It has been a while indeed since my last post. The hectic life again. What do we have here then? This is an interview with Stone of the legendary Malaysian Death Metal band, Silent Death. The band was formed in 1987 and was originally called Bacteria before the change of moniker to the now Silent Death.
The band recorded a demo in 1990 titled Eternal Damnation and went on to sign with a local label called Dark Journey records. In 1992 Silent Death went on to release its debut album called Before The Sunrise and provided 2 new songs for a local metal compilation called Dark Live Collection in 1993. In 1997, Silent Death managed to release an EP titled Breaking The Silence under Psychic Scream Ent. Silent Death recorded a tribute album called harbinger of Devastation and recorded 2 new songs for a compilation called Storm of Nebiula which was released by Nebiula Productions in 1998. Silent Death also contributed one song for another local compilation called Tribute to Rusty Blade in 1999 before going on an indefinite hiatus shortly after.
December 2009, the Malaysian Metal scene embraced the reformation of Silent Death with Stone leading the band and the scene into the fire of death metal! I managed to interview Stone via Facebook and he was kind enough to provide me with the answers with regard to the new long awaited album from the masters themselves. Here goes:
Hello there. Can you please introduce yourself?
This is Stone, the vocalist and bassist for the band Silent Death.
Silent Death is currently in the middle of recording a new album. Can you please update the readers with the progress thus far?
As of current, we have already recorded all the drum parts since our drummer, Ian Han, will be off to Europe. The initial plan was to release the album in July but certain things did not went out the we planned. Right now, we are pleased to inform you that we have managed to finish of 70% of the recording but for the bass, guitars and vocal parts. the completed songs were as follows: Budak Botak, Mati Senyap and Diam Mati. There are 5 more songs to be completed not including the intro and the outro by Joe Slaughter.
Ian Han off to Europe? How it is then for Silent Death to perform and promote the new album with out him? Will you be using session drummers?
Yes. Silent Death will be using session drummers to fill the line up while Ian is away. As of right now, we are using Art, from the band, Forsaken.
What do you think of the current Silent Death line up? Any comments on their contribution to the composition of Silent Death's songs?
I like working with this current line up. We worked for the album together, sitting down writing songs and sharing all the ideas for the album. Which part goes with which part.. What should be included in this part.. It was fun. Not like when I used to do everything all by myself. Joe Slaughter contributed 2 songs, E.Jal contributed 1 and the rest were composed by me. All of the songs are killer songs! I truly hope that this album will become a Silent Death killer album after all these years of indefinite hiatus.
Do you think that with all the contributions from Joe and Ejal will, let us say, disrupt the Silent Death Death Metal sound which is synonymous with your compositions?
I dont think that it will. The contributions from Joe and Ejal will provide an extra taste or something different to Silent Death. The old Silent Death sound which was synonymous with my compositions will still be intact. It will not disrupt Silent Death's brand of Death Metal at all.
I am very sure that this album will be more varied and colorful so to speak. Will Silent Death remain loyal to the old style of death metal in the likes of the previous albums or will we be seeing Silent Death experimenting with the now popular Gothenberg sound?
Death Metal in the likes of our old albums of course. If there are any changes it would not be that obvious I think. It basically goes back to the personal influence brought to the table by each of the band members.
Can you please brief the readers with the behind the scenes of the production of the new album? The recording studio, sound engineer, producer.
The studio we used was Sutra Studio, in Damansara Perdana. It was engineered by Mr.Yusalman Azua and mixed by Zairi. The executive producer is Affi Ibrahim. This album will be produced by me and Silent Death.
4. The new drummer is Ian Han. Can you please tell us more about Ian. Will Ian Han be able to compete with the strokes of the mighty Ollie (Silent Death former drummer)?
We chose Ian Han for his commitments. He is so committed towards each and everything that he is doing. It was not just about the skills behind the skins that we cherished but also his contributions in terms of ideas, financial, experience and a whole lot more. He is a funny little fella and humble too. He is the youngest member in the Silent Death family and guess what? He taught drums in Bentley. You should buy the new album and then judge his skills yourself whether can he or can he not compete with Ollie.
Although I think it has been quite a while since the last time we saw Silent Death as an active unit, but the metal fans from all over the country still gave their fullest and biggest support. How do you feel about it? For me, it was like Silent Death had never been away at all.
Yes. It feels like Silent Death had never went away. I blessed with all the support and the reception of the local metal fans. I was stunned and left in disbelief that there are still so many Silent Death's fans out there and that every body is waiting for a new release from Silent Death. I used to gave up Silent Death but after seeing so many supporters and loyal fans out there, I marched through.
I think, maybe the older bands like Silent Death or Brain Dead for example has that sentimental values to the fans. What do you think?
It think it is true. There a lot of people out there who really wanted to see Silent Death reformed and putting their hopes on me to go out and reform the band. Back then life was a bit unstable. Now that I am more organized, i felt that I was finally ready to reform the band with the help of my manager. Yes. Sentimental values. I was quite shocked to learn that quite a number of people out there grew up listening to our music. Unbelievable indeed.
Now, for the last question, why, in your opinion, should the fans go out and buy the new album?
A long awaited album after 18 years since Before the Sunrise album which was released in 1992. Should i say more? Do you need any more reason to go out and buy this album? hahahaha. Experience the changes in me and Silent Death after 18 years ok?
(We need no reason to go out and buy this album once it hits the record store. Its fuckin Silent Death!-ED)
Irotori in action
