Spiritech: Formed in the city of Newcastle, Australia in 2002, Metallers Inane Eminence have slowly but surely built a sizeable profile in the local heavy music scene. The band released the well-received "The Fading Light In Your Eyes" EP in 2004 (produced by ex-Dimmu Borgir man Astennu), and have spent the last few years relentlessly touring with popular acts such as Pungent Stench, Dungeon, Devolved, Frankenbok, Daysend, Switchblade and more. Having just completed a tour with New Zealand band New Way Home, drummer Matt Green took time out to discuss the band's origins, influences, the recent tour, recording plans and much more.
For those of our readers who have never heard Inane Eminence before, how would you describe your sound?
Matt Green: People have said we're melodic Thrash, Death Metal, melodic Death and Metalcore, so I would agree if someone said we blend all those styles. We always aim to combine traditional influences with a fresh outlook to it all.
Spiritech: I think that's a pretty neat summation actually. Can you tell us a little about the origins of the band- major influences, origins of the band name and the like? Matt Green: Daniel (Kennedy, guitarist) and I actually met online and formed the band in 2002 with Andrew (Bennett, guitarist), Josh (McPherson, ex-Vocalist) and Benny (Smith, ex-Bassist). Our influences range from Megadeth to Mike Patton, Death to Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden to Strapping Young Lad- the entire list would cap your web server limit! (laughs)
Andrew brought forward the name to the rest of the band during the early stages of our inception. It's open to interpretation and it certainly gets your mind working when you start thinking about the options and how they relate to the happenings in the world today. My personal interpretation would be "A
mindless use of power".
Spiritech: Interesting. You mentioned original vocalist Joshua McPherson, who left the band last year and was replaced by Shane James. Was the split amicable and how did you come to hook up with Shane?
Matt Green: The parting of ways with Josh was imperative in order for the band to move forward. Basically we were heading in different directions, musically and also on a personal level. Josh now has a new band and we've continued on our path, so things have been great for everyone in the end.
Shane was recruited in early February, which was great as we didn't get tied down for too long looking for someone new. A management team, Tight Rope Management in Sydney who supported us throughout 2006 basically steered us in his direction and it went from there.
Spiritech: "The Fading Light In Your Eyes" EP was produced by Astennu, who has done some excellent work with Switchblade, amongst other bands. How was the experience recording the EP?"
Matt Green: The EP was recorded in two weeks down at Astennu's place in Sydney. Basically, we'd start at midday, finish at midnight, piss it up 'till 4am or something then repeat the next day. Probably not the ideal routine (laughs), but that's what was good about the environment we worked in that it was very down to earth. We learnt a lot from Astennu and he's become a good friend of ours since. He was very honest, very straight forward and his production work is world-class! It was an experience that will put us in good stead when we're ready to hit the studio next time.
Spiritech: I must agree, he really has produced some top-notch releases. Now, as you mentioned before, the EP itself seems to incorporate a wide variety of styles of Metal, including Thrash, Death Metal, traditional Heavy Metal, Hardcore and more. Is this a reflection of the listening habits of the entire band perhaps?
Matt Green: For sure, and we didn't want to zone in on a particular sound. What we achieved was simply a result of not forcing anything and just allowing the chemistry to work itself out in the rehearsal room. We're
all very proud of the EP when looking back on it.
Spiritech: Do you have a favourite track from the EP, or perhaps one you just love playing live? Matt Green: My personal favourite on the EP would be "From Ashes". I feel that was the song that came out best in the studio and it's always very enjoyable when performing it live. We actually submitted that track into a song contest on the Megadeth forums that Dave Mustaine himself was judging, and we actually ended up winning the contest. The prize was an ESP guitar, a few other bits and pieces but most importantly a hand written critique by Dave. To have one your idols praise and acknowledge your work has been one of the highlights for us so far.
Spiritech: I'm sure it was! Following on from that, when can fans expect something new from Inane Eminence, perhaps in the form of a full-length album?
Matt Green: Our next release will definitely be the full-length debut, and you can expect an early-to-mid 2007 release.
Spiritech: Great! Inane Eminence seem to have played with some pretty high-profile Metal acts, including Pungent Stench, Daysend, Frankenbok and more. How do you feel you've gone over with different audiences and what bands out there are you really keen to play some shows with in the future? Matt Green: I think different people hear very different things in our music; everyone has their own interpretation which definitely works in our favour. There are a lot of varying influences in our music so it isn't too much of a problem for us to play to different crowds all the time.
As far as playing with bands go, it's great to play with bands that we are fans of like Psycroptic and Daysend but we also want to reach new people, so we also try to play gigs with bands that are not quite the same style as us or that we have never played with before, no matter who they are really.
Spiritech: Speaking of touring, you just wrapped up one with New Zealand Metal act New Way Home. How did you come to hook up with those guys?
Matt Green: Tight Rope Management, who I mentioned earlier, was putting the tour together for New Way Home. They gave us the opportunity to support nationally and we gladly took up the offer. The tour finished last weekend and we've all returned back home to normal life again. It was pleasure to tour with
Them, they're awesome guys, a great band and there were jokes aplenty! (laughs) Check them out if you haven't already -
http://www.newwayhome.co.nz/
Spiritech: The band has been performing those recent shows with a replacement vocalist. How has this worked out and is it really just a temporary thing?Matt Green: Yeah, Shane was unable to commit to the tour due to personal reasons which I won't go into. A good friend of ours, Johnny Shotgun from Central Coast band This Shotgun Kiss heeded the call-to-arms at rather short notice and did an excellent job. Johnny is still considered a replacement for the band, however now that the tour's over our main aim is to focus on completing the songwriting for the next release.
Spiritech: You have several shows lined up in the near future. Where exactly can fans catch you live in the next few months? Is a more extensive nation-wide tour on the horizon?
Matt Green: Apart from Metal for the Brain 2006, there are several local and interstate dates yet to be confirmed so keep checking our website for updates to find out. A nationwide tour is on the cards in support of the debut album next year as well.
Spiritech: You mentioned having a spot on the Metal for the Brain festival bill in December, which will in fact be the last MFTB ever. Have Inane Eminence always dreamed of playing the festival?
Matt Green: Definitely. Metal for the Brain is like the Australian equivalent to your Wacken or Swedish Rock Festival so to be added to the list of amazing bands that have played the event over the years is a true honour. Don't miss the last edition of MFTB; it'll be a great a day as always!
Spiritech: Indeed it will be and I'll be there for certain. Now to finish things off, do you have any famous last words for PyroMusic.net readers?
Matt Green: Hmmm, these questions are always painful. Just thanks to everyone who came out to the shows on the tour, rock on and see you at
Metal for the Brain!
- Spiritech
