Interviews: Defying

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Metal band Defying from Poland. 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?

Piotr: From the beginning, our goal was to reject patterns and go beyond musical genres. The word defying concisely and appropriately reflects how we want to create music.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Piotr: Defying was founded by our drummer Tomek and previous guitarist Rafał. The initial inspiration was Opeth, Tool, and prog-metal music. After several personnel changes, the band's music evolved into what we have today - a mixture of death, post, and doom metal, with progressive and ambient elements. The music of a given band depends on the people playing in it. When we play together, the genre mix I described comes out naturally, without any calculations or planning.

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

Piotr: No, we met when the band was forming and during subsequent personnel changes.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

We listen to so many different genres, from metal to jazz, that it's hard to choose just one favorite. There are so many bands that inspire us and deserve recognition.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Piotr: We draw inspiration from various sources. Not only music, but also literature, film, and art in general. The first album "Nexus Artificial" was inspired by the movie "Prometheus". The EP "The Splinter of Light We Misread" was the biography and works of Joy Division and poems by Polish "cursed poets", mainly Rafał Wojaczek. The latest album "Wadera" was inspired by the story of the Polish writer Jerzy Gierałtowski under the same title and the Polish horror film "Wilczyca" is based on this story.

6. Where was your last gig?

Piotr: Our last gig was in Warsaw, alongside Caladria, Disposable Soma, and House of Piru.

7. Where would you like to act?

Piotr: I would like to one day appear with Defying on the stages of the largest festivals in Europe, Wacken, Hellfest, etc. In addition, I like concerts in unusual places, e.g. an abandoned mine several hundred meters underground or some dark abandoned building. And in a church, of course.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Piotr: Joint gig with Portal, Imperial Triumphant, and Sunn O))). Preferably on the same evening on one stage. That would be something!

9. Whom not?

Piotr: I won't name names, everyone has the right to create what they enjoy. You don’t have to listen to bands you don't like or play concerts with them.

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

Piotr: Probably each of us to some extent, especially at the beginning of the band's activity. However, the longer you do something, the more you get used to it. First of all, you need to go on stage confident and happy to be there. Take full advantage of these emotions, because they are unique. That's why you form a band. Unless someone prefers to record and release albums without performing, that's fine too. You can always have a drink to relax. Just don't have too many, so that you can play evenly and not fall off the stage.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Piotr: At the very beginning of Defying's activity, it was Opeth and Tool, as I have already mentioned. Let's add to that Portal, Blindead, Katatonia, Amenra, Morbid Angel, Mayhem, Death, King Crimson, I could go on and on...

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

Piotr: I don't remember anything unusual. The vast majority of our interactions with fans are nice chats over beer.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Piotr: They are a very grateful audience and extremely nice people. We can always count on a pleasant talk and support at concerts and on social media.

14. What do you think of our site?

Piotr: You're doing a great job. First of all, I like the fact that you support underground bands. Everything is properly grouped and you can easily find links to listen to the music of a given band. This is a very extensive database for someone who is looking for new music. Of course, we are also there, for which we are grateful.

15. Something to add?

Piotr: Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview Breathing The Core. Our latest album will be released on February 23, 2024, and it will be over an hour of heavy, dark music. The premiere will be preceded by singles, which we will inform you about here: https://www.facebook.com/defyingpoland. Dark greetings to all the readers of Breathing The Core!