EMQ’s With EPITOME
EMQ’s With EPITOME
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Polish Grindcore/ Death Metal band, Epitome. Huge thanks to their Vocalist, Dyvan, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hi! I am Dyvan. I am the vocalist of a band called EPITOME. Our band was founded in 1992! I’m not a member of the original line-up, so I’m not an eyewitness to this event 😉 However, for most of the band’s existence, I was a keen observer! For the 30 years of the band’s existence, 4 full albums have been recorded. A lot of time passed after the release of the second demo “autoeROTicism”, which stirred up the world grindcore scene, and the band played a lot of concerts at that time, which is why the debut album was recorded only in 2003! Those were the times when no one thought of setting up their own home studio. Therefore, recording the albums was not an easy process, both financially and logistically ;). Over the next years, the band played more tours, including in Mexico. But not only that, they also traveled around Europe a bit. Years flew by, the line-up changed several times. And so it flew to the turn of 2021 and 2022. That’s when I joined. I recorded the latest album with the guys and we played jubilee concerts on the occasion of the band’s 30th anniversary.
How did you come up with your band name?
I think the idea for the name of the band was to play the music itself. So the term “EPITOME” of grinding death metal is absolutely correct!
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
The band was born in Rzeszów, in the region called the tail of Poland hehehe. And to this day, this city is our home. We have quite a lot of bands in our scene, the easiest way is to look through the Metal Archives, it would be too long to list them all!
What is your latest release?
Our latest release is “ROTend” released by Deformeathing Prouction in CD format. The premiere of the album took place on September 9, 2022. We plan to press a limited series of vinyl records this year. That’s why you should follow our social media so you don’t miss the opportunity to buy vinyl!
Who have been your greatest influences?
LIFE itself! And DEATH as a consequence, of course 😉
What first got you into music?
Music! Of course, I was pushed into the music by a reality that was far from “fantastic” ;). Initially, they were more rock bands, but that didn’t last long. Metal came to me, didn’t ask if I wanted it, captured my soul and imprisoned it. Only death can change that! Or hearing loss. 😉
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Of course, there are many great musicians I’d like to collaborate with, but the current EPITOME line-up is the one I’m focusing on. On the last album I invited Sebastian “Sirius” Syroczyński from the bands Gnida, Thy Disease, Sutener to record vocals on one of the songs. I’m very happy about that because he’s a very cool guy and a great singer!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Of course, I’d like to play at all of them, as long as it’s sunny and warm. Of course, I’m kidding! Currently, there are so many festivals in the world that even if we wanted to, it’s impossible to play at all of them. The most important thing is that everything works well in terms of organization, then everyone gives their best, both the band and the audience!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I never receive any gifts from fans 🙂 But I’m open to gifts! Hahaha.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Live as if the world were to end tomorrow!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Too many stars are gone. But someday we’ll all go. From my perspective, I wouldn’t want anyone bringing me back to life, it would smell a bit like ROTting!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love what I do and that’s it! If you only love the good parts and hate the bad ones, then you better give it a rest!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I wouldn’t change anything. Anyway, such considerations make no sense. When the CD era came, everyone despaired that carriers such as vinyls and cassettes would not come back. And what? They are back! Even entering the studio, you can try to record not on a computer, but on tape (if the studio has such equipment). So everything that happens is a matter of perception and making specific decisions.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
It is impossible! Too many albums came out. One would have to distinguish between genres, because the best album in the history of e.g. Thrash Metal is not worse than the best Death Metal album. So the answer to this question is impossible.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
When it comes to sound quality, it’s vinyl, of course. But you can’t listen to vinyl in the car, for example. So these days all formats are good!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
As the vocalist of EPITOME – Jubilee concerts on the occasion of the 30th anniversary were the only and the best! I have more experience with my second band, but this is an EPITOME interview, so I’ll limit myself to that. From the stories of colleagues, the concerts in Mexico were the best experiences. Miracles are said to have happened there. Maybe someday there will be a chance to reminisce.
What’s next for the band?
The band’s 35th anniversary is approaching fast! We want to celebrate this with another album, until then we want to play as much live as possible.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.facebook.com/SupeROTic
https://www.instagram.com/epitomegrindcore/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tHVH1q8zd3PkuolrF7KEi
https://www.youtube.com/@epitomegrindcore
https://deformeathing.com/
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
I don’t have an idea! But I think it’s a Roll?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you very much for the chance to talk to you and your readers! Wish you all the best! Maybe we can see each other at some gigs in the UK!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
