DIESEAR – Interviews

Taiwanese metal is not to be discarded that easily. It is not like in the old days when made in Taiwan was something bad. Today made in Taiwan is equal to bands like DIESEAR. Anders Ekdahl ©2016

Interview was prepared by ANDERS EKDAHL (Battle Helm)

You have one of these names that does not really tell what kind of metal you play. How hard was it to come up with the name?
DS: Is was really hard at first because we expect the name can reveal messages and images of our music. Also, we try to find a name to metaphor that. So we find “Dies” and “Sear” from Christian leaflet, it was 2007; it says” He makes everyone, no matter old or young, rich or poor, sovereign or slavery, to mark a sign on their right hand or forehead. A sign of suffering memorial day”. Dies means “day” and Sear means “marking”.
We thought, “does music influence people and reverse all the unjust between rich and poor? Also, does it mark a sear to the people who like our music?” We hope the music of Diesear could move beyond politics, commerce, nations, and races. Those things only disunite people and go further to cross or place barriers between nations and humans. So we decide to name ourselves “Diesear”. Hopefully, we can achieve something great, to let people understand that music should be able to cross barriers and dissensions.

Could you give us a short introduction to the band?
DS: Diesear was established by guitarist – Sui and vocalist – Kurenai, then we met guitarist – Chris-J, drummer – Amo and Bassist – Yen. DIESEAR makes Melodic Death Metal as main element of its music because Melodic Death Metal owns not only the characteristic of high-speed of traditional Death Metal but the elegant guitar melody which makes it alternate the intensive and massive music wall with touching melody. The furious guitar riffs of Guitarist CHRIS-J plus the touching melody solo of band leader SUI, coupled with the lyrics of issues of positive and negative of human nature by vocal KURENAI, these elements further more established the music characteristic of DIESEAR itself. We are kind pioneer of Melodic Death Metal band in Taiwan.

What would you say have been the single greatest influence on your sound?
Sui: For me, besides heavy metal music, there is no doubt that “Japan Visual Rock” is one of the most important things that accompany my growing background, like: X Japan, Luna Sea, Dir en Grey. Also, At the Gates, Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility, Randy Rhoads, and Ynqwie Malmsteen influence me a lot.
Chris-J: At the Gates and Dark Tranquility are also my all-time favorites.
Kurenai: Of course, Japan Visual Rock influences me a lot, like: X Japan and Dir en Grey.
Amo: Actually, there are a lot of artists that influence me, because I listen to all kinds of music. But the first thing that comes to mind is Slipknot and The Black Dahlia Murder. Slipknot is the first metal band I listened to. They made me realize metal music can become such a phenomena. The drum of The Black Dahlia Murder shows a really powerful and tight linear composition.
Yen: At the Gates, In Flames, Arch Enemy and Children of Bodom…etc. All kind of Melodic Death Metal. This is what I truly love. Besides that, Billy Sheehan and Victor Wooten influence me a lot.

What is the scene like in your area? Do you feel that you are a part of a scene?
-The market of Taiwan metal music is still developing, you can say here is desert of metal music. But still have people fight for it and support for it. It’s getting better and better now.
Yes, of course we feel that we are part of a scene. Actually, we own a company which is established by Diesear. We teach students techniques of instruments, train bands and educate them by our experiments from international stages. We also help them to record albums and publish. Diesear not only model a goal to show them how it looks like a major band also tell them how to do it. It’s all for this scene. We want to contribute as hard as we can to let Taiwan metal scene to be better.

Something I have often wondered about is if you feel that you are part of something bigger and greater when you play in a band, that you are part of a movement sort of?
DS: I think that is we try to deliver some messages or experiments of our life for people who love Diesear and let them feel something deeply; We hope to use our music to show the world that how hard we work even in this kind condition and we still making good music. On the other side, we want to show all the people who like metal music and have dreams on it that do not be self-pity and work hard then you can make it also your music will be beauty because of struggles. Also, as I just mentioned that we even own a company to contribute for Taiwan metal scene. This is the bigger and greater movement the Diesear part of.

When you play the sort of music you play I guess you cannot have birds and bees on the cover of your album? What is a great album cover to you?
DS: We think that a great cover have to be able to show all the concepts of albums. The images of cover have to be clear and strong also able to tell the stories by cover pictures. Do not to be too digitally. I like realistically style.

What is your opinion on digital verses physical? Is digital killing music?
DS: Of course, I choose physical. It’s all about owning something for me. Having a physical CD is like we really holding up something that you really like and you can taste every details of it, like: Cover, inside pages and music of course.
This question has been discussed million times. It depends on which sides you stand. Is digital killing music? For me music is never died, it just keeps in different forms. It might change this scene a lot no matter in good ways or bad ways. But it creates so much possibilities that is no doubt. I look forward for next generations of music scene and we will keep fight for it.

What kind live scene is there for bands like yours?
Generally, we hope we can have a show with everything goes perfect, sounding and lighting…etc. Because every stage has its restrict. If we can fully present perfect shows on sense of hearing and sight.

When you play live is it a happening or do you see it more as a party?
DS: I think both. For us, we take really serious for our live we want to show people our best and let them feel it’s worthy to come and deliver our music to them hardly. But for the audiences we hope people enjoy our shows. We hope them not only receive messages and believes from us also release all the stress from life and have fun. You can say like a party and enjoy it.

What would you like to see the future bring?
Now we are going on our new album. We look forward to release it and tour around Europe, America and Japan. Please keep following us, we believe it will be an awesome work. Stay Tune!!!