Why faster Than Satan? Who came up with the name and what does it represent?
Faster Than Satan is a name that each member of the band interprets in a variety of ways, but I think that the best meaning of Faster than Satan that the whole band can agree with is this: 'faster' connotes speed, and time, referring to time that we spend living our lives in this world. We are atheists, believing that we have only one life, this life, and nothing else, and it's not long. 70 years? 80 years? You’re lucky if you reach that age. So what? It’s actually a message that we have to make the most out of that short time that we are alive, by having a purpose, and pursuing it to its perfection. For me, Satan, though non-existent connotes perfection and overcoming, and the whole term Faster than Satan is 'overcoming perfection and overcoming itself. It's a pursuit of perfection without limiting oneself. In the literal sense, I guess it also describes our music, that being fast- paced, overall.
When and how does the band started?
The founding line up has been around since 2000, I think but I came in the band at September of 2001. Back then, we played much simpler metal, influenced by the usual Pantera-Slayer-Cannibal Corpse combination. Back then, we were also into punk-hardcore, so our sound was more into the metal-core category. We have underwent series of lineup changes since then, but when Hans, back then from Tomb, played the drums for the band, that's when we decided to push ourselves in writing more extreme metal. From the original line-up, only Ino (guitarist) is still in the band, although he doesn't play with us regularly anymore because he's taking up law proper.
You broke up early last year and then reformed again. Will you tell me what really happened?
That was the time when we had a very small misunderstanding with one of the members, regarding practice schedules, because we make it a point that we practice regularly. We ended up just not practicing for a while, and that was the time when we decided if we were going to push through with new members or if we would form other bands.
What have you guys learned from the break up?
The realization that nothing beats playing. All those times when we weren't playing, it was very disappointing for us not being able to play with all those great bands who were able to play regularly at that time. It felt like a piece of you was missing, because it's one thing to just enjoy and listen to metal, and its another to be able to play and have your message relayed with the audience. On the other hand, the good thing about that time, though, was that I was able to look at the metal scene in a different perspective, as someone who doesn't play but just listens and enjoys. It made me realize how truly good our local metal bands are; be able to get to know the scene very well, and who are the people in the scene. Back then, I have been an avid death metal listener, since the 90's, but I really didn't know much about the scene and the bands except the likes of KnK, Skychurch, Rumblebelly, etc. they were played in LA 105 back then.
How’s the band current status compared to when you first started out?
I guess its safe to say that our music has evolved worlds-apart compared to when we started out. Now, we are able to apply most of our influences to our music, without limiting ourselves. before, we could not execute certain techniques or elements, mainly because it was too difficult or too chaotic. Only the mind limits ourlselves to such barriers.
Is the debut CD already out? Will you tell us more about it?
It's actually our 3rd CD, but it’s our first full length. The artworks, the contents, are all done. We are just in the final lay-out stage, but copies of it's first lay-out ahs already been released. It has 12 tracks, recorded at perfect music studios, engineered by Perf de Castro. He's a whiz when it comes to guitar recording and mixing, being a guitarist himself.
How would you describe FTS music?
Contrary to what people say, I would like to describe FTS music as death metal with hints of thrash and grind. Some people say that we are more of a grind band with solos, and hints of death. Personally, I listen to more death metal than grind, and Ino, who makes most of the riffs likes grind and black.
Who and what are your main influences?
It's a myriad of influences, but I would say that the noteworthies are: Pantera, Slayer, Testament, Cannibal Corpse, Monstrosity, Deicide, Nile, Morbid Angel, Cryptopsy, Death, Hate Eternal, Origin and Malevolent Creation. The guitarists have another set of influences for solos: Dimebag, Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Richie Kotzen, and Ynwie Malmsteen.
Where was this album recorded and who engineered and produced it? Are you happy with the production?
Perfect Music Studios in Paranaque. It took us about a week to finish the whole process. Yes, I think except for one or two small things, we are happy with how it went out.
What are your favorite tracks off this album?
Personally, I like "Naked," "Consecration" and "Ex Cathedra." the other guys have other
The songs “Black, White, and Bloody” and “Cast the First Stone” sound somewhat different from the rest of your songs. Will you tell us more about them?
"Black White and Bloody" was written by our former bassist who left to pursue his studies somewhere else. It's actually a progressive-influenced song, and at the same time, the guys were really into Pantera grooves. Some people say that it sounds like old morbid angel, and if it were true, it would be an honor. "cast the first stone" was written by Ino, who was listening to grind and chaos metal at that time, as i remember. It actually has a "metalized jazz part," with an attempt to play jazz drums with double pedals and distortioning the riff.
What about the clean vox on “Diamond Cutter” and “The Red Line”. How important are those clean vox and who sang them?
(laughs) Actually, I did those as well. It's not really serious, it was just a challenge posted to me by the other guys: goes all I do is scream. It wasn't serious at all, and we don't really play those songs live.
Tell us about your song-writing process? I noticed that your songs are not typically structured and most of the songs have more than one solo.
We spend more time writing the backbones of the songs individually more than together in the studio. Usually, when a song is presented to be done, it should already be finished, structured, and arranged. We do the final changes once the song is presented and taught to members in the studio, for recommendations from the other guys. But it's seldom that major changes happen. We are usually happy with how it comes out. We actually work on concepts: by describing the sound we want to mimic, like thunder, or a punch. Noisy brutal sounds! Sounds that anyone can relate to. Those are the sounds that we use to conceptualize.
How can metal freaks avail of your CD? Is trade cool with you?
Just approach any of us, and in the next gigs we'll be bringing copies. It will also be available in recto. And yes, we'd love to hear other band's CD’s.
Have you written any new songs since your debut was recorded? How would you compare them to the older materials?
Well, we have been discussing our next project, and personally, I’ve been telling them that I would want to remove some of the "grind elements," and add more of the good ole' death. I guess, we’re actually planning to make things heavier and a little bit slower, but it will still be fast. Were also planning to make things darker, which is really difficult when you're going 100 mph all the time.
I know you guys don’t normally do covers, even during live performances but if you were to do some covers what would they be and why?
Were also talking about that... as of the moment, I’d want to try maybe Morbid Angel in "Formulas Fatal to the Flesh" or something from Nile. Monstrosity was an option, but maybe not. We'll give it a try pretty soon.
The band was known to have some detractors in the local scene. How does it affect the band and you personally?
It doesn't affect the band at all, and it doesn't affect me that much. I’m just sad because we already have a small local scene, and we need all the cooperation and support for each other, but it seems like some people won't live without dissing, or some people just don't have anything else to do. Or maybe some people are just too insecure. In any case, we don't have anything to do but ignore. It won't make you less of a person. Metal is supposed to be a joint-effort to destroy the norms and oppressed order, for those who have a similar stand and belief. It is the beauty and art of its followers, because it defines what is beautiful for them. Aggression, chaos, darkness- these are just some of the words that metalheads share, and it is a single unifying thing. That's what keeps metal scenes abroad alive. Metal's actually something that we can be proud of and develop, amidst all the underdevelopment of our country. But it seems like some people do not agree with that. So, stagnation is all there is to them, and they'll be stuck into what they are for the rest of their lives.
What is your opinion on the current underground scene? Who are your favorite local bands?
The current underground scene is really good, but it could get better if we all resolve our conflicts in the scene, and support each other if we'd stop threatening each other. Remove the politics, because our countries already politics-infested as it is. I look forward to Extreme Response, LOC, and End of Man performances. But I also like most of the other bands that i regularly watch. They’re all part of the scene.
Aside from the CD what else have you guys in store for us?
There’s an FTS shirt, and the first sample is with ND (guitars). We'll be reproducing it for anybody who wants. Hans (drummer) is also on leave, because he's in Japan and he's staying there for the next few moths or so. He's still a member of the band. Bong (ex-Guardian Crucifix, Corrupt Insanity) is taking over the drum duties until he's back.
Thanx and I hope you guys will continue on spreading havoc for a long time.
Thank you very much as well.