.: FuryRocks :: interview :: Gorod__Inspired_by_many_things_

Published: 19 June 2009

Gorod - Inspired by many things

With Process Of A New Decline , Gorod achieved to release yet another good, tight and really solid record. Reason enough to catch op with the French gentlemen and talk about their new record, the creation of the album and the recent change in drummers.
Process Of A New Decline sounds great, how do you feel about it?

Mat: We're really proud of this album, and relieved that it's finally out, 3 years after "Leading Vision". It's the first album that will be promoted in Europe and US at the same time and in an efficient way by Willowtip and Listenable together.’

In comparison to the older albums , what makes Process Of A New Decline better in your opinion?

Mat: Process Of A New Decline is an evolution of what we did with the two older albums, but it's also an improvement. Sound is more powerful, drums hit harder, music goes faster! Song structures are more direct, efficient, where the older maybe were too convoluted. I tried to get the songs immediately understandable, so that the listener shouldn't be lost at any moment. Of course, we haven't made any compromise or tried to follow the mainstream, this album is pure Gorod and we still do Death Metal. But sometimes when you hear DM, especially Tech DM, you can't bang your head and you have to be focused on the music to get it. Where is the pleasure? So we're done with asymetrical patterns and unremitting tempo changes. On the new album, there's way less riffs or parts, but they are more developed. The sound on this album is the best we ever had and the best I ever produced, it's very accurate and chirurgical but "wild" and natural at the same time.’

There’s a whole lot of technique in your songs, how do you build up a song?

Mat: It's something natural for me. Riffs and patterns come to me as I breath. If you look closer to the guitar, you realize it's not particularly difficult or mad. I have one or two tricks that I use and abuse, very simple but played at very high tempos. Usually, I write the whole structure of the song (drums/guitars), with computer drums and an amp simulator, testing and exploring many possibilities to retain a few.If everyone is ok with that , we go forward. If not, we try to improve the structure, add or remove a part, etc... Then Benoit comes with his bass part, which we finalize together. Lyrics and vocals placement are usually done during the studio sessions, not really a choice, but a sad pitiful fact.’

What or who inspired you most during the writing process of your latest album?

Mat: Nothing in particular, I don't have a huge metal background, except 90's period maybe. Some riffage is inspired by Coroner style, technically. Rythms and grooves are most inspired by the 70's music, jazz-funk, prog-rock, while melodies and chords progressions are directly borrowed to latin-jazz artists like Al di Meola or Chick Corea. I rarely realize that when I work on a new song, but it's something I hear later, when I listen to all of the songs. My purpose is only musical, I can't tell you I'm inspired by nature, birds, the darkness of the human spirit, satan or whatever...Music is the only thing that is important to me.’

It is said that your new drummer Sam Santiago pushed the band to new levels. How did the whole member change came to be?

Mat: On July 2008, Sandrine announced to the band that she wanted to leave it because of her job as a psyhchologist. This job took her so much time, she didn't want to slow down the band. Also, she wasn't sure to be there for gigs, tours, etc...We spent this summer finding a new drummer. We wanted someone that would be excellent on drums and as a musician, available, and someone that we would know personally. Sam has recorded an album with Zubrowska on 2003 at our studio, he was already impressive at this time. So we contacted him by October 2008, and he rapidly accepted. During approximately 3 weeks we worked on the songs all day long, everyday, and then he recorded the album in only 4-5 days...wow! We're very happy to have met him. He's a solid drummer that plays many styles of music, but he's also a good guitarist, with a large rock background, not just a groovebox with two legs! I hope he will participate more on the future songs that he could do on Process Of A New Decline.’

In June you are supporting Immolation to promote your new album, how do you feel about that?

Arno: We're really excited to play with Immolation. It's a legendary band and we're gonna tour with them! It's a huge musical and personal opportunity for us.

What is your favorite place to do a show?

Arno: Anywhere there is a place to do a show! We like to play, it's what really matters for us. And to be honest, it's even better if you re supporting Immolation!... We're born to play music... yes, definitively.’

You’ve played in the USA and in Europe, is there any difference in the metal scene abroad?

Arno: The Maryland Death Fest was awesome! People where just crazy! Our show was short but intense! It's our best souvenir, I guess. The Death Feast in Germany was great too, but we are more famous in the US than in Europe. Hope it's gonna change with Process Of A New Decline and Listenable! Not so much differencies, but lot of people dedicated to music... that's important for us.’

Name two bands you’d love to tour with, and why?

Arno: Mmmh...Immolation! Not because we're gonna tour with them but due to their twisted and unique music, I love it, and why not Metallica! Seriously there is too many bands we'd like to tour and we listen to.’

And finally , what can fans expect from Gorod for the upcoming year?

Arno: Many more gigs...that's our wishes for fans... and for ourselves!
Hope we will meet them and have lot of fun!’