Because every day another band records another song. Because 83% of those songs are unlistenable and you can’t be bothered to sift through the dreck. Because metal is about not giving a shit and waking your own personal storm. Because music is universal, expression is boundless, and even indie labels (whatever that means these days) don’t know everything, Decibel brings you Throw Me a Frickin’ Label Hack.
Extreme music fans can be fickle when it comes to groove. Maybe we associate it with mainstream rock and demand that our Christ-roasting, alien-hailing, face-necrotizing soundtracks eschew this most recognizable structure if it expects to rule with authority. After immersing hours/days/weeks of blinding putridity, though, a bit of injected groove can feel like the savior of all heavy music.
Greek ‘bangers Rejection most certainly sound like some of their influences (read below; though they didn’t mention Meshuggah, and it’s hard to believe the Swedes’ music didn’t play some role in this groove), but they’re good at it and deserve a little extra attention. Which they’re getting, now that they’ve done some touring outside of their native country and had a chance to experience crowds who had not yet heard their material.
Back in April, Rejection released their second full-length album, called Subject 43. Check out their single from that album, “This Crumbling World of Ours (Life as a Slave)”, and read up on the band’s past and future in the brief interview below. If you’re intrigued, go on to Rejection’s Facebook page, or check out this other tune they’ve got up at YouTube. Happy grooving!
When did Rejection get started? What brought you together to play this music?
We started this band in 2004, and the first few months we were playing covers. Me and Nontas (drummer) are the two remaining members from the original line-up. When we started this whole thing we were into bands like Korn, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Machine Head , Fear Factory, Sepultura and many others. In the beginning we tried to combine this kind of sound with a more experimental type of music.
How do you write songs? Do members write individually and bring them to the band, or do you work together on them?
Usually, everything starts with a guitar riff, we jam with this and we build the whole song. So guitar and drums are the driving force. Sometimes in the end the vocalist may need a few changes in order to place better his voice.
How would you compare the new album, Subject 43, to its predecessor, Hollow Prays?
Subject 43 is definitely heavier and more straightforward. Every song lasts almost three minutes. It was our goal to write a very heavy record, but catchy as well. Our first record was a combination of groove metal, with a more experimental touch (influenced mainly from Tool). Hollow Prays included 2-3 seven minute songs, and long interludes.
What does Subject 43 refer to? Is there a thematic thread running through the album?
Subject 43 is a concept, and refers to a guy who’s being a subject of experiment. So the songs describe this whole process that lead this guy to insanity.
How was your European tour this year? Were those shows very different from the shows you’ve played more locally?
It was a very cool experience. It was actually the first time we toured outside Greece. We played in some good clubs with local bands from every country. The best shows we played were in Romania, England and Germany. The crowd had energy and positive reaction to our songs. I think it’s a way different situation from the shows we play in Greece, because (especially) in local shows people know us. When you play outside your country you have to “win” the crowd.
Do you feel like you operate within a Greek heavy music scene?
Not really. We’re doing our own thing, and we hope for the best. I don’ feel that [there] exists a metal scene in Greece. There are some great bands, but everybody operates on [their] own interest and need.
You mentioned lots of member changes within the bands first few years of existence. How stable is the band membership right now?
I hope to be stable from now on. We’ve already changed bassist and vocalist, but now I think that the band is in the right direction.
What are your plans for Rejection in the near future?
We are now planning a Greek tour for September, and we hope to do a European tour next year. Also, we are currently looking for a label for worldwide distribution and management. If everything goes right, I hope to tour the U.S as well, sometime soon.
