On this year US based death metal band Flesh Consumed will
release their thirdfull length album. Earlier this well known brutal death
metal band Flesh Consumed served up some devastatingly sacrilegious, rotten,slam
death metal album,EP and demo. So recently I’ve interviewed Flesh Consumed
Vocalist Corey Athos. I was very keen to interact with him and I’ve tried to
enlighten on their upcoming new album and tried to explore more about his
bands. Check out the full interview below.Interview done by SouvikBasu.
1. Hello, how are you doing today?
Corey: I am doing great! Just working on a Flesh Consumed re-release
of “Mutilate, Eviscerate, Decapitate”.
2. Flesh Consumed
was formed in 2005,Can you give me a brief history of how the band got
together?Had you been in any bands or musical apparition before Flesh Consumed?
3. what bands inspired the direction that Flesh Consumed
took and motivated you? Writers? Visual artists? Movies? Books?
Corey: Morbid Angel,
The Beatles, Skinless, Gorguts, Immolatioin, etc.. HP Lovecraft, Clive Barker, Dali, Zig, Jaws, Hellraiser, The Hellbound
Heart, HP Lovecraft, Lavey, Aleister Crowley, etc.
4. There are two basic ways of looking at music. In the
first, there is a mechanism to the arrangement of certain tones ,musical
style.in the second, a narration occurs where a story is told or a poetic
function completed. In your view of compositions, which is more important?Where
were you when you first thought the project had longterm potential for you?
Corey: Both are very
important if you want to take in the album in its entirety or review
albums. The only long term potential
Flesh Consumed has for me is the chance to express myself musically without
paying. I see no big sums of money or
livings from Flesh Consumed in the future and that’s perfect.
5. What for you is the significance of the name, “Flesh
Consumed”?
Corey: I was
vegetarian and thought it was a clever name for a vegetarian. It represents a lot more to me now. Basically it represents my life. When I see the name Flesh Consumed I think of
my life because almost all the huge evenst that have happened; divorce, jail,
mental and physical problems, rehab, many members departing etc Flesh Consumed has been the only one that’s
been there for me.
6. If you could tour with other bands in metal, who would
you pick if you were looking for bands similar to Flesh Consumed?
Corey: I would love
to tour with Coathanger Abortion and maybe GWAR.
7. From 2003 in each and every year Flesh consumed released 2
albums,somedemos,EPscompilationetc and
shaped the style of music.How do you maintain this consistency yet keep
developing with each album?How do you write your riffs,songs?What is the most
difficult part about composing songs as you do?
Corey: I do not
maintain consistency, I write what I want to hear and don’t really care if it
sounds different or what people will say.
If you listen to our albums or EPs none sound similar to one another and
neither will this new one. I use to sit
and write and record with an 8 track.
Now I just use Guitar Pro.
Nothing is difficult in composing for me. I’m confident in my writing, I do push the
envelop in self development but it usually comes fairly easy.
Corey: Huge! I do prefer mainly Marshall but I no longer
consider myself a guitarist but still have specific tastes in everything from
recording equipment to mics. When it
comes to my voice Shure Beta58.
9.well,now I’m going to the main point about new album.Already
we new album artwork released and to be honest the artwork is wicked.Will wait
for a manifestation from upcoming album. When were these tracks written, and
how does Flesh Consumed go about the writing process?
Corey: I usually
write everything but when Shaune joined on guitar I had him write “Hymn…”. I really look up to that dude and thought it
would be great to musically document the Shaune/FC era.
10. What's going on as far as lyrical themes on new album ?
Corey: Hate,
Supremecy, Dominion.
Corey: I was in 5th
grade so about 9 and I discovered a used Grave cd in the used section at our
local record store. I was intrigued yet
scared of it. I had to turn the cd over
because the cover was to scary. After a
couple days I gathered the balls to listen.
12.How would you describe the sound of the new album to
someone who hadn’t heard it, and what distinguishes your music from any other
act in the same genre?
Corey: Listen.
13. Do you guys have any official videos coming out soon?
Corey: Not soon but
we have a Drug Induced Psychosis and Chamber of Torture video on youtube from
Ecliptic…
14. How do you explain the album title, what it means and
the album art and how it coincides with the lyrics,themes?
Corey: Basically this
album is made to empower people who are beaten in this world. This is saying fuck you to those people who
bring you down, Leeches. The cover is the
kingdom I have built in my head signifying that I am powerful and will not be
stopped.
15. Who came up with the album cover? I personally cherish Flesh
Consumed’s each and every album artwork because those are truly
indelible,remarkable,appreciable too.
Corey: I came up and
oversaw the album art. Dee realized
it. Art is a huge part of music in my
eyes. It’s the first thing people
experience when they go to purchase a cd or vinyl, cassette whatever.
16. What's the first gig you ever went to? Have you been to
any killer live shows lately?
Corey :I don’t remember the first gig I went to actually. I haven’t been to a show in 5 years. I live in the mountains in a church basement,
insomniac, hermit with my studio bands and record label. 5 hours away from any shows.
17. In before you guys performed a lots of gigs so, Which
show was the most memorable to you so far? Do you get a good crowd response?
Did you get offers to play in other countries or anything like that?
Corey: We do get many
offers. I use to be a very violent
vocalist, one show I hit someone while singing and broke through both bones in
my arm. Jumped on stage and sang the
last 4 songs then drove an hour to the hospital. The crowd was scared.
18. Do you study other bands music to come up with ideas?
Corey: I study
everything. Knowledge is everything.
19. Your vocals style is raspy, aggressive and raw.appreciate
your vocal style.how do you prepare your vocals before the studio or especially
for live performances? Did any band in particular inspire you in the shrieking department?
Corey: Thank you very much!! That means a lot! I drink water and do a couple verses then go
on stage. Studio, room temp water or
vitamin D milk sometimes. I try to use
my natural voice, don’t have many vocal influences. Inspirations, yes.Influences, no.
20. Is there a difference in the band’s sound as compared to
the EPs and demos you’ve released in the past?
Corey: Of course,
listen to them. Completely different,
every recording.
22. Unique Leader Recordshas been a great supporter of
extreme metal, you’re signed to them now. How did this happen?
Corey: Erik said he
would sign us so we signed. Simple.
23. What do you do as individual band members to relax, when
not working on music? Do you have jobs or business?
Corey : I don’t really relax, if you know me you will laugh because
it’s true. I own a record label Obscure
Musick and am a Senior Pharmacy Technician but not at the moment.
24. What albums are you listening to lately or just the
bands and albums in general you're really digging right now and tell me about
your anticipated album of this year?
Corey: A lot of the
bands on my labels material at the moment.
Im looking forward to all those albums.Plus a new morbid angel whenever
thatll be.
25.last one question,what are your future band goals &
tell us something about upcoming tour.
Lastly, a lots of teenagers aim to be full-time musicians. Many of them might
be without any proper guidance, any words of wisdom for them?
Corey: Just have
fun. In death metal you don’t earn much except experience so get out, see
places.. you can get drunk at home.. go check out the scenery because you may
never come back.
26. Thats all I've got right now.best of luck for upcoming
release .This album is one of my anticipated release of this year.thanks a lot
for enduring this torture haha. Any final thoughts,comments for the readers? If
I forgot anything, please insert it in here.
Corey: I just want to
thank you for one. Did your research and
produced a great interview. Too many
zines have cookie cutter interviews..thank family/fans/friends.
