1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Apart from the vinyl release of Lure of the Occult coming soon through Blood Harvest and the shirts that have just been printed, not a whole lot. I just got back from living in Mexico for the last couple of years, which included a trip through South America, so we've been out of action during that time. I came back to Australia for a few months last year though and we played at the Evil Invaders festival in Sydney which also coincided with the release of the album.
Apart from the vinyl release of Lure of the Occult coming soon through Blood Harvest and the shirts that have just been printed, not a whole lot. I just got back from living in Mexico for the last couple of years, which included a trip through South America, so we've been out of action during that time. I came back to Australia for a few months last year though and we played at the Evil Invaders festival in Sydney which also coincided with the release of the album.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer material and how it differs from previous efforts?
Lure of the Occult has a bigger, heavier sound; something we'd tried to achieve on previous recordings but just weren't able to get. It has a lot more mid-paced and slower songs too, so the songs sound heavier and darker with more of a morbid atmosphere. The older recordings, while I think the songs are well written, perhaps show us as a band still finding its feet. The 7 years in between recordings helped a lot, to write new songs, re-work some old ideas, as well as time to mature as adults and want to make the music sound even darker and more disgusting. That's normal, right?
Lure of the Occult has a bigger, heavier sound; something we'd tried to achieve on previous recordings but just weren't able to get. It has a lot more mid-paced and slower songs too, so the songs sound heavier and darker with more of a morbid atmosphere. The older recordings, while I think the songs are well written, perhaps show us as a band still finding its feet. The 7 years in between recordings helped a lot, to write new songs, re-work some old ideas, as well as time to mature as adults and want to make the music sound even darker and more disgusting. That's normal, right?
3. The lyrics covered some Occult topics, how would you describe your views on Occultism?
I enjoy reading about the occult, black magic, stuff like that, and it makes for some great horror stories and imagery, though that's about as far as it goes. I don't believe in magic or the supernatural.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?
Originally it was a song idea I had but when David and I started the band and were looking for a name I suggested it to him and it stuck. Subsequently I never wrote the song about the backyard mortuary.
Originally it was a song idea I had but when David and I started the band and were looking for a name I suggested it to him and it stuck. Subsequently I never wrote the song about the backyard mortuary.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
The ones that stand out most in my mind are Evil Invaders festival in 2012, Bloodlust festival in 2005 and the massive, 2 date 'Shackled in the Mortuary' tour we did with Shackles in 2008. As for our stage performance, I usually see a few heads banging so I guess we do alright but you'd have to ask someone who's been in the crowd.
The ones that stand out most in my mind are Evil Invaders festival in 2012, Bloodlust festival in 2005 and the massive, 2 date 'Shackled in the Mortuary' tour we did with Shackles in 2008. As for our stage performance, I usually see a few heads banging so I guess we do alright but you'd have to ask someone who's been in the crowd.
6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Nothing planned at the moment but it'd be cool if we got the chance to play overseas.
Nothing planned at the moment but it'd be cool if we got the chance to play overseas.
7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?
I've only seen good things about the new album, which of course is great to read haha. I've been receiving emails from all over the world, though mainly Europe, and I'm pleased with the response and how far word has spread considering we've done very little of our own promotion and just relied on the rumblings of the underground. Now with Blood Harvest releasing the vinyl I guess word will spread even further.
8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
Stu, our guitarist, has a Death/Doom band called The Slow Death and is now also playing with Mournful Congregation. Our drummer John also plays in The Slow Death as well as a few others, Crone, The Holiday Project, Pestilential Shadows and Old Loaves.
I've got something in the works but nothing recorded yet. Should be dirty, evil and nasty sounding though.
Stu, our guitarist, has a Death/Doom band called The Slow Death and is now also playing with Mournful Congregation. Our drummer John also plays in The Slow Death as well as a few others, Crone, The Holiday Project, Pestilential Shadows and Old Loaves.
I've got something in the works but nothing recorded yet. Should be dirty, evil and nasty sounding though.
9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
If we do manage to write some more songs it'll probably be similar to what you've heard on the Lure of the Occult. We've gone 11 years without a change in direction so I don't see that as something on the cards haha.
If we do manage to write some more songs it'll probably be similar to what you've heard on the Lure of the Occult. We've gone 11 years without a change in direction so I don't see that as something on the cards haha.
10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
For the vocals, bands like Abramelin, Autopsy, Venom and Carcass. Musically, bands like Abramelin, Autopsy, Carcass, Incantation, Dismember, Immolation and Disembowelment have all been influential, although I hope those influences don't show too strongly in the music we've written. We don't write songs to try and sound like other bands, we just write riffs that we think sound good.
These days I'm listening to all sorts of music, from metal to salsa and anything in between.
These days I'm listening to all sorts of music, from metal to salsa and anything in between.
11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Learning Spanish, Latin American culture, riding my Harley, sex, going to the pub, travelling, parties, buffet restaurants.
Learning Spanish, Latin American culture, riding my Harley, sex, going to the pub, travelling, parties, buffet restaurants.
12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Cheers for the interview, mate. We still have some copies of the Lure of the Occult CD for sale, Lure of the Occult shirts (short and longsleeve) as well as the 'Backyard Mortuary' EP from 2005 and a few Backyard Mortuary logo metal pins. Get in touch through backyardmortuary @ hotmail.com or www.facebook.com/backyardmortuary
