Decadence – The 3rd Stage Of Melodic Thrash

Arch Enemy were not the first metal band to use a female growler as a vocalist, and it turns out they're not the only ones too, Sweden's thrash merchants Decadence have just released their third album – 3RD Stage Of Decay, utilizing the considerable talent of the young yet fearsome Kitty Saric, AKA Metallic Kitty, which we spoke with recently.

Hey Kitty, I'd like to start with current things, what is the band doing these days?

Hello Alon, we just had our third album released the 2nd of November 2006 and since then we have working hard on promotion. We’ve been focusing a lot to do as many shows as possible to reach out to people and this is always our main priority – live shows!

What were the last shows you did recently?

Our last two shows were in our hometown in Stockholm, Sweden and they were really crazy shows with lots of moshing and brutal headbanging, the way it should be!

Your last album, 3RD Stage Of Decay was released last year, how well was it received?

The response has been overwhelmingly good. It was great to see how our old fans and even new ones were awaiting it and coming to support us on our Release party even from cross borders.

What's the meaning of the title?

The main meaning behind the title "3rd Stage of Decay" has symbolized the 3rd line-up of Decadence, which is stronger than it has ever been before. Also, when you glance through the lyrics of the album you will see connections to the title and other hidden meanings everywhere.

How would you describe the album musically?

We have worked hard on this genre that we call Melodic Thrash Metal, this will describe the album’s total sound quite well. The riffs have a Thrash Metal basis but we have added a melodic touch to them as well as a bit more brutal vocals than would be heard on clean vocal based Thrash sounds. There are no keyboard additions only harmony lines made by guitar. I would recommend this album to people who appreciate bands like Death, Kreator, Testament, Metallica, Children of Bodom and the like.

I understand it's your first album to be released through a label, which label is that, and how different is it for the band to be signed?

Correct, "3rd Stage of Decay" is our first signed album released through my own label HTI Records. I would say that the difference does not lie in the sound or production, it lies in how the album is received by the outside world – more serious than our two previous releases which, in my opinion, hit the same levels as our signed work.

The Lyrics for the album seem quite depressive, does that reflect on you as person? Or do you think them up as a part of a concept?

The lyrics I write for Decadence are mostly about personal struggles, anger and depression which could work as a guide and as a way to view the world, oneself and various situations through different perspectives. The meanings of these lyrics are not to reflect my own personality, and definitely not a depressive one. It is in a way, as you said, a part of the concept to make people think about various happenings in their lives, relate to them and maybe find a guide.

Some history, how did you end up in the band?

Just before I started singing my main focus had always been on my guitar playing. I could have never imagined that I would become the lead singer of a Metal band. Then by coincidence and impulse really, I contacted a band searching for a vocalist. I had started growling at home, starting at the age of 12, but I was never serious with it, it was only something I did for fun. So, when I came to audition in 2003 as a 16 year old, I never thought that band would develop into what now is known as Decadence.

How did you decide on combining death growls instead of the more traditional clean ones for a thrash band?

Well, my love has always been Thrash Metal whereas my total respect and adoration of clean, aggressive vocals. To be honest, I never thought I’d ever come close to singing what I love the most which has always been male Thrash vocals. So, when I started teaching myself to sing I began experimenting with harsher vocals instead, which ended up in ordinary Death Metal growl. I wanted to take it a step further though, not leave it as growl only. Besides, Decadence music was turning away from normal Death Metal and back to the roots of Thrash Metal. My hope is that this combination of growls and harsh extreme screams has brought a more unique touch to our sound.

Your personal history, how did you start out with metal?

At the early age of 11 I ended up in a class in school with only guys in it. All of them were pure metalheads and I actually have them to thank when it comes to introducing me to this awesome music. Since then, Metal is my love in life, especially Thrash Metal, having Metallica as my all time favorite. When I was that little I couldn’t even begin to imagine that it was the beginning of a musical career, and when I look back, it still amazes me.

Were you always into the more extreme sides of it, like thrash and death?

Yes, I’m very isolated in music I must admit. All subgenres around Thrash and Death are what I like the most.

Though you probably hate this question, but was Arch Enemy's Angela Gossow an influence on you with that?

I actually heard Angela Gossow and even Arch Enemy themselves plenty of years after I had began doing these kinds of vocals so no, I had no influence by her.

As a concept, how do you view female vocalist in metal music?

More and more females seem to enter this scene and I think it’s a great thing. My only hope is that females won’t enter this business only to get publicity to their respective bands but to really show their talents.For me it seems like women are expressing themselves more in all kinds of fields nowadays, and I think this world of Metal is only a part of it.

What are your views regarding the current female-oriented symphonic metal bands, such as Nightwish?

I still have some difficulties with female clean vocals, I guess I’m too old school still! But then again, Nightwish brought a nice new touch with soprano vocals which I fully respect.

What part, do you think, does sex appeal hold in your role as vocalist, for the male metalheads?

I can’t obviously deny the fact that I’m female, but my intention is not to play on that – my intention is to bring good music to people and to do it by talent, skill and hard work to earn my and Decadence spot in this world.

This year there's been quite a resurgence in thrash metal, with new albums from the likes of Metal Church and Slayer, did you have any specific favorites?

One album I particularly appreciated was Destruction – "Thrash Anthems".

That's about it, any words for metal fans reading this?

I want to thank you for this interview and for the people reading this and my final words for all of you will be: If there’s a will, there’s a way.