Something unpleasant-smell of decompositions gasping towards into our air, LAVATORY is one of those recent death metal bands crawled from Malaysian-devastasting local death-scene with olden sound of Swedish Death Metal. The stench-mix between death metal and punk make it's more ugly and filthy enough! LAVATORY has been strong festering towards the death since their debut release, "Transgression" EP, back in 2012. The bands try to not make it's like other typical - Malaysian death metal back then, when most of them still trap and buried with their old memories from the glorious era. I got the opportunity to talk with the band frontman, MKD and talk something what the band reeked for in this recent years. Enjoy and keep you toilet's remain dirty and stink!
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MIKA ROTTEN - First of all, thanks for your times to replying this interview, and welcome to the ugly side of DISCARNAGE. How life goes rotten so far this years?
MKD - We are thrilled to have the opportunity to answer the DISCARNAGE interviews.Life is getting ROT day by days.At this time and now the world is on covid-19 outbreak. Hope that all will end well and the struggle must continue. TO THE DEATH!!
MIKA ROTTEN - LAVATORY was arise and crawling some years ago. Without any tricky or fvcking trendy step, I guess the band has gotten followed by many Svenska Dodsmetall worshipper around the DM-Underground scene. Firstly, can you dismembered some fairy tales about the creation of LAVATORY for us.
MKD - Good question. At that time we didn't think about trends we were following. We just create our own style of death metal with little bit mix with black metal and punk elements which is each of us has different kind of interest and music hearing. But what we can share here is we're the only band play different than the other bands we have in Malaysia back then. That's great if we been followed by many (it would be awesome!!) svenska dodsmetall worshipper. Maybe because of the HM-2 pedal we use makes the listener been possessed!! Most our influences back then from U.S and European bands like Asphyx, Morbid Angel, Obituary, Dismember, Entombed, Necrovorous, Crematory etc
MIKA ROTTEN - To get a strongest connections and dwell the “sunlight” together into the ground, and to build a sick formations between a members lineup look not easy after all. We all might know, some of us (especially Malaysian Deadhead) don’t much possessed by the terms of Swedish Death Metal. But we still lucky enough to have a band that pay a homage to this music, band like LAVATORY and DEATHEVOKER already in there. Salute and respect!
MKD - Damn,you're correct man! It's not easy at the first place (until now HA HA!) Actually in my opinion I don't care much about IF deadhead in here doesn't like what LAVATORY try to deliver. It might take some time for them to like it. We can't force them to hear (but we can suggest) The most important thing is our passion and interest in this death metal music, our own style and sound especially. We want to show to the world out there that we also can be the best (at least). Nothing is impossible and no one can stop us!! Hail to DEATHEVOKER and REPUTDEATH!! they're really good mates. SALUTE!
MIKA ROTTEN - I’m still wonder, if a band like FATALIST didn’t start to re-open back the terms of “Old School Swedish Death Metal” or maybe REPUGNANT with “Retro-Death” style few years ago, maybe some of us still trap and drown into nowhere. It’s good to remembering the past, but life goes rot man! Any unreal motivation or maybe a thing that push you back then to keep this music as the band music direction.
MKD - Both bands are great if we're talk about past. They have their own style and touch. Our motivation was to bring two listeners together between punks and metal.(It would be great to see them on the floor of death sharing the same sweats) We love to see that someday. Our tendency is more towards D-beat/death metal but in here the terms are still slow for the listener to accept. Maybe at that time they were still unfamiliar with it. Give them time to explore and we hope they're more open minded in the future.
MIKA ROTTEN - I’m still remember when I hold my copy of “Transgression” EP tape back then. I can’t stop myself to say “..this band totally fvcking awesome! and they will kicking all the creepy bastard outhere!” In general, I could see the path what LAVATORY try to create with this outstanding release. Did you still remember how was the first session of “Transgression” recording look like?
MKD - Big cheers for the compliment and highly appreciated! Damn, back to 2011 we really want the difference in sound and music structure. The recording was very exciting and we were very pleased with what we had (not many ppl used to hear). At that time, the death metal/punk spirit in our young soul was so strong to produce something new especially the EP for the first time. Unforgettable!
MIKA ROTTEN - Slaughterhouse Records was handling the CD version and Morbid Invasion Rex / Vomit Blood & Virgil Studio on cassette format for “Transgression” EP back then. Beside of this label that release your debut records back then, did you have approach any other label? How you see this label carry out this release?
MKD - At first we released the cassette format 'Transgression' back to 2011.MKD part of the partnership between Morbid Invasion Rex and Vigil studio. So you'll know who Vomit Blood is. We do approach and gave some of the established local label to hear at the first place but seems like our style of death metal didn't caught their attention. After that the label called 'Sickchainsaw' from Thailand interested with the EP .Due to some circumstances we never close the deals. (Hope in the future we can work something out again). We get the deals with Slaughterhouse Recs (U.S) after a suggestion from our sweet friend Jill (Razorback Recs) back then. Without her we don't been recognized and been reviewed on Terrorizer Mags #229 .Slaughterhouse Recs done really great job to spread especially in U.S and worldwide.Jr.Torina and his label started to breathe again after long hiatus. We really appreciated his effort!Since then you can see many great bands like Savage Deity, Nonserviam, Succubus,etc get a good deal from the label who's release our first EP on CD format.
MIKA ROTTEN - Simple question and might be little dragging ya, are you satisfied with the final result on “Transgression” EP? Give me just three words about this release!
MKD - We satisfied and it will be remain dirty as his name. RAW!! CRUSH & FLUSH!!
MIKA ROTTEN - I guess it’s not to late for me to say, a big congrats to your deal between Pulverised Records and LAVATORY. It’s such a great achievement for the bands, to release a album under this rotten label. How the real stories begun?
MKD - Thanks man! Coincidentally our friend Nicholas (Necrolatry Recs) was in Singapore. Roy from Pulverised Recs asked about LAVATORY and got interested after hearing our song on YouTube and we were talk via email and get the deal making an album(What a moment).From there the stories begin..
MIKA ROTTEN - 2 years after the birth of “Transgression” EP might be a long gloomy corridor that we need to past by before the band first full-length out. With more mid-paced reeking, slicing throat-punk vocals style, guitar solo that embark the atmosphere from the song, heavy-buzz guitar tones it’s make its more dirty and ugly special on “Morbid Terror” album! I think the time your take and your work to make this album finally been repay in the end. “Morbid Terror” album get very positive response since it’s come out till today.
MKD - What a glorious year we can said during the 'Transgression' time. Great moments and a lot of joys with the old mates. The experience of the 'Morbid Terror'is really adventurous for us. Some more the formation change for LAVATORY during that time. We try something groovy on that album (not much just little bit HA HA!) We feel satisfied with our work and no regret. Yes, the album get very positive response especially outside Malaysia. Even it's not the best for some people but it's still good for some pure death metal worshipper who really know how to appreciate the efforts, ideas, sounds and the music it self. (Salute to you!!) So take your time and don't forget to raise your volume to 666 if you have the album. Cheers!
MIKA ROTTEN - I guess the formation of the band also got changes after “Morbid Terror” album come out. Any stories about the formation changes? Can you share to us your current band members, and if you don’t mind maybe a little story about their musical background look like.
MKD - Owh yea, I give you short stories here.. It's because of life, health and financial.Wish all the best to an ex-member who has a happy life. All the wonderful memories together will always be remembered. Without you guys LAVATORY are nothing.
Current members are
Andy - guitar
Zakk - bass
Nuex - guitar
MIE - drums
MKD - vox
Andy - still active play with the GORESLUTS
ZAKK - still active play with KOFFIN KANSER, BLIND TRIBE, ELECTRIC FUNERAL, THE GARRISON etc
Nuex - grindcore forever with COMPULSION TO KILL
MIE - drummer for DUNCAN DUKUN
MKD - currently active with BLACK WINGS OF VENGEANCE
MIKA ROTTEN - We might rotting in the end of this interview, few more question before we’re out. Can we hear something new ( album? ) from the band soon? I guess you’re been working on it’s.
MKD - Owh yea, we plan to release a 2nd album this year after 6 years disappearance (no new material) and now we rise under the label called Legion Music from Malaysia. What we can share this time about this album it is more faster, dirty and melodic. Yep, we're working on it and doing our best for the listeners out there. Wait for it!!!!
MIKA ROTTEN - LAVATORY among other band that play with INCANTATION during their “Seige of the Profane” Asia tour back in 2018. How do see this big achievement impact on your “resume” in the future? Some memorable moments from the show that you might wanna share to us?
MKD - We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to share the stage with mighty Incantation in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Thailand. They're really cool guy, humble and friendly musicians. (Respect!) For us, it is all about passion. In return it's going to be worth. Trust me! The moments from the show when we come down from the stage straightaway they said our music sound like GATECREEPER.(cheers for that) We also sharing the same tour bus,having a food and beer at the back stage,The sleepiness moment while heading back to the airport.(Damn!! We need to awake at 5am!!) and also for sure we're grab a chance for the signature on T-shirt, poster and CDs. We're the fan boys remember! HA HA! Lot of fun!
MIKA ROTTEN - Currently, we’re hardly hit by the outbreaking of pandemic disease. It’s leave a fear to society all over the world. Without exception, in underground scenes too. Some tour and show has call up for postponed and cancellation. LAVATORY should be there, to opening for NUNSLAUGHTER show in Kuala Lumpur, but the show also got cancel due to the critical situation. How do see the impact of the disease give to all underground metal bands out there ? You might know, there a band that make living with music.
MKD - This pandemic disease make a big impact on everyone not even us. Yea, the show need to be canceled for safety and health reasons. We think that's the best way for NUNSLAGHTER, organizer and all the involved bands. It's really sad all these thing happen especially for the full time musicians, artist ,bands and more. Many gigs, concert and festival canceled due the pandemic outbreak. Worst year for everyone. Within this few months many underground metal bands struggling to do whatever the can because there is no platform (at this crisis time) to show their passion and love in metal music.We hope all these shit gone in real soon.A lot of planning become limited because of this. Last word from us.. Fuck corona!
MIKA ROTTEN - If you need to recommend to our readers or might your friends, what Malaysian local band they should check? By the way, your latest death metal demo playlist on your analog player? I know you’re demo-digger too. Ha!
MKD - Damn,check this old school black/death called TOMB. If you're into early 90's stuff.. It's worth to keep for your library of death!!Highly recommend! Currently, I listened to ULCEROT(Denmark),CORPSED (US) and BURIAL (Italy) Deaathhhhhh Metaaaaallll!!!
MIKA ROTTEN - Here we’re, in the end of this interview, actually I’ve plenty more question to ask you about the bands. I’ll get your back when the time is right. For now, thanks for the time and stay safe brother!
MKD - Thanks to you too. Anytime brother!! Hope we get more interviews from DISCARNAGE in the future. The spirit of DM underground never die! Wish all the best and good luck for your band too.WE SUPPORT REPUTDEATH!! Stay safe,fuck corona!
