Kory Grow of RevolverMag.com recently conducted an interview with Dutch bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (NUFUTIC, PESTILENCE, OBSCURA). In the interview Jeroen gives his view on personal musical development, talks about the pre-production for a debut album of the fusion-metal group NUFUTIC and explains more about the writing process and composition methods used by the international lineup. Exerpts from the interview are below:
RevolverMag.com: How did the idea for this group come together?
Thesseling: "Having collaborated with a few progressive metal bands, I thought it would be interesting to work on a different concept in a direction where I have room for improvisation and am able to use other elements of my musical background. I'm interested in recording music that makes me become a better musician. Nufutic is meant to be a fusion-metal-oriented project. Without being a jazz bassist, fusion has always influenced me since I studied at the conservatory. I think it's a great style to combine with metal and works well with an open-minded approach when it comes to experimental composition techniques. The name Nufutic stands for new future, a "new fusion."
"Starting with the idea to build something unique with experienced musicians, I thought immediately about working with Tommy Talamanca from Italy, who is known for his unique guitar- and keyboard-playing. After we announced drummer auditions, Romain Goulon from France contacted us to find out if we shared the same musical interests, the same vision. He's used to working with polyrhythms and it appeared that he also had a background in fusion. With the voice of Italian vocalist Trevor (Sadist) we wanted to add something "strangerous" but brutal."
RevolverMag.com: What are some of the most experimental or adventurous things you're doing in the studio?
Thesseling: "Our basic idea is to work with patterns and structures which are built on polyrhythms. Romain is known for his skills using this method, and in Nufutic he literally provides us with the first stones to build compositions. Not only the instruments, but even the vocals could fit in patterns that complete the polyrhythmic based concept. Currently we're recording long distance, sending each other files with such structures. The ideas need to be exchanged until they get the right form, the right expression, where we all feel comfortable with them."
"Another challenge is the balance between all the guitar and keyboard arrangements, as Tommy feels that both instruments need to be recorded as they would be played in a live situation. However, his vision is totally different compared with what another guitarist and keyboard player would have contributed. My bass playing might veer toward the same direction it did the Spheres album, by Pestilence. I've never liked the production, but those bass arrangements have always been an important reference for me. Although I already used my 7-string bass with a low F-sharp string in a completely different setup, here it should add more dynamics in my lines."
Read the entire interview atthis location
In late 2011 Thesseling joined forces with guitarist/keyboardist Tommy Talamanca (SADIST) and founded the fusion-metal recording project NUFUTIC. Recently the group recruited drummer Romain Goulon (NECROPHAGIST) and vocalist Trevor Sadist (SADIST).
