Hello! Thank you for letting us interview you. How are you?
Odo – Fine, just fine. Thank you.
Rex Rotten - Fine as hell! ;)
Your band is called H.EXE. What are the reasons for the name?
Rex Rotten - I think Odo will be the one to answer this question ;)
Odo – When I was seeking inspiration for the name of the band I have found German-language word “hexen”, which means “witches”. Since then it was a one-man project, so I called it hexe – (witch). A dot is there to emphasize the fact that this is a project in a climate closer to cyberpunk than fantasy. As we know computer programs have this extension - .exe ;)
Who are H.EXE? And where did you all meet?
Rex Rotten - Firstly – in the internet. I was recommended to Odo by my friend Gaseki (One Nasty Ego). Then we met in a pub, discussing things and drinking beer. And who are we? Just two (almost) ordinary guys making music. I’m a DJ, and a former guitarist. Odo was a drummer, now he’s growling in Egrimonia and H.EXE.
At what moment in you life did you want to start producing music?
Odo – Produce? Practically since always ;) Of course, at the beginning it was just a simple fun with barbaric sounds, because I had no knowledge in music, but I was always listened to music very carefully. Since 1996, I started to play in many bands, the experience has grown and since 2010 I’m in H. EXE.
Rex Rotten - My first productions are dated around 2003 - 2004, first thing I’ve ever recorded was an dark ambient album inspired by Burzum. Then came a short period of making trip-hop with my friend, then a bit futurepopish Models Of Icons, few productions signed as DJ Rex Rotten, short cooperation with One Nasty Ego, and now it’s H.EXE ;) And I was playing on guitar in few rock/metal bands in the past.
Who are your influences?
Odo – Many, many different music genres at a time - black metal, harsh electro, synthpop, crust punk, doom metal, trip-hop, soundtracks from movies and games, grindcore, classical music, viking metal, singing poetry... In general, anything that carries a big load of melancholy and/or aggression.
Rex Rotten - My process of the music making is a bit complicated. A combination of a brainstorm, experimentation, sometimes it’s just an impulse. And I’m trying not to be influenced by anyone. I can tell you who are my personal favourites – Suicide Commando, Combichrist, This Morn’ Omina, Ah Cama-Sotz, Hocico, X-Fusion, Icon Of Coil, XotoX, and from the metal scene - Samael, Behemoth, Slayer. But it’s just the top of the mountain. But the priority for me is to get rid of any influences. But it’s hard as fuck sometimes, that’s what I can tell you ;)
You are also the singer of the metal act Egrimonia, what made you decide to start H.EXE as a side project?
Odo – Playing one type of music hasn’t always been enough for me. I need diversity. For a long time I’ve dreamed to play heavy electronic music. Finally one day I’ve sad to myself “okay, that’s enough of waiting!” and started a separate project.
In what way does making harsh EBM deviate for you when you compare it to creating metal music?
Odo – In my opinion, metal music, especially black metal, is no really different from the harsh electro or hellectro. You know, distortions, powerful, aggressive vocals, lots of keys in the background. At some point these seemingly different musical genres are similar. Ways to create them, however, are completely different. It took me a lot of time learning this. This is a completely different way of composing, to obtain the sound. You have better control over production.
Over the years several metal bands started an electro band as a sideproject. Why is this, are both scenes close, what are your thoughts on this?
Rex Rotten - I said once – if You’ll take a black metal band, take away they guitars, and give synthetizers, they will start making music that will sound like something close to harsh electro. Give synthetizers to guys from a thrash metal band – and You will have the next Combichrist. Still – many metalheads hate electronic music. In the other hand – many electro fans are coming from the metal scene. So the scenes are very close, still – they are divided.
You are signed to Halotan Records. How did you get in contact with them?
Rex Rotten - Halotan Records aims to be something different from a traditional label. Their philosophy of releasing and supporting bands is very close to what I’d like to expect from a label, and – because we ain’t bound with any contracts or any other bureaucratic crap – we are free to look for a bigger label. But i feel so good with Halotan, that I don’t know if I want to go somewhere else.
Your debut EP is called “Realms of Inhuman Pleasures”? What does this title mean?
Odo – Oh, it’s just a title ;) Good as any other ;) Giving it to our first EP, the first I had hoped that maybe it’s inhuman sounds will make some pleasure to my listeners ;)
How was this EP received, did you get good responses on it?
Odo – Yes, surprisingly good! For me it was primarily a first experiment, an attempt to find the proper sound for H. EXE. To my surprise I received a lot of positive feedback. Songs like “Astrophobos”, “Scum of Mankind”, “The God Delusion” and “Christian Fascism” were well received and I see that are still often listened to.
You create harsh EBM. In what way does H.EXE stand out of the majority or isn’t that a purpose for you?
Rex Rotten - The idea is to make something original. I’m not spending whole of my energy to make it happen. I just make music. A bassline is born in my brain? I’m making it alive. A melody? Interesting rythm? I’m giving it a shape and sound. I want to remain myself when making music. To create, not to copy. And about standing out? I love acid synths, acid arps, and I’m trying to combine it with harsh electro sounds. The other thing? I’m not concentrating on making the music as dark and harsh as possible. It’s more important for me to make a heavy, interesting bassline that will crush your skull, than to make scary synthlines. They are sooo overrated :D I’m playing with the genre, trying to add something new to it, combining styles. Trying to make an original, recognizable sound.
After “Realms of Inhuman Pleasures” you released “Venom”? What progress did you make and why release another EP so shortly after the first one?
Rex Rotten - It’s hard to say strictly and only about progress. Odo made all the music on “Realms”, I’ve made all the music on “Venom” (excluding the remixes of course ;D), so we are talking about two completely different styles of making music.
In the near future do you see yourself performing live? If so what would your live shows be like?
Rex Rotten - We are performing live ;) It’s a laptop + midi controller “live act” for now, but we want to expand our live gear with some toys. The priority are electronic drums. We want to have some visuals, and maybe – maybe in the future – a live drummer. Since then – I will be responsible for all the live music.
Where can “Realms of Inhuman Pleasures” and “Venom” be purchased?
Rex Rotten - You can download them for free, or purchase a physical copy for 3.50€ on www.halotan.net.
Last of all. Is there anything you'd like to say to our readers?
Odo – There is a DI/dark electro scene in Poland – bands like H.EXE, Human Steel, Rector7x, RSM, Bodycall, Unsinn, monoLight, Digital Angel, Controlled Collapse, Cultoid, Wieloryb, Monstergod, Red Emprez, Synchropath, One Nasty Ego, Skon, C.H.District, [haven], God’s Bow and others - check them out. NOW! ;)
Rex Rotten - Rape goats and pimp your bicycles for Satan ;)
Odo – Yeah, that too ;) Thank you for this interview. Cheers to all “Cyber Angels” readers. See you on our gigs, I hope. Maybe in Poland on Castle Party 2011!
Rex Rotten – Yep! See you there ;) Don’t forget to download our EP’s! :D