DIKTAT

Hello brothers, how are you guys?

Jérémie (guitars): Hails to Purpose Zine and to all the Metalheads reading !

Please introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us a brief history of Diktat. (please also tell something about albums and demos you already released)

Well, DIKTAT is quite an old Brutal Death Metal band Mathieu (vocals), Alex and me (both on guitars) created together during the end of the 90's. We found musicians and learn to play together to record our first demo tape on 2000. After several line up problems with bassists and drummers, we were back on 2007 with a 2nd demo, named II. With these 2 demos, we did a lot of gigs, and some with famous bands. Infortunately, several changes of drummers impeded the band since. Romain joined us on drums 2 years ago. First he had to work hardly to work on our songs and now, we're working on new ones with the aim of recording a new ep as soon as possible.

What is the meaning of Diktat?

In the dictionary: A harsh, punitive settlement or decree imposed unilaterally on a defeatednation, political party, etc. Any decree or authoritative statement. Actually, anything imposed.

How would you define your music?

Technical, fast and brutal, with unceasing changes of riffs and tempo.

How do you write your songs and what is the usual theme?

Each of us brings riffs, rythms and ideas and we put it together to make our songs. Mathieu write the lyrics and we don't have any restrictive theme. But lyrics have to be as brutal as the music. Otherwise, our influences are above all in Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Black Metal, but also in different kinds of music as Classical, Jazz, Flamenco, Rock, African or Indian music... We actually listen to a lot of different things.

What makes Diktat's brand of metal stand out? and why should we listen to it?

Well, Brutal Death Metal has been standing out for 20 years and is still creative, with some new technical and progressive bands or with the Deathcore scene, which is growing up and have an abundance of interesting bands. I think the brutality of this kind of music responds to people who are pissed off with mainsteam music, and sometimes also with mainstream Metal. I also think it fits with the brutality of the times we live.

Line up changes in your band, how does it affects you and how are you guys dealing with it?

I can say we lost a lot of time, patience, spirit and motivation with all those line up changes. Fortunately, line up problems have been ending since Romain joined the band on drums, 2 years ago. We're satisfied with with playing and involvement and Diktat line up is strong now.

How is the metal scene there in France?

A lot of bands and a lot of people involved in the underground Metal scene, through zines, distros, rados, gigs... A lot of underground gigs and most of the mainstream Metal bands or famous extreme Metal ones come and play here, in Paris. In France, the thing that sucks is french people don't know Metal exists. Most of people here don't even know Iron Maiden or Metallica. But it's starting to change with the Hellfest which is growing up.

Have you already played outside France?

Yes, in Belgium and Germany.

Others bands from your country you want us to check out

Desecrator, Department Of Correction, Gorod, Henker, Upheaval, Injuria, Desarticulate.

Thanks for your time brothers, and i hope it gave readers an idea about your band, any few last words?

Thank you for the interview and for your help, my Metal brother, and thanks to all the readers. I hope we'll come and play to your country someday. Brutal greetings from France !!!

Natal Cleft

Whats up Zeek, Hows Natal Cleft? Please introduce the band and tell us how it started.

Zeek - Horns up Cyril.Before answering your question,the band would like to thank you for always supporting us.You are a certified CLEFTomaniac indeed hehehehe.We really appreciate your kick ass support.Hahahah if we were gays or girls,we would suck your metal dick hahahahahah

We are doing good.One step at a time for the recording of our album.Natal Cleft was formed in 2003.Me and Atan Elias(guitarist and schoolmate in UP) were the founders.We recorded one track entitled "particles of hate" and Warner Music was interested but unfortunately our drummer left because of family matters.We were dormant for about 2 years but we continued searching for our kindred souls in music.Auditions here and there and right now I can say that this is the best line up we've got.We have Rex Bontuyan on bass,Darrs Diaz on guitars and Den2 Moga on drums.

We are planning to release the album early 2013 or earlier(hope so).We are doing our best to find time amidst our different schedules.Our sound engineer is Darrs Diaz(our guitarist) and we are recording our stuff in D'studio,a studio in his sala.DIY stuff. 

• 
  How would you describe "Particles of Hate"?
• Zeek - To those who are waiting for it and also to the ones that are not very familiar with your music and lyrics?From this album,one can expect dynamics in our sound.We want it to be creative and unpredictable.
• You are now getting a lot of recognition not only here but also outside the country, how does it feel?
Being recognized globally is better than sex hehehe.We are very passionate about our craft and appreciation from metalheads and musicians themselves are our payday.We just want to share our music for the love of metal.We made it to top 1 in metal charts at Signmeto with Roadrunner Records.And it seemed surreal that international radio stations and web radios are asking for our songs to have airplay.

Many of the foreign bands became our closest friends in its truest sense.They are genuine people.There is this band who have also worked with Dave Lombardo(Slayer) who appreciated our songwriting and wanted us to come to the US.There is this skilled guitarist named Julienne who bragged about us saying that if we will not be signed with Roadrunner,there is no chance for bands like them hahahah so funny.We dont care if we will get signed or not,what is important is the passion for music and yes to have an album so that we have something to be proud of before all of us will wither and rot hehehehe.

We were invited to have a European tour with NIGHTRAGE,DEADLOCK,DEVASTATING ENEMY and SCAR OF THE SUN.But unfortunately DEADLOCK could not do the tour.They told us to update the band on future tours.

Please tell something about the sound of Natal Cleft. 

Zeek - We call Natal Cleft's sound as cerebral metal.We want it to be something unique and we are happy coz somehow we have achieved it through the praises of our metal brothers and sisters.According to them,we have created our own unique sound and the songwriting is original.To each his own but its up to the listener how he perceives our songs

Your private music fascinations, what about it? How it influenced Natal Cleft's sounds?

Zeek - Personally,I listen to all kinds of genre.I look up to the creative songwriting of the band.Me and my sister are avid fans of Death.I also dig Artillery,Tool,A Perfect Circle,Toxik,Sadus,Demigod,Protector,Bathory,Judas Priest and Dissection.Hehehehe I also adore Coheed and Cambria,Smashing Pumpkins,Porcupine Tree and Foo Fighters heheh guilty pleasures.Oh include Adele,Xenia(from The Voice) and Skunk Anansie.

Our guitarist Atan Elias is also a fanatic of Death.Chuck is our man hehehehehe.Ask Atan about the Beatles and he knows everything aheheheeh.Atan also likes Frank Zappa,Jeff Buckley(he looks like him hahaha),Pink Floyd and other classic bands.Our bassist Rex is a Jason Newsted dude heheheeh.This guy took AB Music and also loves the band Onslaught.He also adores classic bands.Darrs Diaz(guitarist) digs John Petrucci,Steve Vai,Incubus and Paul Gilbert.

Our guitarist Atan Elias is also a fanatic of Death.Chuck is our man hehehehehe.Ask Atan about the Beatles and he knows everything aheheheeh.Atan also likes Frank Zappa,Jeff Buckley(he looks like him hahaha),Pink Floyd and other classic bands.

Our bassist Rex is a Jason Newsted dude heheheeh.This guy took AB Music and also loves the band Onslaught.He also adores classic bands.

Darrs Diaz(guitarist) digs John Petrucci,Steve Vai,Incubus and Paul Gilbert.

Where do you find the inspirations to Natal Cleft’s lyrics?

Zeek - Regarding Natal Cleft lyrics,each song has a theme.I dont stick to one subject.Paradise is political.Particles of Hate and Tortured Heaven is somewhat psychological.

Kamusta ang metal scene sa Cebu, and how do they respond to your music?

The metal scene in Cebu is alive and kicking hehehehe!The passion in metal is present in every horn of our metal brothers and sisters!The veterans are still supporting the new breed of musicians and thats fantastic!

Other Cebuano bands you wanna recommend?

Zeek - Shout out to the Cebuano hordes who kick ass like Sodom(they started it all) Agnas,Comatose,Demise,Cursed Loath,Fallen Angel,Stallions of the Burning Church,Astarus and Vercellum

Zeek thanks for the interview, any final comments for our readers and where can they reach you?
Wicked metal greetings from Cebu City to all the readers!666 horns up to Senyor Cyril Mendoza for this zine!
http://www.facebook.com/natalcleftmusic

Words of Todd Mendieta(USA/Costa Rica) on Natal Cleft music

 "Great guitar and drum work and sounds very different than the average death metal band around here. Vocals are very high pitched, but I like that only because it is different and I gather thats why A and R rating you so high for your originality. Your drummer fuckin kicks ass! Happy Holidays! You guys must be very tired at the end of you

r set!lol!You guys have pretty much made the rest of these types of bands look like they just stepped out of their diapers!lol!10/10 from me and a pick in my favorites!Your fuckin video is the shit!!! Love you guys! If A and R don't sign you, then there is no hope for any of us!"

13 STEPS

13 Steps, whose idea was it and how did it started?

- 12 years ago, in 2000, I formed this band with some friends for hardcore music that i wantted to try.

Why was the band called 13 Steps?

- In fact, i'm one of huge fan of the PANTERA and im kind of affected with the vocal PHIL. So first time, i picked the name from the song which is titled "13STEPS TO NOWHERE"
and i didnt know that we can maintain this band that long at that time. haha.

How would you describe 13 Steps' music style?

- Our music is HARDCORE. True hardcore which is no need any lables like oldschool or newschool.
At present, our music is little bit heavier than the early 13STEPS, however we still make REAL HARDCORE and play them.

What kind of music you set out to play in the beginning? was it Hardcore from the start?

- Yes, as i told you, we organized this band for hardcore music from the beggining.
before then, i coverd some heavymetal songs like SKID ROW or PANTERA in some kind of school band. It was awful! ha!

Is there a goal you wanna pursue as a band?

- In my oppinion, our goal is what we maintain this band as long.
when im quite old, i wanna be yelling on the stage, like AGNOSTIC FRONT or SICK OF IT ALL who did it already.

How's the Hardcore scene in Korea? And where do you see it will be heading in years to come?

- Hardcore scene in korea started in late 90's from the couple of bands, but now there are 20-30 bands on the stage or they're practicing in the basement.
it means this scene is getting biggeer. and our scene is small yet but we gonna get more bigger and i believe we'll have fun in this scene.

Any particular experience that made a big impact on you guys?

- For me, i remind Japan tour in 2010 and pentaportrock festival in 2011.
First, Japan tour was really tight like 9 performance in 10 days in many cities of Japan. Although my voice was really bad since third show, it was so good chance that i can experience Japan hardcore scene.
And pentaport is the one of the biggest rock festival in korea, and its not common thing that we played very same day with KORN and the same stage. haha!

Are you guys under any major label?

- No, we are under an indie lable. several years ago, one of the major lable of Japan contracted with us, but as you know, cause of the current recession, the foreign artist department of that lable was slimming down, and well, we lost that chance.

So, now, we are under the GMC RECORDS in Korea, and in Japan, STRAIGHT-UP RECORDS.

Can we expect a 13 Steps show here in the Philippines?

- Sure. we really wanna play in there. we can play anytime in there if some conditions are fit.

How can we find you on the World Wide Web?

- myspace.com/13steps and search 13STEPS on FACEBOOK

What do you wanna say to our readers and who do you wanna greet?

- "AN-NYOUNG" for everyone who read thin interview. it means HI in korean.

Thanks for the interview brothers and goodluck.

- Thank you Cyril.