Interview w/Nuclear K of Ixpapalotl (Death/Grind from Athens)

Official Page: http://kjo666.wix.com/ixpapalotl
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Ixpapalotl
Bandcamp Page: http://ixpapalotl.bandcamp.com/

Vishal - What are you doing nowadays?
Nuclear K - At the moment we are gathering all our ideas and we are composing new material. When we are absolutely sure for the final structure of our songs, we will proceed to a new release.

Vishal - Can i get the story of your band and biography? What is the meaning of Ixpapalotl means to the band?
Nuclear K - Ixpapalotl is a death/grind band from Athens , Greece. We formed in 2008. In 2009 we released our first EP "That of the Swamp", a 3 track mini CD that was well met by critics and audience alike. On June 2012 we started the recordings for our new EP "Corpse Republic". It was released on January 2013, as a digital copy for free download.

For us, the band is a place to create music and express ourselves . We are not and will not make any living out of it.

Vishal - What are the lyrical themes you use in your song?gore, horror, politics, anti religion etc..
Nuclear K - The lyrical themes derive, mostly, from the social / political structure of the world around us. Our songs express our view on human rights, protest and revolt, going against racism, fascism and any other kind of discrimination. We do have songs from our first EP that are about madness and slimy lovecraftian creatures.

Vishal - How it feels to be in a Underground band? And for how many years you are in this scene?
Nuclear K - It feels nice, it gives us a chance to interact with people through music and it’s one of the few things nowadays where you have absolute control of what you do and what you create, not having to compromise yourself for anything.

Vishal - Which are the bands that have influenced your band most?
Nuclear K - At this stage, our main influences are Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death, mostly. But as we progress in song writing, more influences come to the surface.

Vishal - What are the future plans of Ixpapalotl? any tours, releases, recordings etc.
Nuclear K - Our future plans are to compose new material and maybe do some gigs or a small tour, if the time permits.

Vishal - What is your opinion on sites posting Underground Materials?
Nuclear K - 100% support. It’s the easiest way for people to learn new bands and discover new music.

Vishal - How do you feel about the classifications in metal? like deathcore, metalcore and other subgenres..
Nuclear K - It serves the purpose for classifying the sound and the play style for each band. At this, I am not against it. As music progresses, more genres will appear in the future.

Vishal - In general term metal isn't appreciated by Society what do you have to say on this?
Nuclear K - It is appreciated by the bands and the people who hear the music, so it doesn’t matter to be honest. These people form a sub-society, although smaller by other groups who appreciate other kinds of music. The majority do not decide what is “ right “ or “ good “ for the rest. Our conscience does.

Vishal - Ok, what do you want to tell those peoples who rips off the band hard work and illegally downloads their music? 

Nuclear K - We are a band who gives our material for free, either it is a physical copy or it’s a digital copy for free download. People who appreciate the music and the effort will support the band, either by taking their material or by paying the ticket for a concert. Also, the download will get the music to more people than the physical copies will ever reach.

Vishal - Beside Ixpapalotl do you have any other projects you have? If then, Can you tell us about those projects in few words?
Nuclear K - There is no other project at the moment, we are focused entirely on Ixpapalotl.

Vishal - Is it hard surviving in underground Scene?
Nuclear K - The truth is that having a band, is one of the most expensive hobbies. The only hard thing is that you need money to play live abroad, to make a new release etc. But if you are focused on what you do and what you really want, you will find a way to accomplish the things that you want to do.

Vishal - Metal has to be underground or metal has to go mainstream, what's your opinion?
Nuclear K - Metal has to be what each band wants it to be, and nothing more. Personally, I am against compromising your material, for it to be mainstream or for it to be underground. Create the music that satisfies you, perform it as best as you can, find the sound that fits to your ears and then decide how you are going to distribute it ( by yourself, via a distro or a company). Do it for you and not for the others. Eventually some will like what you do and others will not. If your view is to make music for other people’s ears , for the sole purpose to get accepted in the underground or in the mainstream, then don’t form a band at all.

Vishal - What is your opinion on the current state of underground metal?
Nuclear K - I thing it’s in a really good state, worldwide. There are many bands who really try to create something qualitative and they put a lot of effort on their music and performance.

Vishal - Which is the album you want to take to your grave?
Nuclear K - Difficult question, there are so many. “ Covenant “ from Morbid Angel for sure.

Vishal - Can you recommend us some good bands from your country for our readers?
Nuclear K - Plenty. There is a huge underground scene here in Greece, covering from old school death metal to goregrind. Inveracity , Slavebreed , Head Cleaner , Grassroll , Birth Through Gore, Genna apo kolo , Wreckage, Mortal Torment, Progress Of Inhumanity, Murder Made God, Decomposed Existence, DreamLongDead and the list is endless. Better check out the facebook group “ Greek Death / Grind scene “ , where all the bands are posted / gathered there.

Vishal - Support Underground Metal, how much you agree on this quote?
Nuclear K - Support what you like to hear and share it with as many people as possible, that’s the quote which suits me personally.

Vishal - Where do our readers can buy and listen Ixpapalotl and any other merchandise? 

Nuclear K - When we make physical copies / t – shirts etc, we announce it on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Ixpapalotl ). When this happens, you contact the band directly.
Both our EPs are free for download at our webpage (http://kjo666.wix.com/ixpapalotl ) or at TornFlesh Records (http://archive.org/details/tornfleshrecords ) .

Vishal - Do you remember your first show with Ixpapalotl, How was it and how did the crowd reacted to your first show?
Nuclear K - It was great. If I remember correctly , it was on May 2010 with 4 more bands ( Necrorgasm, Incineration, The Anal Treatment Experience and Delete The Mass ) and we had released our first EP “ That Of The Swamp “. Lots of fun, lots of mosh, truly great.

Vishal - Metal Fans from Nepal doesn't have a proper way to reach your records and any other such bands, Is there an easy way so we can also get the hold of cds, shirts etc.
Nuclear K  - For our material , you can reach us through facebook or from the email on our website. The same way you can reach any other band that you like and you want to get a physical copy.

Vishal - Do you have any plans to come to Kathmandu (Nepal) in coming days?
Nuclear K - In coming days, no. But it would be great if that could happen in the near future.

Vishal - What do you hate in Underground Metal?like, anything..
Nuclear K - Only a persons attitude , who looks down to others and thinks the best for himself. But that has to do with people , not with the underground per se.

Vishal - Your dream metal fest line up. Nuclear K -  Bolt thrower , cannibal corpse, napalm death , entombed , coroner, brujeria , birdflesh .

Vishal - Quick top 5 albums we must have in our collection.
Nuclear K - Bolt thrower : “ For Victory “, Cryptopsy : “ None So Vile “ , Napalm Death: “ Enemy Of the Music Business “ , Cannibal Corpse: “ The Bleeding “ & Suffocation : “ Pierced From Within “ .

Vishal - Lastly, a space for you anything EUMSN have forgotten to ask you can tell us here?
Nuclear K - Thank you very much for this interview. I hope you enjoy our music and give a try to all the other greek underground bands. I can assure you that you will find something that will get you hooked. Cheers!