Formis Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Formis is a band founded by the former guitarists of Iscariota, the group that both left at the beginning of 2010 after a long term collaboration. The duel's first task was to complete the crew and then accomplish the incomplete records; the result being their first album "Perfect Excuse".Formis debut record has very good reviews in the underground press around the globe. Band promotes their album touring individually, as well as in the side such names as: Decapitated, Hate, Armagedon, Furia, Bloodthirst, Stillborn, KAT & Roman
Kostrzewski, Frontside, Horrorscope, The No-Mads.Actually Formis has just finished recording successor of "Perfect Excuse". "Mental Survival"

2.In September you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The most important is that we are still play metal. We don't pay attention to what is now popular. We walk our own path. To define our style I use the opinions of others. Most people says that we play thrash death metal. In reviews of our albums you can read a comparision to  ATHEIST, PESTILENCE, SADUS and last releases of DEATH.If I would have to compare first album to last release I think that now is more death metal in our music and less progressive elements. Mental Survival is heavier and "denser" than "Perfect Excuse".

3.This is the first album to be released in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

After the release of our first album, everything was fine. We started touring and promoting the album. Then came a period of personnel changes which, unfortunately, always work like a brake for the band.
First, the former and lead singer decided to focus only on playing the guitar. Therefore, we had to find a new voice to FORMIS.
A few months later, the same person - guitarist and founder of Formis decided to end with music. We had to find a new gitarman. It took a little time but fortunately came to us Seba. But that was not the end of our problems. Again, there was a change singer. Again several months of searching for the right person. At last we could start working on new songs with new frontman Marek from ORION PROPHECY. I think we lost a whole year by all personnel changes. So that's the reasons of 4 years beetween two Formis albums.


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Our lyrics talks about life, human existence. To write new song I do not need to study about ancient civilizations, I dont need to read books, fairy tales, fantasy, etc. Environment gives me so much every day experiences and emotions that I still have to write about that. So the text is the most vital, close a human and not of any fact fictitious.


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Formis'?

It all started from a simple reading of dictionaries, especially a Latin language dictionary. There I found a translation of the word hideous,ugly, shapeless and it was INFORMIS. But there are many similar names like In Flames, Infrenis, Inextremis etc. We didn't like that Informis associated with the word INFORMATIONSo we used word formation, we wanted to give shape to our music and we created word opposite to INFORMIS.  We didn't find another band of the same name so we stayed with this.


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

The biggest emotions related by our first concert. First of all it was a debut as FORMIS with the new line-up, the confirmation of the birth. Secondly, we were the organizers of this event where did invite famous teams from Silesia: HORRORSCOPE and ETERNAL DEFORMITY and Czech FIREZONE.
We also played a show when our performance was interrupted by the police ... When we perform the cover song DEATH - Within The Mind it was too loud for a people living around club so they called for a police hehe We also played a show in prison. This has been managed by convicted maniac who fought for the success of the concert with the prison authorities. It's a proof that metal underground is still alive and well.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Currently, we have chosen a simple tactic: quality not quantity. Where we don't play as often as possible, and where possible. We don't like to play often in this same places. Currently, we want play in new places or in larger events. Actually We don't have a planned route. Now we are starting to work on new material, so that we haven't scheduled concerts does not mean we doesn't work.

8.The new album was released on Defense Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Defense Records is a polish label from Cracow which achieved many excellent publications (Horrorscope, Banisher, Rotengeist, Calm Hatchery). Founder of Defense Records Peter is a real maniac of thrash metal, death metal and grindcore.


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

Slowly begins to appear feedback from Poland and abroad. There are over a dozen of reviews, a tens of CD's sold (few to USA). Our CD is available in shop&distro in Poland and Germany, Italy. Not too much but something going on.


10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part off?

Now none of the members from Formis didn't play in another band. Today, most of us already has a family, childrens, job and it would be hard to play yet in others band. Time goes incredibly fast and the day is not long enough.
I also think that in FORMIS, each of us is fulfilled. In this music, we find most of fun. So I think that guys don't need to look for other band. Current membership is complete and fully involved in FORMIS. I am proud and happy because of this.


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

Underground! Definitely next album will be more bleak, austere and underground. That's what comes to us at this moment is definitely other than previous releases. We are excited about this and we are looking forward to recording our current ideas.

12.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?

Our heavy metal roots are: EXODUS, SLAYER, KREATOR, SEPULTURA, TESTAMENT, DEATH, PESTILENCE, BOLT THROWER, OBITUARY, ASPHYX, CARCASS, ATHEIST, SADUS and many others.
Let me answer about my individual. For a long time I go back to the roots of metal. The first releases of cult bands, a real natural emotions, sound. In addition I read a lot of  reviews about new bands from underground. I also write reviews to webzine and zines. I still discovering great bands, talented, many times better than those of commercial names. Here are a few bands that I spoke about:Embrional, Cinis, Calm Hatchery, Dira Mortis, Rotengeist, Depopulate, Deviation, Regicide decease...

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

I dont tell anything original here and I must say that as I getting older I haven't much time for music or playing guitar :( My job takes me a long time from me so remain only weekends, excactly one day - Sunday. Sometimes I go on a trip for example to nearby mountains or something like that... it's all, nothing special. So I havent non musical interests a lot ;)

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

Thank you for the opportunity to show Formis here.
If you like our music wait for our next attack. In this year we plan to record next album. All current news from our camp you can read on our profiles.
Regards from Po
land. Cheers

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