They call themselves, Rigor Sardonicous. What one can expect from them is among the slowest and heaviest sounds, defined as raw, apocalyptic doom. They lie in a realm between Death Metal and Doom Metal with an extreme emphasis on the heavy. They are better experienced rather than described, and they are not for everyone. They are writing their 6th album and will be recording a live release this summer. They also have a split 7″ with Persistence In Mourning coming out late 2009, early 2010.
Tell us about evolution. Not really about evolution in general but perhaps maybe about your evolution as a “musician” and getting involved in the scene. What is your opinion on the underground nowadays than it was before?
I think technology has more to do with the stagnation that abounds all genres than any generational gap. People have come to be influenced by sounds that were once contradictory, and then blended them together and that created a new hype that did sullen the integrity of the scene. I think the cycle has come to revert back to its former, unapologetic attitude. People overall came to become bland, boring and unoriginal.
About song writing, how long will it take to complete a song (your song). Is it possible to complete it all in an hour, or in day, or it might even took long periods of refining the lines, etc. How do you know or when can you say that the song is finished? Who writes the lyrics? Do each and everyone in the band contribute their ideas?
A song may come together very quickly. Our longest song is 15 minutes and that came together in about an hour. We tend to allow our deepest feelings resonate our senses rather than think about it. Thought can get in the way when you are striving to excite ones primal and limbic emotions. We just know. There are only 2 members in this band and we each contribute, though I do most of the writing.
What music format do you prefer the most; vinyl, CD, or cassettes? Do you think it is really good to release one album in these three mentioned formats? I mean, CD first then vinyl or vinyl first then CD is acceptable (at least to me), but CD first then vinyl then after that a cassette with same songs on them over and over again is something that I don’t understand! For collectors?
We prefer vinyl, there is no substitute. Each format has it’s own place and all are better than mp3’s, though we will have our album available as mp3 downloads very soon just because of the market place demand.
Then what is your opinion on bands who keep on releasing “rehearsal recordings” on various formats? Is this good or what? There are some bands who are fond on doing this and releasing same “rehearsal tracks” for about 4 releases (only with different album title) and if you’re not interested buying this, “you’re nothing but a poser” like is what being said in the ad.
Such a thing was ‘cool’ at one point in time but now it seems that many have just gotten lazy and unimaginative.
Artworks… how important is this to you? Do you buy a record just because the artwork is great? What about the photoshopped “artworks” nowadays? What do you prefer; a photographed being enhanced by technology, a b/w goats, or a hand painting?
We hate digital artwork. All of our art is either a hand drawing or photographs. Some degree of digital enhancement sometimes takes place but we will never use that as the sole design. Now, everyone with a computer can become an ‘artist’. It is pathetic. The album art should be an extension of the music, rather than some thoughtless flash.
What is your opinion on bootlegs and also the massive downloading of albums in general? Do you think all these ripped audios in filesharing sites helps the band? For nowadays over-crowded scene, what’s the best way for a band to get an attention? Is originality important?
The underground scene does not get the attention as do other scenes so bootlegs provide potential fans a chance to hear new bands that they may not have come across otherwise. Tape trading was a normal and accepted part of the scene many years ago. The crying over ‘illegal’ downloads have been massively overstated. Poor business judgement is the real cause of said problems. We think the best a band can do is be original. There is nothing worthwhile in copying another sound under a different name. If a band does not a have a unique sound to offer then they should practice cover songs. We would much rather have people dislike us for who we are and what we represent as opposed to who we are not.
Do you listen to other forms of “music” in general? Something non-metal like classical or industrial? Do this somehow influences you? Where do you take your inspirations when you write your songs?
Yes we do. I am a trained musician and sound engineer so I deal with many styles of music. Classical, including Baroque and Renaissance, are vital and we enjoy them thoroughly. Inspiration for us comes from many guises. It is not applicable for us to state that there is any particular cause. Mainly we feel the way that we do and that is what we express. Those that may comprehend this are invited.
What is your opinion about “life”? Do you believe humans really got “souls”? What is success, because there is a lot of definitions, specially on some people that thinks traveling all over the world is already a “huge success”? What are your goals with this band? When is the time to quit metal (i.e.: listening, buying, being in a band, etc)?
We tend to think of life as existential. Nothing is given nor granted. While the concept of ’spirituality’ is important, to state that there is an actual soul is premature at best. Success, to us, is realizing ones vision, being able to create what you desire. It is a personal reflection, rather than a definition based on culture or another person. We simply anticipate on continuing what we do. While we can certainly understand people getting frustrated with the metal scene, it is a lifestyle and if one is to quit then they were probably never real to begin with.
Back to the band, what is your opinion on the use of keyboards? Is it really a problem? Do you think a metal band should not use this instrument just in order for them to stay “purely metal”? Then what is “purity” in metal? Do you think “experimenting” in music is bad? What is your opinion on the modernization of music (technical playing, etc)?
If any instrument is done well then it is fine. Having keys simply for the sake of having them is idiotic. I think many uses of the instrument is a distraction, but certainly not all. Metal is an experience, a philosophy of sorts. The greatest aspect of metal, I think, is the fact that it can incorporate such varieties of sounds and styles and still remain as metal. Experimentation can drive evolution, though something should not be done simply for the sake of doing it. There should be a goal, or at least an intention behind it. If technical virtuosity leads to stagnant music, like much of it is, then I care not about it. I read an article where the writer stated that the more sweep picking and pinch harmonics a guitarist does, the better of a guitarist they are. I vehemently disagree! Just because one has competent skills at their instrument does not mean they are good musicians, or even make good music.
Some bands claim that they are here for a message? What do you think is that message? I mean, if these bands really want to spread a message across, then why are they releasing limited amount of copies? I don’t think that releasing 250 limited copies is enough to spread that “message”.
Emotion in music is the message. It should entice it, or at least make one want to move, not necessarily dance. If a good song cannot be conjured by the writer, at least in their own opinion, then there is no real message. Such limiting numbers of a release I find to be dissatisfactory. If someone is interested in obtaining it, then it is not available because one was not ‘cult’ enough, well, this is infantile in our regard. The meaning behind a song lies in much more than just what the lyrics are about.
It is also noticeable about bands being so “defensive” nowadays. Loading themselves with a lot of excuses like: “no technical playing”, “no clean professional sound”, etc. I think only a few are doing good, but the rest are just trying to be hip. Anyway, what is your opinion on all of these?
Any band, artist, or whatever they wish to call themselves must be true to their own vision, rather than place their creations according to the whims of others. Being a sound engineer I hear all sorts of statements about what the production of an album sounds like and should sound like. Our production is raw, yet clear. This is intentional. I am more concerned about being able to hear what is happening in a song as opposed to having this pristine sound simply because the technology permits it to occur. Standing up for what one believes in is good, but feeling like you have to defend yourself against all things is misguided.
Alright, we’ve come to an end. Do you have any final thoughts? Thank you for your time…
Thank you again for this time. Feel free to seek us out at www.smilingdeath.com and also at www.myspace.com/rigorsardonicous. Joke for you - what do you get when you cross a centipede with a chicken? Drumsticks for everyone!
desiderata demortua