NO RETURN (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What’s currently going on with NO RETURN?
Alain : Everything is really fine for us especially since the release of our latest album.
Reviews of”Inner Madness” are rather good and the feedback is very positive.
The line-up is great and everyone is serious about the music and wants to give it their all.
I’m really happy with the way things have turned out these past few months.
– You recently joined the band so, being their new singer, I would like you to tell us how did you get to join in the band and how is everything going thus far. Everything as you expected?
L. Chuck D. : That what I’m sure it’s the fact that I am one of the most happiest man in the World. I have been a fan of this Band for many years ago, may be 20 years. It is now 2 years I have joined No Return back the microphone. At first Moreno told me that he wanted to stop his adventure with the formation. In a second time I knew the rhythm guitarist Nicolas Coudert, and he asked me to make a test. I had 24 hours to prepare 7 songs, and after a few month of waiting the decision was taken. Alain called me by phone to tell me that I was the new singer. I can’t explain you the joy that I felt. After this fabulous moment, we prepared many shows and the new album. Today I can say that I’m not the new singer of No Return, but probably the last one. I never let my place for anyone in the Metal’s Sphere.
– Your new record is entitled “Inner Madness”, which was released a few months ago. How has its feedback been? And are you satisfied with the final output or is there anything you would like to change about it?
L. Chuck D. : “Inner Madness” was born on the 23th April, and since this date everything is positive. With this album we are going back to the future with a Thrash/Death sound. We’ve got an Old School sensibility mixed with a new melodic feeling. The group has always been a Thrash Metal band, but with the last two albums the vocal make a big Death Metal furrow. We want to restore the truth and the true historic sound of our genesis. Of course we do not deny that we have some Death Metal feeling, but like “Death” the Chuck Shuldiner’s band, not like the New Wave of young and brutal ways. All the media are recognizing it, we’re knowing that we are on the right way.
For the second part of your question I’m not some kind of musician that it makes some onanism. I have never been completely satisfied of one of my work. I want to continue my progression, and all my engineering was a new challenge. Any album is the perfection! With “Inner Madness” the Dream comes true, but I would like to make better with my voice. I wouldn’t like to change anything on this cd. I just would like to propose you always better.
– What does the album’s name make reference to?
L. Chuck D. :As the first album, it makes reference to psychological torments. One of my friend has been killed by 5 young people and that brought me Inner Madness. I didn’t know any more what was the frontiers between justice and murder. I know the five murderers who lives in the same town as me and I hesitated to make justice by myself. I found the backdoor in order to escape from reality with this album.
– And what does the cover artwork represent?
L. Chuck D. : It is representing the time of life as a gearing with very well lubricated wheels. It is the difference between madness and reason.
– How has the songwriting process for this record been like?
L. Chuck D. : Alain writes all music and when he comes in studio, we are making all arrangements with the band. All musicians have a voice to say what they think about songs. This is a democratic way of decision. It’s the same way for the lyrics. I write every text at home and I propose them to the guys. When everybody agrees, the song is validated.
– The production is just great, in fact I read Francis Caste produced the album. Would you mind to shed some light on how was the production process? And are you happy with the work done by Francis?
L. Chuck D. : This is the second time we work with him. Of course we are very satisfied of his job. But, for me, this is the first time I recorded with him. First time I met him I said that I didn’t like voice superposition engineering. What is usually his way of working. He is not a standard sound engineer. He’s like a producer. He drove me out of my limits. I think we have made a very good job. And I hope to work again with him for the future album. I would like to thanks Francis for his patience and for the job he made for me. It was an incredible experience. Now I can say that I’m not virgin in clean voices. Everything is easy with this man.
– This has been your first opus with young French label Great Dane Records. How did you hook up with them? Why did you decide go for them? I guess being a company located in France can be a pro as well.
L. Chuck D. : I had the chance to meet Geoff. I introduced him to Alain. We are speaking the same language. At last we all are some Metal fans. No illusory promises, just the truth. With Raph, they are making an incredible job. We had the most important number of reviews and so many repercussions. We are sure that we made the right choice.
– All this being said; how could you describe “Inner Madness” in just 3 words?
L. Chuck D. : Brutal Melodic Thrash-Metal.
– On your music you blend elements from different music styles as Thrash or Death, adding some groove, certain progressive parts or moments that seem influenced by Gothemburg Melodeath so, how could you describe your music style?
L. Chuck D. : Our music is based on Old School Thrash-Metal but we develop on each disk. However, this is not to me to say what kind of music we play. Of course, we are fan of Death and Testament. And you can find some influences in our music. For the rest, you decide what you hear or what you feel.
– Talking about this diversity of influences, what are your personal inspirations as vocalist?
L. Chuck D. : For this album, two singers influenced me. First, this was “Tompa” Lindberg from At The Gates and in a second time, Peter Dolving from The Haunted. The mix of these two voices has made the scream of No Return album. At last, for the clear voice I have two influences too. First, Karsten “Jagger” from Disbelief and of course my singing teacher David Féron from the school “Inside The Scream”.
– NO RETURN was formed back in 1989 but the band has always been evolving in musical terms. You now have a pretty updated sound so, are you open to new inspirations and checking new bands out?
Alain : NO RETURN‘s music is based on Thrash-Metal since the beginning and it’s important for us to evolve in this style especially in terms of melody and voice.
There is a lot of great music out there. I like all kinds of stuff but it’s right that ‘‘modern bands” aren’t the main influences of NO RETURN. We are more into bands like Testament or Death.
When I start writing new stuff I try just to please myself in order to make the songs the more efficient as possible keeping in mind the technical level is also important to bring diversity.
– In fact in France there’s lately a great Black Metal scene but, what about the Thrash/Death scene?
Alain : Compared to other countries, I think Metal in France is still underground especially thrash and death metal. There are a lot of bands in each style but only a few of them are well-known. It’s very difficult in France because artists do not get the help and promotion they need, and there is a lack of interest.
So we have to work a lot in order to make the band as well-known as possible in France and in other countries.
L. Chuck D. : We have got so many many incredible bands as Destinity. This one is the biggest Death Thrash Metal Band in France. If you don’t know them, I invite you and your readers to listen to them.
– And finally, what are the band’s near-future plans?
L. Chuck D. : We are playing in so many festivals, the last one was the Motocultor in Theix which counted 2500 persons. We are working with K-Productions for tours in France and in Europe. We are doing our best to salute you in Spain. Maybe in 2013. In this current year, we are working with our label to offer you a re-edition box.
– That has been everything from my side, thanks you once more. If you want to add some final words; last lines are all yours.
Alain: Thanks for supporting us and don’t hesitate to listen to the new album. See you soon on stage!
L. Chuck D. : I would like to thank you and your Webzine for your support. And I tell your readers : “Stay Thrash and Rendez-vous on the road!”.
