Dichotic´s music has been defined as death metal, avant garde and a lot of different styles. What lies behind the music of this young candians from Halifax. Vocalist Raland Kinley helped us to clear our minds.
Even though Dichotic's music seems to be related to death metal, it seems to be difficult to describe it. How would you describe your own music?
Well, we do play death metal. Although we try not to do what other bands are doing or what we have done in the past. I guess it's "original". That's the best way to describe Dichotic's music.
Can you tell me about the beginning of the band and its evolution through time?
Dichotic has existed in one form or another since 1993. There were a few lineup and band name changes before the Dichotic that exists today came to be. The band was never really intended to be a serious thing. Before recording "Collapse Into Despair" in 1998, the band had already demoed some of its material under a different moniker, but those demos were never shopped to labels. There is acually an MP3 from a demo called "Essence" (recorded in 1996) included in the multimedia section of "Lowest Common Denominator" (recorded in 1999). "Essence" was done before either myself (vocals) or bassist Scott Armstrong were in the band.
The current lineup features Neil Grandy on drums, Scott Armstrong on bass, Raland Kinley on vocals and Richard Guy on guitar. Jeff Calder also played guitar on "Collapse..." and "Lowest...", but he has since left the band.
We just write music and record CDs for fun. It's not a money-making thing at all, and we're well aware that no label of any consequence willl ever sign us. Dichotic will go on as long as we're willing and able to play.
Is the way you make the compositions conscious (for example you say...let´s do a really heavy song, etc.) or they are basically made through jamming?
Richard and Scott tend to write all the music. Scott usually writes a full song all at once and we just learn it. Richard usually has a few riffs, and writes more riffs and structures the music during practices. I write the lyrics and figure out the vocal patterns. We only write heavy stuff, but we always try to do something different.
Another question related to composition...When the riffs are composed, are they all put together into one song or maybe you mix the riffs and parts into different songs?
Usually, we only have enough new riffs to write "the next song". However, if a particular riff won't fit into a song we're writing, the riff will either be scrapped or it could appear in a future song.
I have read in Dichotic´s web page about your touring... Which are your plans of touring to support the new record that will come up soon?
Heh...we don't really tour. Dichotic is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We live too far away from any of the major music scenes, and we all have careers and school to attend to, so there really isn't time or money left for touring. We do play a lot of local shows and a few road shows every year though.
Which are the main differences between "Lowest Common Denominator" and "Collapse Into Despair"?
"LCD" is less accessible than "CID". As a result, I would say that "LCD" is more original and has better ideas. "LCD" also sounds a lot more like what we really sound like. So the main differences are: "LCD" has better music and better sound than "CID".
Since "Collapse Into Despair" was released on October 1999...In which state is now the composition of the new album? Will it be released through Discorporate Music? (In this question I confused the names of the CDs…I am an asshole)
Um...actually, "CID" was released in September of 1998. Our latest CD, "LCD", was released in October of 1999. The next CD is a work in progress. It will be released on Discorporate Music, but it's far too early to speculate on a release date.
How do you see " Lowest Common denominator" and "Collapse into Despair" in the distance? Is there something you would have change?
I think we will try to perfect the production of our next CD. The music is quite solid on both of our previous releases, but we have never achieved the perfect sound we're looking for. There are not too many skilled producers who have worked with heavier bands in Halifax, so it's hard to get the sound you want sometimes.
Are there any words that you can say to your fans from Argentina?
Hmmm...I didn´t know we had any fans in Argentina. Although we appreciate support from people no matter where they are from.
DICHOTIC - DISCOGRAPHY
Collapse Into Despair - CD (1998)
Lowest Common Denominator - CD (1999)
Neoblast Compilation´99, contributed with "Precise"- CD (2000)
ACTUAL LINEUP
Neil Grandy - drums
Scott Armstrong - bass
Raland Kinley - vocals
Richard Guy - guitar
