Aversion's Black Metal Lowdown....

Montreal black metallers Aversion have been hard at work writing and recording material for their latest EP release. The band and frontwomen vocalist Vena Kava went ahead to discuss the matters of this EP as well as Killing Moon a project Vena Kava was involved with at an earlier time in her musical career, and just what else these guys have planned for the rest of this coming year.

1. You were involved with Killing Moon and are now with Aversion, tell me what happened with Killing Moon is the band long gone or on a break, why did you depart from that aspect?

Vena: Killing Moon was my project when I lived in Boston, when I moved to Montreal it was really difficult to keep it going.  Although I can't say the band is really active, I can't say it's really over. I might write some new material for that band in the future.

2. How does Aversion and Killing Moon differ and compare to one another?

Vena:  They are completely two separate entities, Killing Moon was mostly a studio band in which the band lived in several different states and would get together occasionally to record and write material, while Aversion is more a band than a project.  We live close by and get together several times a week.  Also Killing moon was more death metal and Aversion is black metal oriented.

3. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Aversion: We  formed in 2011 in Montreal, Quebec as a three piece originally consisting of Max Macabre on drums, Vena Kava doing vocals, and Nemrod on guitar.  We wrote a few songs with this lineup  until Villain joined the band as Aversion's drummer,  and later Le Charognard  on bass.  Macabre went back to playing guitar which is what he used to play in his past bands. This made the lineup complete and as it is today.

4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?

Aversion: Each of us has very distinct influences, but our band is generally black/trash influenced. We’ll leave it up to you to find out which bands might have influenced our music

5. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?

Aversion: We take a poetic approach rather than sending a message, we want to tell stories or channel energies vocally, not get you to endorse anything – that’s your own choice. I would say the main theme of our music is mysticism and spirituality.

6. How did you guys come up with your band name?

Aversion: Aversion is what we feel about what’s outside the band. Also it is bilingual.

7. Where are you in the recording process of the new EP?

Aversion: We are in the process of putting out an EP, a couple of months ago we put out a special limited edition version of that EP that has already sold out.  We are now also writing new material for the album we will put out next year.

8. You will be self-producing this release, why?

Aversion: We wanted to be involved in every part of the music making process, and to experiment with new equipment. We realize it is not the best production, but it fits our needs at this time.

9. Where are you recording the EP?

Aversion: The drums were recorded at Villain's private studio, the rest was recorded at the band's studio.

10. What label will be releasing the album?

Aversion: We are self produced and self published for now under Macabre's Dissident Production.

11. How would you describe the overall sound of the new EP?

Aversion: The album is somewhat eclectic, because as a band we've been in mutation for the last years, and it shows the evolution of the music. As things have stabilized in the line up you can expect the next album to be much more one way oriented.

12. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this release?

Aversion: The goal is really to make the music we like, have a production we are satisfied with, and to have our music to cross borders.

13. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?

Aversion: We have been experimenting with Nemrod's vocals and different ways of incorporating them into our sound. We have thought about incorporating other instruments, but not in the near future… and it would definitely be just a touch, something that can be taken out live.

14. When did you start writing for this EP?

Aversion: Right away when we met in 2011.

15. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new EP? If so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track sounds and how it came about?

Aversion: The first 5 songs were written with the first lineup and still experimenting, songs 6 (gangrene harvest) and 7 (Pre-life nostalgia) have a more defined sound and more representative of the direction we are heading toward now.

16. How you picked a title for this EP and will it be a concept release?

Aversion: The name of our album “Pre-life Nostalgia” is the name of one of our songs on the release, it has as significant meaning for us. We are not suicidal, we are just nostalgic of when we weren't alive, because being a human corrupts the pureness of the essence from which soul is made.

17. How is the vibe in the studio?

Aversion: We are located at Headbanger's Studio which has a great community. Some of the bands we practice alongside are Pallor Mortis and Unbeing, two great formations.

18. When can we expect the new EP to be released?

Aversion: The limited edition EP has already been released  in April 2013 and is sold out now.  But we will be re-releasing that EP in the next month and we already have enough material to release another album for next year.

19. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?

Aversion: To continue playing shows and to write new material. We’ll try to find partners to promote our stuff.

20. For someone that’s never heard of your band, why should they give your music a listen? What separates Aversion from other artists out there today?

Aversion: Those who have not heard of us? Probably people who live without electricity. (laughs) But seriously, we consider ourselves post modern artists, it's about working in an environment where you set not limits and incorporate what you wish in your art without paying too much attention to the standards.