Interviews: Disorientation

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Dark Experimental Metal  band Disorientation from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Marie-Claude Fleury (vocals, oboe, English horn, drum programming): I didn’t really think about it too much, and I don’t remember the precise moment the idea of the name Disorientation came to my mind. When it did, it really stuck because it’s abstract, just with the band’s name you cannot guess right away which style of music we play or what the lyrics are about, there’s no pre-established connotation with that name, plus who else would want to name their band Disorientation? It was an easy choice.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Daniel Daris (guitars, bass): The album "Obscura", from the band Gorguts, changed something in my brain and made me enjoy the abstract, mixed with heaviness and dissonance. I much prefer creativity vs plagiarism.

Marie-Claude: I was attracted by the power and intensity of metal.

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

Marie-Claude: Back in the early 2000s we used to attend the same metal shows in Montreal. After a few times of noticing each other, we started talking and discussing music.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Marie-Claude: My favorite band changes all the time, depending on which mood I’m in, and I find it very hard to restrict myself to only one band.

Daniel: I listen to so much stuff, I can't answer that question.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Daniel: Everything inspires me: music, movies, people, even bands interviews... 

Marie-Claude: The need to express myself, and also the desire to give back because so much music has been there with me when things were not so great in my life, now it’s time for me to write my own songs for others.

6. Where was your last gig?

Marie-Claude: With Disorientation we have yet to play shows, but I have recently been onstage with the Growlers Choir in Paris for the jazz metal opera La Suspendida. It’s a collaboration between the jazz trio Kilter, the seven)suns string quartet, singer Andromeda Anarchia, librettist William Berger, and the Growlers Choir, of which I am a member. So far we have done 6 shows and we recorded the entire opera, which will be released in March 2024.

Daniel: I had the opportunity to play at a 2-day beer festival called "Communion", in St-Jean Sur Le Richelieu, a city south of Montreal, on November 3rd with my band "He Lies In Ruin" and on November 4th with my other band "Hands Of Death". It was amazing and I had a blast!!!

7. Where would you like to act?

Marie-Claude: I don’t have any specific preference when it comes to venues, and I have yet to play in one that I have disliked.

Daniel: Wacken Open Air

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Daniel: Gorguts, Jinjer, Dysrhythmia, Tool and Voivod

Marie-Claude: Madder Mortem, Show of Bedlam, Messa, Universe217

9. Whom not?

Marie-Claude: No one comes to my mind.

Daniel: I have no idea.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Marie-Claude: It happened to me when I appeared with the Growlers Choir on America’s Got Talent. I was nervous that if anything went wrong, even if it was the slightest detail, it would go viral because it’s such a big show with a different audience than what we’re used to. There’s always a little stress when I get onstage, but I don’t have stage fright as such. As for advice, don’t excessively focus on playing each and every note perfectly, you WILL miss a few of them, so when it happens, don’t dwell on it too much.

Daniel: It happened to me somewhere in 2011, when I joined a band called "Urban Aliens", for the release of their 3rd album entitled "Trui3". At that time, I didn't know I was depressed and I learned it the hard way. I was scared to death but, the gig went very well and it was a lot of fun!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Daniel: Celtic Frost, Obituary, Gorguts, Morbid Angel, Black Sabbath, Tryptikon, Death and Voivod.

Marie-Claude: I discovered metal with the Big Four and later I listened to the Florida death metal bands. When I heard guttural vocals for the first time, it made a big impression on me. European symphonic bands like Therion and Tristania have also influenced me because they showed how classical vocals on metal music could have just as much power as growling. I am also a fan of everything that pushes limits and established conventions. As for vocalists, I like Dawn Crosby’s work on Fear of God’s first album Within the Veil. It was pretty off the beaten path for the 90’s, even if it was mostly studio work that was not replicated live. Also, I like that her lyrics were based on her own dark life experiences. Other influences of mine are singers like Karyn Crisis and Diamanda Galas who use irregular vocal lines that change in a pattern you can’t explain.

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

Marie-Claude: Nothing in particular.

Daniel: Nothing weird, so far...

13. What do you think of your fans?

Marie-Claude: We are extremely grateful for their support.

Daniel: I haven't noticed any douchebags in our small fanbase, and it's a very good thing.

14. What do you think of our site?

Marie-Claude: I enjoy your track-by-track and artwork features. In metal, not enough attention is given to those elements, but in my opinion, they are an essential companion to the music. Also, I always enjoy reading in-depth articles, which your site provides.

Daniel: Same here...

15. Something to add?

Marie-Claude: Thanks for showcasing Survival Mode and allowing us to give readers a more in-depth description of it!

Daniel: I already can't wait to record new material.