It’s been a couple of years now since Graspop Metal Meeting has started thinking outside of the box for their line-up selection. The biggest metal festival in Belgium is no longer solely boasting bands who fall into the that category. That’s how last year, we were treated to a set by The Bloody Beetroots or Parturbator, the latter having been the first synthwave artist to be featured at the no longer puritain festival. This year, colleague in eighties-themed musical mischief Carpenter Brut held the synthesizer spot in the Redbull Metal Dome. I danced my ass off to their set, and after it was over, hurried said ass backstage for an interview with the mastermind behind ‘Trilogy’ and ‘Leather Teeth’.

GRIMM: Your label being No Quarter Prod? Yeah, I know, I own all your merch.

Well then you’ve found that out first-hand.

GRIMM: Do those video clips that are projected on the background during your concerts come from existing B movies?

Well, that question really is testament to Silver Strain‘s talent. He’ll get you to believe that the clips he compiles have been created solely for their respective tracks, whereas in reality he only uses clips from existing movies. His knowledge of movies is unbelievable actually. He’ll listen to a song and figure out instantly which clips from which movies he’ll use on it. They may even be movies he has seen only once long ago. Those movies, I don’t know how and where he finds them. Most likely in those boxes full of two euro deals. When I look at what he’s compiled, I’m like “Damn, it’s insane how well-suited it is for that song!” You wouldn’t be able to tell the clips were destined for something other than my music. It’s incredible how seamless it is.

GRIMM: Could you give us a sneak peek into the themes for a next album?

I kinda want to switch it up a little. The concept won’t revolve around movies anymore. The LED-screens will still be part of the show but I feel like I want to go with static images again. I feel like now is a good time to alternate. I mean, just imagine. You’ve seen us I don’t know how many times, so I guess you won’t mind seeing something else for a change. You know, offer a new, fresh twist to it.

GRIMM: Quite the contrary. I would love it. Any chance we’ll get some new material soon?

Unfortunately not. I’m gonna need to ask for some patience. I may release new stuff at the very earliest by the end of 2020. I’ve been extremely busy with touring and various other projects such as remixes, the trailer for the movie ‘Blood Machines‘ and whatnot. After such a busy couple of years, I told myself I needed at least one whole year for myself to try and reinvent Carpenter Brut. I want to take it on a darker path to try and further develop the story behind the Leather Teeth trilogy.

I’ve also been buying new gear every so often. I want to see how I can work those shiny new synthesizers into the music, but trying them out and discovering new sounds is also quite time-consuming.

GRIMM: So your ideas are slowly starting to take shape?

Well, for example I’ve already started composing a track which will be really long, really violent, and which will have much more of a black metal vibe to it. The ending will go on for about five minutes and will consist of only blast beats. If everything goes well, Ben Koller (Converge) will be the one to perform it. It will also feature Sylvaine on vocals, and I’m bringing in a few other musicians whom I really admire.

I think that for the other songs, I may be drawn back to electronics alone. There may not be as much guitar play as before, safe for the aforementioned song. See it as a return to form, if you will, like on ‘Trilogy‘.

In terms of the themes, like I said, it’s going to be a little darker. I’m currently in the process of writing the story around a character who wants to take revenge on the cheerleader who’s been making fun of him “serial killer style”, so the music has to follow that tone too.

This interview continues on page 3.