Originally published by the now defunct newempire.com
1999
by Evan South
Q: Please describe your new album Algorythum
compared to your previous efforts...
A: Well, it is definitely different from past albums in
that this was going back to basics to some extent. I
was trying to reach for a new sound, altogether
sonically speaking. I think every Mentallo album has
different characteristics from one another and that was
my initial intention with Mentallo, to explore other
avenues, yet still retain the dynamic of what Mentallo is
all about, being creative. I’m not here to follow anyone
else’s lead, I just do what comes natural. The whole
point is not to lose focus on why you initially start
creating music, and the answer to that is simply for the
love of it. I want to work with other instruments such
as live drums and percussion, acoustic and electric
guitar/bass, just to get different timbers of sound. It’s
definitely used in an artistic way. I wasn’t going for the
cliche’ power chord heavy metal crunch riff, that isn’t
there, it’s more along the guitar lines of something like
Slowdive/My Bloody Valentine, just sonic tones and
frequencies. But anyway, about the music, it shouldn’t
have to be about business, although it is, and when it
comes to the point to where you’re doing music mainly
to satisfy other people, then that is the point to where
you are giving in, and I don’t give in when it comes to
my creativity, because when you do, you are usually
just following a fading trend or a dying cause. Things
have become so conformist within this genre of music,
it’s not what it use to be all about. I just think certain
technology has made people lazy or less creative to an
extent.
Q: The Systematik Ruin EP was almost as long as the
album. Was this chosen as the single because it was
one of the only songs with vocals on it? Any more
singles/EP’s from Algorythum or only new material?
A: Well, out of the 13 tracks on Algorythum 9 have
vocals, they may not all be up front but like I
mentioned before, everything was about a sonic
element. I didn’t want the vocals to necessarily
become the song, as with some past material, but I
wanted them to be there to complement the song,
being used more like an instrument, blending with the
music. I just didn’t want to resort to the same old
effects processing and distortion, I’ve already
mastered that. It was time to try something different
for a change. As for the EP being as long as the
album, I simply like to give the buyer their moneys
worth, plus there are exclusive songs and remixes on
the EP. I do have enough material for another EP from
the Algorythum sessions already recorded. Remixes of
Resonant Echo, Stumbled, and Inner Peace, one with
the Dabbler from Fektion Fekler vocaling (using his
own lyrics). We titled that version Mr. Sorrow. There
are a few other exclusive pieces that were recorded
during the sessions, but it’s hard to say whether it will
get released. I am presently working on a new CD, and
it is very near completion and should be released
by late summer 1999.
Q: The EP and album have both been out for a few
months now, what have you received as far as the
general reaction, positives and negatives?
A: Actually, I no longer pay attention to reviews, it’s
unnecessary. I’m pleased with the product and I had a
fun time doing it and that’s all that matters. I know only
what people tell me or e-mail me, and for the most
part the people that write like the album. Some say it
took a few listens to get used to it. I like to surprise
people. I think they are surprised in some respect from
every release. I think it’s an initial shocker though, this
album is very different, but don’t expect me to repeat
it. For the same reason I won’t do another Where
Angels Fear To Tread. That was another time and
place in my life. True music is usually used as the
soundtrack to our lives, why would I want to play a
broken record? I like the material, I do, but it is hard
to re-live some of those experiences over and over,
why would I want to do that? But what is certain is that
other people have different given experiences to my
material and they can look back or reflect on a given
period or moment of time in their individual lives.
Q: Any sort of tour on the horizon, or any one-off
shows?
A: Yes. I just got through playing the Gothic
Convergence Festival at the House of Bluesin New
Orleans. That went great, it was a sold out show. Also,
we have a show slated for May 21st in Dallas. Also, I
plan to do a couple of shows in California, namely Los
Angeles and San Francisco. I’d also like to do some
shows in Florida by the end of the year.
Q: Will any of your old side-projects re-emerge
(Benestrophe, Mainesthai)? Or are you only
concentrating on Mentallo at this point?
A: At this point in my life it is strictly Mentallo. But
Mentallo can turn out to be anything. You never know
who’s going to show up playing or guest vocaling
material, past, present, or future. There is really no
need for other projects. I can just have Rich or Mike
guest vocal on a track with me if I want them to. They
are cool with that, because they have other aspiration
in life other than music, and with me, music is my
priority.
Q: What does the future of Mentallo hold?
A: I am presently working on a new album right now.
Like I said previously, don’t expect another
Algorythum or Angels, this is something completely
different. Yes, it sounds like Mentallo, best way to
describe it is there aren’t any slow songs, it’s all
comprised of in your face beats, heavy percussion,
lots of computer generated noise, freaky stuff. Really
intense and flat out noise, a lot of sample generated
sounds. It gets pretty damn fast in some areas,
something I’ve never really touched on before. The
title is Love Is The Law. Let’s just say the title is a bit
deceiving. This album is sort of what industrial may
have become, I don’t know, maybe that’s just static.
Q: What are your views on the upcoming Millennium?
Some say the true millennium isn’t until 2001,
depending on the calendar.
A: Yes, the actual millennium is 2001, they didn’t
count the year 0 initially. My views? Well, I don’t think
the end of the world will happen in 2001, that is for
sure. My personal perspective is that the earth will be
here until time indefinite, and our creator isn’t going
to give us an exact date when the shit is going to hit
the fan. Even if we did have a date do you really think
that would cause people to change? The whole point is
to catch us off guard when we thin we have all our crap
together. Hell, we could solve many problems of the
world right now, such as world hunger, but is it being
solved? No. Is that logical? No! Are we a logical race?
That is questionable. I do believe there is a higher
purpose, though. To me that is evident, and I also
believe there is going to come a time in the very near
future, when the world change. Everyone is involved in
this.
Q: Is there anything you have seen or heard lately
(book, movie, music) that has sparked your interest?
A: Well, I’m looking forward to The Phantom Menace,
and the Bible is a pretty interesting and intense read.
Q: Final comments?
A: Algorythum = Love Is The Law
mentallo.net
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