HEAVY sat down and wrote out a few questions for Deadspace, an ambient black metal five piece, and this is what they had to say.
How did Deadspace come about?
Well, Deadspace started as an idea. I (Chris) have been writing music under the name Deadspace for about seven years, and it was only after we put out “The Promise Of Oblivion” (for fun at the time) that I decided to focus on this and abandon previous projects. Hindsight is a real fucker of a thing cause it’s taken over my entire being haha.
What are the band’s main influences?
As wanky as it probably sounds, a little bit of everything. We’re an eclectic group of people and not just musically speaking either. It’s a wonder that we’re allowed out of our houses at all or within 1km of small children. We draw the obvious influence from some atmospheric black metal bands but sometimes the other influences feel leagues stronger than that simple root. Shelby and I are massively into bands like Placebo, Nine Inch Nails, The Used, Underoath, Manson, AFI, etc. Oil is a massive Randy Rhoads and Dimebag fan but also majoring in classical piano at uni. The list goes on. And I think you will find a little bit of everything in the sound if you know what you’re looking for.
In three words how would you describe the band to someone who has never heard your music before?
“Melodic, emotional juggernaut”.
Who would the band’s dream be to support, both national and international acts?
That’s a really difficult question because sharing the stage with any creative artist is a completely different experience every time. Stylistically I’m sure we’d jump at anything like Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Pain Of Salvation, Devin Townsend Project. To be honest, a lot of our favourite bands at the moment are Australian and are quite good friends. Bands like Greytomb, Rise Of Avernus, Departe, Aquilus, Adamus Exul. The Facegrinder guys are amazing dudes too, great bands also, always a riot.
How was the recent Gravity tour and what were the crowds like in the different states?
The tour was great. It was amazing to check out Tasmania for the first time, and we made so many long term/permanent friends. Was also awesome catching up with the old crew. The shows were all consistently pretty cool, not massive but it’s great to see that we’re starting to bring out a crowd that keeps returning. Melbourne is always amazing; Sydney can be difficult, but we’re starting to pick up there.
Could you tell the story behind the animated video for Death and working with the artistic mind of Davide Cilloni?
Well, that video is a summary of the entire EP concept. You get forced into the world, shit yourself, learn how to walk, endure a difficult existence and then die. The concept of Rebirth or existing as an immortal entity was thrown on to the EP and video as a way of blurring the line between fact and conjecture. It adds a very human feeling to the piece.
So I drafted up this story at home, and we found Davide thanks to our long time friend Zach Andrews (Sanzu). Davide took my story and just turned it into an absolute masterpiece. I still remember the first time he sent me the clip of the praying mantis (which was not in my original plan), and I was just like… shit man, he’s just going above and beyond every time. He was the most professional artist I’ve ever worked with and delivered some of the most mind-blowing art we could’ve hoped for. But in saying that, credit also needs to be given to the forever amazing Jess Vaini and Joseph Varley for handling all other videos for this release. Epic work as always.
Are there any new bands that are recommended or worth checking out?
I wouldn’t say new bands necessarily but a lot of great new albums from bands that have been around for a while. MGLA’s ‘Exercises In Futility’ in incredible and we’re digging the newest Tribulation record.
Are there any Cds or Records that fans wouldn’t expect you to have in your collection?
Maybe stuff like the Cirque du Soleil CD’s they sell at the circus hahaha. Or Deep Forrest.
Did anything going on this crazy world have any influence on the writing process of any of the songs off the Gravity EP?
This EP is just an observation/perspective. It’s not too much of any emotion but has an all round attitude to it. I do have to say, though, the new stuff we’re putting together in the studio for this Happy Days split is more extroverted, angry, desperate and empowered.
Does anything piss off the band more than Gogglebox on Network Ten?
Yeah, we fucking hate running out of wine. The absolute worsttttttttt.
Finally is there anything you would like to leave with your fans or any scoops you can give them regarding new music?
We are in the studio now recording our side for a massive split with Happy Days (United States) to be released on Talheim Records. We also just put together another run of dates including Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney and Newcastle EARLY next year. All will be revealed soon.
Read our Deadspace EP Review here: https://heavymag.com.au/ep-review-deadspace-gravity
Gravity is officially released – stream and purchase:
http://www.deadspace.com.au/gravity
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