1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Basically since we recorded the album we have been rehearsing a lot and organizing the upcoming promotion for the album. We feel very good with the final product and we really look forward for what may come with its release.
2.You have a new album coming out in May, 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?
Dark, strong, atmospheric. The sound of the album is very brutal, however, it is clear enough for you to hear all the instruments and everything that is happening at the same time, it was not easy though, our producer, Juan Pablo Calvo, did a very good job. The guitars have a heavier and thicker tone than our previous album, drums are louder, our bass player is using a fretless bass so the sound is completely different in that area, and it gives a different and better feeling to the music. The vocals are heavier, darker and you can listen a lot of different vocal styles in every song. Songs are faster, longer, it is more experimental than the previous album.
3.Your lyrics deal with a great amount of Alchemical and Jungian concepts, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Our interest basically is focused in an introspected way, it comes from the works of Carl Jung and the relationship he did between old occult Alchemical concepts with the “modern” psychology, and how to apply it to one self. We have been reading a lot about this topic since a couple of years ago until the point where it became part of ourselves. It is a very long and deep concept, but in a few words, the album deals with the seek for perfection or the “Philosopher’s stone”, achieved through out the process of “Solve et Coagula”. It influenced our music a lot, since the album is conceptual, you can feel as you listen to the album, every part of the process, however, we want to leave it to the listener’s own interpretation. It is meant to be listened from top to end, hopefully reading the lyrics, so that the concept or experience can be perceived in a better way.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Corpse Garden'?
The inspiration came about 7 years ago from 2 of the co-founding members of the band. It basically relates to the idea that we are all corpses in this garden we call earth.
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?
If I have to chose I would say the show at Wacken Open Air in 2012 was a very important show, probably the biggest one for the band. As well back in 2013 our show in San Jose, Costa Rica called “El farolito” which is kind of a small open air festival where a lot of people goes every year. However we try to make every show an excellent experience for the public and for ourselves, every show is special for us.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Yes, we have been planning lately different tour dates around Central America to promote the new album, at least for 2015 we want to focus on this side. Probably next year we will be hitting Europe, but nothing confirmed yet.
7.The new album is going to be released through R.T.M and Satanath Records, do you feel having 2 labels backing the band up will be very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
Of course! The fact of having 2 record labels from different countries in Europe is very good. They will be able to cover up more countries. As well the USA distribution will be handled by Sevared Records so that covers a lot more territory, it is the first time we have a distribution deal so we are really looking forward to it and we hope it can open doors to the music our country has to offer. Central American distribution will be handled directly by the band.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?
Well so far we have only 1 album out and 1 new single from the Entheogen album. About the previous record thankfully it was very good, people seem to like that old school feel it has. For the new song, for what we have seen it has been positive. However I can’t really tell you a concrete answer about the new music since it hasn’t been released yet, the band though is very happy with it. We pay attention and really appreciate feedback however it doesn’t determine the bands direction, musically speaking.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Carlos, our bass player, is in another Black Metal Band called Alastor Sanguinary Embryo. They are about to release their new album as well through Satanath Records. We recommend them strongly, as well he plays in an excellent technical death metal band called Inhuman, they are about to release their second studio album. That is like the biggest thing so far about our other projects. Our drummer is working on a Black/Thrash/Speed metal project called “Culto Negro”, very, very promising. Federico is working in another very good project as a guest musician with our producer Juan Pablo called Will of The Mountain and I (Esteban) am working on a black metal project with Felipe, however nothing of the last 3 projects mentioned have yet been released. We are not closed only to death metal.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As you will see in the new album, Entheogen, we are experimenting a lot with new sounds, at least in death metal. We want that, we really like it and as musicians we keep growing and learning every day and I think the band is heading to a more experimental, dark and heavier sound, with more samples, frequencies, atmospheric elements in it, without losing that “brutal” death metal.
11.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?
Musical styles we like a lot, from jazz, blues, progressive music, to the most brutal and extreme metal. We have had influence from a lot of bands: King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Godspeed you! Black Emperor have been very big influences. As well, Deathspell Omega, Deicide, Incantation, Neurosis, Decapitated, Morbid Angel, Dissection, Emperor, Death, Suffocation, Immolation, and always Black Sabbath. These are only a few examples of bands that we respect a lot and that have had a very strong influence on us musically and personally speaking.
12.What are some of your non-musical interests?
Well, you know, we all have our jobs and personal studies. But mostly our lives circle around music because we express everything that we have inside in the music we make.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you very much for the interview and support, we hope you enjoy our new music. Remember you can get our album through Satanath Records and RTM Productions on May 15.
Cheers.
Basically since we recorded the album we have been rehearsing a lot and organizing the upcoming promotion for the album. We feel very good with the final product and we really look forward for what may come with its release.
2.You have a new album coming out in May, 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?
Dark, strong, atmospheric. The sound of the album is very brutal, however, it is clear enough for you to hear all the instruments and everything that is happening at the same time, it was not easy though, our producer, Juan Pablo Calvo, did a very good job. The guitars have a heavier and thicker tone than our previous album, drums are louder, our bass player is using a fretless bass so the sound is completely different in that area, and it gives a different and better feeling to the music. The vocals are heavier, darker and you can listen a lot of different vocal styles in every song. Songs are faster, longer, it is more experimental than the previous album.
3.Your lyrics deal with a great amount of Alchemical and Jungian concepts, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Our interest basically is focused in an introspected way, it comes from the works of Carl Jung and the relationship he did between old occult Alchemical concepts with the “modern” psychology, and how to apply it to one self. We have been reading a lot about this topic since a couple of years ago until the point where it became part of ourselves. It is a very long and deep concept, but in a few words, the album deals with the seek for perfection or the “Philosopher’s stone”, achieved through out the process of “Solve et Coagula”. It influenced our music a lot, since the album is conceptual, you can feel as you listen to the album, every part of the process, however, we want to leave it to the listener’s own interpretation. It is meant to be listened from top to end, hopefully reading the lyrics, so that the concept or experience can be perceived in a better way.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Corpse Garden'?
The inspiration came about 7 years ago from 2 of the co-founding members of the band. It basically relates to the idea that we are all corpses in this garden we call earth.
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?
If I have to chose I would say the show at Wacken Open Air in 2012 was a very important show, probably the biggest one for the band. As well back in 2013 our show in San Jose, Costa Rica called “El farolito” which is kind of a small open air festival where a lot of people goes every year. However we try to make every show an excellent experience for the public and for ourselves, every show is special for us.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Yes, we have been planning lately different tour dates around Central America to promote the new album, at least for 2015 we want to focus on this side. Probably next year we will be hitting Europe, but nothing confirmed yet.
7.The new album is going to be released through R.T.M and Satanath Records, do you feel having 2 labels backing the band up will be very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
Of course! The fact of having 2 record labels from different countries in Europe is very good. They will be able to cover up more countries. As well the USA distribution will be handled by Sevared Records so that covers a lot more territory, it is the first time we have a distribution deal so we are really looking forward to it and we hope it can open doors to the music our country has to offer. Central American distribution will be handled directly by the band.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?
Well so far we have only 1 album out and 1 new single from the Entheogen album. About the previous record thankfully it was very good, people seem to like that old school feel it has. For the new song, for what we have seen it has been positive. However I can’t really tell you a concrete answer about the new music since it hasn’t been released yet, the band though is very happy with it. We pay attention and really appreciate feedback however it doesn’t determine the bands direction, musically speaking.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Carlos, our bass player, is in another Black Metal Band called Alastor Sanguinary Embryo. They are about to release their new album as well through Satanath Records. We recommend them strongly, as well he plays in an excellent technical death metal band called Inhuman, they are about to release their second studio album. That is like the biggest thing so far about our other projects. Our drummer is working on a Black/Thrash/Speed metal project called “Culto Negro”, very, very promising. Federico is working in another very good project as a guest musician with our producer Juan Pablo called Will of The Mountain and I (Esteban) am working on a black metal project with Felipe, however nothing of the last 3 projects mentioned have yet been released. We are not closed only to death metal.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
As you will see in the new album, Entheogen, we are experimenting a lot with new sounds, at least in death metal. We want that, we really like it and as musicians we keep growing and learning every day and I think the band is heading to a more experimental, dark and heavier sound, with more samples, frequencies, atmospheric elements in it, without losing that “brutal” death metal.
11.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?
Musical styles we like a lot, from jazz, blues, progressive music, to the most brutal and extreme metal. We have had influence from a lot of bands: King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Godspeed you! Black Emperor have been very big influences. As well, Deathspell Omega, Deicide, Incantation, Neurosis, Decapitated, Morbid Angel, Dissection, Emperor, Death, Suffocation, Immolation, and always Black Sabbath. These are only a few examples of bands that we respect a lot and that have had a very strong influence on us musically and personally speaking.
12.What are some of your non-musical interests?
Well, you know, we all have our jobs and personal studies. But mostly our lives circle around music because we express everything that we have inside in the music we make.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you very much for the interview and support, we hope you enjoy our new music. Remember you can get our album through Satanath Records and RTM Productions on May 15.
Cheers.
