Chris Martin catches up with Jost of Lay Down Rotten…

Lay Down Rotten has been around for some time now, but seem poised to really crack into the mainstream with Mask Of Malice. How does this album differ from what you have done before?

Mask Of Malice feels like a new beginning. While making the record there was a certain vibe in the band and a special atmosphere in the studio. We felt free and had a blast writing the songs and rehearsing. It was hard work and a challenge for us as musicians and it paid off: Mask Of Malice is our darkest and fastest album to date.

I’m fairly new to the band so bare with me, you seem to fall into the death metal category, but musically it sounds like there’s something else going on as well. What influences does the band have?

We believe in Metal. Everybody in the band is open minded and we do not censor ourselves. There are no restrictions. There are bands we look up to such as Edge Of Sanity or Bolt Thrower. I would say that there are a lot of heavy bands out there that are a great inspiration. But I cannot say that they influence me or the other band members as you have to create your own original, little monsters to be authentic. Lay Down Rotten is our vision that we have for the Metal Of Death!

Reading the band’s bio, it seems that Timo Claas (drums) is now the longest running member of the band. In fact, just last year band creator Daniel Jakobi left the group. How have the line-up changes affected the band? How did the writing/recording dynamic change for Lay Down Rotten because of this?

Well, our new guitarist is Kensington. He is a gifted and experienced songwriter and musician. He was part of my first Death Metal band called Sarx. So I knew what to expect from him when he joined the band. Kensington is such an amazing guy: he brought 8 songs to the first rehearsal with Lay Down Rotten. How perfect is that? It was for our best that he joined us. He is very professional and has a good sense of humour. It is fun working with him. Lay Down Rotten is a fucking machine when it comes to recording an album. We know what we want and we know how to achieve our goals. Kensington has become a part of this machine.

The video for Hades Resurrected is awesome. What was it like filming that? Obviously certain aspects would prevent mainstream playing if there was such a venue for metal videos these days in the US, but how has the response been for it?

The filming was an amazing experience. We had a very professional team supporting us in every possible way. So it was easy performing and acting in front of a camera. It is fun working with creative and enthusiastic people. They had to understand what Lay Down Rotten is all about. We chose the right guys to film Hades Resurrected. As they caught the vibe of the song and also the post production suits the song very well.
The response is great. Our fans really dig this video and I got very supportive and encouraging messages.

It appears that this is the seventh release for Lay Down Rotten with Mask Of Malice. Was it an easier album to record in comparison?

Every recording is a different experience. Well, a musician should have some routine after all these years. This goes without saying. A new record means a new challenge. You don´t know for sure what´s going to happen exactly. It was very exciting making this record as you always have to proof your credibility to the world when you release a new album.

The aggression matched with some badass riffing sets an energetic tone for the album. What is it about the type of music Lay Down Rotten plays that not only pleases the fans, but makes the band hungry to play it?

It is an attitude. Death Metal should be an attitude. We live it up 24/7. The response of the audience is a great motivation. We are so grateful for all of the fantastic support by all these crazy maniacs. This gives us the energy to go on and on. The music is a sacred bond between the fans and Lay Down Rotten. We are chained!

Germany has been a hotbed for metal lately. Why do you think there have been so many German metal bands coming out recently?

Difficult question! I don´t know. I am not interested in trends. What I do know is that Germany has the biggest Metal festivals in the world. Sodom, Morgoth and Kreator have been great inspirations for many bands throughout the world. These bands had and have such a tremendous impact on the Metal scene. This is why Germany is still relevant for every Metalhead.

Obviously the next progression after releasing a new CD is to tour. Any big tour plans upcoming? What should fans that haven’t seen you live before expect?

Yeah, we have a tour coming up with Cannibal Corpse and Aborted! Please, check our homepage www.laydownrotten.com <http://www.laydownrotten.com/> for further details. We will celebrate the Metal Of Death with all that we got!

Any final words you want to pass on to the new fans and old?

Hi guys! This is Jost, singer of Lay Down Rotten. Mask Of Malice is a new beginning! Join our horde to be part of a new era with our album Mask Of Malice! Support Death Metal! Cheers, Jost

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