California shredders EXMORTUS are an entity amongst themselves and their music, both complex and thoroughly hook-laden, refuses to lend itself to easy categorization. From the technical death-thrash riffage and surgically precise drumming to their neo-classical, twin virtuoso lead guitar attack, fans of death metal, thrash, prog metal, traditional heavy metal and all true metal sub-genres alike enjoy having their craniums crushed by the fury of EXMORTUS. With that said, vocalist/guitaeist Conan and drummer Mario discusses some insight into the band themselves with making music and future touring activity.
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Mario: Exmortus was formed by Conan and I in the summer of 2002. We had been jamming out prior to that but it wasn't until that summer that Exmortus officially took its name.
2. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Conan: In our early teens, one of our favorite movies to watch was Evil Dead 2; the opening narrative speaks of the "necronomicon ex mortis" and we thought that sounded evil as fuck; we just changed the spelling, of course. Translation from Latin is 'from death'; 'ex morte' or 'e morte' would be proper grammar, but who cares? 'Exmortus' sounds more sinister anyways.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Conan: We hail from Whittier; as a matter of fact, this is the first time since 2005/06 that each member in the band hails from Whittier.As for the scene, it used to be pretty good, but there's hardly any venues to play now. So, it's somewhat scattered. We recommend checking out Infinite Death and Auxilery with whom we shared the stage numerous times.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Conan: Our lyrical themes tend to have an ancient setting inspired by mythology, history and everyday experiences. In the new album we express that the sword is a symbol of power and violence, that humanity is "Slave to the Sword."
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Mario: We love so much that's out there, but during the writing and recording for the new album, we found ourselves constantly rocking out to Judas Priest, Ozzy, old-school Pantera (Glamtera) Manowar, and even Beethoven.
6. You guys got signed to a label, which label would that be?
Mario:: Prosthetic Records.
7. Why did you see this label to be the one for you guys?
Mario: We had been pitching the band to a few labels after our departure from Heavy Artillery and Prosthetic was the first to get back to us. They didn't offer us a contract immediately but they showed a strong interest in the band. They came out to a few of our shows and after months of talking we eventually worked a deal out and it felt right. Ultimately you wanna be on a label that whats you to be on it as well and we found a home at Prosthetic.
8. How has the relationship with them been going?
Mario: Its going great! They're on top of their stuff.
9. Do you guys have any new music in the works?
Mario: We're always jamming out riffs so in way yes, we do!
10. Who would win out of everyone in the band - in a headbanging contest?
Mario: None of us; we'd all break our necks in the process!
11. What are your upcoming touring/show plans?
Mario: As of now we have a tour with Dark Tranquility/ Omnium Gatherum in February 2014 and an East Coast tour with our good friends in Lich King in March to follow that.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?Mario: You can check out our Facebook/Youtube for songs and live videos. As for merch we have a link to our online store on our Facebook or you can look us up on Bandcamp.
13. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the time?
Mario: Every single note we play. Haha But really, I'm not really sure. I'd hope what ever they do remember is something positive.
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Mario: Well we have two tours that collectively cover most of the United States so hopefully the fans we have in the U.S. can see us live. We're also working on a new music video and of course the release of our debut album on Prosthetic Records in February.
15. Any final words of wisdom?
Mario: RACECAR backwards is RACECAR!
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