Interview with SPESIMIN
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about SPESIMIN (Members, Starting Year etc).
We're a metal band from Philadelphia, founded by friends and coworkers Alejandro (guitar) and Ian (drums and vocals) in 2019, with Ian’s former bandmate Jeff (bass) joining in 2020, when we also put out our debut EP. Our new EP, SKULL WORSHIP, and compilation LP, SPESIMIN are coming out in January 2025.
You are going to release your compilation album ''Spesimin''. Tell us a few things about this project.
SPESIMIN is a complete discography compilation of our 3 EPs to date: BORN IN THE CRYPT (2020), ROTTING ON THE VINE (2022) and our newest, SKULL WORSHIP. Each of these EPs mark a chapter for us, with definite progression occurring between each. SPESIMIN features remastered versions of our whole discography by legendary producer Arthur Rizk, and will come out on LP and CD, marking our non-cassette debut. It’s also our first release that will not be self-released, as it's being coming out on Philadelphia record label, Strange Mono.
How did your cooperation with Strange Mono Records occur? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We’ve known Dan and Jess for years, and have admired what they're doing, curating a really cool lineup of artists from Philadelphia and beyond that spans genres, and with all profits going to charities of bands’ choice. That's something that we wanted to be a part of. DIY approaches and labels both have their benefits. We like being involved in every aspect of our band, from the inception of songs, to making art, and doing mail order, etc. I like having that personal involvement for sure. But collaborating with others and delegating can be necessary to realize your creative vision too, since artists who mix all their own paints have less time to put brush to canvas. Getting our music out to a larger audience is definitely something we're excited about, and working with a label will allow us to focus more on writing and playing.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
While recording our new EP, we were working with producer Dan Angel, whose studio is also his art studio, filled with large charcoal and oil pastel drawings lining the walls–he makes sculptures of faces out of homemade playdough, and then makes gigantic drawings by observing the sculptures. While recording one of us said “we have to use that for our album cover”, pointing to one of the giant abominations of a gooed-out pink face with glistening eyes and clenched teeth, and we pretty much all said, “I was thinking the exact same thing”. That drawing called to us as the perfect version of the Spesimin mascot–a disembodied brain creature hellbent on destruction. Because it struck such a chord, and basically demanded to be an album cover blown up real big, that sealed the deal to put out our discography compilation on LP simultaneously with our new EP. Dan was immediately down with letting us use it, and Strange Mono was down to put it out, so the stars just really aligned on all fronts.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Each of us is a physical media nerd to some degree, and we've got no real preference or hate for any physical format, as I feel like there's a time and place for each. Popping in a tape or CD in the car can be perfect, while listening to an LP on nice headphones can also be just what the doctor ordered. Digital music is great for discovering new things and being on the go, but I prefer to unplug from the grid so that I can be fully transported to another realm. But to each their own. Of course, streaming also doesn't pay artists the way they should be, but that's the world we're living in, and we use it ourselves as well.
Photo Credit: @hardwork_photo
Photo Credit: @hardwork_photo
Photo Credit: @hardwork_photo
Your music style is Death Metal with Hardcore elements. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We think of ourselves as blending death metal, thrash metal, punk/hardcore, and drawing pretty equally from all of those worlds. As far as specific bands go, Death is the main influence the three of us have in common, from Alejandro's melodic and intricate riffs to similar lyrical themes, spanning the gore gurgling early records to the philosophical paradoxes and of the later ones. Also old school death metal like Autopsy, Possessed, and early evil thrash like Slayer and Sepultura, as Alejandro's riffs are melodic and utilize minor modes like those bands. Punk, hardcore and proto metal are always present too, as Earth AD by The Misfits, Wolverine Blues by Entombed, and classic Motorhead are never too far from my mind. Those stripped down anthemic qualities are something we always aspire to, as we hope to strike a balance between energy/immediacy, heaviness and groove.
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 for your band?
I think bands should make whatever sacrifices they feel compelled to, as being in a band can mean sacrificing a lot, from home life and stability to being able to pursue other things. When our band started we were all furniture movers, which is conducive to playing music and taking time off to go on tour. But we're not really a careerist band at this point–we do it because we want to, and our main objective is to accomplish our collective creative vision. Success is in the eye of the beholder. A better future for us would being able to continue our creative journey, to keep getting better with age, connect with the worldwide metal community, and preach the SPES legend as widely as we can.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
My ideal show is generally just one where I can feed off the energy of the crowd, no matter the size. We've played lots of badass shows, including packed rooms and more sparsely attended ones with just a few people headbanging. I love to play with bands that have nasty riffs, small egos, and who don't play too long. Connecting with people before and after our set is also a crucial part of the ideal show for me–come shoot the shit at the merch table and talk to us about horror movies.
Photo Credit: @zookproductions
What attributes do you think that a new Death Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Always bring your A-game, and the same passion and energy to all your performances. Write your riff, speak your truth, and be yourself rather than imitating others or trying to fit an existing trend. Also don't be overly focused on trying to be a “death metal band” in any narrow sense or how anyone else defines it, as death metal can be a lot of things.
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?
Obviously a lot of people discover music on streaming platforms or social media. I have no opinion about what works best, and we're probably not making a TikTok any time soon. These options work as promotional tools, but that's not how we really get to know bands. I’d rather be handed a flyer and have a conversation with someone than see an Instagram ad, and I think most people feel that way, but I'm not fooling myself that digital communication, algorithms or targeted advertising are going anywhere. I just hope that genuine human connection can stay central, and that people don't let hype fully drown out the music itself, or actual involvement in their local music scenes.
Do you see any differences between the US Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
I can't really speak to the differences. In my experience, music is the universal language, and metal is a prime example of that. I've known people in both places to be passionate and fanatical about Metal, and there's amazing bands coming from all around the world. Geopolitically, there may be more support for the arts in some European countries than the US, but I'm no expert. Ultimately, I have faith that heavy metal mania spans the globe and unites us all, and we hope to experience that more in the coming years.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
There are very healthy metal and punk scenes in Philadelphia. There are tons of people, young heads and old, making amazing music, booking touring bands, running venues of all sizes, running labels, hosting death metal radio shows, making shot-on-video horror movies with all Philly metal soundtracks, and producing world class metal records…you name it, and it's happening in Philadelphia. I'm less familiar with people making zines, but I'm sure it's happening. A special shoutout to local hero Arthur Rizk who has mixed and mastered our records. He's had a hand in most of the best metal records that have come out in the last few years, and is truly taking the world by storm. Also shout out to our new Strange Mono labelmates and fellow genrebenders Concrete Caveman who just dropped a new 7” and shot music videos for every track on it. A truly disgusting feat!
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
We don't, but would love to find out more.
In the last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange, and new situations in our everyday lives (covid, lockdown, etc.). Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
The COVID pandemic was a negative experience for all the obvious reasons. We lost loved ones along with the rest of the world, and isolation has taken its toll. But time doesn't stop, and you gotta keep going. It would be crazy to say this was a positive experience, but I like to think breaks from business as usual can just encourage people to question the status quo, or revaluate their superficial priorities. Creatively speaking, our band has been able to survive during this time despite odds and illness, and I think come out more committed and focused on our mission than we would be in a world without obstacles. It's also in the darkest times that you get to see that human perseverance, and it has been amazing to see our community respond and rise up to support each other.
What are your future plans?
To write our debut LP and play in a shitload of new places, destroying you all in the process!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for wanting to chat with us! Keep your ears peeled for new tunes out on 1/31/25, streaming everywhere. SKULL WORSHIP will be out on cassette on Frozen Screams Imprint, and SPESIMIN on LP/CD from Strange Mono. Follow us on Instagram @spesimin_metal and write to us at spesiminmetal@gmail.com to let us know where to come play! Cheers.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.