What comes naturally
Despised Icon undergoes Healing Process
by Christine Leonard
Revered for their blistering guitar work and pummeling percussion, Despised Icon confirm Quebec’s status as a bubbling cauldron of molten metal. At the same time that the six-piece grindcore specialists from Montréal have been building a name in the competitive Eastern market, they have taken a decidedly hands-on approach to managing their musical careers.
Pulling triple duty as the band’s manager, booking agent and vocalist, Alexander Erian is looking forward to finally hitting the road and enjoying the experience of performing for new audiences in strange places. Or, strange audiences in new places, as the case may be.
"The last year has been really hectic," says Erian "We’ve gone through some pretty significant lineup changes and have now rebanded, if that’s a word."
Pulling triple duty as the band’s manager, booking agent and vocalist, Alexander Erian is looking forward to finally hitting the road and enjoying the experience of performing for new audiences in strange places. Or, strange audiences in new places, as the case may be.
"The last year has been really hectic," says Erian "We’ve gone through some pretty significant lineup changes and have now rebanded, if that’s a word."
Replacing singer Marie-Helene Landry at the mic, Erian came out from behind the drum kit and the band enlisted the help of another Alex, drummer Alex Pelletier. Having built a reputation as a technical but fun-loving band, the roster change came after recording their nine-track monstrosity The Healing Process.
"We released a two-song EP last April and shopped it around to a number of labels. But we got tired of waiting on someone else to make things happen," says Erian. "We decided to do our own thing and went on to record a rough mix of our new album over that summer."
The album caught the ear of Century Media, which subsequently generated interest for Despised Icon with Relapse Records. Since the band had admired the label for some time, when it offered to release a split album for Despised Icon and Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus, Erian and company jumped at the chance.
"It was a now-or-never kind of proposal, so we went for it and it’s selling better than we could ever have imagined. So, what more could you ask for?"
Despised Icon started playing in 2001, but all the members have been part of the Quebec metal scene for some time. Erian used to play with Neuraxis and, in fact, is still neighbours with two of their members. "There are a few other metal musicians on the block as well," he says. "We’re takin’ over!"
Taking over the hood is one thing, but making the switch from percussion to vocals is another. Undaunted, Erian has stretched his talents and his vocal cords and come to revel in the intensified level of audience interaction that comes with being the frontman.
"I loved playing the drums, but you get a different view of the shows when you’re behind the kit," says Erian "As a singer, I’m much more exposed, there’s more showmanship involved. I get to move around and have a lot of fun. I’m really enjoying the sense of change, and I don’t have to worry about mounting and dismounting my drum kit in a 15-minute period with some tour manager breathing down my neck."
"We released a two-song EP last April and shopped it around to a number of labels. But we got tired of waiting on someone else to make things happen," says Erian. "We decided to do our own thing and went on to record a rough mix of our new album over that summer."
The album caught the ear of Century Media, which subsequently generated interest for Despised Icon with Relapse Records. Since the band had admired the label for some time, when it offered to release a split album for Despised Icon and Bodies in the Gears of the Apparatus, Erian and company jumped at the chance.
"It was a now-or-never kind of proposal, so we went for it and it’s selling better than we could ever have imagined. So, what more could you ask for?"
Despised Icon started playing in 2001, but all the members have been part of the Quebec metal scene for some time. Erian used to play with Neuraxis and, in fact, is still neighbours with two of their members. "There are a few other metal musicians on the block as well," he says. "We’re takin’ over!"
Taking over the hood is one thing, but making the switch from percussion to vocals is another. Undaunted, Erian has stretched his talents and his vocal cords and come to revel in the intensified level of audience interaction that comes with being the frontman.
"I loved playing the drums, but you get a different view of the shows when you’re behind the kit," says Erian "As a singer, I’m much more exposed, there’s more showmanship involved. I get to move around and have a lot of fun. I’m really enjoying the sense of change, and I don’t have to worry about mounting and dismounting my drum kit in a 15-minute period with some tour manager breathing down my neck."
Despised Icon perform at The Alexandra Centre April 14, 2005
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