The Death-Console interfaces 2 keyboards, guitar, midi-guitar, bass effects, trumpet, drum triggers, smoke machine, 11 RGB LED ParCan lights and 1 UV LED light, footswitches, ZEN’s 5th Member Niik, plugged into a computer operating Ableton Suite and DMXIS. The -Console is programmed differently for each scene of each song, depending upon what instruments and lighting effects are needed and I’m pretty sure that the Death-Console is using Niik for its own ends, not the other way around. See Harvey Birdman – Season 2 – Episode 10, “Is that a …Death Console?”
Give us a bit of history on the band
ZEN formed late 2006 as a four piece metal band. The band previously recorded an unnamed demo (2007), and EP 2009. EP 2009 was described by a publication as ‘crypic…fearless…doom punk with bouncy rhythms & plenty of lyrical chutzpah’. Cam and Nath joined ZEN in 2011, injecting some ‘star’ talent into the vocal and guitar sections. Peace & Quiet was recorded in January 2011 at Warren Hammond’s Penny Drop Studio.
Since the release of your 2009 self-titled EP, the group’s dynamic and members have changed. How did the addition of a new lead vocalist and guitarist influence the band’s sound?
Imagine what you get from three trained metal vocalists: Baritone, Bass and Mezzo-Soprano, with corresponding clean, dirty, scream and growl registers. Cam, Niik and Serena harmonise in each of ZEN’s songs. Track 2 on Peace & Quiet is a three harmony rendition of a thirteenth century Latin hymn. As for Nath, he brings some much needed ball-sackery to ZEN’s guitars. And he is a Viking.
With that in mind, tell us about your new EP Peace & Quiet .
Track 1 – Love Song – This song has nothing to do with love and a whole lot to do with jagged time signatures. Cam puts on an amazing bi-polar vocal performance. This song is a bitch to play on bass!
Track 2-3 – Psalm 22 -“My god, my god, why have you forsaken me?” kind of obvious to an atheist, eh? The track starts with Gregorian chant, ripped to shreds and mocked by cackling hags. Youtube our filmclip. We normally open with this song live.
Track 4 – Raunch – Obvious subject. More industrial than our other tracks: Terminator-esque triggered drums, a paedophilic ice-cream truck and chunky grooves.
You’re launching your EP this Saturday October 8. What should we expect?
Brace yourself as 5 mysterious robed figures, shrouded in smoke and light, lay down brutal and melodic Quiet. Think System of a Down playing Mr. Bungle covers with the less prominent members of Slipknot providing the sprinkles.
