Interview with HECATOMB
!!!SACRIFICIAL DEATH METAL FROM AUSTRALIA!!!
We had a conversation with MAGGRESSOR. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about HECATOMB (Members, Starting Year etc).
Hecatomb was started by Rick and I (Maggressor) in early 2018. I had been wanting to play INRI-style death metal for a long time, and finally got around to it after Rick and i discussed it back then. We spent most of 2018 writing songs, and started recording the demo around September of that same year, even though the tape didn't actually come out until early 2020. the whole process was a bit of a nightmare, with recordings being lost and aborted. We did the final touches with the "solos" in January of 2020 and spent about 3 months mixing etc.
In 2020 you released your demo ''Horrid Invocations ''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The feedback was good, though limited. I don't think Horrid Invocations is for everyone and that's fine. I think the people who got it liked it, and the ones who didn't get it found it shit, and probably too chaotic. There were a few good reviews, but as the band became inactive literally two days after the release, it all died out quite quickly.
Label or DIY and why?
DIY for demos, label for other releases. To me a demo isn't a real demo if its on a label, and I really like the idea of at least doing the first release yourself. This is one of the reasons we decided to release Horrid Invocations ourself, as well as to speed up the process. We both wanted it to be released before I moved away, and succeeded just a few days! Once doing a proper release being on a label makes sense. They have all the contacts and can help with promo, so it just makes the whole process easier. I also hate having to sell copies myself, so I like it when a label can deal with the sales.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Vinyl is my favorite, but I also like tapes for certain types of releases. I usually prefer to have a release in its original format, so I often end up with demos on cassette and albums on vinyl. I would never buy a full-length on tape unless its the only format its available on. On a day-today basis I listen to digital format a lot, just out of convenience I guess.
Your music style is Death Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
For Hecatomb our main influences are bands like Sarcófago, Sexthrash, Nifelheim, Sadism, Vulcano and so on. Mostly South-American stuff, and to a large extent the South-American death metal style of the mid-late 80s in general. Out of all of these, INRI is without a doubt the biggest inspiration behind this band. I hadn't heard any bands that had been able to capture the feeling of this album, and so I wanted to try it for my self. I'm not sure if we succeeded, but I'm quite happy with out it turned out anyways.
Which things, do you think, a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
This is tricky to answer. I find it hard to think of anything specific that should be sacrificed, but I do think it's important to take it seriously. Heavy metal is a lifestyle, not just a hobby. If its simply "for fun", it probably won't hold a high enough level of quality.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
As a two piece we never really discussed the possibility of playing live. If it were ever to happen I imagine that I'd play drums and sing, Rick'll play guitars and then we'd have a live bass player. Keep it simple and as primitive as possible. I haven't tried singing while playing drums before, so if that didn't work out then maybe I'll play the bass and we'd have a live drummer instead. This is obviously all hypothetical as we'll most likely never play a live show.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Death Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Attitude, some originality, aggression and to some extent skill. I don't really need bands to be unique, but I do need them to really mean what they are doing. It clearly also need some originality so not to blend in with all the other generic metal bands out there. Old school is a requirement of sorts, without blatantly copying old bands. It should be inspired by the old gods, but not to the extent where they're clones. Its a fine line, that's for sure. The older I get the pickier I also get, so its a rare occasion when I really get into something new.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Death Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
In a way it does, as it makes it easier to get your stuff out there. In the same way it makes it harder to distinguish the good from the bad (or at least boring). Im sure many good bands drown in the ocean of releases, now that literally anyone can release music. This might sound lame, but I think having a good logo and cover art that really represent the sound and attitude of the band is a good way to promote music and to stand out. I've definitely checked out bands purely based on a good logo. Im not saying it always works, but it gives a good indication about whether it might be something i'd like or not. Same thing with cover art. Personally I hate bands that go all in on social media platforms, though I guess its probably a good way to promote your band.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Australia (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
I actually moved back to Norway two years ago, so I'm not really up to date with the Aussie scene any more. There were a few good bands around when I lived there, but not that many who played my kind of metal. More 90's death metal and war metal, which aren't my cups of blood.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Not much unfortunately. Im sure there are many good bands over there, but at the moment I can't think of any. Im up for suggestions!
What are your future plans?
It's been slow since I moved back. I've started a new band over here named ABHORRATION, and we released an EP on Invcitus production late last year called 'AFTER WINTER COMES WAR'. A heavily Sadistic Intent/Morbid Angel inspired death metal band. We are hoping to get back into it with HECATOMB at some point, but it'll probably be a while.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
DIE! KILL!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
HECATOMB CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/hecatomb666
https://hecatomb666.bandcamp.com/releases