Infinited Hate
Wywiad przeprowadził Wouter Roemers
Dutch brutal death metal formation Infinited Hate has a new record out. "Heaven Termination" sees the band taking a noteworthy different approach compared to their raw and unrelenting debut. In the light of the album's release we took it upon ourselves to get founding duo Aad Kloosterwaard and Rachel Heyzer over for some questions about the band's new record, their debut and their Sinister past. With Sinister in their past, this should give our readers some interesting material to discuss and sink their teeth into. Excitement initially came over me when I finally received answer from the band, "Heaven Termination" was an album quite to my liking: old school in its songwriting, obscure in atmosphere, yet better produced and even memorable in parts. The interview was bound to reflect years of experience in the international scene from people involved in acts that forever changed our perceptions of modern day brutal death metal. Well, not really. Kloosterwaard's answers weren't as informative or in-depth as I had hoped. Nevertheless, it is an interesting read for all those who are eager to know more about the inner workings of both Infinited Hate and Sinister. Enjoy!
The band was brought into existence in 2003 in a time-span of 2 years the band released 3 records. First there was the "Primitive Butchery" promo, which was followed by the full length "Revel In Bloodshed" and now its successor, "Heaven Termination". That must have been quite a hectic period for the band - weren't you afraid of getting burned-out with all these events culminating so close in each other's footsteps?
Burned-out? Haha, no way man! We start making songs when we have some new material ready. From this point we try to make songs out of it and sometimes it goes really fast and sometimes it takes forever. But yes, we do it fast I think, but good. We give metal on a high level that's for sure. Of course some like it, some not - but that's not our problem. We give us for 100% to make it good as possible.
"Heaven Termination" is a far-cry from your heavily US death metal oriented debut "Revel In Bloodshed". With this record the old school influences really flourish, the tracks are generally slower, contain more momentum and there are guitar solo's again. Can you tell us how you came to create/arrange this ‘return to form' approach?
That's hard to answer, but I will try of course. What I said when Ron comes up with some new stuff and it sounds killer then we take it. We don't look whether it's US death metal or old school death metal. This time a lot of parts were old school death metal. Perfect for us because we love old school. Maybe because we are old as well, haha. No seriously, but there are also US parts in it - so we have a good mix. This time we had also more space in the music for solos. We went with it and it turned out great, for sure we will go on this way with Infinited Hate.
Well, this is something that I've noticed about the new album and I actually wanted to ask you about: the vocals sound a lot stronger on this record, and it's not down to a simple matter of production either. They just come across with a lot more depth and impact.
Okay, thank you for the compliment. I did the vocals this time with my own voice, not with effects. Of course that sounds already so different. Rachel did a good job on this cd as well. She is also the one doing the high screams, so also something new for her to do this.
The album was recorded at Excess Studios in Rotterdam. What influenced you to choose the particular studio for the recording of this album?
Excess is a good studio and is based in Rotterdam. That's cool than we don't have to stay in the studio, but can we go home at the end of the day. Of course, we know Hans already for a long time. We have also worked with him with Sinister.
Displeased Records offered Infinited Hate a deal for 2 albums. With the release of "Heaven Termination" the contractual obligations have been fulfilled. Did the band got any interesting offers already?
Hey, man till now we are happy with Displeased. What the future will bring you never know, so we have to wait for that.
Dirk Verbeuren provides session drums on the new album. He is an acclaimed and much wanted drummer in the extreme metal scene. Was it difficult to get a hold of him, with all the heavy touring he has lined up with Soilwork and Scarve?
First I like to say that Dirk is the best drummer in fucking Europe. We call him the "king of all kings" this guy is not from this planet, haha. I was lucky that I know Dirk from some tour we did together. I was thinking "I will give him a call" and ask him or he wants to do the Infinited Hate cd and he said "right away". Yes, that was so killer for us. He said already to us that he will do also the next one. I can tell you that we are proud to work with him.
The inevitable question I'm bound to ask: Sinister called it a day shortly after Infinited Hate surfaced. Suprisingly soon thereafter Sinister indeed got re-formed. According to a press statement released at the time, the band was re-formed due to overwhelming request/response by its global fanbase. Don't you fear that eventually the flame will fade and (once again) Sinister will be bound to fall apart?
We are really happy to be back with Sinister. Of course, there were more reasons to stop with Sinister. Let me say it like this: now we have a band together again and everybody is in the band for the right reason. To write good death metal and not for any other stupid reason. All the new tracks are ready for the new Sinister that will get the name "Afterburner". It will be released on Nuclear Blast Records. We are really thankful to them that they still believe in us.
Looking back on it all, do you have any regrets, or is there anything you wish you had done differently from both a career and creative perspective?
Yes, man. Of course, you have that. But now it's too late to turn back the clock.
Sinister is a cult icon and part of death metal history for all the obvious reasons. Yet the band as a collective didn't always seem to get the recognition/appreciation it deserved. Sinister was there when the genre exploded in the early ‘90s and has remained a household name ever since. Is Infinited Hate getting more recognition and appreciation for what it does, then Sinister got back in the day?
I really don't know. Until now. We shall see what happens, when not "fuck it!". We are happy with the music we make and that's the most important. Of course, it's great to hear from people that they like your music. About Sinister you're so right. The real reason for this we will never know, I think. But there are still a lot of fans around the world who love what we are doing.
For the majority of its career Sinister has been with German label Nuclear Blast and for one album with Karmageddon Media. Have you seen bands getting a make-over or changing course drastically to appease the labels that signed them?
For sure! That happens, but we don't care about that. The only thing I like to say that it was a big mistake to sign with Karmageddon Media.
The three of you know each other from many years now. Ron has a strong dislike for touring plus his guitar parts are quite technically demanding. Hence that Infinited Hate is just a studio-project. I guess you got your hands full now that Sinister is back in business, as far as touring is concerned?
Yes, I think that Infinited Hate will stay a studio-band. Of course, you never know, but for now: yes. Ron is not into touring and stuff - he loves to make songs and that's it. I will start playing again with Sinister. I am so looking forward to that.
As one of the veterans of the Dutch extreme metal scene, has it become easier for young extreme metal bands to grow beyond national borders than it was, say, a decade ago?
I think so. At this moment there are so many bands that the scene is also much bigger. So much more shows all over the world. I think years ago it was not like this.
After spewing out album after album, in the various bands you are/have been part of - is it hard to keep the creative flow strong and ideas still interesting and fresh?
Haha, yes man! Of course! The most important thing is that you love this kind of music and then the creative ideas will flow for sure again.
Rachel, being one of the few female grunters out there, has it gotten easier over time for a female to front a band of this kind and to establish herself among her male counterparts? As many things, the metal community is (sadly) still a male-dominated entity. How do you see this evolving in the next 5 to 10 years, speaking from your own experience on this subject being various albums and tours deep into your career?
I really don't know. We shall see what happens in the near future. But one thing is for sure: there will be more female singers. The only thing is than that it is not special anymore.
So, what's on the cards for you over the course of the next few months?
In November Sinister starts to play live again we have already 5 shows for this month. In December Sinister will travel to Germany to record their new cd in the Stage One Studio together with Andy Classen. From next year on Sinister is ready to kill again in every country.
Alright! That wraps up my batch of questions here. End the interview as you feel fit.
Check out "Heaven Termination" - maybe you like it and.....hail the Beast & Sinister greetings.
