Mat: Hello, Tchort. Greetings to all Metalheads readership of "The Legion of TchorT" 'Zine.
The main idea of the band was to perform metal classics. It was meant to be a cover band with me on guitar and a couple of friends from BESTIAL local Brutal Death Metal act.
Due to that concept the name was supossed to be an invertion of Evergreen. Evergreen meaning immortal classic songs I thought, what better name than EverdeaD then?
Mat: Since early 90's I was inspired by the Death Metal scene. My greatest influences from that era are bands like: VADER, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, OBITUARY, BENEDICTION, ASPHYX, PESTILENCE and CANNIBAL CORPSE. As for younger bands: NECROPHAGIST, DYING FETUS, SCEPTIC. I love this kind of expressive, raw sound and a kind of primitive brutality even if there are bands that play more technical kinds of metal.
T: What was your biggest influence from the beginning when deciding to form the band?
Mat: As I mentioned before the Death Metal scene especially in the late 80's and early 90's. Besides I think that my other inspiration are Thrash Metal bands like: SLAYER, OVERKILL, late EXODUS, late TesTamenT, early METALLICA, early SODOM, early KREATOR. I must confess, I am not that open minded. I prefer to stick im my comfort zone ;)
T: What do you hope to achieve with your musical proposal when they are heard in other countries throughout the world?
Mat: Well... I don't have high expectations. Being so self-conscious I acknowledge that there are and there will always be bigger and more influential bands in the Metal Scene.
Keep in mind the main idea of EverdeaD was to play for fun and that stays true to this day. I don't think that being in the band is a competition.
EverdeaD is not challenging anyone.
We're just trying to do our best. We would be very happy if EverdeaD reached a bigger audience, but we still have fun playing regardless. As I mentioned before, we have our comfort zone. Me (Mat) and Daro (rhythm guitar) are 48 and 50 years old. Kowal (bass) is 35. The time for us to establish ourselves in the scene passed us by years ago. Now we are Metal Oldboys still followers and keepers of the Metal Scene. And we're content with that.
Mat: For me (and I suppose for Daro and Kowal) Metal is not only a music genre. Speaking for myself beeing a metalhead is also a kind of lifestyle. You become attached to something more than a company label and a formula. Entering the Metal Scene is a kind of escape from a killing pattern. You know: wake, eat, shit, work, sleep, and repeat. And life passes by...
You're obviously entering another pattern: precise aggresive music style, outfits, gigs, skulls, bones, new relationships and many more. Some may say "O! What a cliche boring as hell!!!" but I love it. And I don't expect anyone to follow my steps, you're either a metalhead or you're not.
T: How would you define your music?
Mat: In short words EverdeaD is Death Metal inspired by The Death Metal scene of the late 80's and early 90's. For instance: VADER "The Ultimate Incantation", DEATH "Spiritual Healing", PESTILENCE "Testimony Of The Ancients" and many more... I think you will find many more influences from bands of that era in EverdeaD.
T: Who is in charge of the art for your T-shirt designs?
Mat: Well... The first graphics I made myself. Cover art for the 2nd demo and T-SHIRT "Resurrected Into Plagues" was a processed photo by Helen Fyles from England.
I was looking for a picture of a winged skull and I've found one. Helen granted my request and let me use it. But the next pieces were made mostly by independent artists. Most of them I've found on facebook groups. The art for the 2nd single "Inhuman Devolution" was made by artist Ley Art. "Slashing Madness" cover art was made by artist Ukie Bloodart. "Spiritual Revival" cover art was made by my son Wincenty Judasz. He has made art directly commissioned by me. 5th single's cover art "Released From The Grave" which will be released on september 24, 2024 was made by Pileworm Art.
T: How did the pandemic affect you to continue developing your career as a band?
Mat: I must admit, that the pandemic worked fine for me. While I was stuck at home, I had so much time to play guitar. As I remember it, it was the very first time in my adult life I didn't have to sacrifice time from my day to play and practice. So exactly at the time the idea to transform EverdeaD from a cover band was born. I remember a while practicing (MACHINE HEAD's) "Davidian" I played my first riffs. At the time I composed and recorded first versions of "Plague 19" and "World's Greatest Saviour".
The last one is still and I believe will always be in our set list.
T: What can you tell me about the experience of recording your CD."COVID Sessions" during the pandemic?
Mat: The time was strange. I remember people felt insecure and very confused.
We started the band in 2020 so we had only 4 songs back then: "World's Greatest Saviour", "Alternating Misinformaion" and "Global Myth".
"Plague 19" was not planned for that recording session. As I remember it, we were recording "Covid Sessions" in beetween of november and december 2020. All of my guitar parts and bass I've recorded at home (which I am still doing). Czes the 2nd guitarist and Lewy the drummer recorded their parts at our rehearsal place. I've recorded my vocals at the same place as well.
We've made the recordings just to let Metalheads know that there is new act in the Metal Scene. Demo was put on some streaming platforms. There were also 200 physical copies.
T: How have they been achieved reinvent with the pandemic theme, what do you think of the world situation?
Mat: As I mentioned before it was wierd. But Covid19 did not affect EverdeaD that much. Even if there were no gigs because of pandemic restrictions we didn't have enough songs in our setlist to play gigs. We were encouraged by the response to "Covid Sessions", so we focused on making more material. Obviously we had some breaks for holidays and stuff like that. Anyway we were still making songs for the 2nd demo: "Resurrected Into Plagues". We also hoped, the medical situation will normalize and we will finally hit the stage. In beetween we had released our first single: "Wings Of Horror".
T: What are the lyrics of your Single "Wings of Horror" about?
Mat: This song was the first one written for "Resurrected Into Plagues". But it was released in 2021 as a single as inauguration of Metal Radio Mordor. A kind of special support from EverdeaD for the radio.
What are the lyrics about? You know the world of EverdeaD is mostly made up. It is filled with zombies, skulls, bones, sickness, living dead and scenarios of horror. There's not much space for interpretation or poetry it's as simple as it gets. "Wings of Horror" is about nightmares. In short words it says: never fall asleep, because you will be trapped by your nightmares.
There is no hidden meaning. Just a simple story.
T: What currently inspires the band to continue working in the underground death metal scene?
Mat: You know we have good responses from metalheads (thank you all) it is the real strongest purpose and inspiration one could ask for. This I think: is the real fuel. Of course another purpose is musical self-realization, but being a part of the metalhead community is very important to us.
T: What motivated you to venture into the world of metal and what keeps you motivated to continue?
Mat: The biggest motivation for me is to be a part of Metal Society. I think all my motivations that I mentioned before also apply here. Stuff like: high fiving, headbanging,vv photos, gossiping about music, etc. I believe those are the charms of being a metalhead that inspire me.
T: How did your latest CD, "Resurrected into Plagues" go? I hear a very technical evolution in sound and more brutal at the same time. What do you think about it? Was it also recorded in times of COVID?
Mat: About technical evolution I am a great fan of Chuck's Schuldiner guitar style. I'm also inspired by: Muhammed Suiçmez, Trey Azagthoth, Marek Pająk and Jacek Hiro's guitar styles. So if I have time I try to develop my style. As you might know I am the only composer of EverdeaD. Still, I don't want to go too deep into thehg technical aspets of our music.
The other aspect is that I dont want EverdeaD to be too technical in riffing, I would rather write more technical solos. About "Resurrected into Plagues". It was recorded a year after "Covid Sessions". All my guitar parts were recorded during my rehabilitation in a sanatorium.
Vocals were recorded by our past vocalist Paweł Piaskowaski, the brutal sound and production was achieved mostly by Paweł. He is a very talented vocalist and sound engineer as well.
I was more experienced but together we combined for the final mix. After Paweł left EverdeaD I produce all recordings myself.
T: What can you tell us about the Polish scene and why is it somewhat less known than other scenes in Europe?
Mat: In the Polish scene there are still active classics like: VADER, BEHEMOTH, DECAPITATED, BETRAYER, PENDEMONIUM and a few more.
I am not an expert, market specialist or authority figure in regards of the music scene, but I see plenty of bands like EverdeaD. I mean Metal Old Boys who gather to play for fun.
Still there is few new blood bands for I can't see them. Cannot tell why that is. I remember my younger days full of metal acts. They were always forming and disbanding... There were times of constant motion in the scene.
And why Polish Metal is less known in Europe? I think the reason is that there are so many bands, it's hard to be seen between those huge numbers and names in Europe. To be honest, it takes a lot of time and money to be seen. I guess younger bands don't have much to support their name, so they try their best with what they have.
T: What other bands in Poland see future projection on the local scene?
Mat: I am convinced that BAALZAGOTH, MORTIS DEI and DAMMNATORUM are one of those who may get the recognition they deserve.
As you already know, I am into Death Metal, but I see that Black Metal is very strong in Poland. But I feel there is hope in Death Metal Youngsters from: GODSLUT, CRY OF THE NILE, ESCALATION, VITUR and MORRATH.
T: What do you think of the national death metal scene in your country?
Mat: I think I said everything I can on this topic. There's a lot of talent out there waiting to be seen.
T: What continues to motivate the band to stay active on the Poland and world extreme scene?
Mat: The want to be a part of the scene is the greatest purpose. Performing gigs, hugging Metalheads, photos, recordings no matter of financial cost...
As You might know Metal Musicians in Poland have regular jobs. I for example do pest control. So being in a band is purely out of passion.
T: Would you like to come to South America one day? And to be able to publicize his music more?
Mat: Gigs sure. If there's a good time and place. Recordings also sure. At the 23rd of september I plan to start recordings for debut album "Sick Compilation". It will contain 10 songs probably from first 2 demo's and 3 singles re-recorded with new sound.
There will be new intros and outros between verte song. I plan to release it via independent label or just myself.
Only matter are the release conditions, so I am opened for offers if we get them.
T: What is the new thing that EverdeaD is preparing to record?
Mat: As of recently (25.08.2024) I am setting up stuff to record a new single: "Released From The Grave". It will be released 24.08.2024 via our streaming platforms. It will be the first song recorded in a new key.
I decided to tune 2 steps upper from C to D. It will sound more vintage, I think. Recently most bands are tuning to C which is fine for groove but they lose definition.
If you plan to play more technical stuff, I think upper tunings sound better.
T: Mat, thank you very much for taking the time to answer the interview about your band EverdeaD and to let us know a little more about the Polish underground scene. Where can we buy your merchandise?
Mat: Thanks so much for your interest in EverdeaD!
You can buy our merch at our gigs (we are performing once or twice a month all around Poland) and also via our mail/facebook.
Remember, support METAL!
Cheers from Poland!
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