Sunday, October 27, 2019

Algebra Interview , no test after......

 


 
The band was formed in 2008 in Lausanne by Mat, Tony, Ed and Phil, combining their experience in various rock/metal projects to focus on creating music inspired by 80’s and 90’s thrash together with elements of more modern metal. Catching the attention of die-hard thrash fans worldwide, in 2013 Stormspell Records took the opportunity to re-release the first EP and LP all-in-one, giving the band further exposure. Unspeakable Axe quickly took notice and, from then on, has signed the band for all subsequent releases.

Since their beginning, the band recorded a demo, an EP, 3 LP’s, a live LP and a Megadeth cover. The latest effort "Pulse? LP" is by far their best work yet, with 57 minutes of diverse music and more profound lyrics, also including a cover of Sepultura’s Dead Embryonic Cells. It will be released on 30th September 2019.

Algebra's live experience covers venues and festivals across Europe and Cuba, including Metal Camp, Inferno Fest, Metal Assault, Brutal Fest, alongside headliners such as Slayer, Kreator, Dark Funeral, Dew-Scented, Psycroptic and other legends.

With this experience and a solid new release, they plan to take the road to mosh up a town near you!



1. Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you.

We are a thrash metal band from Switzerland and you should listen to us because we are passionate about turning all the negativity in the World into intense music which will touch others the way music has touched us.

2. What do you classify your sound as. Who do you tell people you sound like?

Until now, we adopted a predominantly 80’s style of thrash metal which includes some more modern elements of death, groove and prog. Our main influences are Slayer, Sepultura, Metallica, Forbidden, Exodus, Testament, Coroner, Death, Gojira, Decapitated and many more.

3. With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media?

Tough question, because physical media uses resources such as paper and plastic, so the digital format is definitely more ecological. However, people still value objects, especially people as passionate about collecting albums as metalheads, therefore this remains one of the best way for bands to make some of their income, along with other merch and concert tickets. We’d have to find a way to sustain the business before banning the physical format.

4. What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off?

Having five sisters, moving from California to Switzerland at a young age and being quite sensitive by nature, I had challenges adapting and expressing myself. Music touched me profoundly, allowed me to connect to the songs of artists which I admired and it freed me a little. My father is very into classical music and made us play instruments from a young age. I had the cello, but quickly started turning it horizontally and strumming power chords over Nirvana records. I then was allowed to switch to classical guitar and eventually just went electric and learned all my favorite bands’ songs by ear on my stereo. It paid off multiple times, because after a fair share of loneliness, anxiety, introversion and depression, in my mid-teens music allowed me to find comfort, identity, a way of expression and even friendship.

5. How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair?

They are one of the minorities in the metal community, therefore it is great that people are being inclusive and encouraging more of them to join the cause. It is nice that people are valuing women artists, since they have just as much to bring to metal as men. The more they feel represented, the more others will start to join. The same should be true for each under-represented gender, sexuality, culture and race: we must include everyone since metal is one of the purest forms of expression and an amazing experience to share and connect with others. The more diversity we get, the more interesting the music will become, since people with different backgrounds and experience will help it branch out and evolve. Having a broader group of people using the sound of powerful instruments and vocals in unconventional ways would help challenge the stale music industry and generate more meaningful, original and honest music and ideas. Inclusivity is the key to a better World.

6. In the world climate with hatred being at an all-time high and metal being an “angry” music, do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred?

Not at all, it contributes to alleviating it and encourages understanding of our fellow human beings. Channeling and expressing frustration is good. And being allowed to do it is important, which is why the metal community must make sure to be inclusive so that metal is understood as an art. What better way is there to deal with our anxiety, sadness, anger and fear, than to make it into music which people feeling the same way can relate to? This is not specific to metal, it is applied in all forms of art, but the harsh format and stereotypes related to metal make outsiders sometimes believe it is a type of music for angry, hateful or sick people. There are angry people in every part of society, but the angriest ones do not have an outlet to vent out frustration and express themselves, such as metal and other forms of art or recreational activities. I believe an above average proportion of metalheads is very calm, peaceful and open-minded, which many people find quite surprising when they meet metalheads.

7. Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music?

Nope, metal is for everyone. You can say anything you want, because metal and art in general promotes freedom. But of course, any views that are hateful towards a certain group of people are not cool at all and will be duly condemned by the public.

8. We have dived into some pretty deep issues here, do you think your music sends a message and, if so, what is it?

Yes, Algebra questions what progress really is, when humans striving for economic, political, scientific and technological superiority over others are just draining resources and exacerbating inequalities that will lead to revolts, crises and a collapse.

9. The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past. With many labels now charging bands to “sign”, how do you think a band can make it in today’s scene?

Today, you must work hard at making your songs and message stand out in an overly saturated market. You must cut costs, doing whatever you can by yourself, recording and producing your own records, uploading videos, designing albums and merch, taking part in your PR campaigns, sales, shipping, booking gigs, networking, etc. We are definitely on a constant learning curve working on many different tasks and constantly must try to improve.

10. Why with the thousands of options including Netflix, sporting events, everything on demand, why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music?

I believe we take music very seriously, have high expectations of ourselves and our work, are quite picky and perfectionist. Music is our life and the lyrics I write come from deep periods of reflection while I was living and working on four different continents. We have managed to acquire a global fan base and get signed by an awesome label (Unspeakable Axe Records) by operating in DIY mode.

11. How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?

If all the services such as booking, promotion, transport, backline, accommodation and food are included in the package and the promoter is not making enough money on ticket sales because the band tagging along is too underground, then that is the economic reality the band must face and try to make up for through merch sales. But we would rather avoid paying a promoter and do it ourselves, unless the opportunity is really interesting for us in terms of experience and exposure.

12. It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment. Explain what you think is the most important key to success?

I can’t say we have “made it” yet, but the key to success is probably passion, perseverance, honesty, modesty, being kind but fair, establishing trust and balance with bandmates and other partners in this venture.

13. In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?

We play covers at almost every gig, love paying tribute to our heroes and letting the audience enjoy some classics just like we do. We even recorded Dead Embryonic Cells by Sepultura on our latest album.

14. If you are pro-female in music, are you pro using sex to sell your music?

I do not think that using sex to sell music makes it better quality and nor is a sign of artistic integrity, because that is not what defines the beauty of the songs. Unfortunately, the music industry understands too well that the World is biased towards sex and attractive people, men and women alike, so catching people’s attention that way sells more than focusing on the actual quality of the music and lyrics. It is a sad reality we can’t do much about, especially since we are ugly and not sexy :p

15. What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock ‘n roll?

People should always treat others respectfully, regardless of whether their social status is going through the roof from fame, power and fortune.

16. Ok let’s lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?

Nirvana, because I listened to it for hours every day during years as a kid, knew every detail on every song and felt strongly connected to the music and messages. It is not the only band, but the main one that made music my passion, made me deviate away from conventional music towards rock and metal.

17. What would you be doing if you were not in a band?

Not sure, perhaps things wouldn’t have turned out very well. Maybe dead, who knows!

18. Do you have a favorite sports team?

Nope, I don’t tend to follow other people’s physical accomplishments that much.

19. If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

Kurt Cobain, of course!

20. This is your shot to let loose. Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz.

I guess there is too much focus on appearances and oftentimes people who do not have “the badass metal look” will not fit in as well or have credibility within the scene. Rock and metal provides a powerful mix of sounds and ideas which are so good for you, yet so misunderstood, so let’s not create barriers that make others feel left out or repelled and welcome them into understanding what it’s all about.

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