Maxmillion
Wywiad przeprowadził Bart Donarski
Here we go again! New Retribute Records release is an outstanding debut album of American Maxmillion. The trio create sounds that are unmatched by many respects. Pressing heaviness, air-piercing velocity or dawn-to-earth darkness - all the elements are there. This is it! No less, no more. About the past behind them, the new album and on many other topics I talked to guitarist/vocalist Bobby. No doubt, I'm gonna keep an eye on Maxmillion, as I really dig what they do. I suggest you to do exactly the same. For a kick-off I have to say that I didn't know your names, which seem to be known here and there from your former musical achievements. I guess I'm not the only one who has no idea of your past. Then, could you say a few words on your previous band/bands from which you have drawn experiences now we can hear in Maxmillion?
"I'm Bobby I play guitar and sing. Jason is the drummer and Chris is the bass player in Maxmillion. We started in February 2002. Previously Jason and I were in 16, which released a bunch of 7 inches and two full lengths that we both played on. I guess the only reason 16 is mentioned in our bio is because 
it's all we have as far as a point of reference. Jason and I were the music songwriters on the first two 16 albums but I'm confident that Maxmillion will become it's own point of reference and dwarf anything we've done in the past."
How could you compare the new music to what you'd been doing formerly? Does this differ a lot?
"Maxmillion is more cohesive in a songwriting sense and definitely a tighter unit than anything we've been involved with before, mainly because we're a three piece. We're all about the chemistry of the band and letting that dictate what comes out creatively. When we started this band it was on the pretense of just letting the music happen naturally. Stylistically there are similarities but Maxmillion is much more dynamic and musically volatile. We don't really have a preconceived notion or standard other than just capturing the sound and the vibe of the three of us together in a room full of equipment making noise."
What actually the band name means? What's a significance of it, if there's any?
"Chris (bass) and I kicked around a bunch of names and that was the one that stuck. I was reading about Maximilian who was the emperor of Mexico from (1864-67). He was Austrian and accepted the title of emperor before he even traveled to Mexico. He had no understanding of the land yet he was appointed the ruler. Needless to say when he got there the whole country was hostile to him. Within a few years he was shot. It's a tale of imperialism gone horribly wrong. I just changed the name a little so it's in no way a tribute to him, more of an effigy."
Typical sludge metal is sort of slow and depressive merely. On the contrary, this what we can find on "Maxmillion" is a multi-paced heavy music that teems with various approaches, dynamics, expressions... Doom, thrash, core, noise - all the elements have their place in what you play. Is this a result of different influences each of the band member has?
"I would like to think we just make music that we like to listen too. Subconsciously though I do think it is a result of our different influences like you said. We always seem to be sharing the same cd's and bouncing ideas off each other. When we hang out or talk on the phone it turns into a kind of verbal band practice where we go over stuff we want to do musically. Then we try it in practice and it always comes out the opposite of what we originally intended but in the end we're happy with it. That's the method thus far."
I like the production, which to me combines seemingly opposite things, like rawness and legibility of sound. Was that done on purpose?
"The production really captures what we sound like live. We recorded it really fast in two six-hour sessions. There's minimal overdubs and all of the basic tracks where done live in the studio. The engineer Jeff Forrest deserves credit for running a two-inch analog tape like a champ."
There are some symbols on the cover-artwork. How to comprehend them? Besides, what do we deal with here in terms of lyrics-wise? Is this kind of anti status quo attitude?
"Paul at Retribute did the cover logo; I just kind of gave him a general direction to go in. As a band we were looking at Masonic art like the "Blazing Star". It's found at the center of every Masonic Lodge. The whole Masonic connotation is pretty fascinating just because of the imagery and secrecy involved. You see the influence of Masonic symbols in architecture, the U.S. currency and anywhere governmental authority is found. It's totally mainstream yet I think it is almost subliminal in the way you don't really notice it unless you're specifically looking for it. We envisioned Maxmillion's message and imagery to be a parallel statement about this type of unspoken ideology. The lyrical themes are about existing and coping within this configuration of power and influence. The other images symbolize the solutions. The skull represents thought and the spine represents conviction."
Is the album a completely new material? I mean, does it also comprise the first demo you recorded prior to the full-length?
"It's the first demo too. We have those eight songs as a statement thus far but we've already got a few new ones written."
Is Maxmillion a real band, or just sort of a project that's active only occasionally?
"No we're a real band. We practice weekly and play live at any opportunity we get. All three of us are totally obsessed with music because it encompasses such an important facet within each of our lives. Making music is seriously one the best things you can put your energy into. Exercising demons with music. What else is there besides basic survival? Music rules."
Have any live appearances taken place so far as Maxmillion? Any plans for the future in the crucial issue?
"We've played the Southern California part Coalesce's reunion tour. We've also recently played with Sourvein, Phobia, Cattle Decapitation, and Playing Enemy. We look forward to touring and bringing the Maxmillion live show at any cost or personal sacrifice to ourselves."
How do you foresee the future evolution of Maxmillion as far as music is concerned? Will you for instance increase the - now rather rare - clean vocal parts?
"Nothing pre-determined. We just want to make good records. If that entails clean vocal parts or all out screaming, whatever the song or situation dictates."
Why have you decided to enter into a contract with Retribute Records from England? Who covers American sales?
"I've never met Chris (Retribute owner) because of the whole continental barrier but just of his commitment to his other releases, Retribute was a label that we respected. They've released like 12 records and that it is really cool in it's self. It's a worldwide deal but I'd be into looking to distribute further in the US through them or by licensing to some other distributors only if it would mutually beneficial. Whatever works? As a band it's up to us to create our own following and find our own niche by playing live and by writing good songs."
If there's anything you'd like to hand down to the readers, feel free to make it happen.
"Check out our record. Go to www.http://retributerecords.com/ and download the first track "Waste of Relations". We want to tour Europe so contact us at maxmillionmail@yahoo.com if you can help. Other than that go buy our record. Write to Retribute or write to us at maxmillionmail@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading."
Bart Donarski
