Less Than Human has released one of my favourite albums this year. Their brand of metal is normally something I avoid at all cost, but when it is done as good as this; I just have to drop my guard and just enjoy.
We joined up with Less Than Human for an update.
1.When and where was Less Than Human unleashed ? By whom ??
We have being around for something like four years. We have released two demos previously and now we are releasing our debut album "To Breed True". The guy who has created the band does not play with us anymore.
2. Please tell us more about the chosen band-name. What does it stand for (in case anybody out there does not have a master-degree in philosophy from one of the universities in Oxford) ?
Well, it is a name that ties quite well, I want to believe, with our style. This is why we have picked the name. So far, our name seems to be working well for us.
3. What is the concept of your music ??
To put our feelings and emotions in the music that we play. What you get is what we feel inside. One can check out samples from our album in R.A and MP3.
4. How did you get in touch with Yperano Records ?
They knew our drummer for years. They were keeping in touch and when they felt that we were ready to record, they've offered us their contract.
5. Please give us a presentation of your almighty impressive "To Breed True" album. The recording, lyrics, the concept…..the full story !!!!
We got songs about relations (Broken by YOU) and relations with not so happy endings (Trigger Happy, Textbook Theatrics), war conflicts (It is Hell…it can be Heaven), social issues (Suffer in Silence), or just plain violence and violent behavior (Tooth Broken, Keep Your Distance, Who's Fault?). We also have songs that are commenting on the way that a person can react, either towards the suppression of the society and the socially "acceptable" status quo (More or Less Human, Perfect Time to Explode) and finally about those who are using religion as a tool (Mega Fool). I think that people who are into aggressive music with substance and also into quality recordings will indeed appreciate our music. There are some people who like aimless screaming and banging and really badly produced and recorded albums. Well, I think that these people should look elsewhere, if they need to buy an album like that, because ours is not going to satisfy their taste, ha ha! We can surly bang and make noise, as well, but we have a lot more than that going on. All album recordings were done in England and the album has been completed in Abbey Road, the most famous studios in the world. John Cuniberti the Californian based producer, who is famous for his work with the guitarist Joe Satriani, and many Thrash Metal bands, has been entirely responsible for this recording. Nick Webb, who has worked with Iron Maiden, Queen, etc., was responsible for the mastering. Note that we have a very impressive CD-ROM part in our CD with many pictures, animations, translations of the lyrics in 4 languages, etc.
6. What is your experiences with the music industry so far ?
It is maybe slightly early to make any comments at this stage. We are still gaining experiences.
7. The riffs from Costandinos Hrisohoidis (I hope I got that right !!) is bloody impressive !! With such a nuclear bomb in your band, I guess you have had some good response on your live gigs ? How has the gigs gone so far ?
Thank you for you kind words (and definitely thank you for this interview)! The fact that we have appealed so much to the metalheads -and in some cases even to people who are listening to other styles of music as well as metal- has definitely helped as out in securing really important gigs. So, before we released the album we would play with Destruction, when the album was brand new we played with Deicide in "Rodon", the biggest indoor club in Athens and few months later when the name of LTH was really and truly heard, they invited us to play a big outdoors gig, again in Athens, this time with Rage Against the Machine. That was by far our biggest gig, since there was a crowd of 13000 plus. I think that the fact that we have managed to play those concerts is not only due to the fact that our album was very well received, but also because we are a live band. People who came to our shows when we are supporting other bands, then came to see us when we are headlining. Note that we would like to play in other European countries as well, so if any promoter wants to invite us, please send an e-mail to our label (info@yperano.com) .
8. I guess you are sick and tired of being compared to Pantera, Machine Head, Soulfly and Sepultura….but I have to touch into this theme. Which band(s) would you compare yourself with ?
We are not sick and tired. We play a style that is sort of similar, so since we are a new band, people tend to mention the established bands to explain how we sound. It is also not that bad, because the bands that you are mentioning are good. Having said that, we want to make clear that we are not trying to copy anyone. Actually one of the biggest compliments that we have received is from a reviewer who mentioned that our style -especially the vocals- is very characteristic and distinctive. As a matter of fact, many people comment on the vocals and say that they are very characteristic. In any case, I think that people who are into aggressive music with substance and also into quality recordings will appreciate our music.
9. When I think about the Greek Metal scene, I think about Septic Flesh, Black Lotus Records, Unisound Records, Nightfall and Necromantia. I guess the above mentioned names dominate the Greek metal scene. Less Than Human does not exactly fit into this picture. What is your view about the Greek Metal scene and the above mentioned names ? How do you see yourself as a part of this scene ?
We don't have any connection whatsoever with the sound of the bands and the labels that you have mentioned, but hey, we are happy to do our stuff which is slowly growing in popularity in our country. Power Metal is also especially popular here in Hellas and of course we have many bands that play this style. Actually you will be surprised of how many good bands already exist or are about to immerge from our home country and our home city Thessaloniki. The Hellenic scene is not bad at all, in my opinion.
10. What is your future plans ?
Do as many interview as possible. So zines should e-mail our label if they are interested in doing interviews. We would also like to be part of a European tour, so we are working on this at the moment.
11. Where can Less Than Human be reached ? Any mail order list ?
There is no mail order list and the best idea is always to call our label for any further correspondence.
12. Is there anything you want to add to this interview ?
Go to listen to the samples and just go to your favored record shop and order the album "To Breed True". (You can also buy it directly from our label). Buy our album and I bet that you will be satisfied and that you will be recommending it to your friends.