CATTLE DECAPITATION

We are horrible people

Today I would like to present an extensive interview with Travis Ryan- the leader of one of the most intriguing metal bands from the US. CATTLE DECAPITATION have just released the new shocking album and once again proved their ability to deliver most vicious, extreme, intricate, complex and ultra-heavy death grind stuff you've probably ever heard in your crappy, worthless life. It's called “The Harvest Floor” and will lead you directly to... a slaughterhouse. Are you ready?

-Hi there! What are the latest news from CATTLE DECAPITATION?
Hey Derek, lots going on actually.   We're gearing up for 11 weeks of touring out here in the U.S, our video is submitted to MTV, and we're getting the 2nd half of the year ready.

-Could you introduce your new drummer David McGraw? Where did you find this guy and what was actually a reason for parting ways with your former motorman Mike Laughlin?
David is a fine drummer.  He's from Chile, moved to Seattle, and we began stalking him.  When Mike Laughlin came to that dividing line for any metal musician whether to continue or pay bills... he had to do what he had to do.  David did a tour with us, and joined the band, and moved down to San Diego with the rest of us.  Drum companies are knocking on his door to play their stuff, which is cool,  he just signed on with Paiste in fact.

-Is David McGraw a vegetarian? Is it necessary to join CATTLE DECAPITATION?
Dave eats shrimp or some shit. There are 2 sides of being a vegetarian, political or health reasons.  You won't find us protesting outside of Mac Donalds,  but you will see us writing songs about what meat does to your intestines.

-OK, let's talk about other things. Your newest studio album was released just a few days ago. Congratulations! What are your general impressions concerning „The Harvest Floor”? How do you see a status of this album in your discography?
It's at the top of the list.  It was a great time writing, recording, and playing the music live.

-Listening to „The Harvest Floor” I get the impression that CATTLE DECAPITATION became even more straightforward and radical both musically and lyrically compared to „Karma Bloody Karma” content. What does it come from?
Well, the writing dynamic is different now.  Dave brings a whole new element to the process.   Josh is able to do more musically, and that allows me to do more as well.  It's frantic and manic,  but still VERY listenable.

-What mainly differs „The Harvest Floor” when compared to your previous recordings, in your opinion? How did the band’s sound progress from your previous album?
Well the first 3 albums (Human Jerky, Homovore, To Serve Man) were written by different people entirely.  So Humanure, was the first record that was written with Josh, Troy, Mike and myself. You can hear the difference, more experimental. The songs were longer, crazier and stepping up the writing.  The Harvest Floor, is sort of on our way.  The aggression and intensity are there, but the incorporation of other elements to make the record more massive have been infused.

-If you had to pick a favorite track from the new album, what would it be and why?
Regret and the Grave.   It was the first song written, and has developed into a monster of a song.

-One of the most outstanding tracks from „The Harvest Floor” album is definitely the title one. This is actually an instrumental piece, very sad, dark and melancholic. How did you come up with the idea for this particular piece?
Billy Anderson got some mind blowing tracks from Jarboe.   The song took a shape of it's own.  All I know I wanted to accomplish, was a huge dirgy sounding song.  

-The album was produced by none other than aforementioned Billy Anderson himself. Once again he did a brilliant job! Was it a good experience to work with him again? What have you done differently this time, to increase your power and sound quality?  
It was an amazing time.  The only change would have been to have another week or so up there. Or a few more months to write the album.

- „The Harvest Floor” track includes a fantastic appearance from Jarboe (SWANS). Ross Sewage (IMPALED), Dino Sommese (DYSTOPIA), Jackie Perez Gratz (GRAYCEON, AMBER ASYLUM) and John Wiese also appeared in some other tracks. Could you tell some more about their contributions?  
They just fell into place,  and as you can tell fit abnormally perfect. One of those things where it happened, and the end result is incredible.  Billy Anderson (the producer)  is friends with Jarboe & Jackie, and those two ladies created some of the heaviest material possible.  Dino and Ross we ran into at a show up in Oakland, and they wanted to do it, so we had them come in.  The CD has a cool bonus documentary, shows Jackie and Dino in the studio.   Very cool stuff.

-CATTLE DECAPITATION is a very technical band. Actually, both technical and intense which comes sometimes with some sort of negative connotations. Some people say that your music is hard to get into, some others claim that you create intricate music just for the sake of being intricate. How do you respond to it?
That's interesting you point out negative connotations. That's a tough question to really answer. If you can mix technical and aggressive playing, and actually pull it off...  but for Cattle Decapitation, we're not about setting out to make "this"   Songs like Tooth Enamel and Concrete and Into the Public Bath are just overwhelmingly heavy and crazy.

-What makes your music so dramatically complex?
That would be a question for Josh to answer I think.   He just did an interview in Guitar World back in Dec of 08.  I think you should read his rambling.

-On the other hand, many people consider CATTLE DECAPITATION as one of the most innovative and talented bands on the extreme music scene. How do you take such praises? How do you respond to people who say that CATTLE is the best band ever, who show you band's logo tattooed on their arms, chests and so on?
Well fans are fans.  I think our fans that dedicate a piece of their body to us, it's not like they're getting the logo because it looks cool.  I think they feel they have some personal attachment to the band, which is great and appreciated. Whatever that reason is, it's nice.  As for the praises, you take it for what it is.   Some people still think that Cattle is a militant Vegan band, which is not the case.  So you see that people are lazy and don't bother to listen.  Which is fine, i'm not certain I'd want mindless fools listening to our music anyway.   They wouldn't get it.

-Ok, let's talk about the lyrics. Can you tell me something about the concept behind "The Harvest Floor"? I know the general idea full of anti-human metaphors but would you be so kind as to tell me some more?
If you look at humans and our progression, all we have done is destroy everything that enables us to survive.  Our genius will be our downfall.  The fact of the matter is, we're less able to survive than a lot of other animals, so if by chance we went without power for a month,  we'd be doomed.   We can thank ourselves for that.