We’ve spoken to and covered Internal Conflict a few times in the past, but never had them as a Band of the Day or Headline Act. About time we sorted that, especially with them playing Bloodstock again! Take it away, Adam…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We’re from Leicestershire, which isn’t such a band place these days. Looking back, at the time it felt like there was nothing for young metal heads, but it was because of that that we got into music and created our own fun. There’s a pretty good scene at the minute, even though there isn’t much of a rock club scene there’s a lot of really good bands about and people who support them
How did you meet?
We’ve known each other for a while, and the line up came together over the last couple of years as members departed. It was the usual “do you know a drummer/guitarist/bassist etc?”.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Well, this line up has been locked in for about 3 years now. We lost a couple of members when “real life” got in the way and change was needed. But the core of Myself (Adam – Vocals), Matt (Guitars/vocals) and Sean (Guitar/Programming) have been together for around 9 years now. Dan (Bass) was there when I joined, but too a couple of years out before coming back.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
I didn’t come up with it, and I’ve heard a few different versions of how it came about that were mostly told after a few beers or amongst loud music. But either way, the Name fits the content and the story of the band.
What are your influences?
Big question. As a band we all have varying things that influence our playing. My own come from somewhere between Thrash and Nu-metal. Emotive lyrics to fast hectic music. Usually the angrier the better. Which is probably why I get on with some of the heavier Hardcore/metalcore stuff.
When I joined the vibe was very music derived from the Swedish Melodic Death / thrash vibe mixed in with hardcore. Lots of breakdowns and beatdowns with thrash. Now we’ve added a lot more melody and quiet moments but somehow got faster and doomier in places.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Every band will tell you that their music is unique and fresh, and they might be right but it’s down to the listener to say. I’ve found I don’t like trying to suggest genre’s because there are so many people that will decide if they want to listen to you or not based on that, and even then their opinion will be coloured by their preconceptions on that genre.
We’ve recently been called Melodeath, Metalcore, Thrash, and everything in between. We’re heavy, fast and angry, but we’ve also added some quiet moments, big choruses, twisting groove, crushing doom riffs and then blast beats.
It really is a sum of all of our parts.
If you like what we do, consider joining us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
For Aporia we are mostly talking about mental health. It has always been something that I write about from my own perspective. For me the best way to deal with all the horrible shit in my head, is to write or draw it down and then screaming it through a microphone at loud volumes.
This time round it isn’t all about me, as Matt (guitar/vocals) and Sean (Guitar/Programming) offered lyrics and idea’s for themes. So I worked to put myself into the shoes of others and tell their stories from a first person perspective.
I’m into most kinds of rock and metal music, but for me to love something it has to come from the heart and have some kind of meaning. Don’t get me wrong, I love the evil shit. But if I’m going to get really into something I have to feel it on a personal level.
Music was and still is a massive crutch for me, so that’s what I hope that we can be for someone else.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Every band is different, and we always like to give our own version of what we have. We always try to leave everything up there on the stage, and whilst we might not be climbing on rigging or diving off stages, we’re in our own world using up every own of energy that we have. It we’re not broken after a set then we have played hard enough. Which makes driving the van home all the more fun.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I recently got reminded of a time in my old band. It was a Halloween show where we decided to learn 213 by Slayer at the last minute. For a costume I was wearing a rather fetching crimson dress, and carrying around a plastic and papier-mache corpse that I had made. So because I wasn’t able to learn the song fast enough and it was about necrophilia, I figured it would be a good idea to put a lyric sheet under the corpse and slow fuck it on stage.
I think it went down as well as expected.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
I am your typical vocalist who knows fuck all about tech. But my Sure SM58 wireless is nice.
Dan (Bass) plays Fender bass jazz bass specials
Chris (Drums) uses DW Collectors Series Maple Drum Kit, Dream Cymbals, Czarcie Kopyto Pedals, Gibraltar Hardware, Remo Emperor skins, Roland Triggers and Vic Firth Sticks.
Matt (Guitar) uses Les Paul custom Epiphone, Jackson King V demolition Phil Demmel signature
Sean (Guitar and Synth Programming) uses: ESP LTD EX400 Black, ESP LTD EX400 Purple, ESP LTD EC1000 Cherry, EMG 81 in the bridge and 60 in the neck on all of them, Line 6 Helix, Line 6 G55 Wireless, Dunlop Crybaby From Hell, Matrix GT1000 Power Amp, Marshall Mode Four Cab, Rotosound 60-10 Darkzone Strings, Dunlop 1.14mm Ultex Sharp Picks.
I asked the guys what they used on the band whatsapp group. It’s pretty easy to see who the gear nerds are. I’ll let you decide what you want to do with the information!
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We have a new album called Aporia coming out on 9th July through Plastic Head Media, which will be available through their site on Special edition CD and the usual streaming sites. Plenty of Merch and T-shirts as well as getting on the case with video content to promote it all.
What are your plans for the next 6 months or so?
We have Bloodstock Open Air 2021 coming. We’re humbled to have been asked to play, we didn’t expect the call but we appreciate the chance. Otherwise its just a case of getting out gigging where we can. The playing field is a little closed because of everything being rearranged but we’re on the hunt.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
There’s plenty of great bands out there, we’ve hit the road with Ballsdeep and Karybdis who are both amazing bands for very different reasons. Also massive shout outs to Blood Oath, Foul Body Autopsy and Incinery who we’re trying to sort out some dates with.
Check out this month’s Headline Act Playlist on Spotify and YouTube
Internal Conflict: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
wpDiscuz