Interviews About Albums: Illegal Mind - Forbidden Content (2022)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Israeli Post-Apocalyptic Metal band Illegal Mind to ask some questions about their new album "Forbidden Content". 

1. What can you say about this new EP?

Although most of the songs were already written before 2018, the work on the album itself began in Feb 2019, with their friend and music producer Alex Zvulun in AG Studios, Tel Aviv. A location where many really good metal bands in Israel are produced. The whole idea of the band is to create a mirror where people could look and see what's going on with the world, to open their minds, look into themselves and see how they can improve the world, if not for them, then for their children. In 2020, we all faced the impact of the crisis. We had 2 lock-downs, we couldn't rehearse, and every plan we had this year changed. Because of all of that, we moved a few times the releases date. But the debut EP "Forbidden Content" was released on Dec 1st, 2020. The album is a metaphor for human life as a world, and how it is supposed to be strong in order to pass all the crises and depressions in a person's life. And the way how we deal with struggles in our lives, do we fight? Do we run away? How do we fix it? The common imagery throughout the album is post-apocalypse, and what led to it. Post-Apocalypse means that the world survived, in huge depression but it's alive, and after going through the whole crisis you are a whole new, stronger human. The influences for the band and the album itself came from many bands and genres that Max & Arthur listen to. From the grooviness of bands like Korn, System Of A Down, Deftones & Slipknot, to more melodic bands like In Flames or Breaking Benjamin, to more punk-rock-ish/grunge stuff like Blink 182, Green Day, and even Foo Fighters. Where the vocals were influenced by Static X, Deftones, Blink 182 & a bit of Rage Against The Machine. So basically we define our music as Alternative Metal/Nu-Metal with some elements of punk-rock and grunge.

2. What is the meaning of the EP name?

Forbidden Content is forbidden information that feels like it's not allowed for people on our planet. And the information is BE HAPPY, find a way to create joy for yourself, and do things you love. Forbidden by who? Why? We don't know, but it's out there and seems like no one is happy, walking in a circle, trying to please others. Like if happy people won't happily pay taxes and trust their government 🤷🏻‍♂️

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

The songs, music, and lyrics were written by Maxx Datskovsky, but without Alex Zvulun's input and work, this album won't sound like it sounds. And I (Maxx) won't learn so much from him, in order to make the next album's songs way better than they were!

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

I think I'd pick Free (probably my favorite 4 letter word that starts with F). Free is about running away, but it is also about seeing and judging everything with your own eyes, and not through others' sweet lies. The song was the last to be written for this album, and the catchiest one.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is, what is it?

Even the worst thing that can happen to a person, even if it feels like it, is not the end of the world. When you'll look back on every thing that happened to you, good or bad, you can find at least one way it affected your life somehow, in a good way. Probably Steve said it best: "we can only connect the dots looking backwards". So, never surrender to the circumstances, know that this will be over sooner than later, and you'll gain from it! Let this album be the light in your tunnel.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

"Get out of my body

Get out of my mind

All these memories are ruining my life

Every single day all I do is survive

I can't have another day like today

No freaking way!!!

Silence, I am the one

Building my reality, however, I want

Barriers, do not exist Building my reality

Breaking walls with my fist"

Taken from "Silence Before The Storm",

That moment when you say "enough is enough!" and change how you look at a negative situation, raise your head up, stand up with a taut chest, and go find your happiness!

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Inspirations? Musically, bands that we listened to when we grew up, from Punk Rock to Nu Metal, Grunge to Groove Metal, some of which we listen to this day. But the album was inspired by the darkest places where Maxx was, trying to grasp something that will help him stand tall on his feet. Writing lyrics, and music for songs some of which became part of this album. Special thanks, to our families and friends who believed in us, and those who did not.

8. Something to add?

We hope our music will be the light in people's lives, at least a place where you could go from time to time to gather strengths. And... Most of our next album is already recorded, so hopefully, very soon it will be released.