Oops!

It looks like you don't have flash player 6 installed. Click here to go to Macromedia download page.

Grendel have set a new standard with their third full release, Prescription : Medicide, and consolidate their status as the most promising newcomer within the industrial scene. Their music is mature, qualitatively high-grade and innovative with hard-kicking beats meeting extremely danceable melodies enriched by acoustic and orchestral elements. Welcome to the future of electro.

For those unfamiliar with your history, how did you first get involved with writing and composing? What inspired the creation of Grendel?

[VLRK]: Grendel started out in 1997 under a different name, but due to the band splitting up the name was changed into the current one. In the early part of 2000 the first promo CD was released which included the Dutch dance floor hit 'Strangers.' Within a very short period of time the promo was being played at many locations throughout the Netherlands and internationally (such as Germany, Belgium and Spain). Half a year later the first demo CD was released entitled Inhumane Amusement. This demo caught the ear of the German record label NoiTekk (a sub-division of Black Rain records), which convinced the label to such an extent that they signed Grendel immediately. This demo was remastered, redesigned and released in combination with new material in 2000 as the band's debut album. This first release set the band's name and recieved praise from throughout the scene. To follow this up, the End of Ages EP was released in 2002 and most recently, in 2004, the album Prescription : Medicide was released.

What inspired me to start with EBM/industrial was, as most musicians in this field, listening to the music itself. The bands that really got me started were Skinny Puppy, Leaetherstrip, YelworC, early Wumpscut and Plastic Noise Experience. From then onward everything has gone very fast and there is no stopping now.

Let's talk about the new album. What is the main theme, or ideas that you wanted to put into that album? What is its direction?

[VLRK]: The Prescription : Medicide is a criticism toward the new world we live in with its hypocrisy and underlying madness. This is, of course, quite a broad area to work in and many elements are covered on the album, among others: Power struggles, finance and religion heavily mingling with politics, the continuing spread of propaganda and disinformation, and the 'war' waged on 'terrorism' by governments who have only very recently supported/appointed fascist regimes and performed actual state terrorism. We are definitely heading for a very strange world, if we are not there already. The album's title is a reference to a term created by Doctor Kevorkian in his active period of life. It was to be a very humane and cooperative method of euthanasia for the terminally ill, both physically and mentally. What must be clearly understood about this method is that it was a prescription, thus being of free will for the patient (as soon as this is not the case, it becomes quite something different). Within this practice everything was performed with full cooperation of his patients, so it remains a prescription. One of the points I've tried to get at on this album is misunderstandings and prejudices towards this treatment. There is a strong divide between euthanasia and genocide related issues, which a lot of people fail to notice. And with saying this I must strongly state that we are very much against any form of non-cooperative death, such as genocide or executions.

Where do the ideas for your lyrics come from?

[VLRK]: Those range from personal experiences to global issues. As soon as something moves me in any way, I have to put it into my music. This both ventilates my emotions and lets me express my points of view in a create way.

Try to explain the unique concept that ties all the NoiTekk artists together.

[VLRK]: Although remaining professional, we treat each other like family and friends. This way there is a good understanding between both bands and label, which is very comfortable to work with. Apart from that, NoiTekk also does a lot for their bands and is very trustworthy. These are all elements which help both the bands and label in their progress.

How has the replacement of [FLRS] by [4N1T4] changed the band?

[VLRK]: Definitely for the best. The main change in the band is the way of working. The change of line-up was due to Floris' busy schedule and some gradual changes in ideas about the way of working. Even though Floris and I have parted ways musically, we are still very good friends and support each other whenever possible. Working together with Anita is very different. Not so much in the way of gender, but more in the way of attitude towards the way of working and musical ideas between us. She's definitely a great person to work with with a great attitude towards dicipline, professionalism, music and everything else involved in the process. Up until now I have been doing all the compositions and lyrics on my own, but there is a good chance that Anita will soon also be contributing to the writing process. Next to this we will probably be adding another member to the line-up, but at this stage I can't yet say too much about that. But.. You're the first to hear about that right now.

How much is your music inspired by current world events?

[VLRK]: To a very high extent and this is what largely fuels Grendel's music. It's hard not to become bitter sometimes, so this is my way of remaining steadfast and dealing with these issues.

Is your name a metaphor for modern institutions and culture?

[VLRK]: The name Grendel actually originates from an old Anglo-Saxon mythological tale about a beast with the same name. I felt it represented the essence of my music and lyrics very well, releasing strong and repressed emotions that lie within a lot of us like such an entity, if you will.

What do you think of industrial electro becoming more melodic, more like synthpop and futurepop as they call it; more dance floor-oriented and influenced by techno and trance? You can feel the change in your new album, I think. The industrial element was much more pronounced in the last album, don't you think?

[VLRK]: I wouldn't say that my music is starting to lean toward techno or trance, but it has definitely become more melodic without losing its edge. Prescription : Medicide is also a very open, honest and personal album, reflecting a lot of my personal opinions, fears, desires and more. This definitely gives it a certain edge that goes way beyond the previous albums. As for other bands going more and more in the direction of futurepop: It's everyone's decision what they do with their music, so it's no big concern of mine (but not my personal taste).

Where do you think industrial music is heading?

[VLRK]: There defiiately seems to be a new rising of harsher EBM bands, which is definitely becoming the 'next big thing.' Really, I see this not so much as something that's actually new, but a return to what was going on in the early '90s when bands such as YelworC/Amgod, Leaetherstrip, Dive, Wumpscut, Mortal Constraint and more were arising. This is most likely due to the futurepop diversion going more and more in the direction of trance/dance and other mainstream related music. As for the future, I think it will continue to divert and recoup, creating new sounds and styles. Only time can tell.

Do you plan to focus on remixes for other acts in the future or do you prefer creating your own music?

[VLRK]: Although I prefer working on my own music, I find a lot of pleasure in remixing other people's work. So primarily I will be working on new Grendel material, but if anyone is keen on having me remix their material they are always welcome.

What are your live shows like now that you have a full band? Do you have any type of visuals in your performances?

[VLRK]: Our live shows contain a lot of energy, power, aggression and interactivity with the crowd. As for visuals we make use, when possible, of background projections mainly consisting of moving imagery created by Fracis T. (known also from the "Pax Psychosis" videoclip and his work for Decoded Feedback) and related material. We plan to do even more for our live concerts in the future in the way of visual elements though, which are being worked on at the moment.

Any plans to tour America in the future?

[VLRK]: At the moment we are very busy with planning an East and West Coast tour of the USA for October with Psyclon Nine as support act. For the latest information on this, keep an eye on the live section of our Web site (www.grendel-base.com).

Where do you hope to see Grendel going?

[VLRK]: I hope to see Grendel develop continuously, both musically and in recognition, and live up to my dreams.

Would you like to say anything or add to our readers before we end?

[VLRK]: Stay harsh, remain steadfast and never surrender!