NO RETURN – Interview with Alain “Al1” Clément (guitarist)

NO RETURN is the next band I’ve listened to in my youth and I returned to their music after many years when I was finding out they still exist. The men took a huge step forward producing their albums… I got a positive shock listening to their last two albums, remembering albums – the first one and the second one! Aggression, melody and climate!!! … You imagine that it’s been about two years before I could to finalize this interview from the first contact with Alain… But we did it!

Hello Alain! As you are already on the scene for 28 years I would like to ask a few questions of the past … Do you know the band EVIL POWER?

Of course, EVIL POWER was my first band , and in 1989 we changed the name and chose NO RETURN. We felt it was more original than EVIL POWER.

Sometimes I wonder about the origins of the names of the bands. Why did you call the band NO RETURN?

This name clearly reflects the desire to always move forward without compromise. The best proof is that we’re still here a lot of years later.

I remember your first album from 1990, “Psychological Torment”. Then I liked it. At that time as a teenager I was under the influence of Thrash Metal in style of METALLICA, ANTHRAX, OVERKILL and a lot of other bands. How do you recall this album?

It was fantastic! It was the first album and we were lucky to have Coroner’s drummer as artistic director. We recorded it in Germany and it allowed us to make ourselves known, especially in Europe.

Then came the time for the next album “Contamination Rises” from 1992. However, the second album was already a bit different, more death-metal. Why did you go in the direction of Death Metal?

We decided to go further into brutality that’s why vocals and music were more death-metal.
We wanted to mix thrash and death metal. It was important for us to evolve in this style that would characterize the music of the band.

In total you have the 10 albums, so we will not discuss about everyone. Now we let’s focus on the one before last – “Fearless Walk To Rise”… In short, it is a technical Thrash Death Metal on a high level.

As a matter of fact, we’re only trying to keep faithful to our style of music and there is no particular musical direction, but it’s true this new album is a good mix with aggressive and melodic songs.
Otherwise, we provided a lot of writing work on the guitar parts as well as the choruses.

Is any there a main composer of the music from “Fearless Walk To Rise”?

For the album”Fearless Walk To Rise” I wrote all the music except the intro, which was composed by Jerome. Mick took care of the lyrics and we worked together to finalize the arrangements of the songs.

What is the difference between these two last albums? I have the impression that on the last one “The Curse Within” you used the connection of contrasts – sharp, aggressive and fast paced with dark and melancholy climate and a large dose of spatial virtuosic melodies of guitars… guitar solos and keys… some instrumental motifs even are in style of Epic Power Metal…

Yes, you are right . “The Curse Within” is a mix with aggressive and melodic songs. All tempos are faster than the past records but it sounds much more melodic. In my opinion, this album is better controlled and it is much deeper and heavier than ever. If you like melodic death metal style and the guitar you will enjoy!

I love it! I can’t stop listening to this album! I’m listening to the album over and over again! There also are a lot of para-symphonic samples – such as strings, which widened the music space of the album and added a kind of pathos… The rhythm section is created by the Barbosa brothers – bassist and drummer. How they work together on the team? In total the both have a lot to say when it comes to rhythm…

I think we have an incredible rhythm section with David and Joel. They are very good musicians and friends. It is really easy to work with them. The sound of bass and drums is awesome on the new album and showcases all their abilities.

Mick (vocalist) is a young member. But despite all, the writing of texts probably belong to him? What is the subject matter of lyrics from „The Curse Within”?

Mick took care of all the lyrics. The title means the human being is a real poison, cancer for the planet and humanity. The main topics deal with all the perversion, manipulation and the bad side that we have all.
Overall, the lyrics of ” The Curse Within” have a very dark direction with little hope.

The albums “Fearless Walk To Rise” and newest „The Curse Within” were released by the Danish label. How did you meet the Mighty Music?

We sent some Mp3s and Mighty Music was directly interested to sign the band. Michael and all the staff are really enjoy to work with the band, they are very nice and very professional.

What is a reaction of press and fans for The Curse Within”? For it is the best of your albums?

For the moment the reaction is very positive and some great reviews were written everywhere.
However the real recognition for me is when you play in concert and you see that the public really appreciates the show. It’s hard for me to say if it’s our best album or not. Every time we try only to do the best we can. After, it’s up to the fans to decide!

You played many shows, both the smaller ones and those at festivals. Which one do you recall most pleasant?

The best memory was our show at Hellfest Open Air 2015 onto the Main Stage and our last European tour with CANNIBAL CORPSE! It was great for us.

Soon you will play the next shows… Where will you play this year yet? And what is your plans for 2018?

We’ll be promoting the album throughout 2018. We want to tour a lot to promote “The Curse Within”. It’s going to be our main thing for 2018. We started the year to support CANNIBAL CORPSE and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER with an European tour during February 2018 and it was awesome each day! Other shows will be announced very soon. Check out our Facebook page and website for all the upcoming tour dates.

Therefore, I wish fulfillment of your plans! Thanks for the interview! The finishing of interview I leave for you….

Thanks for reading us and supporting the band, don’t forget to listen to the new album “The Curse Within” and we hope to see you on tour!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2u-QvB0LeM

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https://www.noreturnofficial.com/