Interviews About Albums: LIES! - Mind Pollution (2023)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Belgian Metallic Hardcore band LIES! to ask questions about their album "Mind Pollution".

1. What can you say about this new album?

Our new album is called ‘Mind Pollution’ it contains 9 songs. The cover artwork shows a tornado and its devastation, which I think reflects the album’s intensity. We tried to create a short, fast, hard-hitting bulldozer of a record.

2. What is the meaning of the album?

Mind Pollution is literally about the pollution of our minds. Every ‘free second’ is spent watching a screen, whether that’s a phone, iPad, or game console. In the meantime, mental health issues are growing rapidly. Young people aren’t able to make a phone call or have social interaction because technology gives them an excuse not to. Fear is creeping in and the skillset to deal with life that used to be ’normal’ is fading.

3. Which one is the composer of the album?

I am the main writer of the songs on this album and most of the lyrics are written by vocalist Rene. When the music and lyrics fit, the complete song is brought to the rest of the band, and during rehearsals, the finishing touches are added. I also produced the album. We recorded in my studio, 3181studio.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

Propaganda pretty much sums up what this album is all about, total destruction. The guest vocals by Hugo Worst Doubt really add an extra flavor. Everything we set out to do on this album is captured in that song.

5. Is there a special message in this album? If there is what it is?

Not a special message, it’s not a concept album. But all lyrics deal with issues we come across in daily life. Resurrect for instance deals with the fact that sometimes in life you have to do shit you don’t want to do, or stuff that’s hard and painful to eventually get things done or reach your goals or achieve what you set out to do. If you lack that perseverance or resilience you’re stuck in a place you don’t want to be in. It’s tragic to see so many people and friends with so many abilities, opportunities, and creativeness just rot away because they’re not willing to crawl through filth to reach the pearls.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

There’s not one particular lyric that comes to mind. But we are a (metallic) hardcore band with roots in the hardcore scene. One of the things the hardcore and punk scene are known for, besides its energy and positive aggression, is the message and lyrics. Even though we’re not a ‘message band’, we do take pride in our lyrics and what we have to say. The words add to the overall experience, so read them along with the music.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Musically the Terror EP ‘Lowest of the Low’ was the biggest inspiration. Not in the way that we sound anything like Terror. But in the way they approached that record. Short, high energy, pissed off, memorable, to the point. Songs that grab you by the throat. That concept was the biggest inspiration in writing this album. We’re mostly inspired by the late 90’s metallic hardcore bands like Merauder, All Out War, Kickback, and Hatebreed. But I believe over the years we kind of melted all of these influences into our own thing and on “Mind Pollution” have managed to create the LIES!-sound we were looking for.

8. Something to add?

Just a big thank you to everyone who’s checked out LIES! and supported us. “Mind Pollution” is released on December 8th, go check it out. Go to www.lieshardcore.com and connect with us. We’ll be playing all over Europe in 2024, so see you in the pit!!!