Next month, Corpse Garden will be releasing their new album Entheogen. We caught up with bassist Carlos to find out a bit more.
Can you introduce yourself and tell me a bit about the band?
Hi, I’m Carlos Venegas the bass player from Corpse Garden. We are a death metal band based in Costa Rica, Central America. The band has been active since 2008, however there has been major lineup changes over the last two years; being myself and the vocalist Felipe Tencio the last additions to the current lineup. The band has recorded two albums so far; the first being Burnt by The Light released in 2012 independently, and the new album called Entheogen that will be co-released on May 15th by the Russian label Satanath Records, and the Teutonic label Rebirth the Metal Productions.
Can you describe your writing and recording process for Entheogen?
The writing of the album was a very long and strenuous process that started even before I was part of the band, so it was very influenced by the lineup changes that I told you before. This situation along personal convolutions that fed our drive to create something with transcendent energy, affected greatly the core of the musical pieces and arrangements, as well the whole concept and identity of the album. Regarding the recording process, Entheogen was recorded and engineered in Bushido Audio Productions by longtime friend Juan Pablo Calvo, and was mastered by Eri Roman in Solohits Studio.
Did you do anything different compared to Burnt To The Light?
Entheogen is a very different album in comparison to the first one, in the way all the members have contribute with their own eclectic influences; also this time around we all had more “in studio” experience. One important difference to the first one is that with this new album we were very specific not only with the sounds and atmospheres we were looking for, but also with the whole concept and themes we were after. “Entheogen” is a denser, more complex and obscure album by far.
Were there any songs that were more of a challenge to perfect?
In this new album we try to put a lot of focus on the dynamics and climaxes of the songs, so all the tracks and even the interludes have a little something that became a challenge to perfect. Some of the tracks like Portal to the Oneiric or Evoking a Dead Sun are packed with ideas and different elements like acoustic guitars, synths, ebows to name a few; so laying down the tracks and also restrain us of overusing this elements was a big challenge in the studio.
Which song are you most proud of?
We honestly are very pleased with all the songs on the album; as I say before all the tracks are part of a greater concept or “trip” so to speak. However to answer your question, some of the musical elements that we end up enjoying the most are the atmospheric and psychedelic textures, because we think it ties down the whole experience.
Have you got any plans for some live shows in support of Entheogen?
Yes indeed; this year we want to focus on potential tour dates around Central and South America to promote the new album. In 2016, we hope to have the opportunity to reach and tour for the Europe and North America crowd.
If you could play anywhere in the world, on any lineup, where would it be and with what bands?
We actually are happy to play in any concert where the flow of energy will let us connect with the crowd and our purpose. I don’t have in mind an specific lineup, but personally I would like to play someday in one of this “tour de force” festivals where the roster is as good as it gets; like Maryland Deathfest for example, this year is just ridiculous with the crazy good lineup they pull off, like Ufomammut, YOB, Bloodbath, Suffocation, Arcturus, Tryptikon, Napalm Death, Portal, Neurosis, Demilich just to name a few.
What would you say the best show you’ve ever played has been?
Actually I haven’t played a lot of shows live with the band as the lineup changes were between the writing processes of the new album, and we only have sparingly played in local live shows since then; but I can tell you that some of the most memorable shows the band has played are the show at Wacken Open Air in 2012; as well being the opening act for bands like Morbid Angel, Behemoth and Malevolent Creation here in our country. There are other known local festivals as well that we always enjoy to participate, however we try to make the most of every show for the public and for ourselves.
And finally if Corpse Garden could put their name to a product, what would it be?
Personally, I don’t think our work should be tag as a product, but more like an experience, a journey or medium to express what we want. The problem to see art as a product is that you start to limit yourself to what is merchandisable, or the expectations of the “demander” so to speak; all this shit eventually contaminates the real purpose of what true art should be, a transcendental experience that in my opinion comes from real suffering and not from any kind of complaisance.
