Rockezine.com interview with Lyzanxia on Sep 19, 2006

with David Potvin & Franck Potvin on Sep 19, 2006


		Before I go to the questions, could you please introduce Lyzanxia and try to describe the kind of music that you play? David: My brother Franck and I started Lyzanxia around 1997 with a 4-song demo called `Rip my skin`. Then we recorded a full-length demo `Lullaby` in `98 to start getting gigs. After that, as we really wanted to do something more professional, we recorded our first full-length album `Eden` in 2000 with Fredrik Nordström on production. Then came `Mindcrimes` in 2002, once again with Fredrik, and because its release was spread over three years in different countries, we were impatient to get back into the studio and record a new album. We changed labels and signed with Listenable Records for `Unsu` and we also got a new kickass drummer, Clement Decrock, on board as well as a new bass player, Vincent Perdicaro. We`re very happy with all these badass changes this past year, they have brought a lot of fresh energy to Lyzanxia. Franck: We play a kind of metal that combines all things extreme, whether it`s got thrash, death, progressive, hardcore or black metal parts. We don`t have to stick to one specific kind of metal as we`ve always been opened to exploring new sounds and ideas. We like to play music that`s aggressive and melodic at the same time, and that has the Lyzanxia sound branded all over it. So the base of what we compose is always a shitload of energy,killer riffs, interesting rhythm section and dual vocals. David and I have been sharing the vocals from day one, and I guess that`s one of the best assets of our music since we complement each other really well, and keep developping that unique chemistry on each album.`Unsu` is definitely our most developped and aggressive album to date, the most direct and massive.
		What’s it like to be in a band with your brother? David: It’s great to play with that fucker because we have the same musical direction. And it makes things really easy because we can jam all the time and there`s no need for arguments over anything as we know exactly what we want for Lyzanxia, and what to expect from each other, as well as motivate each other to bring our music to new levels. Franck: Yeah, we`ve been playing together forever so there`s no bullshitting between us. Like any brothers, we can get on each other nerves of course and demand more from each other than anybody else but the bond we have as brothers allows us to communicate efficiently and concentrate on what`s truly important for the band. I just love playing with this bastard.
		"UNSU" is your fourth album. In your opinion, has the band developed through the years, and if so, then how? David: Actually `Unsu` is our 3rd album because `Lullaby` was just a full-length demo that wasn`t officially distributed. But since that demo, yes things have greatly evolved. It feels like we`ve made giant leaps between each album and they are all different but with the same Lyzanxia touch. Every time we record an album, we step it up several notches as we grow as musicians and develop our experience and creativity. As a result each album is more accomplished than the previous one and it`s exciting because we can`t even imagine just yet what we`re capable of in the next five years! . None of our 3 albums sound the same, and the next three won`t either, but all bear and will bear the recognizable Lyzanxia mark. Franck: We know that the fans don`t expect us to write the same songs over and over because we`ve never done that, and they`ve always been as excited as us to find out what we do next and how we do it. Now that we`re with a good record label and that our music is going to be available everywhere, more people are going to be able to share Lyzanxia`s evolution with all its exciting twists and turns.
		Are there any clear differences in comparison with the previous release, "Mindcrimes"? David: Yes, it’s more aggressive, more groovy, more compact, the sound is better, more direct... Franck: And of course with a new drummer and new bass player on board, Lyzanxia has taken a fucking great breath of fresh air. Clement and Vincent come from different scenes and brought us their personality, influences and badass efficiency on `Unsu`.
		Why did you choose to have two lead-singers in the band? David: We didn’t really choose to have two singers but because we couldn`t find a decent singer back when we started the band, we had decided to try singing ourselves! Both Franck and I played the guitars so it felt like a pain in the ass to have to do the fucking vocals and we ended up sharing the vocals fairly between us. It turns out that it worked great and we actually both enjoyed singing and complemented each other really well. We worked hard on our singing and developed our vocal lines in what has become one of Lyzanxia`s trademarks. So let`s say it was a happy accident!
		Can you describe the creative process of making this album? How did the songs get written, arranged, produced, the lyrics.. who does what in the band? David: Usually we have plenty of riffs, so we take the good ones and work on them. We create a song without vocals, then my brother and I find our own vocal lines, and we keep the best parts. We started writing songs for `Unsu` after we finished recording `Mindcrimes` so they have had plenty of time to shape until we recorded the album in Sweden in January 2006, and everybody in the band contributed new ideas and arrangements. Clement came up with some new rhythms that worked great. I usually write most of the lyrics, and my brother contributes ideas for them. As for production, we`ve been working with Fredrik Nordström for our last 3 albums so our sound keeps getting bigger and better. He`s very professional and fun at the same time and he has a lot of great advice too.
We`ve just started touring with Soilwork in the UK and are having a blast so far		What are the plans for 2006/2007? are there any plans for a tour, or a new album yet? Franck: . After that tour, we`ll be supporting Deathstars on their French gigs in October. And we have a bunch of other gigs until 2007. After all that, we are supposed to be touring all over Europe in early 2007, and maybe in the US too. We`re also gonna shoot a video for one of the `Unsu` songs with French director Guillaume Pin very soon, who recently directed a video for our other project called Phaze I (www.phaze-1.com).
		Anything left to say? Franck: Check out our latest album `Unsu` and let us know what you think at www.lyzanxia.com. And I hope to see some of you on the road soon!
(Romana Pavesi)