DIS  

The called "prog metal" give us a lot of great bands, but the virtuosity produced some boring acts too. DIS coming from Holland, and the proposal is to create progressive metal with symphonic influences, the second EP "Forces of Greed" is an exemple of power, energy and creativity created by this young musicians, a proof that the prog metal can sound ispired, furious and technic, because this band honour the "metal" aspect in their music. Krepuskulum Interviewed Daniel Mathot (lead & rhythm guitars).  

KREPUSKULUM: DIS is a very curious name. Where come from the idea to put this name in the band? What are the meaning of it for you?  

Daniel: "Dis" is another word for "underworld" in Latin. It also appears as a name for a city of doom in "Dante's Hell". To us it doesn't have a real meaning, we just like it as a name. 

DIS exist since 2000 and already release 2 Eps. Talk to us a little about the trajectory of the band from the beginning until now?  

We (me and my brother Ben) started early 2000 looking for other musicians. In 2001 we found Roel and Remco Menting to complete the band. We recorded our first EP ("Inaccessible") in 2001, and the second ("Forces Of Greed") in 2002. In 2003 Roel left the band. We now have a new bass player: Tim Numan.

Violin is one of the most important instruments in DIS compositions. Where come from the idea to use it to create your melodies? Are you inspired by bands like SKYCLAD or by classic music?  

Ben has been playing the violin since he was four years old. Early 2000 we started jamming with guitar and violin and we thought it would be cool to start a metalband with an important role for the violin. Our main influences are metal, classical music and jazz.  

We can listen some echoes of gothic/ doom metal in DIS music. The marvelous track "Remembrance" is very sad and melancholic, including deep female vocals and atmospheres. Do you like Gothic Metal? Do you have influences of this musical wave?  

We don't listen much to gothic metal, we just liked to use some gothic elements in "Remembrance".  

Selma Peelen is a great singer. Does she sing in another band? Do you intend include her with a official DIS member?  

Selma Peelen is not an official Dis-member. She appeared as a guest singer on "Remembrance". She also writes her own songs as a singer/songwriter. 

In some moments the DIS music is very agressive, like in the beginning of the title track "Forces of Greed", including powerful cavernous voices of Benjamin Mathot. Do you like another styles of metal like Death, Black Metal, Grindcore and Splatter?  

Ben likes some more aggressive bands like: Sepultura, Death, Opeth, Machine Head, Fear Factory. You can hear some influences in his vocals from bands like these. 

In our opinion the DIS music isn´t only prog metal, is much more, your compositions are complex but not boring. Some people accuse bands as Dream Theater and Stratovarious of self indulgence and excessive virtuosity g boring songs in its new albums. Did you agree with them? Is DIS a virtuous band?  

Thanks for the compliment! We like virtuoso bands like Dream Theater and also Symphony X. Althought they are really virtuoso, their compositions are really outstanding as well. It's much more than just virtosity. We think Dis is also a virtuoso band, but less than bands like Dream Theater or Symphony X. 

Which is the real purpose of his music? Do you have a life philosophy?  

Our purpose is to try new things in our music without becoming inaccessible to the main audience. Our philosophy is to be a metalband that mixes different styles of music. We always try to develop our music and try not to get stuck on the same patterns. 

Talk to us about the metal scene in Holland now. What are the best metal bands from Holland in your opinion?  

Currently there is a lot of gothic metal in Holland. Bands like Within Temptation, After Forever and Epica are quite big. Also death and nu-metal are very populair. Lately there has been a fast groing prog-metal scene with bands like Textures and Sun Caged. Those two bands are one of our favourites in Holland.  

You are very young. Do you live of your music? If not what are your another activities?  

We don't live on our music. We are all still students. I am studying at the conservatory (guitar, jazz). I'm involved with different music projects. I am also a guitar teacher. Ben is also studying at the conservatory (violin, classical). Remco is still in high school. Tim studies graphic design and works as a web-designer. 

Talk to us about the creative process behind the DIS compositions. We think that complex music as "Point of No Return" is very difficult to compose. Are we right?  

It takes a lot of time to compose a song like "Point Of No Return". Because of all the harmonic and rhythmic changes. It's also difficult to really create something original.

Where come from the inspiration to write lyrics as "Overload" & "Disillusion"?  

Most of our lyrics are critical of the social structure. We get inspiration from social and political issues. 

Which are the plans for DIS future?  

We are planning to record and release our first full-length album this summer. After that we will look for a record company to also get some international fame. We will continue to do as much gigs as possible.  

Congratulation for your powerful & creative music,  thank you very much for the interview! Give your last words to the DIS  south american fans!  

You're welcome. Thank you for your support! We hope that some day we can do some touring in South-America. See you all then!!! Greetings, Daniel.  

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