Band Interview: DEM (Deus Ex Machina)

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life bring you an interview with melodic death metal band, DEM (Deus Ex Machina).

1. How did you get started as a band?

The band itself started way back in 2004 and has gone through a few line up changes over the years across the first two albums. I joined in 2018 on drums and we went straight into writing and recording the third album III which was a great experience.

2. How would you describe your sound?

I’d say mainly melodic death metal, but across the new album there are a lot of influences bleeding through in the solos and breakdowns that have added in some nice layers of intricacy and heaviness – am personally looking forward to seeing the pit at gigs for some of the new breakdowns!

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?

The band members all have a variety of influences which I think helps us to come together in our music and helps us be a bit different from the other bands in the region playing heavy music. Musically, everything across the spectrum of metal, through to cheesy 80’s bangers. On top of this, Vivek (vocals) & Ryan (guitars) both have a lot of literary influences that make their way into the concepts and lyrics for the albums.

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?

Absolutely helped, for a band playing out of Singapore it is a game changer to have access to these digital platforms to increase reach across the globe. We are getting listeners from as far as Argentina and Central Africa!

The only hinderance are physical copies. Not everyone wants them, but we have a CD’s and Vinyls for the new release.

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

I’ve got two young kids now so my time is basically made up of hanging out with them and trying my best to get them into metal from the start!

The rest of the boys are into all sorts of things. Jussi, our bass player, does floorball and just ran a half marathon. The rest of the boys are either cycling, gaming or hanging out with their wives / partners.

6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?

There is new material in the pipeline, Ryan (guitarist) has been working on some epic new riffs that we will be getting back into the studio to work on in 2023. Also plans for hitting up Australia for a tour in 23 and am sure we will be looking around SEA as well for some gig opportunities now that travel has opened back up.

Links

Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram