Lingua Brutallica

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 64: Andrew Lee of Ripped to Shreds (California, USA)

In this episode, we interview Andrew Lee about the lyrics he's written for death metal band Ripped to Shreds as well as the aptly named grindcore project Houkago Grind Time. Though their music and lyrics are clearly distinct, both of Andrew's bands can be described as a study in contrasts. First, Ripped to Shreds presents songs that convey familiar images of flayed skin, amputated limbs, and spilled viscera, alongside others that critique real-world atrocities like the rape of Nanjing and contemporary anti-Asian racism. Similarly, Houkago Grind Time, while striking a jovial tone with lyrics that affectionately mock anime fandoms, also calls attention to important issues in the anime industry, like the exploitation of freelancers. Across these seemingly diverse topics, images, and issues, runs a thread that flows from Andrew's personal experience as a Taiwanese American, metalhead, and anime fan. Consequently, Andrew continually draws on his (sub)cultural background to write lyrics that not only contextualize his music but serve as it's emotional core.

Check out Ripped to Shreds here: https://www.instagram.com/rippedtoshredsdeathmetal/ 

and Houkago Grind Time here: https://www.facebook.com/houkagogrindtime/ 

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 63: Francesco Paoli of Fleshgod Apocalypse (Rome, Italy)

In this episode, we speak to Francesco Paoli of Italian opera metal band, Fleshgod Apocalypse. Fleshgod Apocalypse is well known for composing music that blends elements from romantic and baroque periods, inspired by composers like Bach, Vivaldi and Rossini, with the aggressive instrumentation of classic death metal. Francesco explains how this creative amalgam informs his approach to lyric-writing, drawing on features from Italian, Greek, Latin, German and English languages to call upon references to diverse literature, history, and mythology, and in doing so weave intricate narratives that reflect on existentialism and the human condition. While Francesco's compositions and influences may be varied, his writing still shows consistent patterns, such as the use of single word album titles and multi-word track titles, that tie his records together. Speaking to the significance of this practice, Francesco states simply: "we are Italian, we like tradition".

To celebrate the tradition of Fleshgod Apocalypse, go to: https://fleshgodapocalypse.bandcamp.com/ 

 

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 62: Doug Moore (New York, USA)

In this episode, we talk to Doug Moore who is the lyricist for not one but five “weird” metal projects including Seputus, Glorious Depravity, Weeping Sores, Scarcity and Pyrrhon that integrate an “interdisciplinary” approach to the genre. Doug is also the writer of an article entitled “Death Metal English” for Invisible Oranges which we have frequently cited in our own academic work. Doug explains that through this work, he developed a greater appreciation for death metal English, developing a “death metal lexicon” from which he can selectively draw for lyric writing. To wit, in some of his work, Doug reproduces many of the tropes he describes, including use of -ation words, passive voice, “of the” prepositional phrases and medical jargon, while in others Doug adopts a more colloquial even conversational style rife with contractions and shortenings rarely observed in archetypal death metal English. Doug then takes us through how he deploys these different styles in different contexts, with the former approach appearing more frequently in songs depicting body horror, unpacking the fear of the body turning against you, and the latter approach appearing in lyrics critiquing social issues like the cost of living (a literal name of a song), racism, poverty, social greed, and the environmental damage we leave to our children.

To explore the gamut of Doug Moore’s work go to: https://linktr.ee/avantdumb

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 61: Xander Bradley of Slimelord (Yorkshire, England)

In this episode, we speak to Xander Bradley of “swamp death” band Slimelord. Xander explains that while Slimelord’s earlier EP’s “The Delta Death Sirens”, “Moss Contamination”, and “Insurmountable Peril” all have vocals, these vocals consist of improvised noises rather than written lyrics. And so, in preparation for the release of their first album, “Chytridiomycosis Relinquished”, Xander describes how he approached composing the band’s first set of official lyrics. Beyond simply writing lyrics, Xander constructed a whole backstory for this album focusing on the trials of an adventurer who looks to cure the world of a disease with the help of a demon-toad. This epic tale is told through both highly academic vocabulary including Latinate scientific animal genus/species names and technical jargon describing amphibian disease, as well as references to contemporary video games like Bloodborne and Elder Scrolls. These combined practices constitute lyrics that draw listeners down into the swampy depths.

To enter the swamp, go to: https://slimelord.bandcamp.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/the_slimelord/?hl=en

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 60: Corey, Jade, and Matt of Freedom of Fear (Adelaide, Australia)

In this episode we are joined by Corey, Jade, and Matt, of Adelaide's premier melodic death metal outfit - Freedom of Fear. The band describe how, by drawing on fears and fantasies – of space, of vampires, of nothingness, and the impermanence of everything - their lyrics stress the power of nature vis-à-vis the insignificance of humans. To compose these lyrics, the band eschew their spoken Australian English vernacular, instead constructing a literary and archaic style, studded with old English and Latin forms, to transport listeners away from the everyday and towards their gothic fantasy realm.

Explore Freedom of Fear's gothic fantasy at: https://www.freedomoffear.com.au/; https://www.facebook.com/freedomoffearaus/ and https://www.instagram.com/freedomoffear/

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 59: David Bruno of Summoning the Lich (Missouri, USA)

In this episode, we speak to David Bruno about how he creates lyrics for fantasy-driven death metal band, Summoning the Lich. The lyrics that span two albums weave an original linear story, beginning with the creation of the Lich that sets in motion the fall of the fictional Kingdom of Rodor and the darkness that spreads across the land as the Lich’s power grows, establishing his dominion over the planet Arrias. David explains that producing these lyrics involves balancing his desire to produce both good fantasy storytelling and good metal song writing. In service of this goal, David has crafted a narrative style that draws on rhyme and alliteration, granting his story an unmistakably melodic quality. Careful observers will note a subtle transition in the bands' track titles, moving from nouns to verbs, announcing the story's growing urgency...

Listen before it's too late! https://www.summoningthelich.com/ 

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 58: Lord Foul and Naraka of Civerous (California, USA)

In this episode, we speak to Lord Foul and Naraka about how they lure their listeners into Civerous’ dark and cavernous lyrical maze. The verbal labyrinth concocted by this aptly labelled “tomb doom” project sees listeners descend through gloomy caves where Latinate utterances echo, summoning occult rituals that pay homage to the Mexican heritage of several of Civerous’ band members. Though the caves may be supernatural, they are also familiar as the witchcraft therein evokes the terror of human suffering as well as the horror of the unknown. This latter point surmises the goal of Civerous’ lyrical composition – to arouse fear in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Enter the maze at: https://linktr.ee/civerous

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 57: Chris Grigg of Woe (New York, USA)

Our latest auditory offering brings you an interview with vocalist Chris Grigg of black metal ensemble Woe. Chris explains how, departing from the individual focus of his earlier work, examining mental anguish and depression, Woe's most recent release draws attention to broader threats to humanity, some of which we thought we'd vanquished long ago. This shift in lyrical content emerged in tandem with what Chris refers to as the refinement of his lyric-writing skills over time. Such artistry bloomed through Chris' experimentation with rhyme, perspective, and even occasionally vulgarity, to ensure that Woe's music and lyrics are mutually enhancing.

To savour Woe's latest musical incantation, go to: https://ampwall.com/a/woeunholy 

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 56: Jeff Young of Weald and Woe (Idaho, USA)

In this episode, lyricist Jeff Young leads us on a journey through Weald and Woe's "castle metal". Drawing on his background in theatre, Jeff crafts castle metal lyrics by exploiting black metal's heightened sense of drama and aesthetics to reflect on personal struggles and existential dread within a medieval narrative. His lyrics adopt familiar fantasy language tropes to weave tales of battles and blood, so adored by devotees of the middle age (and indeed Dungeons and Dragons). However, the stories that result do not idolize war. Instead, his work questions whether the pursuit of glory and legacy is worth debasing oneself and losing the ones you love. Such lyrics guide the audience on a more complex and visceral quest exploring fundamental questions of humanity.

To join the adventure, go to: https://wealdandwoe.bandcamp.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/wealdandwoe/?hl=en

 

 

Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 55: Brenner Moate of BRAT (Louisiana, USA)

In this episode, we interview Brenner Moate of “bimboviolence” outfit, Brat. Looking at Brat’s album covers, decorated with tea and cake, a Pomeranian dog and the iconic Motorola flip phone set against bubblegum pink hues, listeners are poised to anticipate familiar 90s and 2000s pop lyricism. But in speaking with Brenner, we soon learn that this imagery rather serves as the barbie-pink wrapping for much darker lyrical content. Brat’s lyrics contrast sharply with the band’s sweet feminine aesthetic, drawing more on Steven King than Elle Woods. Brenner’s lyrics instead speak of resigned suffering and the loss of hope of evading pain which ultimately serves as an outlet for dark emotions and the release of negative energy.

Listen til the end of this episode for a brief appearance from vocalist, Elizabeth (Liz Selfish), who cautions us against delving too deep in our reading of the band’s lyrics, stating “we’re not an intellectual band”, and far from waxing poetic, Brat’s purpose is to “have fun and have a good time”.

To get around this good time, go to: https://linktr.ee/BRAT_band