Lifeless Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Lifeless was founded on a birthday party in fall 2004 by Andy (g.) and me (Marc, v./ g.). I had the idea to found a band in the vein of the glorious 90´s DM bands.
Andy was interested directly so we started to look for additional members. Unfortunately we had to deal with some private issues so everything was put on ice until late 2005 when we
started to look for other musicians again. In early 2006 the first line up started to rehearse as a real band. In 2007 we recorded our debut “Beyond the threshold of death” all by ourselves.
The mastering was done by Vesa from Swedish Evocation. In fall 2009 we signed with Ibex Moon Records which re-released the debut recently.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
We just sound old school or, as we describe it mostly, traditional. The band was supposed to sound like the bands in the 90´s right from the start and that´s what we do.
First we didn´t think about sounding Swedish or so. We just wanted to sound old school. But it developed more and more towards the Swedish style sound wise.

3. What is the meaning behind the band's name?
We wanted to have a name that describes our music and it should have been in the vein of our favorite bands from these times. The early bands mostly had very short and simple names
related to death like Entombed, Grave, Dismember and so on. So we have chosen Lifeless because it matches perfectly to our sound and our traditional attitude.

4. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
Most of the lyrics have anti-religious topics. There is also some war theme lyrics on the album but one could say that my lyrics are meant as a kind of social criticism and
misanthropic thoughts in general. I often hate our kind when I look at the world and realize how stupid we still are in fact. On the next album the lyrics will deal even more with these topics.
Most are about tearing down the self built walls that tame our open mind. A revolution of consciousness to leave the old dogmas and traditions behind that bind us to a dead and rotting
society. We are all just slaves of the monetary system that keeps us devided from ourselves and the true meaning of life.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Unfotunately we didn´t get the chance to play some big summer festivals yet. That would be great. Until now we just played small underground club shows. But it was a great honour to share
the stage with Swedish Demonical last year. Next year we will hopefully get the chance to play some festivals and perhaps we will do a tour. We will see...
Our live performance is very simple to describe. We just enter stage and have fun. There is no image or wannabe shit. We are four metal heads doing the sound we like the most.
Headbanging, posing, having fun, kicking ass... that´s a Lifeless show basically.

6. The album was recently released in the States by Ibex Moon Records, how would you say the support has been from that label so far?
It was even released world wide on Ibex Moon. Well, John is a very dedicated and fair guy who loves DM as much as we do. So working with IM is very relaxed and cool yet.
It is the perfect label for a band in our position and with our attitude. We are very glad about the chance and the trust IM and John offered to us.

7. Your music is rooted in the Swedish sound even though the band is from Germany what made you decide to go for that sound?
Well, the early Swedish bands had a very big impact on us in our youth and still nowadays. As mentioned we didn´t want to sound Swedish right from the start, but it developed more and
more into this direction. In my opinion the Swedish sound is the best and most authentic DM sound. Besides there is no German DM sound at all. You can choose to sound the American
or the Swedish way if you want to sound old school. That´s it.

8. How has your music been received so far by death metal fans worldwide?
The response is very good thus far, especially from the US. We sold a lot of shirts and CDs worldwide yet. The underground seems to bit us very welcome. That´s great.

9. Do any of the band members have any other bands besides this one, if so who are they and what kind of music do they play?
Yes. Our drummer Daniel is also playing in Suffocated Art. A band more rooted in the American way of playing DM. They will record their second album soon and it will be great.

10. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
It will definitely stay old school but the songs for the next album are way more varied and more melodic in parts. Of course the production will be a lot better and there will probably be some great
guest appearances on it too.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
The main infuence for me personnaly are still the early DM bands like Entombed, Dismember etc. I still listen to their first albums and they inspire me still a lot. Of course there are also
some other influences because I listen to a lot of Metal styles but the old school way of DM is the most important to me.

12. What are some of your interests outside of music?
Well, I´m a graphic designer and I love creating coverartworks and the like. You can see my art at: www.myspace.com/artwarsmedia.

13. Any final words or thoughts?
Stay true to yourselves, stay open minded, don´t believe what the media tells you and support Metal....