#edit: I’ve been made aware that the global release was 23rd

[chez-sad]

it’s been one year…

[wewerepromisedsomuch]

Interview: Alkahest

Ahead of the band’s new EP release, we spoke with Alkahest lynchpin, Amelia Elsa Pereira about ‘2′; why she loves a good riff, the idea behind the EP’s special merchandise bundles and what the future holds for Alkahest...

Alkahest is powered by massive riffs - if you had to pick one band/act that fuelled your love of a good riff - who would it be and how much have they shaped the Alkahest sound? 

I think the first time I ever became aware of massive riffs was when I heard CKY. Everyone knows 96 Quite Bitter Beings but the track Flesh Into Gear was what sold me. That entire song is one big, ugly riff and It still remains an all time favourite of mine today. More recently I’d say Arcane Roots and Deftones have been my biggest influences, I couldn’t pick one out of those two.

What musical and non musical Influences helped make up ‘2’?

Musically there is so much. The previously mentioned bands sit along side Biffy Clyro, ’68, QOTSA, Mastodon and loads of other stuff I’ve probably forgotten. I also hear random clips of audio on Facebook adverts and in the background of my life that always end up influencing me too. I hear rhythms in the world around me which I use to structure riff ideas around and all of that is apparent in someway or another on the EP. Some of the songs have been written for a very long time and came from when I was first learning to write, I remember hearing The Wolf Is Loose by Mastodon when it was released and thinking I want to write a riff like the bridge of that song, those ideas became ‘Sunken Sea’ on this EP.

For the release of ‘2’ you created special edition merch bundles - what spawned that idea?

Several reasons. I like merch, anything from stickers or badges through to more unique items and I wanted to try something that encompasses all that. NIN released ‘physical component’ versions of their more recent EPs that were purely artwork and contained no music at all, it was all imagery and other stuff and I loved that, so I guess this is my ‘budget’ version of that!

Your new EP has a range of themes, some personal, some centred on more global topics like anti-war rhetoric; What do you hope listeners will take away from ‘2’?

My lyrics are quite metaphorical and I’m open to hearing how people have made the songs their own and have taken their own messages from them. That being said, I think the most obvious topic on the EP is sacrifice, I know that brave men and women have made sacrifices at war to enable future generations to live freely, essentially giving me the freedom to make this music. I’m very aware of that, ‘The Few’ is almost a dedication to those people. I’m strongly anti-war but I’m supportive of those who do go to fight because their sacrifice means I can live the life I choose to. So, I guess I want people to remember those brave men and women, we might not even be conducting this interview if it weren’t for them.

Tell us about ‘2’s launch show on 23rd Nov - what can we expect?

Riffs. Lots of riffs. And a really mixed bill. I wanted to try something different and book as diverse a line up as possible in an attempt to expose people to music they may never have heard elsewhere. We’ve got electronic, blues, post-metal, punk, funk, prog and garage all on the same line up and I’m really excited to see what everyone brings to the party. I’m really excited for Moth Code (7.30, downstairs!), the solo creation of one Luke Emery, who plays a left-handed drum kit (he’s right-handed) at the same time as about 4 synths, with no loops or pre-recorded audio. Mental.

Finally, after ‘2’ is released, what have you got in store for what’s left of 2018 and beyond?

As for 2018, nothing. Or maybe everything. Maybe I’ve already started recording another EP… 2019 will see us playing some more shows here and there, maybe another tour, but realistically Alkahest is a difficult band to pin into anything. I’ve had a lot of line up changes the past year or so and have only very recently found a concrete structure, so maybe 2019 will be the year that we actually push ourselves and become more active! 

…Yes, I have started a new EP. It will be out in 2019.

Photo by Kate Feast

2 EP comes in three formats: standard CD, digital download and pre-order only CD package including limited edition merchandise (at the last count there are only 3 merch bundles left)*

*Limited edition merchandise bundles sold out!!!

Both physical versions feature artwork that is unique to each copy of the EP. Pre-order here: https://alkahest43.bandcamp.com/album/2-2

2 EP will be launched at The Mothers’ Ruin in Bristol, 23rd November with support from Downard, Leathers, Gavin Leesam, Shark Logic and Mothcode.

ALKAHEST Links:

https://www.facebook.com/alkahestband/

https://twitter.com/alkahestband

https://alkahest43.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/alkahestband/