It was so much difficult to search the information about African metal until eventually found Metal4Afica site by some fortitude, where a few band lists have been lighted the eyeballs to count better the southern. Definitely, South Africa has an approximate level of metal scene equally with the developing countries in others continents. The new fundamental bands have risen like as Mind Assault that layering death metal style with black and gothic artistry, sharpened into ‘90s metal eminence explicitly the concept of behaving. Dealing the duty, online interview had been done with Mind Assault to the prefaces as BRUTALISM wish to take the textual manners more in the future. Before you go to make some acted aims, please check the rowed sentences below as a little meticulousness. (How far you will live away from the earth?)
There’s missing thing all about Cape (Town)- within the past years, so how is it going to begin the something obvious, especially you guys?
We started to play in 2004 in Cape Town. It was difficult because at that time only 3 metal bands exist in Cape Town, but there has been good expansion over the years because now there is closer to 30 metal bands here. We like to believe that we were a part of making that possible with the work we did in those early days.
As introduction, please remind us how the band was comforted into underground/ metal scene at start and the truly concept of Mind Assault face the future.
Before we started the band, all of us had no places to be social and where we could meet other people who liked the same music. Our home town (Somerset West) which is a little bit outside of Cape Town is small, so eventually we all meet each other and decide to start band so that we can supply the music which was not there. After all the years, we just continue doing that and it grows. We have learned to make better songs since then, and record better, so the future is to spread our music to other areas in the world.
The first album “Stigma” has purely associative about to present Mind Assault and be an anthological musicality to begin the path. How had the process you all organised until this album is successfully received by the audiences? And what are the valuable things you propose to reach the most grade by this time?
For us, Stigma was just education in recording and so supporters could have music. We took the songs which was best at live shows and recorded them - we never made songs especially for the album except for last track "revenge". To our minds, Stigma is similar to demo album just to introduce band.
The new release is “Metal Rites” EP that actually appeared melodic with the less raw sound and intuitive death metal ever made by the old school bands. Can you give a little description about the contents to guide the most essence of this release?
When we recorded Metal Rites, we learned more about how to record and sound good. But we wanted to test to see if what we learned was the right way, so we only recorded 6 songs and have now started on a new full length album. The idea for title of Metal Rites is meaning two things. In English, you speak "Rites" and "Rights" the same, but each has different meanings. We wanted that both meanings are important. "Rites" is meaning "ritual" and looks at how metal people dress in black, headbang at performances by bands, behave, etc... it is the way of our culture. "Rights" is meaning how we look to each other in society and our so-called permission to be free. Metal people are not free in society because other people are always quick to judge us by our "ritual" and assume we are bad people. The sound of the band also is different because we want to make music that is good for the audience to headbang, and is also good for people at home to listen and enjoy.
About the distribution, have you all perforated the market outside Africa such as Europe and America at least to representing wherein the more promised splendors are obvious as we know? Felt unless to search the enthusiasm from the scene and it’s worth to enrich the conscience.
The international industry is very professional, so enthusiasm only comes if they can make lots of money. South Africa is geographically very isolated from the international scene, so opportunities for distribution is limited to the internet. Mind Assault merchandise is available worldwide from www.subterania.co.za only, which is locally based company. We hope in future to get listed in other catalogues too, but bands need to get signed before that is really possible.
So impressive to evaluate the arts that Mind Assault compromise for the album including promotion in some sites. Who have managed the artwork session of Mind Assault professionally? Is any D.I.Y effort to multiply the attitude?
The artwork for 'Metal Rites' was done by us. Earlier art was created by friends of the band. The member of Mind Assault are creative people for art, but with jobs and making music, we don't get time to do more of our own artwork for merchandise. If we have time, we like to do it ourselves.
As on sight and to clarify, you all are not black men (like this race shouts the world with an equal fire). So where were you come from the prodigal aesthetic? Had it related actually to Mr. Nelson Mandela struggle from the past?
Yes, it is true. All of us in the band are European descendants, but we are here from many generations already. The countries of our ancestors no longer recognise us and so South Africa is our only home. The struggle from the past lives with us all today: black, white, indian and coloured and for all of us, South Africa is home. Nelson Mandela is a powerful symbol because he inspires peace when otherwise there might be war. Everybody here is looking for peace, freedom and opportunity, but the people still believe they must fight for those things and trust for each other still comes difficult. Mind Assault likes to try tell the story.
Inspiration, it’s a necessity to a band shaping the base and sharpening the ability customarily as there is no other thing to the importance. What really inspire you all and the bands as influence to build Mind Assault until the band stands competitive?
Our inspiration comes mostly from the world we see around us, and in what way we see it as living here in South Africa. The law of the country makes allowance for a lot of freedom, but at the same time, the "unwritten laws" of society makes life a prison. There is a lot of forces in the world that is good and bad and that becomes very powerful. We observe that many of those forces that become powerful are actually evil and take mankind into slavery, but accomplishes slavery by tricking peoples thoughts to accept the masters. This is the concept and inspiration of a "mind assault". There is good reading on neurolinguistic programming - this is technique used by many powerful entities, like government and some big religion. We have seen and experienced this many times, but because we have learned to understand the techniques used, we can see it clear.
How does the technology pin in South Africa especially fulfilling your needs to raise the band such as internet network, equipments, phone-cell line, etc. Do you satisfy with the scale within the recent years?
Technology in South Africa is behind many advanced countries in the world. Internet is easy to access, but it is expensive and slow compared to USA, Europe and Asia. But many things are possible. ''Metal Rites' was recorded here in South Africa but mixed and mastered in USA using the internet, and a few years ago would not be possible. This is difficult to keep everything up to date, but it is possible. Also, because of slow technology, our society is not developed to use the technology same as the rest of the world. But we are progressing Phone networks and that is as good as anywhere international. But distance makes it expensive - just like travelling.
South Africa musical scene is risen more than ever where lots of genres especially underground music take the credibility nowadays. Ska was popular genre with the huge attention of audibility but how about the metal scene over the advancement to strengthen a logical perception in your country?
Yes, we do have a strong "youth" culture and underground music. In the last five or six years there has been many festivals and concerts that were not before. Some bands (like the ska bands) even gets limited radio time, but not for metal. Metal is difficult here because no radio or printed media will support it. We only grow and share by the internet and at concerts Our metal scene is developing slowly, but it IS developing. Mind Assault hopes to stay with it into greatness where South Africa can be recognised as a contributor to the international scene.
Until where you all have played in stages besides regional shows throughout Metal4Africa, Empyrean and others gigs? Is any unexplained date to go outside continents such as Europe or Asia?
We have never been outside of Southern Africa. Very few South African bands can do this because of money. Travelling from here is far and is very expensive. Our economy is also weak compared to USA and Europe, so if we come to other countries we arrive there as poor men compared to bands that live there.
The role of underground/ metal music to the third world countries?! We have believed that the capitalistic, fascism or socialist purposes from the stenches of the destructive ideologies destroy and deviate a morality in world scene, and it’s worst nightmare.
We agree wholeheartedly! In a third world country we have a lot of disappointment at some of the more powerful nations. It seems that in the society which has developed in the leading nations, corruption and greed is rewarded more than honesty, whilst everybody else gets exploited for their efforts and good intentions. Third world countries feel great suffering for this, and opportunities are "owned" and controlled by rich and powerful. In South Africa, most of our natural resources (and wealth) are controlled by international giants and most of our people remain poor. In our metal scene, there are some rich people, but most of us in South Africa are "working class" people who work very hard just to stand on our own feet.
Some news have read from Africa where the difficult situations have no way to end easily. What are better solutions from the civil war and destitution index as the main problems that often hinder the progress in Africa countries particularly the scenes you would convey by Mind Assault as one of sub-cultural powers?
This question is difficult. If we had all the answers we might be in political office instead of metal band Our advise is if everybody listen to metal and party together, then we can create a brotherhood and have no need for war. But to be serious, we talk about problems in Africa which is actually caused by global things. Africa was abused by our own (as European descendants) people of the western world. Many of our ancestors were ordinary people who needed opportunity, and were sent by the governments of that historic time to make further their imperial interests. We must now live alongside the people of this place and together pay the price of that old greed. In history, Africa was a place that powerful nations could exploit for resources, and those injuries remain. The people who lived here before had different culture and different idea of wealth until the West came. Now, many people of the continent are confused and angry. Borders of countries is not drawn by nations and cultures, but by foreigners and areas of resources.
Have you all prepared for the next album after the EP to its materials? If it has, would you like to give some preview concerning the theme and furrow substantiate the first album?
The next album is happening right now! It will take some time because money is slow, but we will get there eventually. The album will continue to examine the theme of the "mind assault" concept and our way that we see the world - things that make us angry and sad, but also a few things to celebrate.
What the plans do you manage all about distribution to a label and production frameworks regarding that the new album? Will you still occupy the D.I.Y/self- released ardor at least?
We need to get signed by a label if we can expand distribution. With everything we learned until now, we think the next album will be good enough to approach some labels. We are thinking to send the old recorded material packaged as "demo" and then along with pre-production of the new stuff. If nobody is interested to work with us, we will stay with D.I.Y. Ultimately, we believe in ourselves, and the people that has found our music believes in us. It will just take longer time, that is all.
As the top rates, Suicide Silence and the band such as Veil of Maya pioneering coming bands- concretise the term of death core (the new genre of vigorous metal and core amalgamation), is any left key like their originality will you all set in the future or particularity?
As a band, we don't believe to follow what is popular or top ranking music in sales. We understand that this also makes it difficult for labels to be interested in us, but we make music for love of it - not for popularity. Therefore, our sound will always reflect our origins in the genre, which is thrash, death, and melodic. There is lots of other musical inspiration which members of Mind Assault has, and we might still explore that has not yet come in our music, but there is nobody in this band that feels inspired by "core". It does not mean we have disrespect for the new genres, but we enjoy to play what we enjoy to play and are not interested to go too far from that.
5 extraordinary women who you admit have intelligent contributions in underground/ metal music as they have begun from solo career until comforting the band. (Don’t write TarjaTurunen, cause she has a boy)
Angela Gossow is No.1 for sure, because she is such a powerful presence in her band but other women in metal that got our attention is: Rayna Foss of Coal Chamber, who got a LOT of girls confident that they could play in metal bands; Otep Shamaya because she teaches us the meaning of determination and hard work; Anette Olzon, for the courage to step into big shoes and face criticism; And then South Africa's Ebony Aberde in from the band 'Theatre Runs Red', because she is a powerful and talented front-lady, but remains humble and focused on what is important... the love for metal \m/
Your playlist recently, this will be a reference as we observe the complex albums to take much sensibility and you to strengthen a musicality. Just mention some.
wow - too much to list! Each member of Mind Assault has a different playlist. We will list 5 of each member:
Jacques - Machine Head, Lamb Of God, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Nile and Kataklysm;
Francois - Judas Priest, Sepultura, Judas Priest, Pantera and Judas Priest;
Patrick - Sabaton, Rotting Christ, Amon Amarth, In Flames and Paradise Lost;
Donovan - Skindread, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Korn and The Haunted;
Andries - Dimmu Borgir, Bloodbath, Equilibrium, Behemoth and Graveworm
... each member is very different.
Hope to be standstill in scene and making the great things over Mind Assault‘s endeavor!? what will you do by these couple months as the first step?
Besides focusing on our next album, we are beginning a campaign to make Mind Assault known overseas more. We recently got our new logo and are getting some new artworks together to re-package our already recorded songs. With help of social networks, we will push into new territory in 2012 and try to travel in 2013 with a new album.
Thanks for the kindness, it’s going to be more in the future again as Mind Assault is in the better circumstance from the subsistence. Last words you would say to Brutalism and all the readers(?) who are locked unknown from you guys.
Yes, thank you very much for having an interest in us. We want people to know that metal is alive in South Africa, and there are many bands here working tirelessly to bring our country into the international metal community. Our metal spirit burns as fierce as yours, and we look forward to the day when we are united into the global metal.
