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1) What made you choose the name Pathogen?
The origins of the band are actually rather interesting. Gavin (drummer) and I were in the same home group at school, and he asked me if I would like to sing "Walk" by Pantera for the school Eisteddfod. He would play drums and organise bass and guitar. He asked Aidan (guitar) to join us. We went to rehearse the song, and realised that it would never work. We wrote "Denigrate" that day (or the original version anyway). Gavin, being as enthusiastic as he was (and still is) demanded that we start a band. The actual name Pathogen came from Aidan. A pathogen is a bacterium which causes diseases. The name represents a very probable crisis which could engulf mankind in the forseeable future.
2) What are your lyrical and musical influences?
Speaking as the lyricist, I try not let too many other people or things influence my words. After all, they are my words. Having said that, however, In think that it is impossible to completely escape from all external influences. In particular, Carcass lyrics (from Heartwork and Necroticism) were a major influence in my early scribbling. Lately, I have tried to incorporate a different theme or story into each song - especially on our new release. Often, these story-line type lyrics are based on something which I have read or seen. For instance, "Warchild" is based loosely on the book {"The Witching Hour" by Anne Rice. The song deals with creation and development of a creature which is beyond human; something which cannot fit into our society yet was brought into it none the less. This thing is un-named by our standard, and is abandoned by its own mother before it is even born - Hence the title "Warchild", this creature had to struggle to even be born, let alone live. I realise that a lot of people won't bother to try and understand where I am coming from, but when a concept (or angle on a concept) such as this occurs to me, I have to follow it to its completion. This will result in lyrics, or some other form of meandering consciousness.
Musically we try to bring something fresh to the often stagnant swamp of death metal. The use of melody and harmonies are used to accentuate the emotive parts of our music whilst the groove element in our songs keeps the music alive and work well in live situations.
3) Are the lyrics to Bleed My Soul based on your personal experience? Tell us what they mean to you?
It's unusual that you should ask about the lyrics to this song, as they are the only ones not actually written by me. The entire song was constructed by Aidan. The only lyrics which I contributed are two lines in the middle of the song. I heard the riff which was there, and it just reminded me of watching rain fall during a darkened, cloudy sunrise, so I wrote lyrics to suit this. To me, the song represents a desire for dynamic change; the construction seems to suggest a broken pattern of thought on this subject. However, I'm sure that different people have different interpretations.
4) According to your bio you have played around 30 gigs. Which was the best? and the worst? why?
The best gig ever would have to be our Demo Launch on Friday the 13th of February 1998 which saw over 400 people turn out (the biggest crowd to show up to a local show in three years. Even bigger than the Entombed show earlier this year) The crowd response was over-powering, and that always makes for a good performance. I don't think that the crowd actually realises how much input they have into a show. A good crowd puts the artists in a completely different frame of mind. The entertainers no longer have to prove to an unknown crowd that they are worth watching and listening to. Instead, the artists think "shit, they like us, lets make it worth it for them.". In contrast, if you play to a silent crowd, all you want to do after your set is crawl into a hole and hide.
The worst gig? I don't know... sure, we have bad gigs with Fuck-up (technical or otherwise), but I couldn't really label one performance as the absolute worst ever. Each live performance has something to offer the artists, even if its just another notch on the belt.
5) You released you second demo "Nightfall" a few weeks ago. What reactions have you received from your peers and the public?
"Nightfall" is a lot more Euro than our earlier release; I guess that comes down to changing musical interests and influences. This affects the type of people which you attract to you music. I think it is indicative of the Perth scene that "Nightfall" has already sold over 150 copies. four times as many copies as were ever even made of "Tyranny Of Hatred". In general, the demo has attracted a much broader fan base, with many people using the contact number to express their liking of the demo. I, personally, am very happy with what we have created.
6) Your demo has a very European sound. Is this a phase, or the general direction in which your music is going?
We take a lot of inspiration from what is going on in the European underground metal scene. It seems that all the mainstream metal acts have exhausted their genre to the point where they release sub-standard albums backed by million dollar promotional companies. The underground metal scene in Europe is fresh, original and represents a love of the music and is rapidly spawning many very original sounding bands. Bands which we particularly respect include Opeth, Samael, Emperor, Dark Tranquility, Cradle Of Filth, Arcturus and In Flames.
7) What are your views on Christianity? And religion in general? Elaborate.
Firstly, as this is a very touchy topic with many people, I would like to say that we, as a band, believe that each person should be allowed to follow their own interests - be it a religion or whatever. We never have and never will, attempt to sway people to our views. Like wise, what I say in no way reflects any other member of the band.
I, believe that Christianity is not a religion, it is an institution. Catholicism has built itself up to the point that it no longer cares about the people that it is supposed to educate and protect. However, I think that this is just a by-product of the real problem with any religion - it is impossible to design a system of belief for any number of people greater than one. Religion, in its true essence, is the beliefs and morals of a separate, lone person (after all, we are all essentially alone). When one person tries to impose his beliefs onto a large group of people, you end up with an institution such as Christianity. This applies to any so-called religion, whether it be Muslim, Hindu, Satanism or whatever. And yes, I believe that Satanism is a religion like any other; an institution like any other (after all, who can say what is truly good and evil? Satan might be a Fun guy).
Personally, my own religion does not involve a God as such. I don't believe that there is a little grey man with a beard and sandals watching over us. Instead, I prefer to believe in life, and life-force. Each of us is something which exists, in part, beyond the realm of the physical. I don't believe in an afterlife, as to have an after-life you have to have an end-life, which would, by definition, preclude any existence after it. I don't believe in an end-life.
We have been labelled a "Christian Band" by some, which I find laughable (and which some of us found offensive). If you are going to choose to label us, (or anything, for that matter) that is fine, but firstly examine your own motives. Are you just being a slave to your institution?
Besides, even if we were a Christian band, who cares? It's the music that counts, isn't it? I prefer to think that all 5 of us follow the religion of music.
8) Do you consider yourself "good people"? Why / Why not?
Tough question. I do "bad" things every now and then, but I consider myself to be essentially a good person. I try to help people when I can, but this also depends on my mood, and attitude towards the people involved. I dislike people who think they are evil. I think that they are just deluded. There is no point in deliberately harming another person, unless it is for personal gain. And if that is the case, you aren't evil, merely selfish.
9) What is your favourite joke?
The top ten.
10) Last message
Don't plan your life. Live it instead.