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Recent though the band is, UNDER FETID CORPSES are one more
example of the upcoming Death metal scene in Portugal. Bands of the genre are
not that many, but they surely are good. Back to the Grave met the band through
the vocalist/ guitarist Max, whose answers are herewith made public. BTTG – Greetings Max. Please tell us
more about UNDER FETID CORPSES in the course of History. UFC: Hail! Well, It all started back in the end
of Summer 2001, as a one-man-project, when I recorded three tracks for a
promo-CD entitled Archives Of Urban Necroslaughtery. This promo was
released one year later as a demo-tape by War Productions, featuring two new
songs on side B. In November 2002 (at the same time the demo was released) I
gathered new members and this project started to be a band. BTTG – You have ‘recently’ given up
being the sole band member, that is to say, UNDER FETID CORPSES is no longer
a one-man-project. What is the current line-up and how does it feel to be part
of a group? What is the spirit underlying the current UFC? UFC: The current line-up is: Ricardo (lead
guitar), Sandro (drums), and me (rhythm guitar and vocals). Initially, we had
a bass player (Valter), but he was friendly invited to leave the band due to
his lack of interest… So, we’re now looking for a new bass player… The spirit
in the band is great! Unfortunately, we’re not the kind of band whose members
hang out with each other very much… we have very different occupations which
do not allow us to hang out more often for a couple of beers… we still have
to bear in mind the fact that, when we first rehearsed, we were complete
strangers to each other… We are “partners in crime”, and there’s a strong
friendship solidifying day by day. BTTG – With such a stable line-up now,
how far are you planning to take the band? UFC: Hmmm… My main idea is to record a few more
demo-tapes (the next ones with relative quality) and give as many concerts as
we can. Personally, I’m not interested in leaving the “under-underground” and
honestly I’m aware that we are nothing compared to some bands in Portugal, so
we’re just having fun for ourselves here. BTTG – I have seen a number of your
concerts. As a former single member, was it difficult for you to work
together with/ as a group or had you already envisaged the possibility of
recruiting elements for your live performances? UFC: No, it wasn’t hard. I had already played
in other bands, for which I composed all songs… BTTG – I clearly recall the first
edition of Caos Emergente [Paredes, 2003.11.01], in which Alex (of BLEEDING
DISPLAY/ GROG/ NEOPLASMAH fame) performed the bass lines. What context lies
behind this surprise-element? UFC: Basically, Alex knew we needed a bass
player for that concert. And we knew and know that there’s no better metal
bass player in Portugal than Alex.
Therefore, the invitation/ proposal was mutual. But I don’t really
know why the hell we made it “surprise”…I just know that with him playing
with us, we don’t sound like the same band… we sound better! Many thanks,
Alex! But he was only a guest member in that show, since he’s already in so
many bands… BTTG – Which good memories were engraved
after your live performances? How about the bad recollections? What is your
opinion on the overall amount of metal festivals which are ever more
frequently organised in Portugal?
As regards metal festivals, I think these new
initiatives to organise more and more concerts are great, although very often
their quality isn’t the best at all… But it’s great! It’s always a motive for
everyone to meet new bands and make new friends. Hail to the new blood! BTTG – What is, in your opinion, UNDER
FETID CORPSE’s position in the Portuguese metal scene, according to the
reactions to your demo Archives of
Urban Necroslaughtery? UFC:
So far, we have been congratulated for
that release, more than depreciated, but I don’t see us as a great potential
band to the future of the metal scene in Portugal… We are a young band, and
we’re trying to give some concerts and consolidate ourselves in the
underground; at the same time, we’re making new experiences in our sound to
bring something really fresh and new… If you had asked me that same question some months
ago, I’d probably answer that we are one of the most violent/brutal bands in
the Portuguese underground, but there are a lot of new bands coming up every
day, so we’re just another band, I guess… BTTG – Notwithstanding the recent
parting of ways with your former bass player Valter, the band did not give up
on the recording of the follow-up to Archives.
How are you planning to record the bass lines? Is there a permanent bass
player planned yet? UFC:
The bass lines for the songs we
recorded at the time are being recorded by myself and Ricardo… We’re still
checking if it’s a good idea to do something with them since we’re doubtful
about the general sound quality and our performance… Probably we’ll do
something with two of the four tracks we recorded… Be patient… BTTG – Does the recording have a
definite title, body and date of release? UFC:
No… unfortunately we have nothing
planned, except the 4 way split by War Productions, but with this long delay,
who knows if War will release us anyway?… Meanwhile we are planning to enter
the studio to record a rehearsal CD or tape (back to the old times!) soon! BTTG – What is the present relationship
between UNDER FETID CORPSES and labels? UFC:
War Productions released our first
demo and I believe they will release any decent material we propose them… War
Faust is a great label manager and we’re totally satisfied with his work. BTTG – As for lyrics, which are the main
concepts and themes approached in UNDER FETID CORPSES?
There is also a song (Two Corpses and a Pickaxe)
that is based on real facts… I’m planning to do that more often, since it’s
more pleasant… BTTG – In what devious ways are these
concepts related to the band’s philosophy as a whole? UFC:
Well, we’re not killing people
around, if that’s what you’re asking, and even if we were, the answer would
be the same. BTTG – Pretending one would be looking after
it, what might one find under fetid
corpses? Which underworld lies hidden beneath the pile of corpses? UFC:
Pain, suffering, gore and pleasure
with all of them! BTTG – What is your greatest aspiration
at present? UFC:
To release a second demo-tape, so
that people know how we’re sounding at the present moment, to gather a new
bass player for that matter and, of course, to play many, many gigs!!!! BTTG – Please draw me an overview of the
Portuguese Death Metal scene. What are the upcoming names and which bands are
the more consolidated in your perspective? UFC:
I have always seen and will always
hold GROG as the greatest death metal band in Portugal. I also think GENOCIDE
was a fucking great band too!!! These two bands are like the great pillars of
death in Portugal to me. As for the most recent bands, which I believe to
be as full of quality as the above mentioned, I’d elect BLEEDING DISPLAY,
DEITY OF CARNIFICATION, AGONIZED and MORBIUS. I’ve probably forgotten
someone, but these are definitely the ones that have made a deeper impression
on me. BTTG – The interview has come to an end.
Thank you for your answers and I will leave you to the readers of Back to the
Grave. UFC:
Many thanks for the opportunity and
patience! Stick to your values, no fashion likes! Hope we’ll meet again soon! CONTACT:
underfetidcorpse@mail.pt WEBSITE: www.underfetidcorpses.pt.vu By Morgana (e-mailed)- Back To The Grave December 30, 2003 Photos – Under Fetid Corpses 2003 |
