All Interviews
Amok (CH)
Ugo Rodriguez
Posted on Jul 2, 2005
by Anders
When I first was introduced to this band, I wasn't too impressed. Their first effort "Necrosapiens" was good, but not that special. Some time went by, and I was handed their second release “Hephaistos” and was kicked to the ground. The band had evolved a lot and delivered some killer death/grind with tons of crazy additions of technique and jazzy parts... A display of sheer maniacal power. I got in touch with the vocalist Ugo, who after a couple of asskickings returned my questions, with some good answers.
Hey there, how are things in Switzerland at the moment?
Hi! Things are good here, Geneva’s football team doesn’t exist anymore…
Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play metal and how you became a fan of the music?
I’m Ugo, I’m the singer. I have been listening to metal for more than ten years. My first album was "Appetite For Destruction" with Guns N’ Roses, then there were some Megadeth and Sepultura. Those bands were a perfect representation of the kind of music I was looking for. After that, I’ve discovered other styles as death metal and black metal and this is what I listen to by now.
My first band was founded in 1996 I think. That was a death metal band where I was singing and Edward (Amok’s drummer) was guitarist. We were young and without experience and the band has split few times after. Then, Ed and I made an almost hardcore band. He was guitarist and I played bass guitar. Few months after, Amok was born with me as singer and another drummer, but for some reasons this guy left us and Ed has come on the drums.
Will you introduce the rest of the band?
There is Edward on the drums, Phil on the guitar and Wlad on bass guitar. Phil and Wlad are the composers of our songs. They also come from different local metal bands as Ad-Nauseam and Forge.
A small history lesson about how Amok was founded and what has happened until now, will be great too!
We actually started to work seriously when Ed came into the band. Our first gig was only few month after our formation, it has pushed us to work fast and well. Since that, we have kept the same state of mind in our work (achieve each goal) and that’s great because we can always go on, and on and on……
You’re right now ready with your second demo "Hephaistos", what do you think about the release?
We really hope that "Hephaistos" will help us to get a contract with a record label (in fact, it’s on right way…) because we are now working on new songs for an album. This is our second release and compared to the first one, this one has cost us a lot of money and we spend a lot of time to find the right people and material to work with. We also expect that this demo will enable us to play concerts across Europe (or more…). "Necrosapiens" helped us in that sense, and as “Hephaistos” is much better, so we hope that we will have more opportunities.
How has the demo been received by press and fans, have you seen any reviews yet?
In general, this demo’s been very well received. We’ve got better reviews than for the first record because the production is much better now, the sound is really close to what we were expecting, and we have also improved our technique and precision. Besides that, the songs are more sophisticated in the structures and riffs, and there are more variations on the vocals, giving a great ambiance to the music.
What has happened in the band between the making of the first demo "Necrosapiens" and "Hephaistos"?
Between the first MCD "Necrosapiens" and the new demo "Hephaistos" we made a lot of gigs in Switzerland, France, Italy, Slovenia… and this helped us to be more implicated in our music. At the same time we were writing the songs for the new demo, so it was a very good period for inspiration (like now for the album…). We have grown up a lot during this period.
You have evolved a lot between the 2 releases and the new one really kicks serious ass, what are your motivation for making music?
Our motivations: Having pleasure in what we play, to bring the most personal influences in our music, to move on the road and playing on stage through out the whole the year, and for me, screaming like a possessed, writing my own lyrics and having my picture in a booklet (hahaha).
How do you get inspired to write music as furiously as you do?
I don’t know, I’m only the singer. My job is to write lyrics and to tell what I think about the songs, but I suppose that it’s because the guitarist and bassist are always in exams or maybe it’s because they are totally insane…
Which bands influence you, it must be a widespread palette, due to the many different elements you present in your music?
We listen to grind, death, black and hardcore. In each style there are some good things. For example, we like these bands: Immolation, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Brutal Truth, and some Scandinavian black metal bands like Dark Funeral…
Will you tell us a bit about the lyrics and the lyrical themes?
The first and the second tracks speak about love and betray. The subject of love is very interesting because on a side it’s the most beautiful feeling, but on the other it can also be the most painful. The third one speaks about the death of someone of my family and the last one is about the sacrifices you have to make to realize a wish.
Where do you find inspiration for the lyrics?
For the lyrics, there is no concept, as for the music, this is the feeling of the moment that inspires me, but I’m very interested in what we feel at every moment of life and how our mind is translating that.
Does Amok have any messages you would like to give the world through the music and lyrics?
We’re not here to bring a special kind of message, we’re a non-political band. We just want to make people feel crazy and to blow up their minds with our music!
It will be great with an explanation and the thoughts behind the cover artwork for both your releases!
For both covers we had the pleasure to work with Julien Riesen. The concept for "Necrosapiens" was found once when we were drunk at a party near a lake… For "Hephaistos" we tried to think a bit more seriously. As it is the Greek god of volcanoes and metal, I think the cover is a good representation of this concept.
What do you want to accomplish with the band and the music?
We’d like to make a real career: Playing all over the world making, albums and never forget to get pleasure in what we do.
How far do you think you can go with Amok?
It would be great to make tours and stuff with the bands we appreciate like Cryptopsy, Immolation or The Dillinger Escape Plan. We think (hopefully, some other guys also do) that we have a real potential, not completely exploited yet, but soon it will be…
Why did you choose to call the band Amok, what are your thoughts behind that name?
There is nothing special behind that name. We’ve chosen it without knowing what in does mean, it was short, easy to retain and it sounds good. Now, I think that this name is a perfect reflection of our music.
I would like to you know the thoughts and ideas behind the 2 demo titles "Necrosapiens" and "Hephaistos"?
As I said before, "Necrosapiens" was found as we were drunk, it’s not really serious. But we can see that there is something unconsciously close between human being and death. This MCD was a kind of more "gore", also the titles were in that way ('Molested', 'Cadavers'…). Behind "Hephaistos" there is a reflection. As the songs are about love and betrayal, Phil thought it was appropriate to call it like this, because it was a god that was betrayed and was unfortunate in love.
Do you have some great news for us, are you writing new music, when will you release something again and will Amok soon be picked up by a label?
We’re actually working on new tracks for an album that should come out at the end of the year 2005 or early 2006. About labels, we have some propositions, but we are still in negotiations by now so we can’t really say something, but in May it should be decided.
When will we see you on the stages in Scandinavia and especially Aalborg/Denmark?
Héhé! Would be great! We will probably play in Norway during May, and maybe in August (we’re planning a European tour), but if you have a good deal for us, we’ll take it for sure. (since this interview was conducted, Amok has secured a gig in Sweden with Canopy and are working hard to get one in Denmark as well, Anders)
Will you share your 3 all time fave album with the Danish metal heads?
Cryptopsy - Whisper Supremacy
Brutal Truth - Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Thanks a ton for doing this interview… The last words are yours!
Thanks for this interview. It’s very cool that a Danish zine gets interested in a band from Switzerland. We hope to play soon in Scandinavia!!! C ya dudes…
Hi! Things are good here, Geneva’s football team doesn’t exist anymore…
Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you play metal and how you became a fan of the music?
I’m Ugo, I’m the singer. I have been listening to metal for more than ten years. My first album was "Appetite For Destruction" with Guns N’ Roses, then there were some Megadeth and Sepultura. Those bands were a perfect representation of the kind of music I was looking for. After that, I’ve discovered other styles as death metal and black metal and this is what I listen to by now.
My first band was founded in 1996 I think. That was a death metal band where I was singing and Edward (Amok’s drummer) was guitarist. We were young and without experience and the band has split few times after. Then, Ed and I made an almost hardcore band. He was guitarist and I played bass guitar. Few months after, Amok was born with me as singer and another drummer, but for some reasons this guy left us and Ed has come on the drums.
Will you introduce the rest of the band?
There is Edward on the drums, Phil on the guitar and Wlad on bass guitar. Phil and Wlad are the composers of our songs. They also come from different local metal bands as Ad-Nauseam and Forge.
A small history lesson about how Amok was founded and what has happened until now, will be great too!
We actually started to work seriously when Ed came into the band. Our first gig was only few month after our formation, it has pushed us to work fast and well. Since that, we have kept the same state of mind in our work (achieve each goal) and that’s great because we can always go on, and on and on……
You’re right now ready with your second demo "Hephaistos", what do you think about the release?
We really hope that "Hephaistos" will help us to get a contract with a record label (in fact, it’s on right way…) because we are now working on new songs for an album. This is our second release and compared to the first one, this one has cost us a lot of money and we spend a lot of time to find the right people and material to work with. We also expect that this demo will enable us to play concerts across Europe (or more…). "Necrosapiens" helped us in that sense, and as “Hephaistos” is much better, so we hope that we will have more opportunities.
How has the demo been received by press and fans, have you seen any reviews yet?
In general, this demo’s been very well received. We’ve got better reviews than for the first record because the production is much better now, the sound is really close to what we were expecting, and we have also improved our technique and precision. Besides that, the songs are more sophisticated in the structures and riffs, and there are more variations on the vocals, giving a great ambiance to the music.
What has happened in the band between the making of the first demo "Necrosapiens" and "Hephaistos"?
Between the first MCD "Necrosapiens" and the new demo "Hephaistos" we made a lot of gigs in Switzerland, France, Italy, Slovenia… and this helped us to be more implicated in our music. At the same time we were writing the songs for the new demo, so it was a very good period for inspiration (like now for the album…). We have grown up a lot during this period.
You have evolved a lot between the 2 releases and the new one really kicks serious ass, what are your motivation for making music?
Our motivations: Having pleasure in what we play, to bring the most personal influences in our music, to move on the road and playing on stage through out the whole the year, and for me, screaming like a possessed, writing my own lyrics and having my picture in a booklet (hahaha).
How do you get inspired to write music as furiously as you do?
I don’t know, I’m only the singer. My job is to write lyrics and to tell what I think about the songs, but I suppose that it’s because the guitarist and bassist are always in exams or maybe it’s because they are totally insane…
Which bands influence you, it must be a widespread palette, due to the many different elements you present in your music?
We listen to grind, death, black and hardcore. In each style there are some good things. For example, we like these bands: Immolation, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Brutal Truth, and some Scandinavian black metal bands like Dark Funeral…
Will you tell us a bit about the lyrics and the lyrical themes?
The first and the second tracks speak about love and betray. The subject of love is very interesting because on a side it’s the most beautiful feeling, but on the other it can also be the most painful. The third one speaks about the death of someone of my family and the last one is about the sacrifices you have to make to realize a wish.
Where do you find inspiration for the lyrics?
For the lyrics, there is no concept, as for the music, this is the feeling of the moment that inspires me, but I’m very interested in what we feel at every moment of life and how our mind is translating that.
Does Amok have any messages you would like to give the world through the music and lyrics?
We’re not here to bring a special kind of message, we’re a non-political band. We just want to make people feel crazy and to blow up their minds with our music!
It will be great with an explanation and the thoughts behind the cover artwork for both your releases!
For both covers we had the pleasure to work with Julien Riesen. The concept for "Necrosapiens" was found once when we were drunk at a party near a lake… For "Hephaistos" we tried to think a bit more seriously. As it is the Greek god of volcanoes and metal, I think the cover is a good representation of this concept.
What do you want to accomplish with the band and the music?
We’d like to make a real career: Playing all over the world making, albums and never forget to get pleasure in what we do.
How far do you think you can go with Amok?
It would be great to make tours and stuff with the bands we appreciate like Cryptopsy, Immolation or The Dillinger Escape Plan. We think (hopefully, some other guys also do) that we have a real potential, not completely exploited yet, but soon it will be…
Why did you choose to call the band Amok, what are your thoughts behind that name?
There is nothing special behind that name. We’ve chosen it without knowing what in does mean, it was short, easy to retain and it sounds good. Now, I think that this name is a perfect reflection of our music.
I would like to you know the thoughts and ideas behind the 2 demo titles "Necrosapiens" and "Hephaistos"?
As I said before, "Necrosapiens" was found as we were drunk, it’s not really serious. But we can see that there is something unconsciously close between human being and death. This MCD was a kind of more "gore", also the titles were in that way ('Molested', 'Cadavers'…). Behind "Hephaistos" there is a reflection. As the songs are about love and betrayal, Phil thought it was appropriate to call it like this, because it was a god that was betrayed and was unfortunate in love.
Do you have some great news for us, are you writing new music, when will you release something again and will Amok soon be picked up by a label?
We’re actually working on new tracks for an album that should come out at the end of the year 2005 or early 2006. About labels, we have some propositions, but we are still in negotiations by now so we can’t really say something, but in May it should be decided.
When will we see you on the stages in Scandinavia and especially Aalborg/Denmark?
Héhé! Would be great! We will probably play in Norway during May, and maybe in August (we’re planning a European tour), but if you have a good deal for us, we’ll take it for sure. (since this interview was conducted, Amok has secured a gig in Sweden with Canopy and are working hard to get one in Denmark as well, Anders)
Will you share your 3 all time fave album with the Danish metal heads?
Cryptopsy - Whisper Supremacy
Brutal Truth - Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Thanks a ton for doing this interview… The last words are yours!
Thanks for this interview. It’s very cool that a Danish zine gets interested in a band from Switzerland. We hope to play soon in Scandinavia!!! C ya dudes…
Amok (ch) website
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