1.Hello please introduce yourselves to the readers?
J.S.: I play bass, write lyrics and do vocals and K.F. drums
W.D.: Guitars & leads
2.When did you first discover death metal music and who were the first bands that caught your attention? Who are some of the current bands that you are enjoying?
J.S.: I have no recollection of how i acquired them, but anyways somebody gave me dubbed tapes of Obituary, Goreguts, Sepultura and Entombed. From then on I met a guy at school who brought me to his house and showed me stuff like Death and Cannibal Corpse. Around that time I would go to local record stores and get stuff from bands like Cerebral Fix, Pestilence, Hellhammer, Bolt Thrower etc. One of the stores that had all the best tapes was run by the guy who later became the mayor. So basically the mayor introduced me to bolt thrower.
W.D.: Originally, being involved in the punk scene a long time ago and getting further acquainted with cross over, crust & grind, this eventually led me into the heavier stuff. From the "big four" in relation to thrash and soon after being introduced to Napalm Death, Carcass, Bolt Thrower and all the great bands that Earache records was cranking out at the time, I was then hooked! Some current death metal bands I like are Abythic, Bastard Grave, Crypts of Despair, Entrails, Gravebomb, Just Before Dawn to name a few of so many.
3. Expunged was started in 2019, when did you all get the idea to form this band? How did you choose Expunged as the name of the band?
W.D.: J.S. & I got in touch online at first through an ad I had up. From there, writing and ideas then came about. I came up with the name and J.S. put together the logo for it. Basically the name and meaning was interesting to me as a concept and then it was decided to use it.
4.What is the current line-up of the band? Who would you say are the band's biggest influences?
J.S.: For me influences range from big classics like Carnage, Nirvana 2002 and Entombed.
W.D.: Its a range of Swedish & Finnish death metal from the later 80's to early 90's. For example, Dismember, Grave, Entombed, Demigod, Edge of Sanity, Depravity & Adramelech.
5.The debut EP. will be released through Hells Headbanger's on vinyl this month. Are their any plans to do a cd or cassette version soon? If yes when will it be released?
J.S.: We would love to so start bugging the big wigs at Hell's Headbangers to get on that!
W.D.: I hope so, I love all physical formats of music so I am all for it!
6.How long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
W.D.: The MLP was written over a few months time or so, then afterwards sent for mix & mastering. The writing starts with me coming up with guitars riffs for a song idea and putting together the basic structure, then I add harmonies and/or leads to it. J.S. handles his bass lines, vocals and all lyrics.
7.Who usually handles the lyrics and what are some topics written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?
J.S.: The music always comes first. Lyrics are absolute last. Certain note progressions make me thing of certain words or phrases and i build from there. So far, I've written all of the lyrics. Contrary to most of our peers, our lyrics aren't about the occult or fantasy. As much as I like that stuff, I end up writing about personal emotions and experiences and things that we go through that are truly vile. Reality is much more harsh than fantasy.
8. Besides the upcoming MLP does the band have any other releases or merchandise currently available? If yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?
J.S.: Like many other underground bands, we use the bandcamp store to sell merch. So far we have two promo tapes aside from the MLP. We're very fresh, but don't worry, we will get our shit together and pollute some battle vests here and there.
9.Has the band started working on new music for the next EP. or would you like to write a full-length? How long does it usually take to complete one song?
J.S.: WE rehearse quite a lot . We're constantly composing new material. Truth be told we have a whole album's worth of songs ready to go.
10.When bands are able to play live again are their any plans to play to live? Besides Canada has the band played live outside of Canada if yes where has the band played?
W.D.: We don't have anything setup as of yet but when all is in better order out there and the time is right for us, yes for sure!
11.What does Underground Metal mean to you all?
J.S.: The positive part of it means passionate, dedicated lover of music working hard to create art or support other people'e art. The negative aspect of it are all the boastful people who think the scene should be a competition and like to call other poseurs.
W.D.: Underground Metal to me is the more extreme, non mainstream forms of metal that usually carries a rawer sound, form and presentation and is usually not as well known to most.
12.As mentioned Expunged comes out of Canada's death metal scene what is your opinion of the Canadian death metal scene over the years?
W.D.: Its cool, I think Canada has a lot of talent and variations of metal here overall from past to present. I have a lot of respect for the Quebec bands and scene there as a lot of wicked bands I like have come out of there.
13.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of the Canadian metal scene? And are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out?
J.S.: Growing up , bands like Exciter, Voivod, Sacrifice, Razor ,Unruled all meant alot to me. There's too many greats to mention... Infernal Majesty, Blasphemy, Slaughter etc
W.D.: In the past and I still like of course: Razor, Sacrifice, Nefarious, Corpus, Summertime Daisies, Cryptopsy & November Grief and in newer times bands like Outre-Tombe, Satanic, Hellborn, Kremlin, Survival Instinct, Altered Dead, Reversed, Atroce, Chthe'ilist, Cruel Fate & to many more to mention...
14.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your spare time?
J.S.: Personally I don't take much of a break, I'm always working on music be it with Expunged or with a dozen other bands.
W.D.: I have other music related things on the go as well besides Expunged and otherwise I like, listen to and collect music & like to see it live before all this corvod-19 shit happened that is and in general I have interests in arts, music, entertainment, ancient history and attempting to seek truth in this ball of illusion we are all in.
15.Besides working in Expunged do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
J.S: I'm mostly known for my work with Ice War who play old style heavy metal. It's been active for about five years with a dozen releases or so.
W.D.: Dead Soul Alliance is another project I have done since 2010. Its on the brutal and old school death metal side of things & has both American & Euro influences.
16.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
W.D.: Sure and thanks for having us! Be sure to check out our music if you haven't already, buy our stuff as all support is appreciated, especially the MLP coming out! Support bands, labels & metal in general and trust within yourself! Cheers & Hails! ¥m/ J.S.: www.expunged.bandcamp.com
Band Contacts
https://expunged.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/expungeddeathmetal/
Label Contacts
http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/
https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers
