Super Massive Black Holes Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Just lots of jamming, tightening the screws, so to speak.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of April, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the 2 ep's that you had released a few years back?

This record seems like a natural step for us, focusing our sound more to make an album, not just a collection of songs. I'm pretty biased, but I think this is easily our best stuff.                  . 

3.Your song lyrics cover scientific theories, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

We all dig science and the wonders of the universe. We aren't professors or anything, and the lyrics aren't lectures by any means, but we did wrap everything in a thick layer of metaphor. We would take a theory that interested us, for example the holographic principle, and we incorporated a universal human experience within each of the songs, such as having a belief system or hiding behind a mask of shame. Things almost everyone has encountered at some point in their lives. 

  

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Super Massive  Black  Holes'?

Basically, a black hole is a gravity well in space. An "object" so dense that it's gravitational pull is so immense that it consumes even the light surrounding it, which is why, to us observing it through a telescope, it looks like a big black hole. Now a supermassive black hole is the category for the largest black holes. On the surface, it's got a funny sounding name, but really, it's a pretty crazy thing. So we try to adopt that philosophy in our music and make crazy music with a bit of humor. Although, some people have said it's because we like Muse. 

        

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We played these two fests back to back in our city last summer, Calgary MetalFest and Vernstock. Both were so much fun and everybody was killer. For CMF, we played the night Disciples of Power were playing, who are just great. Then the next night we went and saw Scale the Summit and Intronaut, which was stellar.  As far as our stage performance is concerned, we try to play the songs as best we can while still looking like we're into it.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

We don't have any dates confirmed, but we're looking into a West Coast tour.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death and extreme metal?

We've actually been surprised about how broad our acceptance within the metal community has been. I guess even black metal dudes can appreciate a little fusion now and again.

8.What is going on with the other musical projects these days that some of the band members are involved with?

Well, my other band is a tech-grind outfit called Anakronis in which I play bass, and we put out an EP last october. And Jake's other band Statue of Demur is playing lots of shows and getting ready to start on their 2nd album. He does bass and vocals for them.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Personally, I think we've defined our sound pretty well with this record, and I'm excited to explore it and go deeper.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We're heavily influenced by prog rock - Rush, Gentle Giant, Mahavishnu Orchestra, that sort of thing - and we're pretty into death metal like Decapitated, Cephalic Carnage, and Gorguts. But we also listen to jazz like Brubek, Coltrane and Avishai Cohen.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Two members actually had their first kids during production of the album, so that was pretty crazy. Other than that, Clay plays hockey, Jake likes getting drunk at shows, Tristan plays monopoly, and I dig the smooth taste of gingerale.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks for reading and um, new record out April 29th, check it out atwww.smbhmusic.bandcamp.com and www.minotaurorecords.com Peace!