INTERVIEW: Viande

 Having witnessed their suffocating performance at Prague Death Mass and with a new LP on the way; it seemed a great time to talk to France’s Viande!

1. Greetings Viande! Please introduce yourselves! Also, what is the significance of the band name “meat” (in English). It’s quite unusual and yet in French it’s a very striking word.

The “meat” (and actually, the “flesh”) is what is corruptible and destined to the grave, it’s what remains of man once God has abandoned him.

2. You formed back in 2013 and released your first EP in 2015. What inspired the initial music and how was it recorded?

We wanted to create music with strong evocative power, something that would leave vivid mental images. The recording process of our first demo was carried out in a very rudimentary way, using our own means. Certain parts and arrangements were improvised, in fact this is a habit we have kept to this day.

3. 2017 saw the release of a second EP. Was the process the same for this one or did much change in the time between?

For our second demo, we pushed the writing process a bit further, and elements of noise music began to integrate our sound. The recording method remained the same and the result was more obscure. It’s quite an extreme recording in its own genre.

4. After 5 years we got a debut full length in 2022; “L’abime dévore les âmes”. This record sounds enormous. Were these years spent busily concocting the album or were other forces at play?

For “L’Abime ” we approached things differently. The main change was the addition of a drummer. It took us quite a while to find a musician who could truly commit to the band and this was followed by a period of transformation. As the band geometry evolved, we had to rethink the way we conceived our music. Where the drum machine had allowed us to do extremely radical things, we now had to adapt our songwriting to this new constraint while remaining faithful to our original vision. This period also conceded with our first live performances.

5. Can you elaborate on the creation of “L’abime dévore les âmes”. What went into the actual writing, production, mixing, artwork and everything? It’s a very unique and atmospheric listen with a strong evil presence. It would be great to hear the details on how you achieved this.

The composition of this record, although fairly long, was relatively straightforward. We alternated between rehearsals and more experimental sessions. It was during this period that we began to incorporate keyboards and developing the more atmospheric side of our music with Beherit’s “Drawing Down the Moon”  in mind, shifting the cursor from our initial maximalism to toward stranger territories. Drums and vocals were recorded in a studio, while we produced the rest by our own means. The album was mixed by Cédric Lerges at Studio La Forge with the formal instruction:”more darkness and menace”. Everything on this album is excessive. The sound is obese, the vocals are repulsive and the atmosphere nauseating. The artwork reflecting this soundscape of misery and morbidity is the work of our vocalist.

6. I saw you at Prague Death Mass and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Blending the full intensity of an underground black / death metal band with those noise elements, it felt very raw and spontaneous. What does playing live mean to you as a band and which shows are your favourite ones you have played?

Playing live is a way for us to test ourselves as musicians and to present the most chaotic side of Viande. PDM was great and sharing the stage with some of the people who shaped our music culture is alway rewarding . Nevertheless, the band I most enjoyed sharing the stage with was probably Sister Iodine, an institution of French noise rock. The concert in Liestal with Hadopelagyal is also an important memory. Probably the most chaotic gig we have ever played, people who were there that night could attest to that.

7. France, to me, has one of the best histories in heavy metal. From the classics such as Sortilège, ADX, High Power and so on, through to some of the most unique black and death metal bands. Do you feel a strong connection to the French music world and furthermore can you recommend any worthwhile underground bands to listen to?

The french scene I feel closest to is probably the Parisian scene of the early 2000’s, both for its music and its attitude. Bands like Antaeus and Arkhon Infaustus clearly redefined things at a time when black and death metal had lost their sacred fire.

8. Before we get onto the new LP, this is a simple question but often one that yields interesting answers. Which bands inspired the music of Viande?

To keep it short and stay within the scope of the interview, I would say:

-The early Autopsy for the repulsive aspect.
-Teitanblood for their ability to create highly visual and evocative music.
-The Cold Meat Industry school, with bands like Brighter Death now and Archon Satani for the industrial austerity.
-Swans or Burning witch for Swans for the more adventurous parts.

You will also find here and there details drawn directly from the Beherit’s “source”. I would also mention Voivod, not so much for the music itself, but for the fierce determination to create according to their own code.

9. Now we are up to speed, let’s get into your second full length album “Monument aux morts”. It shares a lot from the sound and visuals of its predecessor but has its own unique feel too. Can you explain the creation of the record. Any interesting stories from the writing and recording sessions?

This is where things become complicated…

The creation of this album was extremely complicated. First of all, it was very difficult to stabilise a line up. Our drummer at the time was going through a terrible period that forced him to leave the band and this episode marked the beginning of an endless batch of problems.

Psychiatric wards, intensive care, drunk brawls leading to serious health problems, accidents, recovery… Some of us paid a very heavy price. Not to mention the fragile musicians who fled before the monument of hostility that Viande has become. Eventually, we integrated O et I, two musicians from the Swiss Black metal scene. Things finally turn in our favour.

Within a few months, we completed the composition and recorded our second album. Seven days were needed, this time with Cyrille Gachet behind the soundboard for the recording and mixing. As usual when we record an album, we isolated ourselves in order to create the proper conditions for its elaboration, with the mantra: “maximum austerity”.

This album carries all the forces that were working against us, it is one more step into the darkness.

10. Thank you for the answers, last words are yours. Feel free to warn us of coming events or anything else you like!

By the time your zine comes out, “Monument aux morts” should be available. A split release should follow later in the year, presenting a more experimental side of Viande. Few  concerts are also planned for this autumn. Thanks for your attention, that’s all for now.