With the release of their brand new album I was able to catch up with Donald Tardy from Obituary while they are currently on their North American tour with Carcass and ask a few questions about the bands 9th studio album “Inked In Blood”:
Inked in blood is a fantastic album. What the the mindset like when you guys hit the recording studio?
—- it was a very laid back atmosphere in the studio because we were so comfortable and confident with the songs. We really took our time while writing this album and that allowed us to focus on each song and tweak them til we felt they were as solid as possible, then we rehearsed again and again to perfect them. We also had the comfort of performing a few of them live which again helped us be sure the songs were just the way we wanted them by the time we hit the record button.
The album definitely has a lot of echoes back to those first 3 albums yet its still new and fresh. Was this the objective to make classic old school Florida death metal sounding album?
—— Yes, we were very specific with our goal and mindset going into the studio and knew we wanted to stay true to our roots so we went back to the basics and recorded this album relying only on the band members and their instruments. We took our time when setting the drumkit up and getting sounds so by the time it came to lay down tracks, what you hear is what you get. There was no sound replacement, no triggering, no post editing to clean up performances. What you hear is my drumkit, the mics and the room sound. That’s it. Same with everyone. We did zero to Trevor’s guitar sound but what he had going on with his rig. (Fender Stratocaster, Marschall JCM 800 and a ratt pedal) and all we did was throw a SM57 on his amp and that’s it. Kept it simple/stupid.
This made it much more challenging for the band but when you are comfortable and confident with the songs it makes it easy to lay it down. Might not be the most effective way to get that modern sounding production that many bands are relying on but we just wanted to make a classic Obituary sounding production that our fans would appreciate. We’ll leave the modern technology mixes for all the other bands on the planet. We enjoyed the challenge and are super proud of the end result.
The kick starter campaign was clearly a success. We’re you guys shocked that it was so successful?
—— Yes. We knew we had very devoted fans but had no idea it was going to explode the way it did. We were very realistic in our initial goal of $10k and felt pretty confident that we would reach it and allow us to at least just track the songs, but the Ob fans pulled thru and with their unbelievable backing we were able to record, edit, mix, produce and master the Album and pay for the album artwork on our own. That was and still is amazing to me to know that we went from start to finish and had a final product in our hands before we even needed to approach a label. Now that’s pretty damn self sufficient I’d say.
With its success did it lead you do or try anything during the recording that you wouldnt have otherwise been able to do?
—- No because we knew what our plan was for the recording process and we kept that mindset.
Does it also give you any ideas for future crowd funded projects now that you know how successful it is?
—— To be honest we are in NO hurry to do that again because with such a successful campaign brought a tremendous amount of work, organizing and pressure on the band to get all orders organized, printed, packed and shipped on time while still finishing the album and preparing to sign a New Album Contract and prepare for the WorldTour. It was an amazing experience but one we will research next time to make great for the fans but not almost kill the band members cause pack and ship 900 orders in time, we turn our studio into a sweat shop. (RedNeck SweatShop)
When you decided on signing with Relapse what was the main reason on choosing them?
—- We gave all the labels a chance to approach us and their offer to the table knowing that we needed to help or advanced money for Recording from them and Relapse was the label that showed us that they understood what we accomplished and what their role would be. We needed them to step in as a partner and we used their “engine” to make sure the Album, the Distrobution and the marketing campaign was executed properly. We could not be any happier with their focus and meticulous efforts to effectively and creatively pull off a great Release with us. We have quick become great partner and a very powerful and efficient team and are super excited about the future with Relapse.
I’ve seen lists thrown around on the internet naming a Death Metal or Florida Death Metal Big 4 and all lists have included Obituary, who else do you think would be on that list with you?
—— If I had to pick it would be Deicide, Morbid Angel and since Death is sadly no longer in this equation it would have to Cannibal Corpse even thought they are a buffalo band who up-rooted themselves a long time ago to join us Florida boys in the hot, sticky, swampy, mosquito-ville we call home.
After the success of the “Rotting Slowly In Australia” tour when are we likely to see you guys tour down here again?
—— We are confirming everything right now and plan to stay very busy as a band to be sure we make it to every corner of the Planet in support of Inked In Blood and to allow metal fans to experience the power of Obituary live on-stage. Hang on to your ass because we are on our way!
Are their any Australia bands you’ve heard or toured with that you would consider yourselves fans of?
—— I’m not too familiar with many Aus bands but we brought Psycroptic to Europe with us a couple years ago and I’ve been blasting their album ever since. Joe and Dave make for one of the most punishing and technical brothers combo I’ve ever witnessed. Unreal.
Any messages you want to leave you Australian fans with?
Last word?
I’ve got 5 last words:
GO BUY INKED IN BLOOD!
![12 Jacket (Gatefold - Two Pocket) [GD30OB2-N]](http://www.freakinawesomenetwork.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/tumblr_inline_newe5nVB1p1qkgnc6.jpg)
“Inked In Blood” Is available Now
https://www.facebook.com/ObituaryBand
http://www.obituary.cc/
http://www.nervegas.com.au/obituary-inked-in-blood-cd
http://www.nervegas.com.au/obituary-inked-in-blood-2lp
