INFERNÄL MÄJESTY (EN)

– First of all thank you so much for answering interview and, to begin with, how is the band currently doing  upon the release of the new album?
Chris: Thank you. Its my great pleasure. The band is doing good and feeling optimistic about our new release.

– This record is entitled «No God», and by seeing the song titles, is this album some kind of critic to religions or  any other stablished method of power? Tell us a little bit about what does this album deal with.
Chris: There is an anti religious theme that relates to the songs. We believe there is no future for mankind unless all religion is abolished or reduced to small pockets of insignificance. I believe the trend is going in the right direction but there isn’t much time given the current health of the planet. It seems that while  participation is falling the level of extremism is rising. We explore topics from the Crusades to suicide bombings. In some ways it gets a little political. Its also a reflection on the current state of the human condition.

– And about the cover artwork, where does the idea come from?
Chris: The cover art was created by Safir Rifas. While we were writing No God and the concept was evolving we  were looking for an image that captured the right atmosphere. We searched for over a year for this painting. Its oil on canvas originally titled by the artist, Death or Fallen Angel. To me it captures the moment religion died.

– How was the recording process like? Is there a main main when it comes to songwriting or is it a team effort?
Chris: We usually start with a concept then Kenny or Steve will start writing the music that matches the theme. Or it might start with a melody ringing through our mind. The recording process was a monumental  challenge for us. We recorded the album ourselves. There was a lot to learn. It was quite stressful in the  beginning but we kept focused through to the end.

– And talking about the band, what are now the musicians you are working with? Is this a steady line-up for  upcoming releases?
Chris: This is with out question the strongest we have been since our debut. With the permanent addition of  Kiel Wilson from Severed Serenity on drums and Daniel Nargang from Kick Axe playing bass this is our steady  line up for future releases and touring. We are eager to get out and unleash  hell.

 
– Already digging into the musical content on the album, it sounds just devastating. Are you pleased with this  result? Was this how you wanted this opus to sound like?
Chris: We really wanted to turn some heads with our newest release.  I wanted to keep it heavy with melody and flow.

 
– Without any doubt, the essence of the band remains. It’s true production sounds more modern, but did you  have clear the band had to keep the trademark of your early albums but with a production and sound updated  to the current times?
Chris: You hit the nail on the head. That was one of our goals. One of the reasons for the delay with this album  was we had originally attempted to mix it ourselves. After a valiant attempt we weren’t capturing that essence  of our sound and the production seemed week. We called in the expert mixing skills of Chris «Hollywood»  Holmes to pick up were we had left off.

 
– I would like to highlight that overall dark atmosphere on the album, sometimes charged with really mystical  guitar sounds. Did you consciously want to give it this approach or was just something that was coming out  naturally when writing the songs?
Chris: A bit of both. We were very critical of the solos for example. It was important they weren’t just filler until  the next part.  Steve and Kenny have uniquely different styles of playing. I want to hear not just technical  playing but also emotion in a solo. It should grip you. It should spark an image in your mind.

– Anyways, the pattern of the album is still old school Thrash, as in your early albums, with all its variations, be it Death, Black or Doom and, in my opinion, has that influences that range from MERCYFUL FATE to CELTIC FROST, from SLAYER to KREATOR. Are these still your influences or are there any other bands that have been influential for you?
Chris: Its true, they are still big influences on me. I do also look outside the box as well to see how something fresh that inspires me could be brought into the fold. The talented song writing going on and the musicianship involved now a days is mind blowing. We new with this album we had to step up our game.

– Do you already have in mind the songs of this album you are going to play on your live shows? Or maybe you have already played? Which tunes do you think would work the best?
Chris: We have a set list but its not official yet. We can always tweek it depending on where we are and how the flow of the set feels. We will have a better idea once the album comes out. We are mixing it up between the  new album and our debut getting most of the attention for live performances.

 
– Having the chance of interviewing you I can’t help asking a little bit about the history of the band and it’s back catalogue. How were the early days of the band like, back in 1987 when you recorded «None Shall Defy»?
Chris: Words can’t describe it looking back now. Awesome would be a good start. Recording a Metal Works Studios for example was the perfect place. The staff and engineers were outstanding. Great atmosphere. We were getting great reviews and it seemed like momentum was flowing in the right direction. Sadly as I have learned more recently there may have been some politics at play when Rick Nemes and Psyco left the band. Its  an extremely complicated chain of events so I decided to begin the early stages of writing a book about our  history. I have no idea when it will be done but I think many will find it fascinating.

– How was Canada in that period? A place where there were a lot of bands into the styl, from EXCITER or WITCHKILLER to RAZOR, HELIX, TRIUMPH or LEE AARON. I guess may had ran more into the bands closest to your style, am I wrong?
Chris: It makes me proud to be Canadian. I’m a big fan of all these bands. We really do have a well rounded  range of styles. Especially going back to that period. It is true we worked with bands more our style though. I  used to spend a lot of time down at Larry’s Hideaway watching bands like Sacrifice and Razor back then. I’m  actually one of the people moshing in the pit in the Evil Invaders Video shot down at Larry’s.

 
– Have you noticed nowadays, thanks to the easier access to listen to classic or cult albums via Internet, that this debut album has turned with the years into a cult record into the Thrash scene? Do you think due to this, have  you considered to record and tour more?
Chris: Access is easier for sure and we hope as many people as possible have access to it. None Shall Defy we are always proud of but ultimatly we just love performing and creating music. We are humbled by the affection many have with our debut.

 
– It took you 11 years to release the following album, «Unholier than thou». Why did it take you so long? How was the band’s life during those years when it comes to shows and festivales? And which bands did you get to play with that brings you the best memories?
Chris: After Rick and Psyco left it took us a while to pick up the pieces. We were back were we started, no money to record. It took a long time to find a new drummer. That’s always been one of the big issues. They were dark times for us. I really felt after the Malevolent Creation tour in 97 then the 98 tour with Cannibal Corpse that momentum was starting again. We had an amazing time. After that tour we relocated the band to  Vancouver. Looking back it might have been better to wait another year or two before we moved. It was a real  set back trying to get everybody adjusted and finding a new drummer. After Kevin left it was no easy task.

– Your next release was «One who Points to Death», in 2004. Here it took you less time to record. Again, what  happened during those years? Did you still exist as a band or that gap of time was something natural due to  other commitments?
Chris: We had been settled in Vancouver for a bit at this point and after many auditions with drummers and bass players we Joined up with Chris Deboer and Eric to begin writing One Who Points To Death. At times in the past when it seemed as though we disappeared we were still active in the Vancouver metal scene doing the occasional show. Steve, Kenny and I have never really had any other commitments other than our family’s well being.

– And coming to the present days, with the new album, which is coming out 13 years after the previous one, is this album a proper evolution in relation to your discography? What’s left from the early INFERNÄL MÄJESTY nowadays in this new record? I think I find here similarities to your second album, «Unholier than Thou», which already has a cleaner sound. What’s your opinion?
Chris: We produced it ourselves and tried to get a good quality recording like Unholier just more atmospheric. I believe it is were we should be four albums into our discography and the future looks bright for much more to come. We have no shortage of songs and ideas. With No God I wanted to bring back elements from our roots that were missing from our last two albums. At the same time I didn’t want the song writing to sound dated or like a completely different band.

– On a view to the future, how is the live situation? Do you already have plans to tour or are you going to play at underground style festivals, that seem to be perfect for this kind of bands that rise from their ashes?
Chris: We are like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Touring and doing festivals is one of our highest priorities. In  many ways this is a new beginning for Infernal Majesty. Our new set list has old and new songs on it with No  God and None Shall Defy getting most of the attention.

 
– And about new records and projects, is the band already steady to keep on working on an usual basis or there aren’t any plans for a next album?
Chris: Working with High Roller Records as been a huge breath of fresh air. We are already working on the  follow up to No God. We have all the songs roughed out and are composing the drums at the moment. There  will be no large gaps between this and our next release. The new No God music video is coming soon. We also  have the One Who Points To Death edox coming out. We haven’t decided on a release day yet but it will be an  excellent compliment to the original.

– So that has been all from our side, our best wishes and good luck with this new album. I wish we could  someday meet at an European festival or, why not, in Spain. If you want to add any last words, feel free to do it.  Thank you so much for everything.
Chris: Thank you, I really enjoyed this and thank you to our fans who have been there for us and the warm welcome back we have received.  Thanks again we greatly appreciate this. I will be looking forward to meeting you when we return to a festival in Europe or Spain. Lol! I will be sure to keep you posted when we have our touring schedule figured out. \m/ !!  Please feel free to reach out to us anytime even just to say hi. I can always be reached at  satanical@hotmail.com Take care!

Paco Gómez
paco@queensofsteel.com