Kieran James (Busuk Chronicles): Hi,
can you tell me the early history from the formation of the band up to now?
Arelys
Jimenez (female vocalist): Greetings! I have been trying to form my own black
metal band for many years now. Finally got it to happen! It started by the end
of 2014, with a complete different line-up which I was contacted from a post I
had on craigslist looking for members and we were called Enochian Ritual. I
felt the band was not progressing as I wanted to be. I told them it is best to
depart ways as I pursue what I am looking for in creating this band. I went
through a few line-up changes from members moving out of state, wanting to
focus on their own project, or simply work-related interference. Now we are
back with a full line up and new band name “Matianak” (which is an Indonesian
folklore witch that died from stillbirth.) The band now consists of 2 guitarists,
bass player, drummer, and me on vocals and I hope that there are no changes
again so that I can continue this project.
KJ2: You sent me two songs which I
think are excellent (see further comments below). How many songs have you got
and what are your plans for a demo / album / EP?
ANSWER:
Thank for digging our wicked tunes. Right now we have 5 complete songs and a 6th
song that we are currently working on at the moment. We did give out demos at
our first show that consist of 4 of our songs. We are looking at recording by
the end of this year to release our first album by 2018.
KJ3: What are the most influential
bands for you guys in playing music?
ANSWER:
We all have our own influences in different styles and Genres. The main bands I
feel impacted me the most to inspire me to create Matianak are Emperor, Watain,
Nattefrost (Carpathian Forest), Anaal Nathrakh, Taake, Naglfar, Wardruna, Dark
Funeral, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Limbonic Art, Dark Fortress, and the list can go
on and on.
KJ4: What are your future plans and
dreams for the band?
ANSWER:
Wherever the band leads us, we will follow. I am not aiming to be famous. My
only goal for this band is to be able to express, perform, and give out the wicked/evilest/disturbing
show we can possibly give. We get into the minds of the psychotic. We
definitely look forward to touring other states and hopefully get to play big
shows in other countries alongside with our inspirational bands. I am working
on making bone jewelry to sell as merch. Getting some clothing to sell as well.
We also want to release not only CD’s but cassette tapes and Vinyl’s along the
road.
KJ5: How many shows have you played
and what has the support and response been like? Where have you played
shows?
ANSWER:
We have played a total of 2 shows. Our first one was at the fallout. Not my
favorite of places to play a show since it is basically like an empty room and
that’s pretty much it. We had an incredible good turnout besides one of our guitarist’s
breaking a string for the first song. I felt everyone enjoyed us and our free
demos were all taken. I had a total of 20 free demos. Our second show was at
livewire. That show was probably the best by far, amazing crowd and even got to
meet people that came to the show strictly to just see us perform. I saw the
crowd pretty entertained as they will either be frightened, disturbed, or
really enjoying our performance. I did look pretty creepy after all, so I
figured some will be a little spooked. Our fan base is growing quickly at
almost 3,000 likes and followers on our facebook page. We are going to be
playing 3 more shows lined up for this year 2017. We are very excited to be
back on stage after line-up changes delayed us.
KJ6: What are the lyrical themes?
ANSWER:
I focus on the most disturbing, f***ed up, and crazy shit I can find out there.
They are all based on realistic events. Our first song, “The last cry” is about
my old neighbor who was an 87 year old grandmother who cut the throat of her 7
month old granddaughter with a power saw to end her crying. She then attempted
to kill herself but failed. Second song, “Domesticated Sacrifice” is about a
lady that came into my job holding a paper bag. She kept saying the white
witches from the Roman Catholic Church killed her cat. Satan killed her cat.
The white witches beat it to death. Inside the paper bag she was holding was a
dead cat wrapped in plastic and lace inside. The third song, “The woman in a
white dress” is basically what Matianak is about. A folklore witch woman
dressed in white dies from stillbirth and victimizes men to destroy and kill
them out of her rage and pain. Our 4th song, “Touch of silence” is
about a lady who sold a deep freezer wrapped in chains on craiglist but inside
was the remains of her dead mother. Apparently, the mom died naturally and the
daughter might have freaked out. She most likely had a mental illness. Our 5th
song, “Hypnotic Torture” is about the serial killer David Parker Ray a.k.a Toy
box killer. He plays this very disturbing recording of himself to his kidnapped
victims; it even made me grossed out.
KJ7: Why do you like to play black /
death-metal instead of simply one or the other?
ANSWER:
I am focusing more on just the black metal sound but I can see how there is
some blackened/death mix in our music. We are trying to create a unique sound
to the Genre. I feel the band will be more interesting and less boring if
there’s a variation of components, style, and range. If it all sounds the same,
then I feel I failed for the creative aspects. We are not just some band making
noise. We are creating art and I want our fans to feel and see it as well.
KJ8: What are the best and worst
things about the metal community in your city Chicago?
ANSWER:
The best part is that the metal community is big we are all like family.
Everyone knows each other as well. We have so many metal venues and metal bars
as well. The metal scene is huge here. The bad part about it is if people see
you play multiple times within the city I feel people less care to come and
support you. I feel people are starting not to care as much for shows like it
used to with packed sold out shows. Also, the scene is very picky and is not
open to going to different genres of shows. Death metal fans stick with death
metal shows. Black metal fans stick with just black metal shows. Local shows
are nothing unless a big headliner comes. In my experience, that is what I have
been seeing. People need to equally support all types of metal not just stick
to one genre and be ignorant. I try to come out and support the best I can. Yeah,
I know some bands are not the greatest and not all will like the same bands but
at least respect and support unless they ask for it…then by all means…
KJ9: Do you know about Chicago Death
Metal band Morgue Supplier and Panama City, Florida Black Metal band Lustravi?
We were fortunate to be able to interview both bands because of our
long-standing association with Corey Athos of Obscure Musick USA…
ANSWER:
I have heard of Morgue Supplier but not the rest of the bands. I am always open
to check out new music.
KJ10: What are your most memorable
shows or experiences onstage?
ANSWER:
I say Livewire was our best show. This random kid kept handing me books and magazines.
I have the not the slightest idea why. These two gals that I never met in my
life came to the show just to see my band. I was very flattered and honored to
have people come out that never knew us before and just to see us. They became
my awesome good friends now. I also had fellow coworkers come out to see us
perform. They don’t know much about the genre but knowing they came out anyways
to support meant a lot to me.
KJ11: Did you hear any Indonesian
Black Metal bands? Some good ones are Immortal Rites, Grim Infernus, Sereignos,
Diabolical, and Blasphemer.
ANSWER:
Oh yes! Definitely. I love bands from other countries the most. I am not really
big into U.S bands but I do enjoy some that has met my standards in taste. I
look for unique, creative, evil sound when it comes to bands.
KJ12: Have you got any message for
the fans?
ANSWER:
Our music will possess you! We get into the minds of the psychotic, the insane,
and the evil to present you Matianak.
KJ13: Ok, here is one for debate –
Christian Black Metal – does it have a right to exist?
ANSWER:
Honestly, NO! It shouldn’t exist. It is completely opposite and a joke on what
black metal is. “Metal is evil and the devil’s music” is what religious folks
say. So why now are they contradicting themselves in trying to make a Genre of
what they oppose? It doesn’t make any
sense. It’s like “Hey! I don’t like eating anchovies, they are gross,
disgusting, and makes me want to throw up, but all the cool kids are eating it
so I am going to eat it too and hopefully I be popular and cool too.
Pfft….Morons! Let’s rebuild the church the mean kids burnt down and make a song
about how awesome God is. Yay! Our sins will be saved!
KJ14: OK, thank you very much and I
really enjoyed your songs. The Black and Death vocals work very well. I am more
into Traditional, Thrash, and Power Metal but there is enough variety and good
songwriting in your songs for me to stick my teeth into, and the clear
production is a positive in my view. You don’t just blast-beat us into
oblivion, there is a sense of purpose in there.
ANSWER:
I am assuming this is not a question but just complementing our music. Thank
you so much for reaching out. It is a great honor! Yes, we are not just blast
beats and grunts and look at me. Every piece of what makes us a band is what we
want to show. Evil riffs, evil stage presence of real animal bones and
disturbing lyrical content is what makes Matianak. We represent a whole new look
and style to black metal – a creative yet disturbing balance. We are not just
noise. We are Matianak.
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