KILLCHAIN

KILLCHAIN is a very promising Death Metal quintet hailing from Slovakia. The band has just finished its first European tour and currently preparing new material for their second album. So I thought it's really time to ask some questions about the past, present and future of the band. Kubo (drummer) was the one who reacted onto my questions. Have a nice reading and discover the chain of this Slovakian killmachine!!!



KILLCHAIN - Live in Uzhgorod, Ukraine (9.02.2008)
Hi Kubo! How are you lately? You've just returned from your 2-week European tour. How was it? Tell us in details which countries you visited as well as what places you liked the most?
- Hi Cornelius. Thanks. We're all just fine. Yes you are right, we have just returned from our European tour with DEMENTOR. The tour was awesome and probably because it was our first one:). What about the countries we have played in: the tour started in Wroclaw in Poland from where we went to Germany. There we have had 3 shows - in Rhauderfehn, Berlin and Lautern. Then we have moved to the France with another 3 evenings in Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse, where we've really liked it. All the people over there were very nice and the shows were cool. The tour continued through Spanish cities Valladolid, Vigo, Barcelona and Portuguese Braga. These concerts were probably the best of all on the tour. The people over there literally live on metal music. We have been returning back to Slovakia through Zurich in Switzerland and Austrian Koblach, where we have finished our journey. So overall it was wonderful and I would like to thank to everyone engaged.
As we know Gabi was busy with his studies, so you had to find a replacement for the tour. Who was your vocalist on this tour?
- Exactly. Our vocalist Gabi was busy studying what was the cause of his absence on the tour. His role was taken by our friend Lukas, who have managed it perfectly even if he have had only less than 2 months to prepare. After a few shows of practice he was able to make a real hell on the stage in metal way if you know what I mean.:))
You went on tour along with your mates from DEMENTOR. How was to tour with them? Maybe you have some unordinary road stories happened during these 2 weeks, haven't you?
- Playing with DEMENTOR was superb; they are cool guys and perfect musicians. It was noticeable that they have lots of experience. What about some tour stories, well there were a lot of experiences through, but for me personally it was march of Real Madrid football fans after a derby with Barcelona. That was pretty tough. We have also funny stories, but that is for a longer talk.
KILLCHAIN - Live in Uzhgorod, Ukraine (9.02.2008)
Do you play often abroad? What is the fans' reaction on your music over there?
- As I have already mentioned, this was our first official tour, but we have made some small concerts abroad in the past. People's response was definitely positive of what evidence is our merchandise sell. It was sold out. People had good fun on and off the stage what made us feel good.
You are a band consisting of experienced musicians. I mean most of you played or still playing in other bands besides KILLCHAIN, e.g. Rasto played in PHANTASMA & INFER, Martin played in INFER too, Gabi plays in OBLITERATE & THORWALD, Frenky were involved earlier in PERVERSITY, INFER & DEMENTOR and you played in DEFENDER and still playing in OWNBLISS. So the question rises about how did you hook up and form KILLCHAIN at the end of 2005? Whose idea was to form it? Tell us the creation of the band in details.
- Our band was established by me and Frenky in 2005. We have known each other couple of years before and we have played together from time to time until we decided to make something serious. And so KILLCHAIN was born. Guitarist Martin have joined us right after and in this line-up we have made our first songs. After a short time Gabi came over and took position of vocalist and then Rasto on the end as a bass player. In this line-up we play till today. For all of us it was definitely a good experience to play in our previous bands. We can tell we have learned to control our instruments at least:)) We understand each other from musician side as well as from human one, which is very good for our band's wellness.
KILLCHAIN - Live in Uzhgorod, Ukraine (9.02.2008)
Your debut album "One More Victim" was out in 2007 by German Maintain Records. As for me, the album sounds pretty tough and your songs are catchy. But tell the readers about your co-operation with Maintain Records as well as how, where and when did you record this album?
- The album "One More Victim" was recorded in November 2006 in Martin Barlu Studio in Poprad, Slovakia. There it was also mixed and mastered. We went into the studio ready, we knew exactly what we want. The co-operation with Mr. Martin Barlo was excellent, he knew exactly how to find the right roughness and toughness we need. By searching for a publisher we have got a few choices to choose, but Maintain Records came with the best offer so that's why we have signed for them straight away. We are satisfied with their co-operation so far, they have made an excellent job for us and we are very thankful for that.
Do you have some new songs ready? Will they be in the same way as the songs of "One More Victim" album? If no, please tell us the difference between them. Also name us who composes the music in the band or it's a teamwork in general. When and where do you wish to record your follow-up? Will it be again released by Maintain Records?
- The new album is almost finished. Some of the new songs were played on the tour, we wanted to see the response and it was ace!! From my point of view the new record is more aggressive, tougher, rougher, songs are full of energy, which makes me flesh creep sometimes. We'll see how it will sound on the new album. We are planning to go back in the same studio at the beginning of September.
Songs composes Frenky and all other arrangements we do together. Comparing with the first album our second guitarist Martin now started to get involved into composing, which makes our songs richly.
After hearing the new song "Wall of Buried Soul", Maintain Records have agreed to further co-operation.
At the beginning of this year, you had 2 gigs in Ukraine as well. How did you like those gigs? Tell us your impressions about people in Ukraine and its metal fans in general.
- It was a pleasure to play in Ukraine. The concerts were managed perfectly in all respects and the attendance was also great. Generally, Ukraine is one of the few countries, where the attendance of the concerts so huge, even if it's not about some famous band. There are great people, they can have fun and it's really pleasure to play for them. I hope that we will visit Ukraine once again on some mini-tour soon.
KILLCHAIN - Live in Uzhgorod, Ukraine (9.02.2008)
An ordinary question. What bands influenced you to become a drummer and what drummers are your beloved ones? How long do you play drums? Any tips & tricks you would like to share with beginner drummers?
- I am not playing on drums very long. Actually I have started to play too late. My first instrument was guitar. Later I have switched to bass guitar. Then when we were establishing our first band as young guys we've realized that we need a drummer more than a bass guitar to play metal music. So I have tried it, I've enjoyed it and here I am 6 or 7 years after. It is not a long time but I have to confess I am practicing honestly every single day.
There are many of my favourite bands and drummers, but I have to mention names like Gene Hoglan - ex drummer of DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL... Recently is appealing to me Shannon Lucas from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and Adam Jarvis from MISERY INDEX. I can not forget on Dave Lombardo, Pete Sandoval, Donald Tardy... I am just a beginner and I have got still much to learn, but the only one advice I can give you guys is: Practice! Practice! Practice!
Do you plan to record for your new album any cover song? If so, what band's song can we expect there?
- No, there won't be any cover song on the new album. We do cover songs from OBITUARY or BOLT THROWER only at the concerts and usually just as bonus tracks.
If there would be a chance to select from any of your favorite bands to play with on your upcoming tour, who would they be? In a word, how should your dream-tour look like?
- Wow this is a good question. It's hard to say, because each of us like different bands and have got favourite ones. Personally I would choose THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER or MISERY INDEX. These are my favourite ones at the moment. We are a modest band, we'd like to play anywhere with anyone, we don't see differences between the bands. Metal is Metal.
At the end, please send a chain of words to all the Ukrainian KILLCHAIN fans and add your plans or anything else that you think I might forget to ask from you during this conversation.
- First of all I would like to thank you Cornelius for this great interview. Also I would like to greet all Ukrainian metal KILLCHAIN fans. You're the best!! I am looking forward to see you at the Metal Heads' Mission Fest. Thanks again!


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