Project: Failing Flesh
Projecting the Future of Metal

A project is usually a thing that serves the purpose of taking things further. I music many projects are simply vehicles for tired old faces to earn a crust. But once in every blue moon there comes a serious contender for the title of developer. In PROJECT: FAILING FLESH the future of metal is foreseen. So maybe Eric Forrest of VOIVOD and E-FORCE fame is in there but not all stars hit a stop and Kevin 131 and old pal Tim Gutierrez is a totally different story. Kevin took some time off to clarify the details for me.

The obvious first question is of cause, how did this project come about?

- Me and Tim have a history together, starts Kevin.

It turns out that the pair have been playing together in bands on and off for 20 years. Then Kevin spent a lot of time engineering or playing live with major artists like SEAL and MADONNA. But two or maybe three years ago they set out to conquer the metal world once more. They approached many vocalists without hearing the requested features. They rated vocalists from both CARNAL FORGE and SOILWORK before setting their minds on Eric Forrest.

Setting the Course
The trio had no thoughts about arrangements and set out to do an album of choice instead of following rules. With their minds open and clear of budget restrictions they spent about two years in the studio. Not one track was recorded in full and the project jumped from song to song as they created the album.

Kevin continues;
- We like to create and record music. I want to try new stuff, vocals and keyboards. For the next album we even have jungle rhythms up our sleeves. Eric may not have contributed with any songs but he has put in a lot of ideas.

Kevin's strength is apparently programming and that is a feature that really propels this album from the crowd. The same goes for Eric's vocals that really fits this boiling brew.

Tales of Creation
What caused these gentlemen to record such an album as this? The answer is foremost creativity but what lurks behind the surface. When I put him against the wall Kevin mentions the usual suspects, BLACK SABBATH and KISS. But then there is MERCYFUL FATE and SLAYER, still nothing above the ordinary. But since this is not your ordinary metal project... here goes. Other sources of inspiration are electronica like MISSION UK, as well as pop, and techno. I bet some of you readers passed out now? But we still spent some quality time discussing mutual heroes VENOM (of old). The barbarians from Newcastle are mentioned in the booklet and seem to have been the driving force behind most of the riffs. So don't go into a heart failure over this project yet

What Is a Beautiful Sickness?
- Hehe, I don't know really. You should ask Tim that one, stumbles Kevin.

It turns out to be nothing but a juxtaposition. Tim apparently makes notes of cool phrases from TV or whatever for future use. So, ladies and gentlemen, the secret of the beautiful sickness stays hidden. Oh and the same goes for the middle section rantings of the booklet. There is no thought behind it, it is just a stream of consciousness.

Future warriors
For the future Tim is more quiet. Eric has relocated to France for E-FORCE purposes while Kevin and Tim will remain in the States. There might be live shows one day, playing live has worked in previous bands of Kevin's. If they go on stage Kevin wishes to focus on playing the guitar. But the main thing is to have fun and record more songs. How they are received in the media seems less important.

Maybe that is what is missing in metal today? Bands or projects need to have more fun and take themselves less seriously. This lot are having fun and they may well have released a milestone in modern metal. If you haven't checked the album out do it or be one step behind!

Miggo