In an old magazine called "RocknRoll Reporter” (now defunct) that was published in November 1998 an interview with Chuck Schuldiner in which he talks about the growing commercial success of bands like Korn, the Nu Metal as a musical genre, his personal influences, the damage suffered by his voice, the term ‘Death Metal’, the lineup of Death at the time and the release of ‘The Sound Of Perseverance’.
With statements that seem aimed at the music industry and today's music consumers, Chuck reminds us that talent isn't prime when it comes to gaining recognition in the media.
With statements that seem aimed at the music industry and today's music consumers, Chuck reminds us that talent isn't prime when it comes to gaining recognition in the media.
“This is absolutely my favorite lineup,” Schuldiner said, “I’ve been playing with these guys for a long time (Richard Christy, Scott Clendenin, Shanon Hamm), so by the time we walked into the studio, we were more than ready to record. It was a liberation to get this out of our systems. “If anyone has doubts they’ll all go away when they hear the first song.”.
The Sound of Perseverance “represents staying true to what I believe as a Metal fan. Heavy Metal is not a phase or a trend. Metal is a kind of music that will grow and maintain its integrity and that's very important to me. It's not about fitting in with all these Groove Hip Hop, Nu Metal bands out there now. I can't tolerate that, because I've been playing Metal half my life. It would be so easy to play three chords, skip top down and say we from the streets. It's not sincere and it's not from where I'm from. I come from the Old School. I was musically inspired by bands like Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Slayer and Queensryche. When Metallica’s debut album, Kill ‘Em All, came out, it was one of the heaviest alongside Slayer’s first. So the term ‘Death Metal’ appeared in the media. Back then everything was a very intense, abrasive and aggressive form of Thrash Metal. "I see Death Metal as an extension and a way beyond."
“Unfortunately what the corporate music industry has shown the younger guys is that, if a band has heavy guitars, they are Metal. It's a very systematic way of thinking and has the power to drag people into what they believe is the new wave. I see it everywhere, ‘the new Metal’. I hate to explain it to people, that's not Metal and it's not new. Anthrax was doing the crossover in 1987. No need to confuse people, but Korn is not New Metal. I have credentials to establish this opinion. It's ok if people like those bands, but you have to put things in proper perspective. Then you see Metallica in magazines saying they're not a Metal band and they don't care anymore. That’s a big blow to the Metal scene.”.
“It’s very frustrating to look at magazines and see the people who are putting on those covers. I know they sell records, but things ain't about talent anymore. "It's insulting, in a way, to see these bands getting so much praise."
These statements by Schuldiner hold tremendous resonance and relevance all these years after they were aired.
Schuldiner finally spoke about the variations in his vocal style and the damage he suffered in his throat, laughingly saying: "I don't think there's a correct way to take care of my voice other than not smoking." It's a very difficult style to maintain and after a show I'm ready to pass out. ”