Guillotine Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?


We are a three-piece death metal band based in the state of Georgia. My name is Adam Miller, I play bass and do lead vocals, and my brother Lance plays guitar and does backing vocals. We started in Atlanta, but found our drummer Evan Posey in Athens, GA.

2.Recently you have released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?


Our sound is unique. We have created what we feel is an original approach, blending elements of old school death, black, groove, doom, and Southern sludge metals. It’s a brutal, punishing sound that still allows for nuance and subtlety.

3.Your lyrics cover a lot of occult, ancient alien and conspiracy theory themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?


The themes covered in our lyrics are used as a literary device to convey our overall message. This album is a mostly-metaphorical commentary on the modern world as we see it. It’s a concept album in which the ancient alien progenitor of humanity returns to Earth to find his creation subverted for nefarious purposes by a competing deity. The opening track, “Gravety”, is an exposition of this return, in which The Creator returns to harvest the souls of which he planted the seeds millennia ago. The following track, “Black Emperor”, introduces his nemesis, who has taken control of his carefully constructed creation. We won’t explain every detail of the story, as we want certain aspects to be left open to the interpretation of the listener. But know that this narrative is only in its early stage, and the themes laid out will continue to be developed on future releases.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Guillotine'?


The invention guillotine and its early usage were an important turning point in history. It was the harbinger of a new and more violent age. As a symbol, it represents drastic and irreversible change, and that is incredibly evocative to us.

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


Our live shows are visceral and raw, very emotive. I like to think that we leave an impression on anyone who witnesses us live. Our music is deliberately simplistic to a certain extent, and we feel that that aspect of our music allows it to be felt on a primal level. The best shows we have played are our most recent, namely our album release show opening for Goatwhore and a show we played at a new venue called Furnace 41. We are in prime killing shape right now.

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


Because we have full-time jobs currently, we aren’t able to get on the road for extended periods of time as we would like. But we have several local shows in the works and are actively working on taking this show to a wider geographical area. One day we do hope to be able to go on full-fledged tours, with the entire world as our ultimate goal.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?


We have received interest from some small labels. We are currently shopping the album to several larger labels in the hope that we can be offered a favorable deal for promotion and distribution.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black, doom and death metal?
We have been surprised and flattered by some of the feedback we have received. Thanks to the internet, our music has received favorable notice in Germany, Lithuania, Russia, and Peru to name a few countries. A difficulty we have come across is finding the proper target audience, as our sound is a fairly uncommon hybrid of several styles which have their own diehard purist fans. Our music is best enjoyed with an open mind.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


We are already writing music for our next release. The stuff we’re coming up with is more complex in its composition and instrumentation, which will lay the perfect backdrop for the more expansive thematic universe we will portray. It still has that signature Guillotine sound which is intrinsic to the music Lance and I write, so I think we will please our existing fan base as well as get the attention of new fans the world over. I think people will be very pleased and surprised.


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?


We cut our metal teeth on Pantera, Metallica, and lamb of god, so those early influences mixed with more extreme death and black metal shaped the sound you hear from us now. Currently, I’ve been very inspired by the newest releases from bands like Satyricon, Enslaved, and Paradise Lost. These are bands that are paying homage to their roots while pushing the envelope of what metal itself can be and can convey emotionally. It’s not always about being more extreme than ever before, but about refining what was done before and being the best version of your artistic vision.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?


We’re pretty well-rounded guys. You can’t be a brutal metalhead all the time haha. I enjoy reading in my spare time, mostly historical books. Cooking is a good stress reliever and non-musical outlet for creativity. I enjoy a round of golf when I get the chance, even though I’m terrible. Lance and I brew beer from time to time.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?


I would urge anyone reading to check out our tunes at www.guillotinemf.bandcamp.com. If you like what you hear, order a CD which we laboriously and lovingly crafted at Ledbelly Sound Studio. We will ship all over the world! Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/guillotineatl and share with everyone you know. Stay metal and stay tuned for more Guillotine!

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