A few questions - interview with death metal band from France - OLDSKULL.
Recenze/review - OLDSKULL - The Defeat of Humanity (2023):
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
OLDSKULL began as a 3 piece band in 2003: Seb (vocals), Manu (Guitar) and Hervé (Drums). Around 2005 we recruited Damien on bass and we could play our first concert. Then Yann (Bass) joined us in 2006, thanks to his experience we were able to move forwards new composition and play a few gigs.
A four tracks demo was released in 2009.
Then, we have been searching for a little different way of composing to be more efficient.
We did a few good concerts such as the XTREME FEST in 2015, and even played with SKELETAL REMAINS at the Pavillons sauvages.
The band has not been dormant. We continued to compose songs, to deepen our style and way of playing.
Following a concert at the Club in Rodez in 2019 (A date shared with MERCYLESS, RITUALIZATION and SAVAGE ANNIHILATION), Nico joined the band as second guitarist.
It was a long time we thought about having 2 guitars in the band, to open new technical horizons to our compositions.
Beginning of 2023, release of the EP “The Defeat Of Humanity”, followed by a few concerts including « Une Nuit En Enfer » for the 20 years of the festival (Date shared with MISGIVINGS, CONVICTION and VENEFIXION).
We practice a death metal the old way and influenced by the 90’s.
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
The recording took place at the DISMALSOUND STUDIO, but Manu (Lead guitar) did a huge post recording work to arrive at the result of the Ep.
Knowing that “The Defeat Of Humanity“ is as a self-production meaning that Manu took many personnal time to achieve the musical part of this EP.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
A hundred copies were released on CD format , then Gabriel from Nihilistic Holocaust (Extreme Webzine label) proposed us to release the EP on cassette format, we accepted right away.
The EP is also available on Bandcamp in digital and streaming.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
Seb (vocals) is the main author of the lyrics that deal with some current concerns (ecological disaster, pandemic,human condition, and so on)
Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
Nerull (friend) created our logo whereas Mimo (another friend) drew in pencil the EP’s cover that was finally arranged by a graphist.
Regarding social networks : Manu manages Oldskull’s Facebook account while Nico (rhythm guitar) manages Oldskull’s Bandcamp account.
We should admit not to be especially involved in social networks but we try to respond every request.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?
We have released this EP as a self-production, therefore everything is managed by ourselves at this time.
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
OLDSKULL counts 5 members so this is as many different influences, however we all find ourselves on the golden era of Death metal from early 90's such as: Unleashed, Disincarnate, Hypocrisy, Luciferion, Bolt Thrower, Death, Morbid Angel, Carcass, Morgoth, Sinister, Napalm Death, Memoriam ,Cannibal Corpse, Grave, Benediction, Entombed, Deicide, Resurrection, Vader, Pestilence, Obituary, Malevolent Creation, Dismember, Gorguts, Asphyx, Demolition Hammer…
But also some good thrash: Protector, Possessed, Sepultura, Slayer…
We all have our own influences in other styles but Death metal remains OLDSKULL’s reason of existence.
One shouldn’t forget France also owns cult bands that released timeless death metal classics such as Loudblast, Mercyless, No Return, Agressor and Massacra.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
We are not the kind of guys that knock the doors to people we don’t know.
Based on that, we unfrequently canvassed some labels from underground and didn’t get any response, relaunching is not our cup of tea in these conditions ...
Finally, none of us takes care of it.
Gabriel from nihilistic holocaust contacted us for a tape release. this guy is such involved in the underground worship that we couldn't refuse his offer to release our EP on tape. We were already in contact with him for trading when we released the "death and metal" demo but obviously this demo was out of stock, due to our less of competence in promotioning our band. We would never be able to promote as much as Gabriel does, we are greatly gratefull to him for his job, enthusiasm, support and devotion to the underground scene and the bands he support!
Interested by Nihilistic Holocaust ? please visit : https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
It is really random, depending on opportunities we find and personnel constraints of each member of the band.
As of now we played four gigs in 2023, the last one was « Une Nuit En Enfer » for the 20 years of the festival (pretty good sound !).
The three others gigs in clubs.
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
In the close future : New compositions and a «video clip».
To play more concerts and to keep on progressing in group cohesion.
Today and tomorrow : To keep on offering a sincere death metal and all the more to perpetuate the death metal tradition!
The founding idea of OLDSKULL was and remains to play “traditional” Death metal in its original conception : sincerity and spontaneity.
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Fans can contact us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/oldskulldeath
And also Bancamp : https://oldskull1.bandcamp.com/album/the-defeat-of-humanity-2
Thanx for the interview.
Recenze/review - OLDSKULL - The Defeat of Humanity (2023):
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