For those for you unaware of them, be sure to check out last year's interview with them and the release of their debut record "Through The Eyes of The Burdened". With trying to put my bias aside, I was blown away by the album and it's (almost inevitable) European metal sound (you metal kids know what I'm talking about). My long time friend and former music collaborator (Justin Biggs) had joined the band years ago when he said goodbye to Canada in hopes of finding a better life for himself as a musician. Dammit if perseverance didn't pay off.
Well, as luck would have it I got in touch with Justin a few weeks ago and asked him if the guys had any new stuff on the go and some new news that we could compile into an interview. So without further delay, AFGM brings you the 2nd annual scariest interview of the year...DECEND 2.0!
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-OK guys, it's been a year since we spoke last on the state of the band. From what I've heard through Justin, 2012 seemed like a very productive year for you guys.
Justin: Yea, we’ve been pretty busy.
Nima: It has been indeed a productive year with great shows and new material.
-So, what are you up to today?
Justin: We are currently mixing our second album.
Nima: We’re having shirts printed and looking at booking shows for 2013.
-So last time, we discussed the release of "Through The Eyes of Burdened", how has the album been received? A lot of positive feedback from the album?
Justin: Through the eyes… Generated lots of great feedback, all in all it was well received here in Europe and across the pond as well.
-Any tracks in particular stand out in your minds as a favourite? And why?
Justin: I think the stand out track off Through The Eyes … is “A Sudden Sense of Clarity”, seems to be the best blend of our writing in one song and the fans seem to really enjoy it.
-Any tracks in particular stand out in your fans' minds as a favourite?
Nima: Among the Ruins, A Sudden Sense of Clarity and The Life Delusion. Among the Ruins was somewhat of a surprise ‘cause we didn’t realize people liked it until the line-check at Metaltown and the audience started cheering when we played a segment from it.
-So, word has it that a new album is in the works? Can we get any details thus far? (artwork, album title, track listing, release date, etc)
Nima: We’ve got a title for it, which we won’t tell for now, since we recently picked it and even though we have all agreed upon it there is still a possibility we might change it. As for the number of songs we recorded eight songs.
-So the same recording studio (Escape Route Studios in UK) you used for TTEOTB?
Justin: We did the recording with the same technicians Dan Abela and Joseph Smyth at their studio Legacy London.
-How far along is the recording process? Are you guys taking as much time/less/more than TTEOTB?
Justin: We are taking a lot more time with this record than with Through The Eyes. We want this record to be the best and that, understandably, draws out the best in us. So far, the album is in the mixing and mastering stages. We hope to have it all complete by the end of this year.
Andreas: We were more picky and with the recording process and on this record compared to TTEOTB the song are more technical and longer.
-Was there anything different (lyrics, inspiration, song writing/structure) during the recording process versus the last album?
Nima: The lyrics are much more personal on a different level. Instead of me expressing my opinions on stuff that isn’t directly affecting me, I write about a lot of stuff happening in my personal life. I think you could say it came to me from the music because the music has, in my opinion, more feeling to it and it touched me in another way than the songs on TTEOTB.
The record also features a song with the lyrics written by Andreas, which would be the first time anyone except for myself has written lyrics on our records.
-So for the new album, we got Justin quoted at Spread The Metal saying it was going to be a 'heavy, heavy, heavy record'. can you give us some reasons why this album might be considered a little more 'heavy' that TTEOTB? Darker lyrics? Breakdowns? Higher BPM/blast beats?
Andreas: We’re tuned down to Open D sus (DADGAD) which could contribute to a heavier sound and the songs are much more cohesive than the previous record.
Justin: Yea, the groove is definitely there. In terms of lyrical content, the music, and the overall feeling of the record I think those who have listened to TTEOTB will find this one much more heavier and darker.
Nima: There isn’t so much clean singing on this one, lots more growling!
-Are you guys looking to add some more acoustic pieces to the album? Ascend To Obscurity had a great piece for the intro to the album! (as well as A Piece Of Knowledge Absent. Great track!)
Andreas: There are definitely acoustic guitars and clean electric guitars throughout the album.
-You guys are in the market for a new label as well correct? (shout out here to labels looking for a reputable act to sign!)
Justin: We have parted ways with Supernova Records, quite some time ago. They really helped us get our foot in the door and established us to the point where people could start discovering us.
We’re not going out of our way to search for a label or anything like that. We have a few in mind and have contacted them but in the long run when the right deal comes along and it feels right for all of those involved then we’ll take it.
-Give us a lil bit of insight into your Metaltown festival performance. Must have been one hell of an experience to play along the ranks of In Flames, Lamb of God, etc.
Justin: Metaltown was an awesome experience. It really opened our eyes and taught us a lot, being a relatively new band. Everyone, even the “big” musicians, were all really nice and down to earth.
We played on what was called “The Death Stage” which had a capacity of 1200. It was different seeing people singing to your songs and that they actually knew who you were. It was a very gratifying experience to say the least.
Along with playing a great gig we also got to meet and see some of our favourite bands, bands that we look up to.
-You guys also had the chance to give Canada a taste of Descend. Can you give us some details and experiences surrounding your charity show with Morbid Angel, Kataklysm, Cryptopsy, Blackguard, etc?
Justin: This was put together by a guy named Matt Day, Founder and CEO of Spread The Metal Records. He has been involved in charity work for quite sometime and also happens to be a huge metal head.
He showcased many of the bands that are signed to his label and there were also other acts from Diminished Fifth Records as well as Morbid Angel, Cryptopsy, and Black Guard. This was also a great experience. We played one of the best sets in our career at that gig.
Canada really welcomed us with open arms and we got the best response from fans and made a lot of new fans along the way.
North America metal fans are so different. They are really into it and want to be a part of the whole experience. Whether it be waiting to outdoors in the rain to talk to bands, drinking a beer inside with the bands or just having a good time moshing and cheering the bands on.
Nima: We also did an open mic night in Saint John, New Brunswick. It was just me, Andreas and Jonathan. We played 3 songs and for being an open mic people loved it
-Any other shows in the works for either North America or Europe?
Justin: I think the main focus is on the record. This time around we’re not just coming out of the studio and commencing the writing on the next record. We think and believe this is the strongest material to date and want it to be perfect. So, that being said when the record is complete and all is said and done then I think we will look into touring in 2013.
-Other than dropping the new album, what's the next move for Descend?
Andreas: Planning for 2013. We will of course, drop the album and we are looking into touring and building up our Merch.
Nima: We’d like to build up a larger fan base by gigging of course and as Andreas said build up so merch to get out to the fans!
-I never got the chance to ask this last time. Since musicians like yourselves are always going to be considered an inspiration to fans and music lovers alike, what words of wisdom can you offer those young ones who want to pursue a life of music?
Justin: I think the best thing you can do is invest your time, energy, money and life into music. It doesn’t all happen over night and there are no guarantees. But, you can at least try and when you step back and look at the bigger picture whether or not you’ve been signed or not you can still make some great music and have fun doing it.
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Thanks again guys for send answering all my questions. I personally cannot wait to hear what they got on the go next. If it`s anticipated to be heavier than the first album, then I`ll be putting in my pre-order very soon. Get in touch with Descend either through social media (Facebook, YouTube) or through their official website. Show them some support and drop them a line, send em some comments and questions. They`re always up for chatting with new fans. Happy Haunting everyone!
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