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MT 8 APR 2018

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maltatoday SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018 31 This Week How did you guys first get together as a band, and what kind of musical goals did you first have in mind when you founded Killing Adrenaline? Killing Adrenaline began in 2016, after Steve Vassallo (drums) and Leli Apap's (guitar) previous band, In The Name of, decided to call it quits. They de- cided to keep going and in the meantime were able to recruit Melchior Borg (Abysmal Tor- ment) on vocal duties and Ste- fan Schembri on guitars along with Clive Scerri (Fallen Icon) on bass. Steve and Leli had played drums and guitar respec- tively, and so the line-up kind of fell into place. After around a year, Melchior and the band decided to part ways so we re- cruited Malcolm Alden (Lady Lizard) on vocals. We wanted to try and create a style of metal that was not very common here in Malta. We blend elements of groove and nu-metal with a heavier death- core sound. We don't really try to restrict ourselves too much though; if it sounds good, we play it! Could you speak a little bit about your previous (or even current) experience of playing in other bands, and what does Killing Adrenaline in particular have to offer in terms of creative outlet that the other bands you form part of, perhaps don't? All of us have a rich history in the local metal scene. Stefan and Leli had collaborated previ- ously in the local nu-metal band Lynch as well as Stefan moving on to help create ClubMurder. Steve had done some vocal du- ties with death metal band Hemlock. Clive had also played with thrash metal band Shades of Chaos and Malcolm had also played with Waking Up Dino- saurs and Coalition to the Sun. These experiences have helped us to define what it is we want out of a band. I think the older we got, the outlook on expec- tations and reasons behind be- ing in a band started to change. These experiences help you understand responsibilities and we all bring our own little influ- ences and experiences to help create the sound we look for. A band is a democracy at the end of the day, and you all need to come to a compromise on what the collective wants and needs. How would you describe your particular brand of metal to the uninitiated listener, and why did you opt to play around with these modes of heavy music? Well, we try to incorporate the heavy grooves of early 90s metal bands with the more recent death metal influenced hard- core music. That's not to say that our music is death metal or groove metal only but we try to come up with a perfect blend of both genres. We have a creative road we follow. However, we do deviate sometimes in order to explore certain sounds and ele- ments. What are some of the key concerns of the metal community in Malta, in terms of rehearsal and performance spaces, as well as audience outreach and possibilities for further development? We think that when you play a style of music like heavy metal, you have to know what you're getting yourself into. It's not a genre of music that allows you to make a living out of playing it. You do it for fun and it's an out- let for one's creativity. You're not going to be playing at wed- dings or certain local festivals. You can't go into it, especially locally, thinking that you're go- ing to have hundreds of people every single gig. There are times when 50-60 people will attend your shows. This limited out- reach also has an effect on what one can afford in terms of prac- tice spaces as well as helping a band finance the recording of a full length album which can help push their music to a wider audience. Most bands end up forking out a lot of cash to market them- selves and pay huge amounts of money to travel overseas to for- eign audiences. It's tough, but it's fun. Nobody would do this if it wasn't fun because there is nothing else to gain from it ex- cept self satisfaction in what you have created. Everything else is a bonus. Are you looking forward to the upcoming gig at The Garage? What do you make of your fellow performers on the night? We're quite close with the guys from Align The Tide. They're a young upcoming band who are very dedicated to their craft. They love their music and they want people to know that they are here to make a name for themselves. It's pretty much the same with 215 Collective, a hip-hop trio who are making big waves in the local scene. I think it will be exciting to see a night that blends the Hip Hop and Metal scene! We hope both crowds can appreciate what we have in store and we'll also have a few surprises up our sleeves so be sure to head down to The Garage on the 14th April. What's next for you? We plan on hitting the studio to record a couple of tracks to- wards the end of May. We'll be hooking up with our brother David Depasquale of Spine- splitter studios and once that is done, it's all about getting gigs under our belts and introducing more and more people to our The boys behind the metal act Killing Adrenaline speak to TEODOR RELJIC ahead of their upcoming gig at The Garage, where they will be sharing the stage with Align the Tide and 215 Collective Finding the perfect blend WiN will remain on display at Spazju Kreattiv at St James Cavalier, Valletta until April 22. The exhibition is curated by Irene Biolchini and forms part of this year's edition of the Valletta International Visual Arts Festival Killing Adrenaline will be performing alongside Along the Tide and 215 Collective at The Garage, Zebbug on April 14 at 20:30. Entrance is at €6 by the door the Maltese visual arts scene? I feel honoured and blessed that 'WiN' was chosen to be part of the fourth edition of the 'Valletta International Visual Arts Festival 2018 (VIVA)'. Even more so since this year is such an important one for Malta with regards to culture. VIVA has become instrumental in the arts in providing a platform and a boost to artists like me and, most importantly, further expo- sure to their work. I wish to thank Fondazzjoni Kreattività and all col- laborators involved in VIVA 2018 that saw enough potential in 'WiN' to include it in their programme of events. This makes me much more confident that the artistic work is of value, at least to some degree. And speaking of the Maltese visual arts scene... what do you make of it, and what would you change about it? There are so many diverse artis- tic activities going on that unfor- tunately, it is quite impossible to follow them all. However, it is not the quantity but the artistic quality of these events that truly matters. Many local artists and their work inspire me as much as foreign art- ists, but I'd rather not mention any names because I'm worried about leaving anybody out. I really like to follow what is going on and read a lot of books but my first priority is always finding adequate time to work on my creations. No matter how much is done in the artistic field, there is always go- ing to be more room for improve- ment. Funding is the one factor that always comes up to mind. Although there is a lot of change for the better in this sector, it is never enough. Undoubtedly, there are many opportunities for young artists, in fact, if it was not for these opportunities I would not be where I am today. Something that I wish to be improved in the artistic local scene, rather than changed, is that of engaging more the local public in reflecting, understand- ing and experiencing art, especially that which is contemporary. What's next for you? What would you like to create in the near future? My first priority right now is to publish my book, Stessi, with Mer- lin Publishers. There is also more visual work coming soon, at least, in two upcoming collective exhi- bitions. I am really interested in producing some kind of public art in the future, together with maybe moving overseas. I hope this is just the beginning for me. I believe that I have to write many more books and create much more art to really earn the title of an artist or an au- thor. I am also interested in doing something related to philosophy, music or drama. Last but certainly not least for me, is the need to con- tinue studying and learning. It's tough, but it's fun – Killing Adrenaline "A band is a democracy at the end of the day, and you all need to come to a compromise on what the collective wants and needs"

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