For the average non-metalhead, how would you define death metal and grindcore?
Well, we’ll have to make a vague assumption that people are familiar with Metallica and Slayer. From there, you could say that it’s a very extreme version of that. The instruments are played about as fast as they can possibly be played by humans. It’s almost an explosion of sound, something that to [non-metalheads’] ears, might sound like a barrage of noise, but after closer inspection is something that’s under control musically and emotionally, if just barely, anyway. I’ve been fortunate enough to not have to describe it to people who have no concept of what it is. Do you feel a burden to explain or justify metal to non-metalheads? You know, I used to, back in ‘96, ‘97, ‘98. Back then, it wasn’t quite as socially acceptable as it is now to like heavy music. It almost seems to be in vogue to have some kind of appreciation for bands like Pelican, Isis, or the Southern Lord bands, or even bands like Killswitch Engage, who can sell almost half a million albums. So now I don’t feel it as m
