.

Subtract – Mark Rees

With their new EP Winning Hearts and Minds out, New Zealand’s SUBTRACT look set to be doing just that when they will be hitting our shores later this month with THE AMENTA. Metal Obsession caught up with Subtract drummer Mark Rees to chat about the new EP and the upcoming Australian shows.

—————————————————-

Metal Obsession: You guys will be playing in Sydney and Melbourne in a couple of weeks with The Amenta. What’s the vibe like amongst the band in anticipation of the Australian shows?

Mark Rees: Very excited! These will be our first shows outside of New Zealand, plus we have a lot of friends and family in Australia.

MO: There are many who will be unfamiliar with the band, please give a brief history of Subtract?

MR: We formed around 1997, released our first EP ‘Quench’ toward the end of 1998, followed by another EP ‘Bloodshot’ in 2000.

After delays due to a line-up change our first album ‘Formula One’ was released in 2004. Another line-up change saw a step up in intensity and then we released Winning Hearts & Minds on New Years Day 2009. During our career we have toured New Zealand numerous times and been lucky enough to support some of our favourite bands including Ozzy Osborne, Slayer, Helmet, Lamb of God, Opeth and Fear Factory, and playing at this year’s Big Day Out. Also I’ve been lucky enough to be endorsed by Meinl Cymbals at the start of 2009.

MO: How has the feedback been with the Winning Hearts and Minds EP?

MR: So far It’s been all positive, not a single bad review. (Fingers crossed) I also hear Rage has been plugging our video over there so it’s great to have some support before we show up.

MO: At first glance, the cover artwork to Winning Hearts and Minds appears somewhat like a visual commentary of modern society, yet at the same time appears contradictory to the title of the EP. What inspired the cover artwork/title?

MR: It’s pretty much a sarcastic take on the old US military catchphrase. Basically one country imposing their psychological, economic and political warfare on another by military force. Great subject matter for metal lyrics!

MO: The lyrics also delve into the subject of politics to varying degrees. Were there any particular events in history that inspired the lyrics?

MR: Mainly the US military campaigns in Vietnam & Iraq.

MO: What is NZ’s metal scene like at the moment? Are there any “rising stars” in the NZ metal scene that have gained your attention?

MR: The NZ scene is very healthy at the moment, heaps of great players. Two bands that spring to mind would be Dawn of Azazel and Ulcerate. Ulcerate are on tour with Nile later this year and are definitely one to watch.

MO: What’s in store for Subtract in 2010?

MR: We are currently part way through writing our next full length album. Hopefully we can start recording by April 2010 and have it released before the end of the year.

MO: Any last comments?

MR: Just that we are really looking forward to hitting Aussie and gigging with The Amenta, who I hear are great live and are good dudes as well.
Cheers for the interview Megan, see you on tour!

Band: Subtract
Date: 15/10/2009
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
www.myspace.com/subtractband

Interviewer: Megan Masters
Interviewee: Mark Rees (Drums)

Metal Obsession Review: Subtract – Winning Hearts and Minds EP

—————————————————-

You can catch Subtract with The Amenta in Australia this October.

More tour dates:

October 23rd – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
with SUBTRACT (NZ), DEMON FOETAL HARVEST and OUR LAST ENEMY.
October 24th – Arthouse, Melbourne
with SUBTRACT (NZ), A MILLION DEAD BIRDS LAUGHING and TENTH DAN.
November 10th – Transmission Room, Auckland (NZ)
supporting Arch Enemy and Suffocation
December 9th – Transmission Room, Auckland (NZ)
supporting Lamb of God, Devildriver and Shadowsfall