INSIDIOUS DISEASE: 'Shadowcast' Track By Track - Part 2

INSIDIOUS DISEASE (formerly INSIDIOUS),the international metal project featuring members of DIMMU BORGIR, NAPALM DEATH, OLD MAN'S CHILD and MORGOTH, released its debut album, "Shadowcast", on July 12 in Europe and will make it available on July 27 in the U.S. via Century Media Records. The bloodsoaked cover artwork was created by Kjell Ivar Lund and is being censored by the inclusion of a nice CD slipcase to avoid any trouble with the shops. Apart from an equally gory booklet, the limited-edition first-pressing CD includes two bonus tracks ("Insomaniac" plus a blistering cover of DEATH's classic "Leprosy").

The second part of a track-by-track breakdown of "Shadowcast", featuring the band's vocalist — former MORGOTH frontman Marc Grewe — can be viewed below.

Regarding the "Shadowcast" lyrical concept, guitarist Silenoz (also of DIMMU BORGIR) said, "The basic idea behind 'Shadowcast', lyrically, is an attempt to describe the 'misfits' in this world, the misunderstood, mentally defect and depraved individuals that walk among us — rapists, serial killers, pedophiles, necrophiles, drug addicts etc. It could be your neighbor, you just never know. Or, it could be YOU!

"Denial and self-denial are taboos that seldom are touched upon unless it's behind closed doors at the shrink's office. Even so, no matter how disturbing the subject might be, we hardly get to the bottom of it. Each text tries to approach the many outcast stereotypes we face in today's modern society, and how most of them once caught get neglected and pushed away instead of being offered proper assistance, support and help through various institutions according to their 'needs.'

"Let's face it, we humans equal shit.

"In some countries where death penalty apply the convicts also have to wait years before being executed, that is inhumane as things need to be dealt with as soon as possible. We humans are better at pushing things away and destroy than facing a problem and try to rehabilitate.

"Most people reading the lyrics and seeing the booklet photos will perhaps immediately assume that it's all about glorifying violence and hatred. But if you read between the lines, it's actually kinda the 'opposite,' portraying this very issue.

"So, the album title 'Shadowcast' has somewhat of a double meaning; all these 'actors and actresses' star in the 'shadowcast.' They are the true stars of the underground, our very own dark backyard. The backyard we humans hate dealing with because it means interacting with other people and as they mingle among us daily they continue to 'cast their shadows' at us."

INSIDIOUS DISEASE faced serious problems during the manufacturing process as pressing plants refused to produce the original design of the booklet due to its violent content as well as print the equally controversial lyrics.

Added Silenoz: "It's quite fascinating that in the year of 2010 album artwork can be so scary that manufacturing plants don't even dare to print it. I always thought reality still was more frightening compared to art in that sense, but I guess I was wrong! Controversy is still to be reckoned with in the world of metal and if we're being censored for being realistic and touch upon human flaws through our lyrics and art — then so be it!"

"Shadowcast" was recorded at a studio in Norway with producer Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus) of SUSPERIA and was mixed by Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR). NECROPHAGIA frontman Frank "Killjoy" Pucci co-wrote and contributed guest vocals to a cut called "Rituals Of Bloodshed", the video for which can be viewed below.

Regarding the band's decision to cover the DEATH classic "Leprosy", Grewe told BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "The INSIDIOUS DISEASE version is not denying the original [since it] can't get any better."

INSIDIOUS DISEASE made its official live debut at last year's Wacken Open Air festival which was held July 30 - August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany.

INSIDIOUS DISEASE is:

Marc "Groo" Grewe (ex-MORGOTH) - Vocals
Sven Atle Kopperud (a.k.a. Silenoz) (DIMMU BORGIR) - Guitar
Shane Embury (NAPALM DEATH) - Bass
Tony Laureano (ex-DIMMU BORGIR, NILE, ANGELCORPSE) - Drums
Jon Øyvind Andersen (a.k.a. Jardar) (OLD MAN'S CHILD) – Guitar

In an interview with U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, Silenoz described INSIDIOUS DISEASE's material as "a good variation; a good mix of groovy, downtuned stuff, but it doesn't sound too modern, it's more back-to-basics. It's not really technical by any means, like some people might expect, it's more heavy riffing, attitude. It's hard to explain, but it's safe to say that the word 'extreme' would cover most of it. We have fast stuff, of course, but we also have slow stuff."

Regarding INSIDIOUS DISEASE's influences, Silenoz said, "Not anything specific, but me and most of the guys in the band, we grew up with the '80s extreme stuff and I think that shines through the music but I wouldn't say that we take any direct influence, it's more that feel of what was going on in that time in the late '80s. That quick and clean production on everything loses its charm so we tried to make it sound as analogue as humanly possible to digital recording."

"Shadowcast" track by track - Part 2:

"Rituals Of Bloodshed" video: