Six Feet Under – Chris Barnes

Six Feet Under was originally a side project conceived by ex-Cannibal Corpse vocalist Chris Barnes with Allan West of Obituary fame. Six Feet Under have become a fundamental part of the death metal movement, releasing nine studio albums and touring the world consecutively for the past 20 years.

Metal Obsession’s Anwar Rizk sits down with Six Feet Under vocalist, Chris Barnes. Discussing the band’s latest release, ‘Undead’. As well as the band’s upcoming triple bill tour of Australia with DevilDriver and Darkest Hour and chat briefly about  the fragile art of existence.

Metal Obsession: Would you consider ‘Undead’ a rebirth of sorts for Six Feet Under?

Chris Barnes: Yeah, I suppose, man. Its definitely…”new”. [laughs] Its whatever people want to look at it as. Its really ok with me. I had a great time writing this new album. Much like all the other albums I’ve written. This one just seems a little more special to me, you know.

MO: Is the album open to interpretation or is there a specific point you’re trying to get across?

CB: Nah, not really. The album is very much open to interpretation. I never really like sticking messages in what I do. I like it to be interesting to read, as well as listen too. Thats always something I strive for when I do write an album.

MO: How would you personally described ‘Undead’ to the masses?

CB: Its probably the heaviest album I’ve ever written. Without a doubt, that’s for sure!

MO: Have you personally noticed a significant change in the sound and style of Six Feet Under after the introduction of new members Kevin, Rob and Jeff?

CB: Well, Jeff came in after we wrote and recorded the album, so he didn’t really perform on the album. Basically, Rob and myself wrote the whole album. It was amazing working with all of them. Getting together and jamming. It was a great writing experience for all of us. Its one of the longest writing experiences I’ve ever taken on. Sixteen months and some twenty six songs later, you know. I think all the material we wrote is great and we had a good selection of songs to choose from. There is plenty of great stuff on the album to keep all our fans happy with plenty more to come in the future. The writing process was the most intricate, thought-provoking and the most fulfilling album I’ve ever written. We’re all happy with what we have put togther.

MO: We all know that with any change comes cynicism and confusion. Are you at all skeptical at how long time Six Feet Under fans or the general collective of Death Metal fans will take the new album?

CB: Nah, not really. I think the most important thing is to write songs that you like and make them the best you can. The rest seems not that important to me. You have to be happy with what you wrote. You sure as hell can’t please everyone. [laughs]

MO: I’m sure most of Australia is well aware that you’ll be touring our region with Darkest Hour and DevilDriver this May. Will this be your first time in Australia?

CB: Nah man. I toured Australia in 1995 with Cannibal Corpse. But yeah, this will be the first time Six Feet Under makes its way to Australia. I’m looking forward to coming back for sure!

MO: Do you have any fond memories of our country last time you were here?

CB: I do actually. It was a lot of fun. Everywhere we played we had great shows and meet some awesome people and the fans were just amazing! Its truly a wonderful country. I felt really at home when I was there. Its a very comfortable and laid back country. Its a shame I haven’t been able to return, even for a holiday. [laughs] Its just such an awesome place to visit. I just can’t wait to get back and have some fun.

MO: Are you at all familiar with the Australian metal scene?

CB: I’ve been a huge fan of the Australian metal scene. Even back to AC/DC, you know. Underground bands like Hobbs’ Angel of Death from the mid to late 80’s. I’m very familiar with and love. I was actually on a compilation album which a magazine, Metal Forces put out called “Scream Your Brains Out!” which came out in 1987 with my first band, Leviathan. They were featured on there with Hobbs’ Angel of Death.

So of course I’m a big fan of the Australian metal scene. I don’t much of the new bands that have come out recently, but I’m hoping that will change and I’ll get some demos, EPs and perhaps some albums from up and coming Australian metal bands when I get there.

MO: Speaking of Hobbs’ Angel of Death. I actually saw them perform not that long ago in Melbourne.

CB: [laughs] That is awesome! Man, that is so awesome to hear. I mean its a few years later, but we’re all still here. [laughs] Hopefully Mr. Hobbs can come down and see one of our shows when we tour. I’m sure he’ll remember the album as it was probably his first release outside of the country, much the same with me when I was in Leviathan. I think I still have a couple of those on vinyl somewhere.

MO: A lot of people would argue that the title of the new album [Undead] is somewhat unoriginal and uninspired, yet it is somehow original and inspired because of Six Feet Under’s progression within the death metal movement. Would you agree with that statement?

CB: Yeah! The title is open to interpretation and provokes a little bit of thought behind it, you know. That’s a fair assessment to make.

MO: It seems like a rejuvenation of sorts. To some people it would sound like the same shit, yet there is progression and a sense of evolution on the new album.

CB: I always want to move forward and have always been a person to do that. I’ve never been a person to just sit around in still water and hope I’ll get sent downstream. The best things in life are upstream, so we just want to move forward and keep living and I believe we have done that. My main goal was to progress the band and not worry what anyone else thought. We satisfy our own artistic needs on this album and as far as the writing perspective goes, I believe we have evolved.

MO: You actually produced the previous Six Feet Under albums. Did you return to the role of producer on ‘Undead’?

CB: Mark Lewis produced the album and Jason Suecof mixed the album. I basically produced my vocal tracks.

MO: Would you ever consider producing outside of your own work?

CB: Nah. Not really. I’m not very interested in the production side of things. It was ok for awhile when I felt it was a necessity, but I’d rather leave it to other people who know what they’re doing. [laughs] Its not something I’m totally passionate about to be honest. Nothing outside of my own work that is.

MO: A lot of people unfamiliar with Six Feet Under may only think that the band sing about the sadistic and violent nature of society. Yet there is more to the lyrics, correct?

CB: Well, its whatever you want as an individual that you want to take from it, really. I don’t want to ruin peoples experience of the music by telling them a story or trying to force a message down their throats. Its how the individual wants to experience the music. If that’s what you get from it, thats cool.

Formaldehyde’ taken from the 2012 release, ‘Undead’. Available from May 22nd via Metal Blade Records and Riot! Entertainment.

MO: I guess you could consider it an objective art piece.

CB: In some way, yes. I think as far as anything entertainment or artistic wise goes, its objective. Like going to an art gallery and seeing a sculpture, painting or a surrealist piece. One person may see or hear one thing, yet someone else may get a completely different experience out of the same piece of art. It will make you think and experience some sort of wonder or imagination. You’ll experience it through thought and hopefully learn and experience something out of it in the end. I find it more engaging and fulfilling to ask someone else what it means, rather than me explain or tell someone what it means.

MO: I think when you try and push a message on someone or label something. It inevitably becomes fact.

CB: Exactly. I think anyone who enjoys any type of art form will get a different perspective and experience from it to anyone else. Somethings are pretty obvious to some people. I think the important thing with anything is to have a clear understanding of what you’re trying to get across to your audience. Having something well structured and written is important in music to how its being said. I’ve encountered many instances in my 23 years of my music career where people may like or dislike what I say. Not everyone is going to like what I say, but at least I’ve had a chance to say what I want to say. Hopefully that will make people think, no matter the subject matter. When that happens I feel as though I’ve done my job.

MO: You have always been an outspoken individual when it comes to certain political and social issues. One of which being the legalisation of marijuana in the United States. I take it the current state of affairs in America isn’t helping your fight?

CB: I’m amazed at how things are going and how quickly things are moving forward in the 13 or so states which have chosen to legalise it for medical use. It very encouraging and I hope I will see the legalisation of cannabis across the entire United States of America very shortly.

MO: Have you experienced what Australia has on offer?

CB: I have when I was there last time. I’m very much looking forward to immensely. The smorgasbord of what you have on offer down there is very special. [laughs] I’m really waiting on that. Its going to be great. [laughs]

MO: Relating to what we just talked about in some sense. Would you consider yourself a spiritual person?

CB: I do, very much so.

MO: I read somewhere that you’re a firm believer in reincarnation.

CB: I find it to be an interesting subject matter. I find it to be possible. I don’t think I necessarily believe in it, but it somehow seems familiar to me.

MO: I guess being surrounded with the thought and imagery of death for most of your musical career would make you immune to the fear of death?

CB: Nah! I don’t think so. If anything, I believe its made me pretty sensitive to death. There is more respect for the dead now. I think through my personal thoughts and experience of what I have written about has made me acknowledge the fact that death is inevitable and not many people want to approach that fact. I believe that has made me more compassionate. Most of the time I’m not really writing about death and all the horrible things that go on in the world. I think its more of a metaphor for how fragile and beautiful life really is.

MO: One that note. Any famous last words?

CB: Dude! I cannot wait to get down to Australia and tour with DevilDriver and Darkest Hour. We’re going to have a real ball and can’t wait to party with you and all our friends in Australia.

DEVILDRIVER, SIX FEET UNDER AND DARKEST HOUR AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2012

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FRIDAY 4 MAY – BRISBANE, THE TIVOLI – 18+

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SATURDAY 5 MAY – SYDNEY, THE HI FI – LIC/AA

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SUNDAY 6 MAY- MELBOURNE, BILLBOARD – 18+

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MONDAY 7 MAY – ADELAIDE, FOWLERS LIVE– LIC/AA

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WEDNESDAY 9 MAY – PERTH, CAPITOL – 18+

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Presented by Soundwave Touring