1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Malakyte is an imagining of what thrash metal can do with some input from other extreme styles as opposed to just grinding out purely 80s-inspired (which is still awesome) thrash metal. We all have varying musical backgrounds, mostly in metal, and we want to get a lot of those punching through without losing a fully thrash vibe.
2. Almost a year back you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Our first album “Human Resonance” collects what the band worked on during the first couple of years writing together. It’s a thrash metal album first and foremost, but there are a lot of people out there who would say that means shit-all, so let’s say, “It’s a dark, technically-minded, brutal whisking of thrash while doom influences bring something very different to the party.” Yeah, that. Some of the tracks from the first EP have been re-worked on the full-length; these are more classic thrash tunes while the new songs perhaps lend themselves more to the new vocal style we’ve gone for in depth and just riffing.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The less-party sections of humanity. Depression, anxiety, wankers trying to change your mind, war. All classic thrash times, but we’re always looking to write in a way that no one can sit down, read or listen to the tracks and say, “This is about that or this” exactly. That would be boring as shit for both us and the listener.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Malakyte'?
Malachite is a green mineral used in a lot of cultures as a protection stone. In Ancient times it was used to ward off evil spirits, now you can use it to keep yourself out of harm’s way from a myriad of things. The spelling change was used to guide ambiguity, so no one looks at us straight away as a thrash, or even metal, band. It keeps people questioning until they hear us.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Personal stand-outs have to be playing with bands such as Anthrax, Kreator and Municipal Waste. But the hugest for us as a band would be Soundwave Festival. Anthrax, Slayer and Metallica were all on that bill and we were called to play on the festival about eleven hours before doors. It was intense seeing what goes on backstage at a huge festival like that and very eye-opening for us. Speaking on our own stage performance; we’re a live band. We’re performers on stage. We realise if you wanted to listen to our record at home, you could so why would we just play it for you at a show? We’re fans of the styles we take from and we show it. We’re not here to be pretentious and act like we’re not those dudes rocking out to Megadeth in our bedrooms at 3am. We are those guys. We love stage-diving, beers, vomit, blood, KOs etc. at shows. Not in a malicious way, but when people are slamming that hard, we’re there with them. Both physically and mentally in the pit.
6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We keep keen eyes on international bands playing locally and push for supports when we feel we’re a good fit. Our next one lined up is with Sepultura next month and then apart from Australian shows we’ll be writing hard for a new album. The plan is get another record out, then look at South East Asia and Japan for possible tours.
7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Malakyte has always been very DIY when it comes to the business side. We’re unsigned, but we have not really been ‘looking’ for a label. I think the second album could see a change in that. Once we feel we’re happy with our new product, we’ll look for a label but for the time being we’re mostly writing for something to actually show one.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
It’s been awesome. We’ve been shipping consistently worldwide since we let the full-length out and I think there’s only Antarctica left on the continent list, so we’re super chuffed about that. Coming to feedback, overall it has been really positive. People think we’re doing something different with thrash and that’s our endgame. With all change comes resistors, haha, there are certainly some elements of our music (usually the vocals) that will perhaps raise the eyebrow of a hardened ‘80s veteran but otherwise people are embracing a new take on things with open minds.
9. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We’re writing heavier, more aggressive Malakyte now. We’ve been playing around with death metal techniques for guitars, drums and vocals. Deeper technical riffs are on the horizon as well. We want a heavy, crunching band with soaring vocals and leads.
10. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
The five of us love Megadeth, that has always been a binding agent. Other thrash influences would have to be Kreator, Overkill, Skeletonwitch, Anacrusis and Vektor. The other metal influences that stand out are Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard. Those are the bands that I think you can hear in our album, for sure. As far as what we’re listening to now; Dalton and I have been listening to a lot of death metal like Suffocation, Bloodbath and Cryptopsy for inspiration which will be coming through on the second album.
11. What are some of your non musical interests?
To be honest, just listening to music takes up a lot of my time, but I find mathematics really interesting on an amateur level. A lot of what I read goes over my head but it’s cool as fuck to know a little more how the universe works on a mathematical level. I enjoying skating, too. I really suck, but it’s fun as shit. Drinking and smoking have to be added.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Keep it fucking true! True to yourself. I don’t mean in the way of heavy metal (although I am a firm believer in that), I mean in everything that you do. If you can’t do something true to yourself, change what you’re doing. This interview was rad. Cheers.
-Muz
Malakyte is an imagining of what thrash metal can do with some input from other extreme styles as opposed to just grinding out purely 80s-inspired (which is still awesome) thrash metal. We all have varying musical backgrounds, mostly in metal, and we want to get a lot of those punching through without losing a fully thrash vibe.
2. Almost a year back you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Our first album “Human Resonance” collects what the band worked on during the first couple of years writing together. It’s a thrash metal album first and foremost, but there are a lot of people out there who would say that means shit-all, so let’s say, “It’s a dark, technically-minded, brutal whisking of thrash while doom influences bring something very different to the party.” Yeah, that. Some of the tracks from the first EP have been re-worked on the full-length; these are more classic thrash tunes while the new songs perhaps lend themselves more to the new vocal style we’ve gone for in depth and just riffing.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The less-party sections of humanity. Depression, anxiety, wankers trying to change your mind, war. All classic thrash times, but we’re always looking to write in a way that no one can sit down, read or listen to the tracks and say, “This is about that or this” exactly. That would be boring as shit for both us and the listener.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Malakyte'?
Malachite is a green mineral used in a lot of cultures as a protection stone. In Ancient times it was used to ward off evil spirits, now you can use it to keep yourself out of harm’s way from a myriad of things. The spelling change was used to guide ambiguity, so no one looks at us straight away as a thrash, or even metal, band. It keeps people questioning until they hear us.
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Personal stand-outs have to be playing with bands such as Anthrax, Kreator and Municipal Waste. But the hugest for us as a band would be Soundwave Festival. Anthrax, Slayer and Metallica were all on that bill and we were called to play on the festival about eleven hours before doors. It was intense seeing what goes on backstage at a huge festival like that and very eye-opening for us. Speaking on our own stage performance; we’re a live band. We’re performers on stage. We realise if you wanted to listen to our record at home, you could so why would we just play it for you at a show? We’re fans of the styles we take from and we show it. We’re not here to be pretentious and act like we’re not those dudes rocking out to Megadeth in our bedrooms at 3am. We are those guys. We love stage-diving, beers, vomit, blood, KOs etc. at shows. Not in a malicious way, but when people are slamming that hard, we’re there with them. Both physically and mentally in the pit.
6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We keep keen eyes on international bands playing locally and push for supports when we feel we’re a good fit. Our next one lined up is with Sepultura next month and then apart from Australian shows we’ll be writing hard for a new album. The plan is get another record out, then look at South East Asia and Japan for possible tours.
7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Malakyte has always been very DIY when it comes to the business side. We’re unsigned, but we have not really been ‘looking’ for a label. I think the second album could see a change in that. Once we feel we’re happy with our new product, we’ll look for a label but for the time being we’re mostly writing for something to actually show one.
8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
It’s been awesome. We’ve been shipping consistently worldwide since we let the full-length out and I think there’s only Antarctica left on the continent list, so we’re super chuffed about that. Coming to feedback, overall it has been really positive. People think we’re doing something different with thrash and that’s our endgame. With all change comes resistors, haha, there are certainly some elements of our music (usually the vocals) that will perhaps raise the eyebrow of a hardened ‘80s veteran but otherwise people are embracing a new take on things with open minds.
9. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We’re writing heavier, more aggressive Malakyte now. We’ve been playing around with death metal techniques for guitars, drums and vocals. Deeper technical riffs are on the horizon as well. We want a heavy, crunching band with soaring vocals and leads.
10. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
The five of us love Megadeth, that has always been a binding agent. Other thrash influences would have to be Kreator, Overkill, Skeletonwitch, Anacrusis and Vektor. The other metal influences that stand out are Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard. Those are the bands that I think you can hear in our album, for sure. As far as what we’re listening to now; Dalton and I have been listening to a lot of death metal like Suffocation, Bloodbath and Cryptopsy for inspiration which will be coming through on the second album.
11. What are some of your non musical interests?
To be honest, just listening to music takes up a lot of my time, but I find mathematics really interesting on an amateur level. A lot of what I read goes over my head but it’s cool as fuck to know a little more how the universe works on a mathematical level. I enjoying skating, too. I really suck, but it’s fun as shit. Drinking and smoking have to be added.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Keep it fucking true! True to yourself. I don’t mean in the way of heavy metal (although I am a firm believer in that), I mean in everything that you do. If you can’t do something true to yourself, change what you’re doing. This interview was rad. Cheers.
-Muz
