Saturday, December 27, 2014

Gorelust Interview

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY JEAN BEAULIEU - VOCALS



1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Since the recording of the album WE ARE THE UNDEAD we finally took a break from the production process. The music writing began in April 2013. We recorded the album in the summer 2014. So it has been a long stretch. It was kind of complicated since we all lives apart and far from each others. From 6 to 14 hours drive-boat…We all have our lives , jobs and families so planning and doing  everything was not an easy task. We had not been together since 1996.


2.You have your new album coming out in February, 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?

The goal of doing this was to keep the 90’s underground spirit and we believe that we succeeded. Presently, most of the bands that claims to be old- school mostly use triggers, samples and modern productions tricks. Sure they got the blast beats but how really old-school they are? I mean, it is ok, it’s cool, but for us our goal was really to return back to a old-school-underground production. You like it or not. We are not trying to change the Gorelust sound. We did the follow-up to Reign of Lunacy but 20 years later. So it goes in the same direction than the 1995 album. The songs are a little more thrash-influenced. But it is still death metal with shocking lyrics.


3.The band was broken up for 16 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision the reform?

We got to remember that the band splitted in 1996. We were very young and we were building our lives, our futures. So i quit the band to go study sound enginneering in Montreal. 5-6 hours drive from Rimouski. The band quit a few months after my departure. There was also the fact that back in the days, internet was not yet established in everyone’s lives. We were a french speaking band in a isolated little town.  It was not an easy task to get your band name out there. We did a lot of gigs with big major bands and we did an album that got distributed in the international metal underground. For us, only that, was quite a accomplishment.

We decided to reform because of our passion to do music together. To do this second album that we were planning in 1996 but never got the chance to do. Seeing support on the internet was also a great motivation to do it. This is the real reasons. The passion for death metal music and our love and respect for the Gorelust’s fans.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

I wrote all the lyrics myself. These are coming straight from my mind. I did them the same way i did Reign of Lunacy. They are horror stories. Violent and shocking. I’m not writing to do social or political statements. I’m wrote them in the 90’s death metal horror themes vein. Some peoples think that they are anti-christian lyrics. Which is false. I respect everyone’s beliefs.

Every time i talk against some religions it is against their abuse of power. Or some priests sexual crimes. Like in « Rape the rapist ».   These have different meanings. And most of the titles can be interpreted differently. I mean the titles suggest something but the texts are about something else. Kind of tricky to interpret. The song « Decapitate the holy whore » is not about chopping the head of Mary Magdalene. Hehehe.. It is about revolting against an abusive religion. The holy whore in this case is actually the religion organization itself.

I must confess that in the Reign of Lunacy period there was some reference to satan and devilish stuff. But i wrote them at 17 years old. Did not understood everything and was listening to too much Deicide ! hahaha…


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Gorelust'?

Oooh.. Back in 92-93 the first idea was to call the band Bloodlust. But finally the guys found out that it was already used. So the gutiarist, Jeff olivier, found the name Gorelust. The goal in those days was the find a violent catchy name. Even today i still think that this is a great classic death metal band name.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Last time we played on a stage was in 1996. So it has been quite a while. Gorelust’s performances were known to be energetic and brutal. The guys are great musicians really. We did a lot of cool shows. The band played with Cannibal Corpse during the Tomb of the mutilated tour. With Deicide during Once upon the cross era. A few gigs with Gorguts – Erosion of sanity.  With Cryptopsy – None so vile and a few also with Suffocation – Pierced from within. Among many others, Dying Fetus, Malevolent Creation… Many great shows !

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

There is no touring plans. Maybe a show in Rimouski our hometown. Maybe Montreal. But even this is not sure… We will see how it goes…




8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your reunion by fans of death metal?

Gorelust is an underground band. We have a pretty cool following and peoples who know the band were really cool and happy about it. The facebook page is getting a lot of new « likes ». This is so great. All this would have seemed completely impossible a few years back. Man…i still can believe it. I had not talked to the guitarist for something like 12 years. Even the Pascal (bass) and Francis (bass). I saw them like maybe 1 time in 10 years. For my voice, when i began doing the demos for the new songs. It was my first time doing vocals since 1996. This is crazy !!


9.Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?

Oh yeah… Except for me, the others Gorelust’s members have played in many bands in the past years. Presently there is Francis (drums) who is playing in Spirit of Rebellion. A band from our hometown of Rimouski. He is also playing in a Ozzy-Sabbath tribute band with Martin (guitarist).

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We don’t know if we will do another album. If we do it, we will do it in the Gorelust style. Again. This is who we are. We play death metal. I don’t even call it brutal death metal. I don’t like all this categorizations. For us it is just « 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?

For Gorelust’s is obvious that we took our influences in the early death metal scene. We came just a few years after the birth of it. In 1992, 1993. Death metal was in his early stages. We came from this period. There is also a lot of thrash influences, the old Forbidden, Exodus… As for our musical tastes is range really wide. From rock to extreme music. Just don’t try to made me listen to techno music or others drums looped electronic stuff.. Not for me.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Got a lot of interests in movies, international movies. Can’t live without nice food and great wine. Trying stuff.  And travelling is also one of my favourite thing. I plan to return to Europe soon…

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I want to thank you for your interest in the band and your support. This is a true underground band and we love every fans and really appreciate all support. All the new « likes » on Facebook means a lot to us. Making an album 20 years later was quite a ride and it is so great to see younger peoples who understand and appreciate it. This is death metal in his purest form. In the early 90’s vein. Raw production and sound, horror themes, true dedication to this style. Keep it brutal, Keep it real.
Jean Beaulieu
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