Ben: We started sometime around August 1994, We released a demo in 1995 called “Condemn The Rising”. We recorded 8 songs in 1997 in Long Island NY. This is the recording Frank Mullen (Suffocation) sang on. We had signed with Pulverizer Records at that time, but the label closed shortly after. We then had discussions with Lost Disciples and Dwell Records but neither worked out. We finally released the CD in May 2004 on Amputated Vein Records (Japan). We then went on tour with Suffocation and Dying Fetus in the USA and Canada. In Nov 2004 we did a headlining tour of Japan. We have written new songs and plan to release a new CD in a year or so. DC: Can Malamor be described without using the USDM epithets "brutal" or "sick"? Ben: Intense and Hateful, New York Death Metal. This is assuming using “NYDM” is already known for Slamming and Catchy riffs. I do like using the word Brutal though, heh…
DC: What's your take on the current state of the USDM scene? Is it still thriving, or are people becoming more disillusioned and fickle? Ben: The current state is odd. It is doing well if you fit a specific image and sound. It seems to be very shallow and narrow minded when it comes to the younger generation. The older fans are now..well, older. So, they just stand in the back and watch from the bar, That is, if they even decide to go to the show in the first place.
Ben: Well, you are right. The first few years we had trouble with finding the right label, and when we found it, they went out of business… this happened more then once. After that, we went into hibernation and took a few years off. We kind of just forgot about it or didn't care anymore. Amputated Vein offered us a deal in 2003 and we toyed with the idea for a while and finally signed. DC: The Condemn The Rising Demo was a huge success for the band, and it seems to me like that was the catalyst for what you're experiencing now with this new disc... Are there any plans to repress the Demo for the fans who may have missed out on the "Sherlocks Upstate Records " pressing? Ben: We re-recorded a few of the songs from “Condemn…” on “DTTW” so there would be no point. The rest of the tape is really out of date at this point. Eventually, I will probably MP3 the old songs and stick them on our site for everyone.
Ben: We started around the same time as Dehumanized and possibly a little bit before them. Suffocation and Deicide were my early influences. I did mail with Dehumanized way back in the beginning and we became good friends. Rich sang on our CD before they recorded theirs. I was a friend with Doug Cerrito at the time of our recording. I invited them to come hang out. Doug, Terrance and Frank came out and Frank sang on 2 songs for us. We are grateful. DC: Does Malamor have any plans for a US tour to accompany the release of Dead To The World ? Is something in the works? Or did I already miss it? I'm usually the last to know when a killer show comes through town. Ben: We toured with Suffocation and Dying Fetus in May of 2004. We might do a couple of weeks towards the end of 2005 in the USA, and we are looking to tour Europe also.
Ben: I have personally been to Europe a bunch of times. I just want to play some good shows and hang out with cool people. DC: Who would you like to play with, if you were given a choice of any band? Who have been the favorites thus far? Ben: We have played with just about everyone on single shows. Before the 2004 tour, some of our better shows have been with Malevolent Creation, Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death. I would like to do more around the world with our friends in Dying Fetus and I would like to expand and play some shows with bands like “Bleeding Through” and “Between The Buried and Me”. It would be great to tour with all the bands I am friends with. Unfortunately most tours are about politics and draw, so the reality is slim.
Ben: Yeah, those kids were awesome. I would go back any day, even with the 15 hour flight! We will definitely go back after we write a new album.
Ben: I think these days that does not apply much. The larger labels will give you a better chance to do larger tours and get tons of exposure. If there are some purists out there and they can't see past a label, then they will miss out. Although, many bands have failed or have become crappy after the signing to a larger label, I think the pressure to release material quickly and tour constantly fucks things up. DC: Do you find it odd that the city of New York; the very same city that essentially spawned the anti-musical abortion that is "Hip Hop", has also unleashed upon the earth some of the most vicious Death Metal records of all time? Ben: New York has a lot of Attitude, Hate and Anger. We tend to be more trendy though… so it is tough to stay afloat after the boat left. DC: Do you listen to Hip Hop? Ben: Not really. Some I find humorous… but that is the extent of it. I do listen to Techno and Trance though! DC: How's the songwriting for the next album coming along? Approximately how much is written, and when could we expect it to be out? Any label interest? Ben: Slow. I have tons of riffs, but I need to get off my ass and put some songs together. We have 2 completed songs as of now. It won't be a problem getting signed to a smaller label, we will try with some of the larger labels first though. DC: How does your songwriting process usually go? Do you start out with a bunch of riffs, and string them together, and write the songs around that, or is it more like a live studio jam type of thing, and whatever comes of a particular session evolves into a song over time? Ben: Yeah, I start out with riffs that I have written over time and I pick out a couple that are my “stars” and I try to write a song around it. DC: In your opinion, what was it that caused the Death Metal explosion in New York in the late eighties - early nineties? How can you explain New York bands sounding so dramatically different than bands from say... San Diego or Tampa? It seems like every region of every country that produces this music has it's own individual trappings and trademark sounds... It just so happens that New York is where all of the intensely rhythmic bands seem to come from. Ben: I personally give credit to Suffocation, Pyrexia, Internal Bleeding and the Hardcore Scene. The different scenes are usually unique from each other because a band will do something a little different and then get popular. The local bands like what they hear and try to do something similar. So, you end up with a regional scene of similar sounding bands. That's just one idea…
Ben: NY is full of attitude, stress, pissed off people that hate the world. That translates well into lyrics and music. DC: What would your all time favorite Metal album be? Is it possible to pick just one? Ben: If I had to pick, it would probably be Suffocation's “Liege of Inveracity”. But, If I went back in a time a little it would end up being Slayer's “Reign in Blood”. DC: In conclusion, is there anything you'd like to add? Ben: Thank you so much for this opportunity, if anyone would like to check out our site. Please feel free. http://www.malamor.com On another note, John Gallagher (Dying Fetus) and I have started a T-shirt printing business (Blunt Force Graphics). We will only be printing Metal bands merchandise and at low prices. If anyone is interested, please contact us! Thanks again!
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October 23rd, 2005
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© 2005 Diabolical Conquest |
Diabolical Conquest (Rob): For the readers who may be unfamiliar (for now), would you mind giving us a condensed history of the band, and a description of your music? 
