PCD interview conducted with Zone Xpress Metal zine.
How many members are in PCD (Programmed Cell Death) ?
At present there is just myself behind PCD although it’s possible I may bring in other people later to work on the project. I have reservations however about yielding any control over the content of the project, so it’s likely other people would only be brought on board as performers, not writers.
When was PCD created ?
The project began at the beginning of 2005, in that year an album worth of material was written and recorded, but scrapped before it was ever heard by more than a handful of people. It was a disaster and I didn’t have much inclination to continue with the project after I’d failed so miserably, but for some reason I picked it up again and started writing for another album. The three tracks on the promo are taken from this album. Besides this there is another album I’ve started writing and an albums-worth of remixed/rearranged material built largely out of the failed album.
What are your upcomming projects ?
Other projects I intend to work on in the near future include arranging some Burzum pieces for string quartet and composing some classical music.
Where do you get inspiration ? How do you compose music ?
Existence inspires me. Life, death, the universe, the natural world, the mental world…The primary inspiration behind PCD specifically though is our neurotic modern society. Musical influences on PCD include Morbid Angel, Burzum, Asphyx, Black Sabbath, Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms, Aphex Twin, Dead Can Dance, Deicide, Summoning and (quite obviously) Godflesh. How I compose music differs from piece to piece. Usually I’ll create a musical motif, will use that as a central theme/impetus and try make the piece flower out from that as naturally as I can.
Have you ever thought of adding vocals in your music ? Why are there none ?
The thought has occured to me. When I initially began writing music on my own (ie. outside of bands) I developed an almost dogmatic insistance on creating metal music that didnt require vocals; that pursued communication and narrative exclusively through what the instruments played. The aim was to make something closer, at least in spirit, to classical music than to populist modern music. Now though I’m not as insistant about this, and am interested in trying out a lyrical and vocal dimension within some of the music; at least in a few tracks – probably never throughout an entire album.
Do you perform live ?
Not as of yet. The idea is not completely ruled out but I’d need to recruit more musicians before I could. I think it’d probably take more than it takes the average metal band to put on a show for PCD to perform, but it’d be interesting nonetheless.
What are your aims with PCD ?
Initially PCD was just an attempt to encapsulate the essence of the modern industrial world into musical form and consequently was very bitter. As I stated, modernity is the primary inspiration behind PCD. The problem with modern life is that it’s unrealistic and soul-crushing. We’ve swapped a life that is simple and harsh, but beautiful and meaningful, for a lifestyle that is easier but more tedious, more fraught with problems (ecocide, mental illness etc) and is ultimately much less fulfilling. More and more though I’ve gravitated towards expressing a will to transcend modernity and tried to reflect some eternal, immutable truths that prevail even over our deluded age.
On your myspace, you said you’re from Senegal. How/What are the (metal) bands, there ?
I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been there and have no attachment to the place, but I’m sure it’s a fascinating country.
Do you know some french metal bands ?
Plenty. Massacra are a particularly praiseworthy band of your countrymen, Mutiilation also used to be a great band but have sadly in more recent years become intolerably pathetic. Antaeus’ first couple of albums were incredible too, so France has much to be proud of. Outside of metal I think the French composers Claude Debussy, Gabriel Fauré and Guillaume de Machaut deserve mention.
Anything else ?
Nothing that I can think of. Thank you very much for this interview and for taking the time to listen to PCD, I hope you were able to take something positive from it. Those interested in PCD can visit www.myspace.com/programmedcelldeath