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PATHOLOGY STENCH is one of the few bands deserved to be known more in the Death Metal underground since they've released their first demo "Practical Brutality" back in 1994. Through seven years of existence their line-up changed and finally became concentrated in the incarnation of four members: Lubo Strauch - guitar, Vlado Slosiarik - drums, Marek Kucera - bass and Báro Barancík - vocals. In this line-up they've recorded the brilliant "Gluttony" album which overwhelmed the Death Metal scene with its uncompromising brutality. Well, it's time to leave you alone with the answers of Báro Barancík. Enjoy!
First of all, could you please give us a short introduction for the band. How long has PATHOLOGY STENCH been together?
- Hallo, all fans in your country. We're the group of four "grinders" from Slovakia in the middle of Europe. Everything started in June 1992 when the bass player and me decided to found a band of "madmen". More details you can find in info-materials.
Why did you choose this unusual name for the band? Is there any serious meaning behind of it?
- The name consists of two words - PATHOLOGY and STENCH. We put them together and you've got the name of our band. We want to point at this dying world and the reasons of this state that smell. And we think it's easy to remember it.
Not long ago, PATHOLOGY STENCH released their first CD entitled "Gluttony" through IMMORTAL SOULS Productions. How did this deal with I.S.P. come about?
- The first demo "Practical Brutality" got to the IMMORTAL SOULS in 1994, when they started to work. They liked it and they helped us with promo. The demo was quite successful. Jaro Harin (owner of the IMMORTAL...) lives 50 km from Banská Bystrica. Our co-operation started and he decided to release our first CD.
The "Gluttony" album sounds very brutal and professional. Where did you recorded this album? Will you record the next album at the same place?
- The album was recorded in the Exponent studio here in Slovakia. It was in February 1997, the album was mixed in March 1997 and then we did mastering. Another album we will hopefully record in this studio too.
Do you agree with me if I say that your sound is very similar to bands such as MORBID ANGEL and MONSTROSITY. Will that sound remain on the newer stuff?
- What is concerning the sound the reactions are great. We want to improve our sound. We know what to improve. It's good that you've compared us with those bands but we want to keep our originality with classical elements of this music.
Do you play live often? What kind of bands do you prefer to play with?
- We've played more than 160 live shows, mostly here in Slovakia but many in Czech Republic. Some shows we've played in Germany, Poland and Hungary. These shows took place in classical underground clubs and in large concert halls too. We've played with many bands from our country and from other countries too, e.g. CANNIBAL CORPSE, VADER, KRABATHOR, BENEDICTION, VOIVOD, etc. We play 4-5 shows monthly. Last summer we played one of our best shows at Dynamo Czech. There were 10-15 thousand fans and 100.000
Watts.
Who write the music and in general tell us in what way you composed your songs?
- Lubo, the guitar player, is mad about new ideas. He brings the idea and we make some drums, I mean some skeleton, then vocals and bass. We play this preliminary version for many times until we are satisfied.
What bands or musical styles do you listen with pleasure? What other Slovakian bands can you recommend?
- We listen to everything, from jazz and blues to extreme brutal techno. If something is good we don't care what kind of music it is. I like Enya, ABBA, Elvis. I just don't like BEATLES, DOORS and stuff like that. Talking about the Slovak scene, there are many bands. Some of them are good, some not. I like bands like ABSTRACT, DEPRESY, PHANTASMA, UNCONCERN, DEMENTOR, ERYTROSY, etc.
Do you know something about Ukraine and Ukrainian underground?
- I know quite a lot about Ukraine, because I'm interested in happening in the world. I know what's happening in your country, and we're neighbours. I got some information about your scene too. I keep touch with some bands
from your country and I did some interview into a zine. Your scene is very good. The proof is the interest in P.S. I hope we come one day to your country to make a live show.
What literature you prefer to read? Name us some of your favourite books.
- This time I don't read as much as before, but I've read a lot of books. I like non-fiction, horrors, and books about Indians. I like watching TV, channels like BBC, CNN to know what's happening. Then I like movies like criminal stories, horrors, extreme massacres, documentary films, sci-fi etc. My favourite serial is M.A.S.H. And this everything helps me in my creating.
When we can expect the second album of PATHOLOGY STENCH? Is PATHOLOGY STENCH still on I.S.P.?
- We don't plan details. We rest after the concerts, then we make new songs, we play some shows etc. We want to do so much for P.S. and for the music scene.
Any last pathological words for the end.
- Thank you for the interview and for your support. You're great fans of P.S. and underground and we like you. Have fun, keep smiling. I know it's not easy in your country. Thanks a lot.
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