Interviews: Bitter

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Deathcore/Downtempo band Bitter from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. For readers discovering Bitter for the first time, how would you describe the band’s sound and identity?

We are a happy fusion of modern heaviness and slam death. We are happy people with brutal minds; we want that to show in our music. There are always many layers to what we do and say in our songs. It is all about being brutal, with a sly smile.

2. What inspired the creation of “Malevolent”, and what story or message drives the track?

The lyrics and story behind the song were a collaboration between Yan and Kilian. While one chose a subject and tone, the other composed the lyrics and the hidden meaning. Kilian's idea was a malicious and evil force driving us to death, while the hidden meaning is the denunciation of a former friend's act of violence. The title “Malevolent” carries a strong tone.

3. How does it reflect the lyrics, music, and overall visual concept of the video?

I think that in the video, we wanted to tease what was to come and focus on trying new things: it was Yan's first video clip realisation and production, so we decided to keep things simple

4. How did the collaboration with Slam Worldwide come together for this premiere?

A little misunderstanding, but we did have the video out before that. It was supposed to be a re-share, but you know how these things are. There are a lot of moving pieces for everyone, and we cannot get everything perfect all the time! 

5. Can you walk us through the creative process behind the video? What was the vision going in, and how closely did the final result match it?

Yan wanted to take multiple shots from multiple angles while we played the song. For each angle, actors and cameras, there were markers on the ground to guide the filming. We also made dynamic takes which were starring a single musician for the whole song. What you ended up seeing in the clip was in reality 15+ takes glued together. We had our ''champion moment'' which was the metro station shots with the 5 dinosaurs walking towards the camera.

6. The track feels intense and unrelenting. How do you balance slamming brutality with groove and clarity in your songwriting?

Most of the time, it is Yan listening to the song and telling Michael; SUPER GOOD, now let's put a slam into it! It happens pretty much all the time. 

7. How does “Malevolent” set the tone for your upcoming EP Slamosaurus Rex?

It really contains the more technical aspects of our songwriting compared to Two-Faced Fuckface, which has its own little saga creatively. We felt that it contained a more representative part of our energy, even if it was in fact written a whole year before our first single.

8. The band formed as a father-and-son vision before expanding into a full lineup. How has that dynamic shaped Bitter’s identity?

We have two strong vocalists in the band, and Yan has chosen to take the smaller parts, to build up Kilian's confidence and skills while coaching him into achieving his best potential. That means that we have energy and youth behind mature lyrics and composition. It really shows in the results.

9. What has the journey been like since forming in late 2024 and quickly building momentum in the Canadian underground scene?

We started from nothing, with a single idea and some hope that people would like to listen to more of what we have to offer. We were really happy to see people believing in us and cheering for us. CDN Records chose to sign us and that really changed everything for us.

10. How did signing with CDN Records impact the direction or reach of the band?

Suddenly, we had the possibility to invest in the band differently. We were able to commit to mixing the EP with Hogtone Productions' Florent Lambert, composer in Xenotheory and Kanine for our EP, and plan for a whole lot more in terms of first appearance and merch. We were able to secure a show opening for Angelmaker, Ingested, and Disfiguring the Goddess in Montreal as our VERY FIRST SHOW on the 13th of August 2026. That's crazy! Our EP is not even out yet! You’ve announced a full Eastern Canada tour.

11. What can fans expect from the live show on this run?

We will play the entirety of our EP + 2 singles, there will be DINOSAURS! For real, we are bringing our costumes and lending them to fans who are game to wear them. We have merch, a full table of it with exclusive tour merch and cool items. We are happy to collaborate with Acromantula/Xenoforms as well as Night of the Snake, WRVITH, Hailbomb, Dualis Virtus, and so many others. We are incredibly grateful to be able to hit the road and share our music with everyone. 

12. Are there any cities on this tour you’re especially excited to play or return to? 

ALL OF THEM There is not a single city in there that was not chosen out of pure excitement. It is always hard to choose where to stop.

13. The EP title Slamosaurus Rex stands out immediately. What can you share about the concept behind it?

Yan has this habit of merging words together for fun. It creates all sorts of weird situations and stories, for the better or the worse. In this situation, it is an intrusive thought that got stuck in his mind. He could not do anything other than imagine dinosaurs during a slam riff, and that was it.

14. Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to writing the heaviest material possible?

Xenotheory, The Acacia Strain, Kanine, Crown Magnetar, Carbomb, Beneath the Massacre

15. What keeps Bitter pushing forward in such a competitive and fast-moving underground scene?

Community, friendship. The scene is nothing without helping each other. We show up at other people's shows, even when they are far away. We decided to give before taking anything from the scene and that is what we will continue to do.

16. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Breathing The Core Zine?

Our deepest and warmest feelings of gratitude for taking the time to learn about us. Music lovers all around the world are our people, and we are privileged to have you.

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