Last month, we covered the excellent two-track Svartby EP Karl’s Egg Farm (see here) but did you know that the guest drummer for the tracks, Alexey Kovalev is a member of the awesome melodic death metal band Exhumation? Never one to pass up on the opportunity to introduce you guys to some awesome music, we caught up with them for an interview. Check it out below.
Could you introduce yourself and tell me a bit about the band?
Vasily: We are a melodic death metal band from St. Petersburg, Russia. The band was formed by our drummer Alex in 1994, when he and his school friend decided to become rock-stars! Actually the first gig was performed somewhere in 1998. We were quite popular in Russia during that time, basically because heavy music was in-trend. In 2001 as a result of controversy and the ongoing tension between the band members, Exhumation was disbanded but was reborn in 2008.
So 2014 has just begun – what’s in store for this year when it comes to Exhumation?
Alexey: We got our album City of Decay recorded in 2011 and our single Windwalker was released in 2012, which can be bought on Itunes. Presently we’re working on an EP which is to be released at te beginning of February 2014, and looking forward to releasing a full album at the end of 2014.
What went well about 2013?
Vasily: It was a good year, not the best one but good, we were having lots of gigs, traveled a bit across the country, wrote some good songs.
Ira: I’ve joined the band this year, that’s what went well, goddamn well!
And what perhaps didn’t go to plan?
Alexey: Eurofests – that is our goal, hope we could achieve it this year.
Where do you see the band at this time next year?
Vasily: ON the top of the UK dance charts, lol! We will continue to work hard to reach our goal, to be able to present our music in Europe.
Ira: In the studio, recording some new stuff. Dance charts, hey, hold on, none told me about dancing, I did not sign up for this!
You’re currently working on new material – how’s it going so far?
Vadim: We’ve already recorded drums and most of the guitars for our EP, but we still have couple of new songs that you could listen to soon at our upcoming gigs.
What can we expect from the new material?
Vasily: Music has become more aggressive, however we are not stepping aside from the melodic core. It is all about melodies.
Ira: We try to avoid abstractness, neither we write songs of the things we don’t actually care about, nor we speak when we ain’t got anything to say. This new stuff fully appeals to ourselves, it’s a reflection of what we are made of, what we see around us, and what’s in our own heads.
Can you describe your songwriting process?
Vasily: Oh we practice two methods. 1st is when someone in the band, having an idea about a new song, makes all the parts (guitars, bass, drums) at home by himself, and then presents it during one of the rehearsals, then the band modifies the song until everybody is happy. 2nd is when an idea comes right on the rehearsal and we look through the options of the further development of the composition, sometimes it brings unexpected results like “never ending” songs.
Once you’re a world-famous band and can have anything on your rider, what would you choose?
Vasily: Beer please 🙂
Ira: Being a world-famous band, that’s enough.
If you could collaborate with another band or musician, who would it be?
Vasily: For me personally it would be DT, or Gates of Ishtar.
Alexey: Dismember, Hypocricy, The Duskfall…
Ira: Pantera, I wish it could be possible.
And finally – if Exhumation could put their name to any product, what would it be?
Vasily: I suggest excavators, don’t think that coffins with our band name would be in demand. To be honest the best product I would like to see our logo on are T-shirts worn by our fans, the more the better.
Ira: Don’t really think anyone’s in need of our signature tombstone series, and it seems to me that any kind of alcohol with such a promising name would not be highly demanded either. I personally thought of a signature snowboard model called “domination”, but the guys say this idea doesn’t kick ass:) Talking seriously, what we are really IN now is music, so the best idea is to put our name to the new albums.
Exhumation: Facebook|Reverbnation
