ACT OF DENIAL is a new project that would probably not have existed without the pandemic. So big names like singer Björn Strid (Soilwork), bassist Steve Di Giorgio (e.g. Testament) or drummer Krimh (e.g. Septicflesh) had free schedules to join forces. We asked band founder and guitarist Voi Cox about the genesis of the modern-melodic-death-metal project and the debut album „Negative“, even if he himself didn’t know everything or seem to be the go-to person …
ACT OF DENIAL is often referred to as supergroup. What do you think of this term?
It is a project, not a band or supergroup, maybe rest of the guys are super but I’m not (laughs). But who gives a shit what it is, music is important, not the names.
What is the meaning behind the band name? What are you denialing?
It is a line from the song „Negative“ which Luger wrote, so you need to ask him that.
What’s the meaning behind the cover artwork? It looks like this skull is full of negative and manipulated thoughts, concerning the snakes and gear wheels and referring to the album title.
Great eye! I did not made the album artwork, but to me it is inner struggle and dealing with our demons.
Is there a lyrical concept behind the album or does every track stand for itself?
You should ask Luger and Björn about lyrics and more details.
You founded the band with Luger. How did the recruitment of the other band members go, did you possibly know each other before?
Luger and i are friends from same street, and we have similar taste for music. So evey guy on the album is either a friend or idol from childhood .
What can you tell me about the songwriting process? I assume you haven’t met each other in person due to corona and because you are from various countries.
Everything is done over the internet. We did demos and sent them to the individuals with some instructions but all of the guys are amazing musicians and professionals so we didn’t „crush“ them too much… a bit, but not too much (laughs).
The music videos for „Puzzle Heart“ and „Slave“ show you playing at home or in your home studios. Did you record the whole album at home, each of you for himself?
Demos were recorded in my village house near the coop house and snakepit and all the masters are done in my small studio in Split. Rest of the guys also recorded their instruments at their home studios. Steve recorded it near his chicken house (laughs).
„Puzzle Heart“ seems to start the album with a „Eins, zwei, drei, vier“-count. Is it in German?
It is in Swedish (ett, två, tre, fyra). Luger and i wanted Björn to say that because there are no lots of Swedish songs where someone is counting numbers (laughs).
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Your sound reminds me a lot of bands like Soilwork, Sonic Syndicate or Scar Symmetry with a modern touch to melodic death metal. What are the main influences for ACT OF DENIAL?
Soilwork for sure! Very big influences to us as well as In Flames, At The Gates, Dark Tranquility and many more. We love that Gothenborg sound that Fredman invented.
So you chose Fredrik Nordström and Studio Fredman to produce the album because of his earlier melodic death metal works? I have to say the production is really great, so powerful and differentiated.
Fredrik was not producing the album, he mixed/mastered it and did amazing job. He gave us few advices here and there but mostly on mixing terms. Luger and i produced the whole album. Quite amazing experience!
Did you have an exact idea of how the songs should sound from the beginning, or did it just develop that way during the writing process?
We had very clear idea how we want songs to sound so we knew that we wanted to work with Fredrik as mixing and mastering engineer.
Can you name a favorite song or favorite guitar part on the album?
My personal fav is last song on the album „Clutching At Rays Of The Light“. Very basic and simple song but i love what Björn did with vocals and melodies. At the end of the song you can hear lots of high backing vocals, those are also Björn’s together with few female backing vocals.
Almost every song is pretty much four and a half minutes long. Is that a coincidence or did that just feel right during songwriting?
That is our maximum length we can process as musician (laughs).
It looks like the worst times with Corona are over. Therefore, do you already have plans for live performances?
Are they? I don’t know, for now we want people to listen our album and enjoy it. We will see what future brings.
Let’s conclude with our traditional brainstorming. What comes to your mind first when you read the following words?
Current favorite album: Royal Blood
Nostalgia: My brothers
Comics: Alan Ford
Best movie of 2021 until now: The Gentleman
Something that makes every bad day better: My kids
Summer without festivals: Winter without snow
Travelling: Yes please!
Voi Cox in 10 years: Voi Cox is 48 (laughs)
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview! The last words are all yours.
Thank you for having me!
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14. September 2021 Stefan Popp