ENCOMIUM #9/2023: BleedSkin

I did an interview with BleedSkin about three years ago, but since quite a lot has changed in the band since then, I thought I'd ask Céline Mazay (guitar/vocals) about their new perspectives.

Greetings Céline! After a short break and some lineup changes, you restarted BleedSkin with Rémy. Former member Logan Dykens stepped in as your new drummer and you shared vocals with Rémy. Tell us more about those decisions. What happened to Anouk and Julien?

Julien has decided to leave the band early 2023, because his job takes too much time to play drums in a band. And with Anouk, we didn't see things the same way for the band anymore and decided to stop working with her.

Since your debut album "Blood Reign" was released in 2020, the question arises, when do you plan to release something new and how many songs will be on your second LP?

- Oooh yeah big question! Haha. We will release a new album in 2024. Maybe in the spring? You'll see... The album will have 7/8 songs.

What topics will be covered on the next album? Who writes the lyrics now?

- Our next album will be about torture, death, distortion, poison, contamination, etc. The whole album will have a common thread.

We will write the lyrics together. Logan was our former singer, so he will take part in the writing with us.

Have you been contacted by a label or do you plan to release new stuff on your own like before?

- No we will release new stuff by our own. We are not looking for a label.

As I can see, two concerts are already booked for the end of this year and one for the beginning of 2024. What setlist are you preparing for these shows? By the way, do you have any plans for extensive European tours? Tell us more about your live activities for the coming year.

- Some songs from our EP and LP. For now, we're focusing on the new album, so no European tour, but why not later in 2024!

We'll play more gigs in 2024 and we'll announce them on our Facebook page and on Instagram!

What should we know about your involvement in bands like InHuman and Cathubodua? Will you continue to play in these projects in the future?

- I did stand-in for Cathubodua only for a few gigs while they were searching for a new guitarist. If they need me again, I'll happily stand-in again.

I joined InHuman a year ago as an official guitarist and we'll play gigs in 2024 and work on new things!

You used to play Ibanez guitars, but now you've switched to a headless guitar from another brand. Tell the readers more about your new guitar and its specs, and what strings and tune you're using for it. Which guitarist inspires you the most?

- Indeed, I change my guitar! This is my 6 strings fanned fret custom guitar 'Black Panther' Auxan brand. I use Fishman pickups and Ernie Ball strings (12-62).

I really like John Gallagher (Dying Fetus), Paul Ryan (Origin) and Muhammed Suiçmez (Necrophagist). All of these guitarists are so talented and play powerful death metal. They are great inspiration for me.

Lately, you've started covering classic songs from other metal bands and working with different musicians. Many of them are already up on your YouTube channel. Which are you most proud of and what will be your next covers?

- That's a good question! I'm so proud to have guests on my videos. I just do it to have fun and share music. I'd like to cover more metal bands like Children of Bodom, Slaughter to Prevail, Slayer, Cytotoxin, Belphegor, Aborted, Mayhem, Dark Funeral, but also bands like Iron Maiden, Epica, Nightwish, Rammstein, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, etc.

Please choose your five favorite death metal bands and albums of all time and give reasons for your choice. What was the last record you bought?

- Dying Fetus "Reign Supreme" (2012): This album is one of the best death metal album, because of the songs, mix and mastering and because "Subjected to a Beating" is my favorite song from them, haha.

Cannibal Corpse "Red Before Black" (2017): How can I not mention Cannibal Corpse?! I really like this album, because it's old school death metal with a good mix!

Archspire "Relentless Mutation" (2017): I remember the first time I listened to this band and album. I was thinking "WTF am I listening to?!" This album is pure violence and technique and they are so talented.

Vulvodynia "Praenuntius Infiniti" (2021): Ok, slamming deathcore, but still I really like this album because of everything! The mix and mastering are really good, big guitar riffs (you can only headbang), good vocals, orchestrations are amazing, guitar tone, groovy drums, really good solos, etc.

Cytotoxin "Nuklearth" (2020): Modern, violent, breakdowns, tight drums, powerful leads, pig squeals, etc. Well, the perfect cocktail for headbangers.

Well, at the end, feel free to reveal BleedSkin's secret plans for the near future. The space is yours.

- I think we revealed a lot in 2023, haha! A lot of new things happened this year and we will work with the same energy in 2024. New album is coming and a lot of gigs!