Coalition interview



Coalition was created in July 2001 in the South of Belgium. Back then, it was Yoan (guitar), the initiator of the band, Simon (bass), Vincent (vocals) and Guy (drums). Soon thereafter, the line-up had to be changed on musical grounds and they stumbled into Céline who was looking for a new band after she left her previous Brutal Death surroundings. From the first rehearsal on, there was a great feeling and everybody connected right away. Then David arrived and he really was the voice the band was looking for. Today, Coalition is a gathering of four dedicated, ambitious and motivated musicians. One of Coalition's major assets is the symbiosis between band members when it comes down to composing songs. Indeed, each one brings in his/her own influences: Vader, Cannibal Corpse, Hypochrisy, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Kataklysm... are the hints you may detect. Nevertheless, Coalition developed an original style of their own within the category of ’good old Death’. Work is predominantly based on the search for precision, neatness and catchy rhythms. Just go see them live and you'll know what it means! For the time being, the band are looking for a good label deal and the new full length demo ’Devil Revolution’ will make this desire a sure thing in no time...

interview with Celine.

Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Coalition is a Death Metal band from the south of Belgium, inspired by different influences like Swedish and Melodic on the one hand and Brutal and European on the other hand.

So how is metal life in Belgium? Is Belgium a country for metallers?
The Belgian Metal scene is growing slowly but steadily, as we’re getting some good organizers and a really good, very motivated audience. We think that Belgium is indeed a nice magic land for metallers!

How did you came into the metal scene? Remember the first bands you heard? Your first album you bought?
We’ve all been listening to Metal for several years and have appreciated it since the beginning. Each member has been playing music for a long time too, be it separately from the others for quite a while before we got together. We found a new feeling in music upon creating Coalition. We started by listening to bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Carcass, Deicide, Hypocrisy, ...
For me, the first CD I bought was by Metallica. I do not know for the others... It happened such a long time ago!

Having regrets to step into metal? How did your family react to this? Felt like an outcast of society?
We’ll never regret this, as we all deliberately chose it! That’s our world! Our families ... I think they got used to it by now! My parents were a bit scared at the beginning, because of gore T-shirts, lyrics, etc... But now it is fine! As a part of society, we face another problem. We don’t try to be outcasts but lots of people consider metallers as mad people, who take drugs, who are racists, destroyers, etc... Metal doesn’t enjoy a really good image in general, but we don’t care.

Where do you get your aggression from to write tunes? And your inspiration?
We don’t have to seek very far... just open your eyes and you will see that we are in a crazy world. That’s our inspiration. We talk about wars, chemical fights, psychopaths, murderers... We shout out our rage!

Have you performed live already? How did the first show go? Nervous? Mistakes?
Yes, we already performed a few live shows, about twenty I think... I don’t remember exactly. The first show was a bit stressy, as we had only been playing together for two months. We made a few mistakes of course. But it was cool and people liked it. So we are happy with this.

Is it easier to get gigs with help from a booking agency, an album released, money?
For gigs, that’s fine. Our calendar is nicely filled. For the album, it takes quite longer but that’s normal. And money... we don’t make a lot for this moment, but this is not our principal purpose.

What is the charm of the traditional Belgium pub? Why do complete families go there on sundays?
I suppose the ambiance. People in Belgium are very friendly and like to party! And if families come, I suppose it is for the beach... I do not know... Try it!

Remember where you drank your first beer? How many do you drink per week?
Errr... I think I was 14... I suppose it is the same for the rest of the band... We do not drink that much. Only if there is a gig or a party and sometimes at rehearsals, but only after playing!

Do you have any kind of addiction? Is it easy to live with it?
We do not have any problem of addiction.

Your favorite condom flavor?
Is that useful to play music? Hmm?!

Why did you answer the previous question if you are heterosexual?
He he... I guess you didn’t expect a girl would be doing this interview! (Yeah I did expect you would answer the questions, you got me there. Twan)

How did the recordings go for the Devil Revolution disc? Some mistakes you learned from?
It went really well. We had a lot of fun, a great sound - we were very surprised by the technically advanced material! We didn’t make many mistakes, because we worked hard before going there. In general, everything was great.

Can you give some tips for other beginners to enter a studio?
Well it is not so “formal” as one would initially think it is. If you work with a competent person, everything will be clear and you will have all your time to restart a riff or a song if it does not go well. And really a good moment for the entire band!

Are you nervous for the coming of Sinterklaas?
No

What were the goals when starting the band? What is top priority? Already reached one or more?
Goals were to record a CD, to sign with a label and to perform as much gigs as possible. At this moment top priority was the CD, now it is the label. We already reached two out of three of our goals. Gigs are excellent for the moment and we have our first album out!

Do you take your fans serious when they are 12 years old?
We take all our fans serious! And the younger they are, better it is! The sooner you like Metal, the better is your life!

Do you wanna say something I forgot to ask?
I can’t see...

Last rites?
Well thanks a lot for your interview, and to all our fans, thank you for supporting Belgian metal.
Interviewer: twansibon
Nov 4, 2003
Next interview: The magician Circe

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