INTERVIEW: Enter 6 on Black Dolphin album and the future

Interview by Carlos Carpio

Enter 6

Enter 6 is an Australian thrash metal band based in Sydney, formed in 1998 by Alex Vexler (guitarist/vocalist) and Andrija Skocic (drummer). In 2000, the band self-released their debut album Dreams which was followed by extensive touring in Australia. In 2003, Peter Beard, the current bassist, joined Enter 6 bringing in a different style. Incorporating a very groove-heavy, yet progressive sound formed by different influences from each band member, ranging from Carnal Forge to Whitechapel, makes their music unique and original. We grabbed a few words from the band to find out more.

 

Metal-Roos: You have a very groove-heavy, yet progressive, vibe in your arrangements that brings to mind bands like Coroner. What are your influences and how do they factor into your writing?

Enter 6: Our influences range from Led Zeppelin to Whitechapel. The way it factors into our writing is that each one of us are into a different gender of metal and we attack a song from 3 different mindsets.  

Metal-Roos: Your new album Black Dolphin was just released in September.  What were you trying to accomplish with this release and what message, if any, were you trying to get across lyrically?

Enter 6: Technically the album was completed in September yet to confirm the release date. There is no real message more like a theme. Black Dolphin is about one of the world’s toughest prison, so we wanted to write something based around that. A place you cannot escape, a place where prisoners can only leave if they die and your isolation drives you insane.

Metal-Roos: I noticed that you went with a pretty dry approach to the production with a heavy emphasis on rhythm and percussion. Was this a conscious effort to make that the focus and if so, why?

Enter 6: We wanted a raw, heavy old school yet modern sound. There is a heavy emphasis on rhythm as we are a three-piece band. So, basically scraped the role of a lead guitar and replaced it with songs that are packed full of riff variations.

Metal-Roos: What is the heavy music scene like in Sydney?

Enter 6: Band/musician wise it is excellent. There is a lot of talented bands both new and experienced aka ‘old’. The problem is there’s not enough venues or support for the Sydney live scene. Something needs to be done for the live music in Sydney urgently.

Metal-Roos: What are your plans for promoting Black Dolphin for the rest of this year and into the new year?

Enter 6: For the time being, we plan just to play live shows and perform the album in its entirety to see what kind of reaction we get from people. Closer to the release date we plan to take some shows interstate as well.

Metal-Roos: Do you have any plans on doing videos for this release, and do you feel that having a visual medium is still an important tool for promotion and expression?

Enter 6: Absolutely, we plan on doing 2 – 3 video clips for the release and are in the process getting the first one underway as we speak.

Metal-Roos: What do you think of the resurgence of vinyl?

Enter 6: We are all for it. We are not fans of the new age digital sound and much prefer something tangible to hold and collect.

Metal-Roos: Where can we find your music and stay informed of all things Enter 6?

Enter 6: Our music will soon be available on iTunes, Spotify ect. Information can be found on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/enter6official also Black-Roos Entertainment.

 

Interview Date: 2018-10-18

Interviewer: Carlos Carpio