First of all... congratulations with your debut full-length album.
Subcyde: Thank you very much!
Who has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
Subcyde: Our awesome guitarist, Ola Englund, has both produced and mixed our debut album and we’re very proud and pleased of the great sound that pounds our stereos.
Peter in De Betou mastered the tracks and he has achieved a good result also.
Who had the idea for the name Subcyde? And what's behind it?
Subcyde: Well Subcyde is actually a bit of Johan Wikforss (drums) and Martin Hamlers (bass) masterpiece, hah, Johan found the word ‘subside’ in an English dictionary and with Martins influences of the hip-hop world we changed the “si” into “cy”. The idea is actually a good one, if I may say so, when a sound subsides is actually the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve here so there you go!
How would you describe Subcyde’s music to any of our readers who may not have heard of Subcyde before?
Subcyde: Hmmm... earth pounding, cockslammin’, heavy fucken’ metal ! Mix a dose of hatred with a dose of frustration and let it vent out. That’s a good recipe.
Which subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them?And what inspires you when you write your lyrics?
Subcyde: I (Antonio da Silva, vocals) write all the lyrics they often refer to the madness in our world and the madness residing in each and every one of us. This sometimes can turn into something positive (as music, arts, what not) but as we often see, it turns into some negative hellish stuff that can affect you, so I just want people to open their eyes and try to work with it if you will. Everything inspires me, other music and singers, good movies and bad ones, things that happen all around us, the media, you name it !
A good example is “A Sea of Serpents”, fourth track in our debut album, inspired by the aftermath of the whole “Mohammed caricature ”-incident.
Who has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have a great cover?
Subcyde: The artwork was done by Ola Englund and Fredrik Enlgund (yeah they’re related). We wanted the cover for the debut album to be something that represented our history and so it was that the pentagram (done by Fredrik Englund) we often used for our demos was a good representation.
What are your influences and which CDs are in your player at the moment?
Subcyde: My (Antonio, vocals) influences are Pantera, Sepultura, Machine Head, Testament (new) and many others. Right now I’m listening a lot to Clutch’s three latest CD’s, “Blast Tyrants”, “Robot Hive: Exodus” and “From Beale street to Oblivion” and some Mastodon even, mainly their “Leviathan” CD from 2004, awesome stuff !
The internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do you use the internet and how important is it for you and other bands?
Subcyde: Our most important sites are the official website (www.subcyde.com), we try to update it every now and then, myspace (www.myspace.com/subcyde), our record labels official site (www.lastentertainment.com), where you can buy our CD, and their myspace (www.myspace.com/lastentertainment).
I think the internet is important for bands, people check out webzines, myspace, etc.. for new bands and it’s good to be represented there so they know about all new music out there.
What tasks presently lie ahead for Subcyde?
Subcyde: Right now we’re having a summer break and are concentrating in the fine weather of summer and our side-projects.
Johan and I have started Barbus (stoner/blues influenced music) with Jonis of Canopy on the guitars, Johan on the drums, a cool guy named Olle on the bass-spot and myself on the vocals. Ola has a no named project as of yet but very in the heavier Nevermore vein with Mario from Chainsaw on vocals, Henrik from Illusion of Clarity on the drums and Jim our old backup guitarist as bassist.
After summer we’ll probably finish our new songs (we have about six already written) and write some more for a new album and probably do some gigs.
Let’s speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
Subcyde: Ohhh.... so many to choose from....can I choose bands without labels ?
Well it would be cool to tour with our buddies from Chainsaw, great fun times and whiskey flowing abundantly.
A tour slot with a big band though I would have to choose Slayer ! It would be a great challenge to open for them and would be awesome !
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Subcyde: I love to do some gaming on my xbox360, drink some beers with my friends and spending time with my lovely girlfriend of course, I also enjoy my good dose of football (or soccer for our American friends).
