Album Review & Interview-Death Hounds

Our site has never done both an interview and a review of a release at the same time but the members of Death Hounds were so cooperative that we decided to include this interview segment, in addition to our review of their ep "Silence The Music of Life".

      

REVIEW:

Death Hounds is a metalcore band hailing from The Netherlands, consisting of former members from As Enemies Arise, Through the Struggle and This is History.
"Silence The Music of Life" is the band's first official release, and while only featuring four tracks it spans numerous metal subgenres.
There are numerous atmospheric elements and a tinge of black metal on certain tracks but overall this album is perhaps best defined as a metalcore record (and a damn heavy one at that).
Despite only having four songs the ep has a focused intensity throughout it. The records dark themes and heavy sound helps to distinguish them.
The vocals are also quite impressive, and somewhat similar to that of Bring Me The Horizons vocalist Oliver Sykes. Conceptually, the band deals with dark themes covering life and death.
Having all been in bands previously, they have a very wide range of influences. Overall, given how early in their career the band is this is a good starting point. If you're looking for a kick-ass up and coming metal band I would highly recommend Death Hounds.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Highlight Track: Cloven Tongues: Hiss Me Into Madness.

INTERVIEW:

1. Alright so to start this interview, let's get some basic questions
out of the way. What are each of your names and what instrument do you
play?

Sander Jeurissen - Drums, Maarten Müskens - Bass, Jasper Jansen - Guitar, Barend Geijsen - Guitar, Jordy Vanetie - Vocals

2. So what are each of your favorite bands?

Sander - Gojira Maarten - Killswitch Engage Jasper - Foals Barend - Thrice Jordy - Opeth

3. Tell me a bit about where you guys were raised and how you first met.

I first spoke with Barend when I was getting a sandwich in the sandwich store where he used to work at that time. I played with Barend in an other band for 3 years.
I met Barend & Maarten for the first time around 5 or 6 years ago I think, when I was still playing guitar in a band called Jacky Heretic. I probably first spoke with Maarten when our bands played a show together. Jordy: Me and Sander were both raised in a small town called Ewijk, we first met when we were very young, I can't even remember.

4. What made you guys want to start a metal band, especially one with
such a heavy sound?

Jordy: I wanted to start a band that would leave people shivering and deeply thinking about the concept behind Death Hounds.

5. Did any bands in particular influence you?

Jordy: There are really tons of bands who have direct and indirect effect on our sound, but I think it's safe to say that bands like Opeth, Gojira and Oceana (a GREAT American band that sadly doesn't exist anymore) have inspired me greatly in creating Death Hounds.

6. What were your family/friend's thoughts when they found out about
the band? Were they supportive or against it?

Jordy: My friends were really supportive. My family to, but from a distance, since the concept is so dark most of my family members got a bit freaked out by it.

7. Who writes lyrics primarily? What are some of the things that
inspired you to write said lyrics?

Jordy: I write all the lyrics. My greatest inspiration is how fragile the human mind actually is, I believe that there are a lot of things in live that can make a 'perfectly normal' man 'completely insane'.

8. What gear do you guys use?
Barend: Our guitar players both use a peavy 6505 head. The Peavy is ideal for a thick heavy sound. Combined with a Fender
Telecaster and a custom Les Paul it gives an open, deep sound for all sorts of accents in our music. For effects we use a delay pedals, tubescreamers and volume pedals. Our bass player uses an Ibanez bass
with a hartke amp. To get his nasty sound he uses a bass overdrive pedal.

9. What are some of the things you've been hearing from people about the ep?
Jordy: That it is haunting and that it leaves a feverish impact on some people.

Barend: People seem to love the heavy sound and 'feel' the atmosphere we want to bring into the songs. It's quiet different in comparison of what they've heard before.

10. What's the meaning of the ep's title?

Jordy: 'Silence The Music Of Life' means 'One's morbid need of ending life itself'. The songs on the ep contain subjects like direct/indirect suicide and murder in different situations that happen a lot nowadays.

11. What would you guys class yourself as in terms of genre?

Jordy: Metal. Just really dark and depressing Metal.

12. Would you guys ever want to play in the US if given the chance?

Jordy: If the chance is given, YES.

13. For the last question, where do you guys see yourselves going from
here? What are your future plans?

Jordy: Recording more music, playing more great shows in and outside Europe and hopefully meet more people that like the music that we make.

And that's that, make sure to check out their music. I hope you all enjoyed the review!