Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Derelict was formed in 2005 from the remains of some of the original members’ previous band. We took the name from the song ‘Flames of the Righteous’ off our debut album. The song was originally called ‘Derelict’ but we liked it as a band name.

We were very active in the live scene around Canada from 2005 to 2013. We toured the country several times in that period and released three full-length albums and an EP. Our 2012 album, ‘Perpetuation’, got us nominated at the Canadian Independent Music Awards in the same category as Devin Townsend. He won, but we were stoked just to have been mentioned alongside him.

Sometime in 2013, our then-drummer was dealing with a double tennis elbow and needed some time to heal. This came right around the same period where we were hit with several bouts of bad luck, like having festivals cancel on us at the last minute, or others simply not paying us. Several of us got discouraged and after going full-tilt for eight years, we put the band on ice.

We never said never about continuing, but it wasn’t until 2021 that Max and I were chatting about guitar. We decided to see what it would feel like to write a Derelict song together after all that time. We ended up reuniting the ‘Perpetuation’ recording lineup to put out ‘Clear Cut’, a single that we released on the ten-year anniversary of ‘Perpetuation’.

From there, we just continued writing and quickly found ourselves with a full-length album. Jordan bowed out and we were joined by Tommy McKinnon on drums. The other major difference is that all four of us live in different time zones across the world, so we write and record remotely. That said, it all went very well and we’re very proud of ‘Versus Entropy’, which we just released this June of 2024.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

The band formed in Montreal, Quebec. Max and I met in university there. Seb is from Switzerland but lived in Montreal for a while and played in Augury’s live lineup at the time. We met him then and he became our bass player later on. Tommy has been in many bands like Neuraxis and Akurion, and is also from Montreal. We had met a few times and we reached out to him when we needed a new drummer. He was our first choice, and happily, he accepted.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

We’re heavily influenced by the Quebec scene with bands like Cryptopsy, Neuraxis, Beneath the Massacre, Augury, Kataklysm, Quo Vadis, and more making up some of our core influences. We also incorporate a fair amount of American death metal, specifically the early tech-death pioneers like Death and Atheist. A range of modern bands like Lamb of God, The Faceless, Revocation, and Decapitated also influence us quite a bit.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I started playing guitar at age 13 and writing my own music almost right away. My feelings about being a musician have changed over time, but I’ve come to believe that making any kind of art is inherent to humans. The way our system works causes us to evaluate the validity of an activity on if it can earn money, and that’s a shame because art is valid whether or not it’s profitable. In our case, Derelict does not make us any money. If it did, that would be great, but I wouldn’t change what we do to make that possible. I believe in the music we make. We all have other careers beyond this. For me, that’s being a mental health therapist.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

I’m currently getting to know the new Extinction AD album. So far, some of my favourites from 2024 have been Ulcerate, Vitriol, Evergrey, and Wormwitch. I’m really looking forward to the new Nile album, too.

Do you sing in the shower?

Once in a while, if I’m in a particularly good mood.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I’d love to play at any big outdoor European festival.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I don’t have one favourite, but here are a few that are undeniable classics in my mind and continue to influence me:

Megadeth – Rust In Peace

Lamb of God – As the Palaces Burn

Nile – Annihilation of the Wicked

Death – The Sound of Perseverance

Cryptopsy – None So Vile

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

No, because I don’t think we should ever feel guilty for liking what we like. I listen to a fair amount of hip hop, like Killer Mike and J Cole, and I’m also into some slow alt jazz stuff, like Bohren and der Club of Gore and Black Chamber.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Pantera (the original lineup), Death with Chuck, and Motorhead.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

It was Metallica’s …And Justice For All. I was nine years old. I liked the Black Album, but at first, Justice freaked me the hell out. The lyrics are really heavy and dark for a child’s mind. I think it influenced me a lot. I wasn’t able to stomach it for the first few years and only pulled it back out when I was 11. I don’t have the CD any longer though; I’m all digital for music now.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Just that I’m immensely appreciative to anyone who has ever given us a listen. Making music is just about sharing emotion and creativity, and having people pay attention is very validating.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

For music, it’s Bandcamp: http://derelictmetal.bandcamp.com

For merch, it’s https://derelictmetal.threadless.com/

Our Youtube has some cool stuff on it, https://www.youtube.com/derelictmetal

And of course good old Facebook, Instagram, and Linktree:

https://www.facebook.com/DerelictMetal

https://www.instagram.com/derelictmetal

https://linktr.ee/derelictmetal

We, at Metal Planet Media, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thanks for the interview! It’s much appreciated.

This interview is the property of Metal Planet Media