How has been "Insane Cephalic Production" received in the underground?
"ICP" is the third album of Benighted. It's available since last February on the label Adipocere Records and the reviews we could read are fantastic! We received lots of propositions of concerts and we could play with this album with bands like Dying Fetus, Impaled Nazarene, In Extremo, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Nasum, Slipknot... and we've done lots of interviews for mags, webzines, radios, fanzines... This album opened us several gates.
Since you are coming from different backgrounds such as black metal and death metal...how did you reach the sound that is characteristic of Benighted?
We worked for a long time to have the actual sound of Benighted, we want a sound which shall be powerful, heavy and crushing! As we recorded at the Kohlekeller studio in Germany, it helped us to find the best sound for each of our instruments.
How was the process of composing the music in "Insane Cephalic Production"?
The process of composition in Benighted is the same since the beginning. A guitarist comes with riffs and a beginning of structure for a track and we work together to make this track find its final version. It's the work of all the members which gave it's identity to the music of Benighted.
Are you satisfied with the deal with Adipocere?
Adipocere trusts in us since our first album, they always helped us to become well-known and gave the money for the recordings and the promotion. From album to album, they do more and more for us and we've got very good relations with all the team of Adipocere. We'll continue with them for the following releases.
How would you compare "Insane..." with "Psychose" or "Benighted"?
"ICP" is more direct and brutal than the other albums, the way of composition was more instinctive and the tracks are more powerful and easy to remember. These songs are the best tracks we've never composed. There's a big difference of sound too because the last album has the best production we never had before! It's our best album!
What are the lyrics in "Insane..." about?
The concept of Benighted is about psychiatric pathologies as I work in a psychiatric hospital in France. "Psychose" was about adult psychosis and persecution delirium and "ICP" is about mental madness of the child and the woman in pregnancy. All the lyrics are inspired by real facts and pathologies. I'm not talking about a fucking bad horror movie. Lots of bands talk about mental pathologies but many don't know what they're talking about.
Which is your equipment live and in studio?
In studio we're using our personal material as on stage as well. We play with guitars like Washburn or Jackson and the drummer use Pearl but as I'm just a vocalist, I can't tell you more! (laughts)
Which are your memories on your older bands such as Osgiliath and Darkness Fire?
We've got very good memories because it was for each of us the first band but when we decided to create Benighted together, we understood this band had a bigger potential. We had no time for the other bands any more and Benighted became for each of us the absolute priority!
Any final words?
I just want to thank you for this interview! I hope the people in your country will discover our music and enjoy it! I send you all our greetings from France!!! Stay brutal!!!
BENIGHTED WEBSITE: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/benighted/
