Interviews: Dismal

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Doom Metal band Dismal from Chile. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

The idea of the name arose after the search for a concept that largely covered what the band's music and lyrics wanted to express. From that point of view, and etymologically speaking, "Dismal" (dies mali) was used in the Middle Ages, to indicate the fateful days of each month, associated with disgrace and misfortune; days, supposedly, based on arcane Egyptian astrology. From this ancient representation, until today, “Dismal” is a symbol of affliction, weariness, death, and darkness, which we try to capture in our compositions.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We have never intended to typecast ourselves into a specific genre, at least not by choice. The music simply takes its own shape as one composes it. Various influences of genres can be perceived in our music from Doom Metal, through Black Metal to Death Metal, but we do not believe that it is our responsibility to classify ourselves.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, we have known each other since childhood; companionship that has been strengthened over the years thanks to the music scene in which we participate. 

4. Each band member favourite band?

Our musical tastes are quite varied. We can find: Coven, Angel Witch, Mefisto, Witchfinder General, Nihilist, Candlemass, Repugnant, Absurd Existence, Vampire, In Solitud, Saint Vitus, Archgoat, The Obsessed, etc.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It is difficult to define a particular motive, for inspiration; that is, our own experiences, the cinema, some books, our vision of life or a simple conversation: they are all influences that in combination have as a result “an artistic inspiration”, or musical in this case.

6. Where was your last gig?

We are not a band that performs live, or pretends to, not at this moment.

7. Where would you like to act?

At the moment we don't want to play anywhere. Interview: Dismal (Doom Metal Chile)

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

At the moment we are not interested in playing or appearing with any particular band.

9. Whom not?

At the moment we are not interested in "not playing" or "not appearing" with any particular band.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright?

Any tip for No, it has never happened to us, at least not playing live with our other musical projects. So we could not advise anyone about it.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We haven't really been inspired by any particular band; However, it is difficult to deny that all the music that has been listened to (throughout life) influences on an unconscious level when composing.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

We have no fans and hope we don't. 13. What do you think of your fans? We don't see to people who like our music as fans. We consider the concept of "fan" as an offensive, commercial and demeaning term, where "admirers" or "followers" abandon part of their individuality, to enter a dogmatic plurality, which ends up taking advantage of them and their dignity economically; does not differ much from Christian lambs.

14. What do you think of our site?

We believe that the space of internet portals, like this one, is something very necessary these days, where modernity and the rhythm of working life have pushed us to feel the need to require greater comfort when acquiring some type of information; however, we see the same or even greater importance for preserving traditions that little by little are being consumed by this impetus of digitization, such as music magazines or fanzines. The creation of this type of content is something that we value and respect a lot.

15. Something add?

Look for express everything, look for create; do not settle in the mediocrity of modern man. Be radical and subversive in everything you do, especially with yourself. Do not settle in the life they lead, in the shit they hear, read or think, least of all in the person they think they are, otherwise, they have already become lambs who see themselves as unique and special beings.