French thrash metal act Psychoid released their debut album “Thrash Impact” through Music Records earlier in 2018 where the band returned with ferocity and power after dropping their EP “Thrash Test” in 2016 with rave reviews in their home country of France. “Thrash Impact” is 9 tracks of unwaivering thrash metal in it’s purest form, taking influences from classic bands such as Metallica, Sepultura and Slayer and joining the ranks of such modern sounds like Havok, Crisix and Prayers Of Sanity. We get a few words from guitarist/vocalist Thomas Cottenceau to find out a bit more about the band and how the new album came together.
Tell us a little about the process of writing the new songs and the recording of “Thrash Impact”.
The process of writing is simple, when ideas come to me I record it on my phone when I’m not at home. Then I write it on my software. Most of the time I have a central riff or an intro and I articulate the rest of the song around. When the song is 80 percent complete, I send it to the the band and they modify it to make it better. Kiko (the rythim guitarist) and Amaury (the drummer) sometimes have ideas of songs also, “Out Of Control” for example. After that we work on it during rehearsal to make it sound like it’s suppose to before recording. With the release some ideas come like my way to sing or the way to make a riff sound but most of the decisions are taken before.
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
I like of course the process of writing ’cause when you have a good idea, you’re excited to write it in order to immortalise what came out of your brain. I don’t create every day but I have moments when ideas come easily. You cannot decide when, it’s something you don’t control. So far I didn’t have to write under pressure, the god of melody is capricious and if you force him, all what you write is not spontaneous. Melody is a strange chemistry that answer to incomprehensible rules.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
It’s a good feeling cause you picture yourself playing it on stage in a stadium and you cannot stop to tell you deep in yourself, ‘I’’m the only one for the moment to get it for the moment”, and it’s stupid but I think all artists have this kind of feeling. It’s just exciting! When all your work is released, you wait and see what happens…and nothing happens [laughs].
What were the lyrical themes of the songs?
In “Thrash Impact” there are a lot of different themes in lyrics. We observe the world and sing it [laughs], it’s that simple. “Anarchy” is to put the mess on gigs, we criticize politics in “True Chatter”, the consumption in “Live…Die…But Buy!”, the reality TV on “TV’s Grime”. “The Old Scapegoat” is about how a young scapegoat at school can become a killer, “Platoon of Death” is about the fear of dying during war, “Out Of Control” is our description of what could be the reasons of a social revolt today in our liberal world, “We Kick Your Ass” is our kind of anthem, we call all metal heads around the world to fight against enemys of heavy metal – yes not all songs can be very deep, we play Thrash Metal don’t forget [laughs].
What were the main inspirations for the songs?
The main inspiration for a song is what a riff makes you think about, the ambiance around the song. And it’s reverse when I want to do a song about a specific theme: how can I express the sadness or the anger for example.
Any favorite moments or songs on the release? Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
Yes of course because like I said when ideas of riff come to me it’s always in picturing myself playing it on stage. I love all the moments [on the album] in the same intensity, because everything is important, even small details.
What can people expect at your live shows?
Wow ! Hmm, I would say energy, I hope. I don’t know actually, I would say come to see us and then if you’re disappointed, I’ll listen and ask why [laughs].
How do you pick out a setlist and is that a difficult process?
Yes because we want each one to play the song we prefer or to not play some because of the feeling, so I’ll say that like in any other band you have to compromise. But it’s how a band is supposed to be actually, Psychoïd is not a dictatorship [laughs].
We used to [perform] “Antisocial” from Trust and “Metal Militia” from Metallica, but we don’t have a lot of other moments so far for that. We would like to play “Space Trunkin’” from Deep Purple for example, most of the time we want to cover Rock’n’Roll songs to make it sound thrash.
How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far?
It’s amazing for us, after each shows we talk of what was great and shitty to make the next one better.
Any favorite places to play live?
Yes, Wembley stadium in England [laughs]. I’m dreaming…For the moment and I think it will stay like that: it doesn’t matter where you play, as long as the audience is amazing.
How did Psychoid form and get started?
I had the obsession of creating my band when I was teenager and I met Amaury at school. After several musicians Rémi joined us in 2010 and Kiko in 2014.
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
I would say the recording of our EP “Thrash-test” (made at home by the way) and especially “Thrash Impact”.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
For me Rock Music in general is timeless. We still listen to Beatles, Queen, Metallica and so much others. The love of this music doesn’t come to a passing fad or other bullshit, so I’ll say I’m pretty confident about what we play. It doesn’t matter when or where, it’s stronger than everything. I still listen to old records and the feeling stays the same over the years. Now I don’t know what will happen in 100 years and actually I don’t care because I won’t be there but I won’t be surprise that this music still gets fans.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
I think the main value is to stay true through your music, to play what you want when you want and to continue to work hard for that.
Who are some of your main influences and what inspired you to be in a band and play music?
Metallica (until the Black album), Slayer, Megadeth…and other things like classic music, Rock’n’roll stuff, punk and others. My life changed the first time I heard the album “Master of Puppets”. I just discovered my reason to live when I heard it like all fans or musicians.
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
Hmm… let’s say that good bands are more and more rare today. Most of what I listen is old. A lot of bands do what we already heard and most of the time in the lowest quality. I’m so sorry to say that but I prefer to be honest about what I think of the current scene. Some bands are amazing like Baroness, the Rival Sons and others but come on, we cannot compare our period with the 70’ or 80’. But I keep hope [laughs].
Do you believe music can still change the world?
Of course, Insofar as, it’s with cinema the art is the most consumed. People don’t read in general, most of the time they watch tv and movies or listen music. What would be the Black Panther without Hendrix, what would be The Hippies movement without The Doors and the others, etc… A song can open peoples minds a lot.
What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of Life ? To me, it’s to find your reason to live before going around in circles…Life is quite short!
“Thrash Impact” is out now on all major digital platforms and through Music Records
More info on the band’s Facebook page.
