Interviews: Monastery Dead

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Monastery Dead from Russia. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. How did the idea for the band Monastery Dead come about back in 2004? Was it a deliberate concept or just fate?

I believe it was just fate when the guys of the first line-up met each other back in 2004. They had no deliberate concept and just wanted to create something, being impressed by the famous bands of that time. It was really exciting. Everyone was learning to play, rehearsing a lot, writing their first songs, having plenty of energy and motivation.

2. What drew you to death metal, and how has your sound evolved over the past two decades?

Each of us had his own way, but the key point was our common aesthetic perception. This genre is powerfully expressive, capable of unlocking the primal aspects of human nature, yet it is also deeply refined. Its technical demands can rival those of classical music, while its intellectual and philosophical depth forces one to confront existence without illusion.

As for the sound, each new recording serves as a learning experience that directly informs the next one, a principle that applies to both our engineers. This continuous cycle of refinement means our overall sound evolves with every release. Specifically for this project, we chose to place a much stronger emphasis on the bass guitar. Recognizing the rhythm section as the essential foundation of a great track, we were committed to making it absolutely rock-solid.

3. How did the current lineup come together, and has it changed much over the years?

Yes, the lineup had fully changed over the years, but the changes are completely natural for the bands that produce extreme music and exist for such a long period. The current lineup was complete around 2018 when we decided that being a quartet was enough to move further without any difficulties.

4. Each of you has been around the metal scene for a long time — which bands shaped your style the most?

At our core, we're old-school death metal fans. Our basic sound is directly inspired by genre masters like Misery Index, Bloodbath, Jungle Rot, early Decapitated, and others. But for sure, it is more important to achieve our creative goals and implement the ideas than to adhere to the classic rules, so we use everything that seems to be helpful in terms of songwriting or equipment.

5. What inspires the dark, visceral themes in “Seeds of Apostasy”?

The personal experience is always the raw fuel and the point of entry. You can't convincingly sing about hollowness if you've never felt the echo in your own chest. The decay of shared narratives, our era's collective anxiety, and the spectacle of global chaos aren't just a backdrop as well. They amplify and give form to that personal void.

6. Can you describe the creative process behind “Sick Absolution”? How did the riffs come together?

This song is a statement about the hypocrisy we face in religious contexts, where absolutist faith corrupts into a system of ritualized abuse. The language of salvation ultimately becomes the vehicle for utter subjugation, and the believer's body becomes the altar for a violent, blasphemous sacrifice. Its riffs are built to depicthe t pure agony of a victim that is suffocated, tortured, and then released for a while. This effect is reached via a constant variation of time signature and tempo.

7. How did recording at BuzzyLick Studio with Ivan Dmitriev influence the sound on the new EP?

We have a long-standing history with BuzzyLick Studio and Ivan. Working there feels like coming home. Ivan has an innate understanding of each musician's approach, which is crucial in the studio. He deeply comprehends our sound, is passionately involved in the creative process, and masterfully utilizes all modern tools at his disposal. As a musician, what more could you want from a recording session?

8. What’s your proudest moment from years of touring and playing with bands like Dying Fetus, Benighted, or Unleashed?

It's not about pride, but about the great lessons and experiences we gained during these shows. The most profound lesson was total conviction. They perform with an authority that demands respect, proving that extreme music must be delivered as an absolute truth, without a hint of doubt. We also learned the art of controlling a crowd's energy, how to build tension, pace a setlist, and transform a performance into a visceral, physical experience.

Above all, it demonstrated that longevity is built on professionalism, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to the craft. It was the ultimate masterclass in becoming a formidable live act.

9. Do you have a favorite track on the EP, and why does it stand out to you?

It’s “One More Interrupted Life,” no doubt. This track is the cornerstone of the EP. It sets the definitive tone for the entire concept and most powerfully captures its core mood. It establishes a message of death's absolute dominion, existential inevitability, bleak fatalism, and numb despair.

10. How important is it for Monastery Dead to balance old-school death metal roots with modern brutality?

I wouldn’t really call it a balance. We’re deeply inspired by old-school death metal for its rawness, unfiltered aggression, and energy, as well as for the distinctive sound that emerged at a time when there were no clear rules or formulas; everyone simply created music their own way. We aim to keep that sincerity and attitude alive in our music, while also shaping it to meet modern technical and production standards.

11. Who in the current death metal scene do you admire or see as peers?

There are a lot of great bands these days, and each of us has our own favorites whose level they strive to reach. As for the real peers, there are quite a few professional and innovative extreme music bands in Russia. They put out great work, shoot videos, and tour. The competition is healthy and drives real development.

Unfortunately, the present situation severely limits the global reach of many Russian artists. We deeply hope this barrier is lifted soon, so the world can hear what’s being created here.

12. Have any fans ever reacted in a way that completely surprised you during a show?

Maybe not during the show, but afterwards. A few years ago, we played a gig at a local venue in St. Petersburg. The sound was terrible because some of the equipment was broken, and we also had a new guitarist who hadn't had time to properly learn our material, as the gig happened shortly after he joined. We thought it was a complete failure, but surprisingly, we received a lot of positive feedback on our social media right after the show.

13. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Naturally, we aim for the big stages, festivals like Bloodstock, Wacken, or Brutal Assault are a major goal. But we're equally passionate about touring clubs worldwide and connecting with local crowds. Sometimes, it's those very shows in a small-town venue in the middle of nowhere, sharing a bill with local bands that end up being the most memorable.

14. Is there a dream collaboration or tour pairing that hasn’t happened yet?

We're certainly open to collaborations with noteworthy bands or artists. While working with established acts like Decapitated would be incredible, for us, the artistic integrity of the project always comes first. Ultimately, creating alongside talented people is a valuable experience, a chance to learn, grow, and gain new perspectives.

15. What advice would you give young death metal musicians trying to carve their place in the underground?

The first and most important is that you shouldn’t start any creative project if you are not sure you have something worth saying. The second point is that it is necessary to understand that being an artist is hard labor that can drive you down to insanity and complete frustration. And the third is that one should be completely honest with the audience.

16. How do you feel about the global reception of “Seeds of Apostasy” so far?

We are not that big to speak about it, but we do everything to reach the new listeners, as this record is the best we can offer for today in terms of sound and concept.

17. Outside the band, what keeps each of you grounded or inspired creatively?

We believe it’s our common understanding that the sense of human existence is in creating something valuable, and life is too short to waste time.

18. Is there a message or emotion you hope listeners take away from the new EP?

We hope Seeds of Apostasy ignites a primal, physical reaction, that feeling of needing to break something solid with your bare hands. Ultimately, it's about transforming anger into a source of power, arming people with the raw energy and resolve to take on their challenges and prevail.

19. How do you approach guitar work differently on a playthrough video versus a live performance?

The approach is the same in terms of playing the part itself. Of course, the quality and character of life performance can vary under live sound circumstances, but we strive to make both variants look and sound equally good.

20. Any final thoughts for fans who’ve been following Monastery Dead since the early days?

Our deepest thanks go to everyone who stands by us, shows their support, and listens to our music. Your support means everything, and we literally wouldn't be here without you.