Interview with Marco of Deinonychus 2008
By Bradley Smith
Warfare Machines is out now. How do you feel about it now that the public has
had a chance to hear it and you have had some time to reflect on it since you
finished recording it? Can you shed some light on to what efforts went into
this recording and what effect you want this album to have on the listener?
I’m absolutely satisfied with the feedback I’m getting from Warfare machines. In 2003 after the recordings of my previous album Insomnia I felt like having a musical burn out, and needed some space between myself and Deinonychus and was not even clear about the fact of ever recording an album again….. Hence in 2005 I was already working on a lyrical concept regarding War-issues, and found out that it was a particular hard thing to focus on, without getting misunderstood. Early 2006 I felt ready again to compose new stuff and Warfare machines was composed in the first half of 2006 ready to record…..
Warfare Machines is probably the album with the most of personal effort partaken ever since Mournument, and the less complex album of ‘em all.
The new album should make the listener “feel” what emotions derive from war and it’s consequences in overall.
Having been around since 1992 Deinonychus has gone through so many Developmental changes over the years. Can you tell me how you feel that the band has grown and developed since its inception and where you see it going on the future?
Deinonychus is like a reflection of my own personality in a way. The way I see it, Deinonychus has matured a lot ever since the early days, and for my liking I have achieved with Deinonychus what I wanted… acknowledgement and self-satisfaction. The future doesn’t uphold anything more ambitious for my liking, as I’m an artist from the heart and create my art for those who like it and myself. I’m not up for more….
For your last two albums you used Eric Masicotte of Thesyre for the artwork. What special gifts did he bring to Deinonychus from the visual aspect and how did you develop this relationship? Will you continue to use him in the future or will you branch out to other artists? What are some of your favourite artists within the underground?
Eric Massicotte for some reason does exactly understand and reason my ideas into the art he derives for Deinonychus. He exactly knows what the given concept needs in order to shine out. I can explain in words only what I want, in order for him to work on a concept, and make it work…. Something I never experienced before with another artist. I feel that Eric is obviously more dedicated than other people in general and that we’ve mutual trust and respect for each others art!
Oh, I think that I got in contact with Eric due some mail I got from him, with a proposal to make some art. The man is a gift! And I surely will continue working with him!
I don’t have any particular favourite artist in this genre, as I’m more into art from other genres;)
I understand there is a large problem looming in the future for Warfare Machines dealing with possible Censorship. Can you tell me who this censorship is coming from? And is the world too politically correct these days?
From what I know the German Censorship-committee is reviewing the album for a possible ban. This due the fact that our German distributor found the lyrics too offensive. I think it’s all a matter of rational approach, rather than doing the whole off as politically incorrect without a factional reason!
Nowadays all is being silenced as “politically incorrect”, this being part of
oppressing our freedom of speech amongst others.
You have a strong interaction with dark metallers, Bethlehem. How are you involved with that group and how does that affect your output within the framework of Deinonychus?
Bethlehem are long-term friends of mine. Both bands don’t affect each others output in any way, as we’re completely different, and not alike at all if you ask me!?!?
Lyrically Warfare Machines covers some pretty controversial themes. Can you describe a little bit about the topics you cover and what inspired you to write about these issues?
Warfare Machines is an album covering emotional aspects in regard of War and war-like aspects. In regard of the emotional output in the lyrics I felt like writing the lyrics with a direct-approach rather than dancing around the fire. Controversial might be the approach in reflecting my words, but not in regard of political views or certain idealism or whatsoever.
Since your new album is called Warfare Machines I was wondering if there were any particular machines of war (Tanks, Planes, guns) that were your favourite? If so what makes them so special in your eyes?
Actually there are some lyrics written about Planes or Machineguns, those machinery of war do tell about their experience about being deployed as such! How fearsome some machinery or weaponry might look like, it’s man who deploys it!
Warfare within the last 100 years has been so inhuman. What is your view on modern warfare and on current conflicts such as the US war in Iraq and the NATO conflict in Afghanistan?
I think modern warfare will most likely focus on digital warfare, propaganda and politics and money. War has always been about power and wealth and control, and not always with weaponry and violence as being the classical way. As such…. War is already upon us piece by piece….
Conflicts like the one in Afghanistan and Iraq show us exactly why war is about power and maintaining that power….. I mean, does the world benefit of a “democratic” Afghanistan or Iraq? Guess not, as likely does countries need thousands of years to evolve to a democracy, as it took thousands of years to be the communities they are now! Those beneficial of all this, are countries like the USA in order of economical growth and power, and likely Western countries too. But us, the citizens and the people in Afghanistan and Iraq are the losers…..
One of the main lines on Warfare Machines is “There’s No God to Witness This Relentless Horror.” Do you believe that is true? If there was a god do you think he would intervene in human conflict to prevent this “relentless horror?”
Yes that’s true. There’s no religion in this world who would accept this, nor any constitutional law.
If there would be a god as you say, I reckon he would intervene, don’t you think so!?!?! Unless that God has a plan for himself;)
You stated in an interview with Vampire Mag that you were going to rerecord two Malefic Oath songs for this release. Why did you want to rerecord those songs? How do you feel they have benefited from a rewrite and did you actually follow through with this goal?
Oh that interview with Vampire Mag must have been done some time ago right!?!? Because the above mentioned never happened….. No particular reason why I didn’t re-record those songs, and no particular reason why I should actually. It was just a straight forward thought of mine. There’s actually not a reason at all to re-record songs, unlike the listener requests it. Hence I did it on my first record, but can’t say the result was any better or so. I think the atmosphere given in a original recording is hard to be recaptured again in a re-recording.
Obviously there will be no touring but what are some of your Future plans for
Deinonychus? Any special plans for yourself outside of the band?
Nope, no tour or whatsoever as Deinonychus maintains a one man band outside the studio. Unfortunately some good gig offers have already passed by. But things are as they are……
No particular future plans for Deinonychus at the moment. The contract with My Kingdom Music ends this year, and I’m not sure whether I’m continuing or not.
As for myself….. I’m really busy with my job and study at the moment. And are experimenting with electronic music a bit here and there. Everything is rather vague at the moment…….
I’ll leave the Final Words for you.
Thank you heaps for the nice interview. Wish you and all the readers well. I forgot to mention that Warfare Machines will also be available as a Pic.LP on Metal Noize Prod. From Poland in early 2008. First 100 copies will contain a T-shirt and Booklet!!!!