Putrid Offal Interview (Fred Houriez)

The reasons why bands like Putrid Offal that started in 1990 when the style was in all its new expressions, and then disappeared from the map for reasons that Fred told me in a past conversation, that life turns and moves forward without mercy, and then you realize that more than 30 years have passed since the creation of the band and you decide to return to the ring of new productions, and thanks to the fact that you come from that time of many bands that had a personality or a clearer idea within their music, it is normal that their last two albums like "Mature Necropsy" (2015) and "Sicknesses Obsessions" (2020) have been those Death Metal with Grindcore albums recommendable in their years, and as a good lover of those past short-duration productions, and you had them somewhere in their expansion, well when this band returned with new productions it was a duty to have this French band in mind again with new productions, so now you have their new production called “Obliterated Life” released through Time to Kill Records.  

Para leer la entrevista en español: Entrevista a Putrid Offal  

Metallerium: Welcome to Metallerium webzine! It's a great pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with you. Thanks a lot for your time. First of all, how have you all been doing? How is the band?

Putrid Offal: hello and thanks to give us the opportunity to be in your Webzine ;-) We are just a bit tired, back from Finland this weekend for 3 gigs with Blood Red Throne. It was a special moment (first time in Finland), and it was sick…  

Metallerium: Since your return in 2015, you've now released three albums, including this new one, "Obliterated Life". In a world that relentlessly consumes and where everything moves faster than ever, Putrid Offal seems to take its time, with five years between each album. Is there a particular reason behind these 5 years between albums?  

Putrid Offal: It's pure coincidence to have the same timing between each release. Between Mature and Sicknesses Obsessions there was Covid and the difficulty of being able to rehearse and compose together. We don't live exactly in the same place, and all have different jobs that force us to find holes in each schedule. The release was delayed for the same reasons (Covid). For Obliterated Life, we had to change Label, Xenokorp having stopped due to health problems of the Boss. This therefore delayed us, the time to sign with Time to Kill and to have a slot available with them for the release. But it is true that the creation of an album with us is still long because we like to control each moment of the production (creation, recording, mixing, mastering and cover design)

Metallerium: When did you begin to work on "Obliterated Life"? Are all the tracks brand new compositions, or did you rescue songs that might have been set aside from previous recording sessions?

Putrid Offal: We never stop creating songs, this is done over the course of rehearsals and the regular work we do. Some songs are therefore older than others. When we think we have enough songs for the album, we take stock and sort those we want to keep for the next one. There is still one exception, notably with Theatrum which was supposed to appear on the previous one but which we did not keep because we did not want to have too long a duration for Sicknesses. We therefore decided to keep it for a possible EP or for the next one. What was done  

Metallerium: The band started in the 1990s, how much did your songwriting process evolve over the years? What is your perspective about the changes that technology has brought, allowing many bands to even have a studio in their own homes?  

Putrid Offal: In the 90s, there was very little computer technology. Creation was done in person, and all decisions were made directly. Recording was systematically done in the studio, and due to the high cost, the few recording days didn't allow enough perspective to fully realize what was wanted.   Now, with the internet, anyone can record song ideas and suggest them to others without meeting directly. This provides flexibility and more perspective to explore things further. The ability to record yourself also provides comfort because it allows time for the actual recording, but also to support, experiment, modify, and contribute new ideas. This requires a good command of software so as not to limit yourself, something our guitarist Phil does very well.  

Metallerium: Time goes by, and it is inevitable, and we as fans see Metal bands as forever young musicians but it is clear that at some point we don't have the same energy or anger as when we were young. Considering this, what keeps you motivated to continue creating extreme music after so many years?

Putrid Offal: Simply because this music is our DNA. We all grew up with this music. We were lucky enough to participate in the rise of multiple legendary bands like Napalm Death, Carcass... and evolved along with them. Even if we listen to other musical styles, we are always attached to extreme music.  

Metallerium: Your new album "Obliterated Life" has already been reviewed on Metallerium website, and we found it to be intense and brutal, with a sound that has reminiscences of the 90s but also hints of more modern sounds. How do you manage to keep that 90s style in your sound while keeping your compositions fresh? Because there is always a risk of copying yourself too much  

Putrid Offal: When we create our songs, we always try to make something happen while avoiding redundancy in the titles. Being able to listen to 35 minutes of extreme music can be difficult if everything is flat, without relief. So, we work on the compositions but also on the sound, the way we approach the instruments, the singing and the production

Metallerium: The lyrics and artwork for the album remain violent and explicit. What is your process for finding these ideas and transforming them into the lyrics of your songs? Also, in an era where conservative groups seem to be gaining more influence, do you have any concerns about potential censorship?  

Putrid Offal: After creating the texts, we look for something that has a connection with the general theme. We have a guideline which is above all to try to differentiate ourselves from what is done, always being subjective in the approach. As for censorship, we do it ourselves, there are certain themes that we prohibit ourselves from dealing with. As for external censorship, well, we don't care :-)

Metallerium: For most bands every album is special. It is common to see many bands claiming their latest release is their best to date. What makes "Obliterated Life" particularly special or what does it bring to your discography? Would you consider it your best album so far?

Putrid Offal: Personally, I wouldn't say that the compositions on Oblitared Life are better than the others. I would simply say that they are in line with the others while being different. The common point is the brutality and the range of styles. On the other hand, where the last album is much better is that of the production. We took particular care to ensure that each element is audible. It's not easy when you're blasting to avoid sonic mush. But I think it works here.  

Metallerium: Now that "Obliterated Life" has been released, what are your plans as a band?

Putrid Offal: Nothing original :-) we want to promote the latest tracks on stage, so we need to find as many dates as possible for that. And at the same time, work on the next one  

Metallerium: Are there any plans for touring in support of "Obliterated Life"? Is there any chance we might see Putrid Offal on this side of the world (Latin America)?

Putrid Offal: We're trying to put together a tour, but nothing's finalized yet. At this point, the American continent isn't on the agenda yet. We hope to be able to do it one day.  

Metallerium: Talking about other things, technology has brought both advantages and disadvantages. What has been your experience with new technologies in the service of recording albums, for example?

Putrid Offal: Being able to do everything yourself and at a lower cost. That's already not bad. New technologies bring flexibility to the creative process and open up possibilities that we couldn't have hoped for in the 90s. Now, new technology doesn't bring ideas. You have to have them to exploit them ;-)  

Metallerium: In addition, how do you see the impact of artificial intelligence on music, considering it can now create music, write lyrics, or even design album artwork? Do you foresee yourselves using such tools in the future?  

Putrid Offal: It's impressive and at the same time frightening. For us, it will remain a bad part. It can help to find information but to take with all possible precautions (for their veracity) but for the creation, we sink into the absurd....  

Metallerium: With new technologies enabling more home recordings, we're bombarded with new albums every week. Do you feel there's too much competition in the current music scene?

Putrid Offal: It's clear that we're drowning in music and that makes it even more difficult to sort through everything. And then we find this phenomenon again for concerts...  

Metallerium: Before we conclude, do you still listen to new metal bands, or do you mostly stick to classic bands? Perhaps you could recommend some French metal bands to the readers of Metallerium.  

Putrid Offal: For my part, I am certainly in the band that listens to the most classic metal, but it is a mix between those and the new ones. I mainly listen to death metal in general. Baest is what I listen to now. To talk a little about the French scene, I have in mind bands like Mercyless or Infern  

Metallerium: Finally, thank you very much for this interview. Congratulations on the new album! Do you have any last words for the Metallerium readers and Putrid Offal fans on this side of the world?  

Putrid Offal: Thank you so much for your interview and support. I encourage all readers to look and listen to our website, and if you can't see us live in your area, keep helping bands provide you with the music you love. Go to venues, buy bands' merchandise, and let them know you appreciate them; it will motivate them even more.