arbogast Interview

 1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

We just released our first full length & we're working on a video. –Mike Rataj

Our friend is putting together an animated video for our song 'forming the flock' due out in April. We also just shot some footage for a heavy metal cooking show called 'brutally delicious'. – Aaron Roemig

>> 2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

More complete. We set out to write/record a full length opposed to a 3 song release. We were able to play with our influences more. -MR

I think the new album has more of a sludge feel to it than our previous releases. -AR

>> 3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

We discuss a few topics mainly the idea was centered around the declining morals of a country where the middle class is being overthrown by the greed of the privileged. -AR

>> 4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

We actually got the name from Hitchcock’s “Psycho”. At the time when we were getting the band started I was really into Hitchcock and wanted to reference one of his movies. When we heard the name arbogast it sounded like it could be a unique name for a heavy band. -AR

>> 5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Mr - high energy.

As far as live we go fast, we go slow, we scream, we sweat, we break our shit. We’ve meet and played shows with great bands like East of the Wall, Goes Cube, Rollo Tomasi, Bison BC, Like Rats and Czar. -AR

>> 6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

Right now we have few dates booked for our April tour to the eastcoast. 4/4 we play Philly w/ Carved Up at Kung Fu Necktie, 4/5 we are playing The Place in Brooklyn w/ Bangladeafy and 4/6 at Asbury Lanes in New Jersey w/ Wreaths. More dates TBA. –AR

>> 7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of the underground?

So far it’s been pretty cool. We have sent packages out to people all over Europe and Russia. Wild. -AR

>> 8. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

This is the fulltime lineup. Rataj and I have another drum/bass combo we break out every now and then called CASK. I also play bass in a band called Lord and Rataj plays drums in Still Machine. All of that came after we formed arbogast though. -AR

>> 9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Just going to try and keep it heavy and interesting to ourselves. -AR

>> 10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Converge, Mastodon, Battles, Boris, Torche, COC, Cephalic Carnage, Thou, Wolves In The Throne Room, Today Is The Day. We have a lot of influences ranging from old school metal, hardcore, thrash and punk, to more contemporary stuff like doom, black metal, sludge and noise rock. -AR

>> 11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Deep sea diving. -AR
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>> 12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
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>> 13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks for talking to us. -AR