it's said. Those are some of the "well-known names" that have inspired not just us but tons of other "lesser-known" bands like us (though, speaking of "lesser-known bands", I've really been on the hunt/quest for listening to as many "new" bands as I can squeeze into my busy and slave-like schedule, and have found quite a number of interesting and inspiring offerings for sure!).
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
Funny enough - most of our "fans" tend to "keep to themselves" and don't really correspond with us all that much! I, myself, am not really much of a "people person" - so, it's fine by me. I'm not that social. I prefer to read books, listen to an occasional podcast, and enjoy the company of plants, rocks, animals, and "cosmic entities" in "other dimensions". I guess I'm more of a loner, really. So, it's interesting that we tend to draw in other "loner-types" as "fans/supporters"? I wonder what the psychology of that is? Seems kind of along the lines of "Black Metal" type mentality? So, to answer your question - we're not in the position of being sought after like silly "pop stars" might be. Some of our "fans" are probably "crazy" ("mentally disturbed"? I jest slightly) but not "fanatical".
13. What do you think of your fans?
We appreciate any genuine interest and support of Declared Dead!
14. What do you think of our site?
It's very nice! Lots of new bands I get to explore! Best wishes for your further involvement and expansion!
15. Something to add?
Thanks for your interest and attention! Please check Declared Dead out at the following sites and spread the word if you feel so inclined! Celebrate Metal in all its forms!
You can find the Declared Dead discography at: https://declareddead.bandcamp.com/
More information may be obtained at:
A stream of "Integument of Golden Luster" is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_gT9tgM8PQ
Other internet sites to stream/interact with Declared Dead:
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