Answered by: Rallye & Albert
1. Hey Rallye & Albert! How are things going at the moment?
Rallye: what's up Jamie. we're doin ok, currently on indefinite hiatus and we won't be playing shows - albert moved to the US
Albert: Hey Jamie you horny bastard! It's getting real cold out here as winter gets ready to show its ugly head. I'm just checking out the wonderful babes and looking for a good time.
2. Give us a little background on the band members and how you guys are formed.
R: me and albert were in a sludge/grind band called decadencia years ago and it fell apart. gil is an old friend of albert's and they started jamming around with the idea of a crust/grind/punk band, this was in july 2003 and i got in on bass. we were looking for a vocalist, but things didn't work out with the people we wanted so they asked me to do it. if you could hear our first 3 song demo the vocals were total shit, but hey it was a start
A: We're just a bunch of kindred spirits with a fetish for the dark side. I've been buddies with Gil and Rallye for the longest time and we just decided to create some vicious crustgrind.
3. Can you tell us why you have chosen Religious Nightmare as bands name? Do you think it fits well to your musick style?
R: albert came up with the name and since we all couldn't agree on one we used it until it stuck. i didn't like it back then, but now i do and i think it's perfect! it's got nothing to do with being anti-religion or hating jews or christians and it's open for people to interpret their own way. we were kicking around different names but couldn't agree on anything so we went with it. some of the previous names were just just totally stupid. like, one of the names was "SIBAK!" - at first i was like cool! and then i was glad it wasn't picked, you know? hehe. we're a bunch of idiots sometimes
A: The name is a metaphorical one. It has nothing to do with religion. It's just an example because for the majority of people, religion is the most important aspect in their lives, their foundation so to speak. So what if it fucks you up and crushes you totally? Where and do you turn to then? Basically, what it means is: the worst that could happen to the most you hold dear. That's one way to look at it. I'm sure it means differently to other people that come across it. The name fits perfectly with the music we conjure up. It serves as a warning.
4. You appear to be influenced by bands like for instance Phobia and Brutal Truth and I assume there are lots of other bands too. What are some of the bands strongest musical influences?
R: shit man there are a lot. we listen to all sorts of weird shit aside from grind and metal. we're big fans of phobia, brutal truth, disrupt and etc. since the early 90's, but we also listen to other stuff such as iggy and the stooges, my bloody valentine, pink floyd, nirvana, black flag, ice, godflesh, non, merzbow, masonna, brighter death now, dax riggs, rock and some country, etc, etc. we're all music freaks, and we take influences from bands or artists that totally inspire us musically and otherwise and reinterpret into our sound.
A: There are too many to mention but everything from death metal, black metal, grindcore, crust to just plain noise. My main influence are the masters, Napalm Death like so many others. Another huge influence would be Disgust with their classic Brutality of War and of course, Disrupt for their modern take on crust.
5. "The Junkyard of Infinity" is absolutely a big progress for Religious Nightmare if I compare it to your previous releases. It is torturing everytime I listen to it. I'm sure you guys all satisfied with the result. If not, what would you like to have done differently?
R: thanks man. albert came up with the killer album title, and we're totally satisfied with the result. thanks to Macoy of Earbender Studios... i was kinda pissed that our tagalog song "markado" didn't make it on the CD. gil and albert just couldn't agree on the arrangement until the last minute and we've been writing and rewriting that shit for more than a year and we weren't able to jam it out. it was like our version of what Sleep was doing with "Dopesmoker" - a meticulously written epic song but in our own grind/punk format. to me it was the best song we've ever written. maybe in the future we'll record it
A: For a release that was recorded, mixed and mastered in 7 hours, I am more than satisfied. I'm very proudof it. Macoy sure is one patient and level-headed individual to have put up with us. More preparation on our part would've been great but I'm not one to complain. We were very much pressed for time. In the end, I think the immediacy of the situation contributed a lot to the overall feel of the record.
6. what has the reception to this album been so far? And does any label shown interest?
R: people who have gotten hold of the advance copies seem to like it. i'm mailing some promos next week, so we'll see... i'm planning on getting a budget and releasing it myself though..
A: I don't really know, I hope the metal, grindcore and true rock n' roll obssessives will dig it. We're still waiting for the labels to catch up. Distributors would be greatly appreciated.
7. I think "The Junkyard of Infinity" is a varied effort. Is it important for you that the music isn't just one long blast beat brutality?
R: it depends on the song but we like to keep it balanced. gil actually added more blasts on some parts so that when the fast punk/hardcore staccato comes in it sounds much more pissed off. most of the songs were already written back in the demo days with a few tweaks here and there. gil and albert have all sorts of crazy shit up in their sleeves when it comes to writing songs
A: Yes of course, grindcore threads the fine line between music and noise, even more so than death metal. It's more in your face, purer and has lesser layers. Hell, most of the time it definitely decimates that line and that's the best part! But as musicians, we also adhere to the musical side of things to keep the whole thing valid. I myself am addicted to blastbeats, I can't live without it, but looking for ways to use them creatively is the real challenge. Anyone can be noisy, but creating kick ass noise is the keeper.
8. What do you think make a good grindcore song? Is it the speed, the catchiness or something entirely different?
R: it depends but sometimes you don't need to overanalyze grindcore. it's honest, primal and raw and best known for savage blastbeats and killer vocals and riffs, so just play what you feel and go with it. the speed or catchiness doesn't matter if it's really good and it sounds good to your ears. but also, sometimes you can add elements in it or completely disassemble it or fuck with it add shit like noise, electronics, drone, old punk, rock and roll etc. there are tons of bands doing different types of grind today and i think it's great. bands like antigama for instance are as intense as rotten sound even though they're playing completely different styles. it all depends on the personal style of the band and how they want to represent themselves really.
A: Definitely the distorto bass, all out speed, blastings, insanely screamed vocals and short time span of the songs. Those ingredients are the core of classic grind, aurally speaking. The conceptual and lyrical themes can vary from one band to another and can get more complicated. But with all those core components and additives along the way, what really makes an outstanding grindcore song is the one that jolts your soul and pushes you to move your apathetic ass.
9. The lyrics seem to be mainly based on negative shits. Am I wrong? What inspires you lyrically?
R: yeah most of our songs are about negativity. and also our fascination with the unknown. all sorts of shit: cops, the romantization of drugs, nightmares, hallucinations, astral travel, the subconscious, the filth of quezon city and manila, horrible life experiences, people making fun of us, being in the pits etc. it's a mirror of the times we live in. we want listeners to look at it and accept that the world is a fucked up place and not everything in life is fair and beautiful, especially here in the philippines. and at the same time, find beauty in the ugly side of life. all of these negative and unknown things make up our own "junkyard of infinity", and all of them belong to some place we don't want to visit or revisit.
A: True, but not all of it adheres to the negative. Each one of us experiences it along with the positive side. But in the case of negativity, when it boils up inside and reaches its limit, you'll have to find a way to release it or else it'll find its way out unconsciously. On our part, that's where the music comes in. It serves as the outlet. It is all pushed out with incredible velocity through the maniacal mincer that is fierce grindcore, for better or for worse!
10. Tell us about the song writing process. How long does it normally takes you to mutilate a song?
R: gil and albert would usually jam out parts based on riffs or drum patterns. i haven't really contributed that much musically except a few riffs here and there. once the song is done i try to put phrasings over it while we jam it out and i usually put down lyrics once i get a certain mood or feel from the finished song... didn't really paid attention how long we composed songs, as i was mostly wasted back then. it varies... heck, we even composed one song that took more than a year!
A: It varies, a song could be written individually in a week or a month depending on the personal circumstances surrounding the composition. Writing a song and the band arranging and executing it is an entirely different thing altogether. Sometimes we just make a song in the rehearsal space. It could start from scratch or with already existing ideas thrown in. I think if we could just jam everyday, we could nail a song within a week, maybe less. There's just no actual formula in composing music.
11. What is your opinion on people who completely disregard the grindcore genre as being a waste of talent and a horrible form of music without even listening to it much?
R: to each his own. grindcore is still very much misunderstood by a lot of people - there's no middle ground usually. but it gives us something we don't get or feel from other music. i really don't give a shit if some people don't approve of grindcore or our music, let them waste their time hating, we don't care. you can't please everybody.
A: As I've said before, those people are uneducated in this form of music. It is very understandable though. You go through a process to appreciate this music and obviously most people don't go through that at all. They grab a quick bite and judge it prematurely. Also, you've got to be a little tweaked in the head and have a certain high tolerance for high frequencies to take and withstand the force of this musical extremity. It's either you're fanatically in or ridiculously out. There's just no middle ground.
12. A thing I noticed on your latest album "The Junkyard of Infinity" was the vocal approach. Your vocal styles have changed quite a bit from your previous demos. Is it just natural progression or is this something you have done deliberately? Is there any particular reason why that is?
R: i'm not really sure why, i was going to do the low vocals too but somehow i just didn't and just went straight for the screaming style. i don't know if that was a bad thing? i was listening to a lot of black metal the week prior to the recording... but it actually turned out really different but totally fitting though
A: It was a natural progression on Rallye's part. He was listening to a lot of black metal during those times so it rubbed off in a way. Although I wouldn't say his vocals are purely in the black metal vain. It just sounds killer and makes matters even worse!
13. Most of your songs clock around the 1 minute. Do you deliberately try and keep them that short or it just a coincidence?
R: we just went for it and somehow they don't go over 2 minutes. i think the only normal length songs are untitled and the new one. you can blame it on gil for the hyperspeed.. that guy is intense hehe
A: We're just trying to keep with the grindcore tradition, although our latter direction was expanding considerably as far as song length goes. Nonetheless it was still full on fuckin' speed ahead, give it all you've got, sprint your way through the piece, no fucking breaks, no time to recover just push, push, push like some good rough sex or Slayer's most killer track, "Necrophobic". I believe that song is "the" proto-grindcore track. Think about it.
14. Do you have a great admiration to serial killers?
R: yeah for some twisted reason. not for killing innocent people but the psychology behind their actions, their motivation and what makes them tick, the circumstances that led to their hobby
A: Not the famous ones because they got caught. Now, the unknown ones, that's another story.
15. If you are to be a serial killer, who would you be and what sorts your will your victims be?
R: most probably the zodiac killer hehe. elusive and never caught, he even left weird messages to decode. sick fuck. i'll probably kill off a former boss/superior or some corrupt cops
A: I would be myself. I'd torture them for days first that's for sure. Random victims first and then work my way up until the purist inside emerges. Wait, this is a trick question right?!
16. And how would you like to die??
R: either fighting for something i totally believe in.. or maybe by a heroin overdose after a sex marathon with the girl of my dreams, hehe...
A: Jumping off a skyscraper would be great but my all time favorite would be being alone in the north or south pole, standing on the edge of an icy cliff with the freezing water below and just go for it.
17. You're also behind SCRAWLSHOP ZINE. Tell us about the latest issue which was just released recently.
R: that one's kind of old. scrawlshop is the most unprofessional zine locally. the new issue was mostly drug and alcohol fueled with too much grammatical errors and only the interviews were new. ever since i got into RxNx i kind of forgot about the zine. i'm going to put another issue in the future but i want it printed, so it might take some more time (years haha) you can add the zine's myspace at myspace.com/dixiewhiskey and albert also put it on our top friends so check it out
A: Rallye is the demented captain behind that, always was and always will be. I just contributed a piece this time around. I love browsing, reading and scanning the whole thing. It just gets bigger and more distorted every issue which is just running its natural course.
18. How did all this got started and how are things going with it today? What's your main goal when you first started doing your zine?
R: back in the early 90's i was a fan of metal maniacs magazine and underground zines. i wanted to put out my own zine supporting metal but more open minded to other underground forms. i don't know if it succeeded with that goal? everyone was a dick to metal back then and i wanted to prove them wrong, that metal was a valid artform, or some shit... the chaotic messy layout is also intended to fuck with peoples' idea of how a zine or magazine looks like
A: It started in the 90's with a diverse and dirty twist. It just takes a lot longer to come out than before which I hope will change in the future. But as a contributor and supporter, I just want to put out the best articles, reviews and interviews possible to help spread the underground word. I believe zines are one of the last frontiers of press freedom.
19. What motivates you in maintaining your zine? What is the most enjoyable aspect of making a zine?
R: discovering and supporting good new music, making new contacts and having something that you can read and pass on to other people.
A: Knowing that it is not another typical boring zine. Knowing that a handful of people will get massive headaches going through it all. The most enjoyable aspect is that you can do whatever you want with it and nobody will breath down your neck.
20. If you have an authority to implement a new law in the Philippines
R: hell yes to that you already answered one. also to take away the pork barrel every year and give it to education, arts and health. and focus local asshole cops to go after real criminals, murderers and terrorists. look at these scumbags: they harrass ordinary citizens for their power tripping and bribing schemes while bombings and killings are happening. no wonder they don't get any respect
A: There are laws in the Philippines
21. What can you say about the current situation of Philippine Death/gore/grind "scene"? Any bands you'd like to recummend?
R: there are tons of great bands right now in the local scene. the scene is sicker and getting recognized in asia and other countries and that's just awesome. DFTW (now with Sevared Recs.) Pus Vomit, Loss Of Control, Human Mastication, Phlegm Thrower there's even one called Malaria and tons more. there's tons of sick and well played shit everywhere from Cavite
A: It's definitely growing, getting sicker and more diverse by the minute. The members of FoodShelter&clothing have a new electro-grind abomination called Fuck the Fucking Fuckers which fucking rips through the speaker system. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/fff1969. Of course, our decadent metal brothers Loss of Control keeps the fire and cherries burning. Also, much props to Down From the Wound for their killer debut album!
22. What are some of the bands and albums that you have been listening to lately?
R: my bloody valentine - isn't anything
disciples of mockery - prelude to apocalypse
electric wizard - come my fanatics
feast of herod - longinus
new mp3's on myspace from ehnahre, copremesis, id, the communion, methadrone, drill pillow
A: I've been tripping out a lot to the split of Irritate and Bizarre X, especially Biz X, those two guys are just plain whackos! Pack and Sol's split is also tearing up my discman, as well as the new Devourment. The mighty Carcass' Heartwork invades my senses every now and then along with Type O Negative's October Rust, perfect for the fall season. My eardrums are also being gutted by the goregrind weirdos Grandma.
23. What can we expect from the band in the near future?
R: the future of RxNX is still up in the air. there's only three of us and if one member leaves that's it. gil and i have plans to do a side project with a different guitarist but we'll see...
A: Who knows? The future is uncertain. We'll just see you in the junkyard...
24 Thanks for answering all of this bro.. Anything you'd like to add?
R: thanks Jamie don't forget my copy! thanks to everyone who listened to our music, let us play in their gigs, gave us food, alcohol, drugs and their time when we were broke and miles away from home. special thanks goes out to our friends in Cavite
A: Much gratitude to you Jamie for setting this all up and for giving us the time of day. We really appreciate it. Good fuck on your projects Phlegm Thrower and Herpes. To all you grindfuckers out there, check out the music which we have nurtured, devoured and sacrificed for throughout these awesome four years. Get a feel for it on http://www.myspace.com/religiousnightmare and if you catch our drift, you can grab the fuckin' cd and blast your spirit into oblivion!
CUNTACT: http://www.geocities.com/scrawlshop/RxNx.htm
http://www.myspace.com/religiousnightmare