HARD MIND - Act Respectfully, Stand with Integrity ! (France - HardCore/Metal - Interview with Loîs).
Hi! Can you introduce yourselves and tell us how it all started for you—how you discovered this musical universe, what attracted you to it, what fascinated you, and what made you want to make music?
We're called HARD MIND, a hardcore metal band from Rennes. We met at hardcore concerts between 2010 and 2013, and in early 2015 we released our first album, “Justice by my Self.” We make this music out of necessity. Personally, if I didn't have hardcore, I'd go crazy, and I don't know what I'd be doing now. It's an outlet.
Tell me about the band... How did you meet? What's the current lineup? What are your past experiences? And most importantly, WHY did you feel the need to form THIS band?
We met at concerts we were organizing for each other between Nantes and Rennes at the time. We listened to pretty much the same bands, and at Ieperfest in 2014, we saw Bent Life, and that's when it clicked. The lineup has changed over the past 10 years, but we've been the same for two years now: Befa and Yvan on guitar, Lexa on drums, Kévin on bass, and me on vocals. And as I said earlier, we need this. It's cathartic. Life without music, especially hardcore, has no flavor, and then there's also a certain need for violence.
Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all costs?
Describe our sound... hmmm... actually, I'd say Metal Hardcore bordering on Edge metal on our latest album, with a touch of Beatdown, very present Hardcore roots mixed with h8000.
Lyrical and musical inspirations/influences? How important are lyrics to you? Are there any specific messages or thoughts you try to develop and share through your lyrics?
Influences range from Kickback to Merauder, Underground Society, and a touch of World of Pain.
As for the lyrics, I invite you to listen and read them at the same time... it's all available on Bandcamp.
But overall, it's about the more or less disgusting world we live in, human nature, a few personal thoughts, and how we're literally heading for disaster. The message is to stay strong and unshaken in a world in constant decline.
What about your latest album?
Our latest album, “Negative Thoughts,” was released last October. We recorded it near Rennes at Mr. FRZB studio with a very good friend, Yanno, and it was mixed and mastered by Antoine Noss at Sovaj studio. The cover was designed by my friend Hugo Zerrad, and it was released on the Rennes label Face To Face Records. It's available in physical format on our Bandcamp and the label, or you can listen to it on all streaming platforms.
What are your plans?
Our plans are to play as many concerts as possible, wherever we can. Bookers, take note > 
- What would be your wildest dream with the band?
As musicians, it would be to tour with big bands that we like, or even just to be able to share our music around the world, play everywhere all the time, and make it our job to live off music.
- Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why?
My best concert memory would be just after COVID in Rennes for the Back to Life Fest. There was incredible energy, people were eager to party, it was magnificent. Otherwise, Hellfest 2023 on the Warzone was really cool, the Superbowl of Hardcore in Rennes, the Xtremfest in the south, and many other shows.
The worst was a last-minute gig on the Swiss or Luxembourg border, I think. No communication, the bar owner showed up two hours late completely drunk, set the stage on fire (literally), we played in front of the bar owner's wife... I won't go into any more detail, but it was a complete disaster. (I can picture it... let's not go into any more detail - Ed.)
- Any upcoming live shows?
Our next show is on March 6 in Rennes at the Brewklyn.
- A few words about your local scene - any bands you're friends with that you'd like to mention?
We're pretty proud of the local scene in Rennes. Big shout-out to Jojo and the Face to Face Concert team, and the Rennes Savage team who are bringing back the vibe of the 90s. Keep it up!
Any bands from Rennes to follow? Days of Revelation, Horrid Remorse, Entertain the Terror.
- The last word is yours...
Final word... Stay true to yourself and never let anyone disrespect you !
Credits :
Live photo (B & W) : Maxime HILLAIRAUD.
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