An odd band that plays odd music for equally odd folk. That is the best way to describe how Gilla Bruja go about their trade. I consider myself odd, and I sure as hell know that Paul March from Gilla Bruja is an odd bloke, so we have a good situation happening. Fortunately, Paul manages to have a temporal lapse in his oddities and willingly flings up some dirt on the non-believers of society, whilst being all in favor of the faithful. Umm... please read on.

Jack 'Odel'


Congratulations on "VI Fingered Jesus," a masterful follow up to "Tooth and Nail." It surpasses it in every way. So, what made you guys decide to form the band?

Many thanks. We formed the band out of boredom, and the need to work out some of the stuff that makes life so fucking awful. It’s an outlet, a chance to scream and do something productive. Plus I'm a real big horror fan and that had to enter into it at some stage.

How did the name for Gilla Bruja come about?  It is in reference to a particular Mexican death cult, right?

I found it in reference to a really old book written in Mexico. It's about all the legends and urban myths at the time, one of which was the Lizard Witch death cult. They would surround a town at night, killing the unbelievers before dawn and taking the faithful, leaving the town as crow-towns, or places of slaughter.

One of the most striking features of the new record is how much you have upped the tempo and level of musicianship from "Tooth and Nail." Where do you see the improvements in "VI Fingered Jesus" over "Tooth and Nail?"

"VI Fingered Jesus" breathes more, its more concentrated, more to the point, and a bit less eclectic. We read what people said about it and the production and tried to think what we could do about it. I think we're getting there.

Do you guys subscribe to any particular genre of metal/extreme music?   From my reckonings you follow a philosophy of "if it sounds good, we'll be sure to throw it in."  This can have positive effects as can be seen with your current record in "VI Fingered Jesus" or perhaps more negative outcomes, I think "Tooth and Nail" suffered from having too much going on at once.

"Tooth and Nail" definitely had too many different influences on it for most people to handle, and a lot of the purist types almost formed lynch mobs for us whenever we played live. I guess we subscribe to the original genre of extreme music. A lot of the scenes are populated by people happy to follow and content not to innovate. They're basically scared that if they're different no one will like them so they don’t try. I hate cowards. I feel an affinity with the experimental nature black metal has taken recently and of course bands like Godflesh and Ministry. Basically any band that says, Screw it, this is my music and I'm going to make it the way I want to hear it." We make music for ourselves.

The Retribute press statement lists Gilla Bruja as being an abrasive mix of Godflesh, Prong, Helmet, EyeHateGod, Iron Monkey, Skinlab and Pissing Razors. Do you follow any of these acts with what they are doing record wise?

Hmm. I like all of the above. I'm a big fan of Iron Monkey, but it seems everybody is these days. Godflesh and Prong are fucking cool too. But I also listen to Tom Waits, White Zombie, and The Misfits.

On both records you make reference to the 'non-believers,' first in the small narrative on the last page of the "Tooth and Nail" booklet, and then underneath the 'Thank You’s' in the "VI Fingered Jesus" booklet. These non-believing folk seem to be referred to in stark contrast to the 'faithful' and the chosen six-fingered fellow as depicted in the narrative on "VI Fingered Jesus." Is this going to be a concurrent theme for future Gilla Bruja records? Can you explain this to me?

Yeah, it will continue. He's out there somewhere and she's talking to him, calming him and making sure he looks after the faithful. We are dealing with a real thing here. This cult existed and brings with it a curse of sorts, and we have an obligation to make sure that it is mentioned. You don’t use a name like Gilla Bruja without being very careful. The faithful, as far as the band is concerned, are the people who have bought the CD’s. They are the hardest most dedicated souls around, and they supported us. The people who have helped us and turned up to the gigs - they are special and deserve to know this and to know that we are grateful to them. The brothers and sisters of our extended family, people these days don’t have anything. Take it from me; I know what it's like to be alone in the world. Gilla Bruja is a haven for them. The non believers are the people who have tried to break me and my band apart with their lies and fucking back stabbing. We still have problems playing live because of all the fucking people who hate us because we won't toady up to them and we don’t know the right people. But you know, I'd rather only play once a year than let one inch of my hard work and my band be spoiled by these cunt bastards.

Being the ridiculously diverse musical entity that you are there must be a lot of bands that inspire Gilla Bruja to come up with the madcap antics that you have managed to record for "Tooth and Nail" and "VI Fingered Jesus."

Hell, too many to mention, but that's what makes us interesting!

Is Gilla Bruja planning on doing many gigs in support for "VI Fingered Jesus"?

Madcap, hah, that's just about right. We are always trying to play live. I want to play everyday of the year but we all work for a living. We plan to tour Germany in October and we are trying to play as much as possible.

Samples seemed to play a distinct part of "Tooth and Nail," as though you built songs around some of the samples you did. However, I think it has been an important development for Gilla Bruja to use the samples to provide for a subtle backbone to the tracks on "VI Fingered Jesus" rather than having them take too much limelight on a particular song. Your thoughts on this?

You know, I love the samples but yeah they are a bit subtler. Now they are there to build atmosphere and less is definitely more. The amount of grief we get for using samples is amazing. "You can't do that," they say. God, what's happened to extreme music? People don't want bands with any fucking character?

'All For Blame' presents a different side of Gilla Bruja, particularly with the conflicting vocal styles used. This track has a distinctly more accessible tone to it. Are you guys planning on exploring the style employed on 'All For Blame' in the future?

Well there's always 'It Fades Away' on "Tooth and Nail" as well. I like to use my voice differently. I think on the next record there will be more clean singing, but it's got to be done right. We have always done bits, but I would like to try it more. I don't know if it will be more accessible, but the best way to make something look darker is to put something lighter next to it.

"VI Fingered Jesus" has been out for a few months, enough time to get sufficient fan/press feedback. Have you been satisfied with comments from folks around the globe?

You know, most folks have all been really nice about "VI Fingered Jesus." Even people who didn't like us have said that it's ok, which is real nice of them. I think some people in the underground were hoping we would go away but that's not going to happen.

Where to for Gilla Bruja now? What looms on the horizon for you guys?

Other than the suspicious death of our enemies and the even more suspicious raising of our brothers and sisters into positions of power and influence, well, more gigs I hope. More mayhem. I haven't been arrested for several months and I'm starting to feel way too comfortable, hah. We might try and do a video for 'Spoiler' in the next few months, which will be complete 'Angel Heart,' horror-inspired stuff so it should be cool.

Hey, a big cheers to you for answering these questions. "VI Fingered Jesus" is a pole-drivingly good record. Keep it up for record number 3! I look forward to the future!

Thanks again brother. It's always nice to talk to a believer.

From Eastern Poland's city of Bialystok, hails Dead Infection. For nearly two decades, Cyjan and the rest of the band have successfully developed from a little-known local band into a world-famous grind-metal machine. Band's drummer and one of the original founders of Dead Infection, Cyjan, lets us in on DI's life within the band, their plans, their past, present and their future. On our end - we messed up this time - this interview was supposed to have been posted a long time ago - apologies to the Band, and to our readers. Questions - by MetalBite staff. Translation - by Monika of MetalBite.

First of all, thanks for taking the time to do this. Now, on your MySpace profile you have put a new song on. I know that you are currently working at the practice room. How many new songs do you guys have ready? And how are the things coming on the new album?

The song on our MySpace profile, “Alpinists” comes from a recording session for what is supposed to be a project combined with Mortician from the U.S. – it’s supposed to be a split LP/CD. We have recorded a total of eight songs. The material has been finished back in the fall of 2007, but the production has been stretching out – at this moment, the final date is set for March of 2008. If the Americans can’t pull through, we have agreed that our material will come out as a completely separate MCD. Besides, we also have 11 new songs ready to be recorded, prepared with the thought of the split 7” EP’s with Regurgitate and Haemorrhage. When we finally put those up in the studio, we’ll then start working on the whole album.

Do you feel especially sentimental towards any of your specific albums more than the other ones?

Not especially. I cannot specify one over the other. It’s all my music, so I have respect toward each album. I would rather say that each and every album reminds me of the times that it was made in.

Over the last couple of years, there have been many changes in the line-up of the band. Do you feel that the changes helped the band, or is it the other way around?

I don’t even know what it would mean, the other way around. It would make sense for every band to develop and evolve. In the end, the personnel changes in the band were caused by personal issues, not musical issues. I am very content with the atmosphere that we currently have at Dead Infection, it’s been a while since we’ve been as stabilized. So, the machine keeps on working...

How would you rate the current label that you’re working with? How do you compare it with the other labels from before?

All of the labels did a lot for us, Morbid Rec. as well as Obliteration rec. It’s tough to say. Well, maybe, the bonus part is that with the most current label, we’re reaching the regions beyond Europe -which is a good thing.

Looking back at the stuff you’ve done in the past – do you think that all the steps you took were kick-ass, or would you change anything, given a chance?

Knowing what I know now, maybe I would’ve changed a couple of things, I would’ve steered some things in different directions, so to say. I probably missed out on some great opportunities here and there. I don’t know. Altogether, most of the things went the way I wanted them to, and I’m pretty happy with the overall trajectory of the venture.

Pierscien and Hal both have their own bands, practices, concerts, plus on top of that – all of you have jobs, private lives, etc. How do you manage your time?

I gotta say that out of all projects of my bandmates, it seems that Dead Infection probably takes up most of their time. What is most important though is that all of us love what we’re doing to the max. I think that the guys will agree with me that music is our lives’ priority. And if you look at it this way, the rest will fall into the right places as well, private lives, work and all that. Unfortunately, we all have to work, because the band is not yet at the stage of being mainstream, he he… Luckily, we haven’t had to make any choices so far. The shit hits the fan when I meet some of my old friends that tell me “they’ve outgrown the music.” Assholes.

During a live show, when you play drums, how would you describe [if possible] the place your mind is? Have you ever asked yourself then: what am I doing sitting here?

When playing drums, I’m completely concentrated on playing, and playing only. I cannot remember a situation, where while playing, I would be somewhere else mentally. I’m here, behind my drums, playing…. And that’s all that counts during a concert. I tune out completely.

I know that you can play other instruments other than the drums. But drumming is your lifetime choice. Why?

I’ve been fascinated with percussion since the grammar school. I remember that every month we had the philharmonic orchestra come out to our school. And every time they did, I had always placed myself somewhere close to the drum set. I was even allowed to sit behind them a couple of times. I knew where I belonged. I bought myself a set of sticks, and went crazy drumming on the pillows at home. In the meantime, I also purchased a guitar; also an interesting instrument, although I don’t spend nearly as much time on it as I do on the drums. Also, while in the army, I had learned the basics of piano, and for a period of time I had a keyboard at home.

Everyone has some outside influences. When did you realize the music you create has its own merit, not a mere copy of a copy of someone else?

We have many musical inspirations, but we try not to copy anyone. I think that after so many years of playing, we succeeded in creating our own specific style. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but we hear that from our fans as well. And that’s very nice.

Are there or have there been any movies, bands or people that have inspired you – or continue to do so?

Movies get me to think about lyrics for the most part. The best genres for that would be horror movies and black comedies. That may not sound too original, but I think they suit our image the best. Besides, Dead Infection has never been a band that would want to change the world or send any special messages through our lyrics. We have fun with our music. And the bands that have inspired us and continue to do so are mainly from the late 80’s, which would make them the grandparents of death and grind metal.

Do you think productivity in slaughterhouses would improve if Dead Infection songs would be served there as the main background music?

… Depends for whom… For the butcher or for the cattle?...

Metallic Butcher ‘zine Guardian, Front Terror, Hideous Chaos, D.O.C. How do you remember old time Bialystokland?

Still remember everything! Kick-ass times! Too bad it’s all gone now. Most of the people’s tastes have changed, their lifestyles changed, and they’re not into music anymore. Maybe they got too old for that? But, luckily, there are a few bands here, and the show goes on. We’re trying to set an example.

Do you still get together with your friends from back in the days, that you can reminiscence about the “glory days” in the Bialystok metal scene? What are the ex-members of Dead Infection up to nowadays?

Well, with the guys from the old times it varies. For the most part, it’s how I mentioned earlier. When it comes to the guys we played with, we hardly keep in touch, if at all. Some of them left the country to try their luck elsewhere.

How is the metal scene in Bialystok now?

Like I said, we have a few bands here. Too bad though that the grindcore genre is not as powerful as it used to be, and it fell into the shadows behind death and black metal music. Some names that deserve an honorary mention are INCARNATED, ABUSED MAJESTY, HERMH, EFFECT MURDER, and there are a couple more…

Where the heck did you get the idea for your “The Greatest Shits” album, especially songs such as “Psalms About Computers”, “Psalms About Storage Battery” and so forth?

At our practices, we have often played covers of our favorite bands. When we came up with quite a number of them, we developed an idea that we could make it into a tribute to our favorites. And “Psalms” just came up by an accident, when our friend stopped by one day, and started singing like a priest during a sermon. We gave him some newspaper pages, and he kind of hummed them into the microphone. He he!!!

I know that other than grind metal, you have a lot of interest in the field of movie soundtracks; who knows, maybe even more interest than in grind metal? Any worthy of mentioning titles that may have gone through your gut-and-gore-covered hands of yours?

Both kinds of music are pretty much at the same level for me. When it comes to soundtracks, I recently favored such titles as “We own the night” by W. Kilar, “The grudge” by Ch. Young, “Hostage” by A. Desplatt and “King Kong” by J.N. Howard.

I have heard about your movie making fascinations. Could you reveal more on that? How has it all started; is there a connection to your interests in cinema music and the movies?

Not taking types and styles into consideration, all together I think that movies and music are the most important in creative arts. And, because I’m infatuated with cinema, I have tried to direct and record something on my own back in the day. I gathered a group of friends and we made some blood-comedy short movies. All the work with recording, setting everything up, sound work… all of it is a lot of fun!

Are you planning on going back to the camera, to movies, etc.?

I would like to go back to that, but at this moment, my time frame doesn’t allow it. But the will to do that is still there...

So far, you have traveled quite a bit, saw a nice chunk of the world already. What would you say was the most interesting up to date? What other countries still remain on the “would-like-to-visit” list of Dead Infection?

We always try to visit the areas that we have concerts in, try to go sightseeing, but sometimes it’s virtually impossible. For instance, when we’re on the bus, and we have to hurry up to make it to the next destination, next venue, next concert. And then, the next day, we have to get up early again, because we have a lot of driving to do to get to the next gig – we have had situations like that already. Although, we try to plan out our time so that we can have some time for rest, some time off. We still have quite a few countries to visit… exactly 27 :)

You have toured the American continent for the very first time in 2007. Can you recollect any good impressions?

Actually, all memories we have from that tour are good ones. Cool gigs, a lot of people that we’ve known already, also some from Poland and from Bialystok. It was a time well spent. And, most importantly, we finally have our own image of what America is. He, he!

During our chats previously, you have mentioned some crazy times in South America – care to share?

Yes. We’re getting a tour of South America ready right now. Originally, it was supposed to be in the spring of 2008, but due to technical problems, we had to postpone it until fall of 2008. Plans are to visit the following: Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. So, another awesome tour that we’re very much looking forward to.

During all your voyages, was there ever a moment, a place, where you wanted to stay for longer, maybe permanently?

Permanently – rather not. But there are places where one would like to stay at for a while longer. All that remains is the hope, that there will be a chance to go back to those places again.

Spineless (Cyjan’s side project – Ed) was only a chapter of accidents. Am I wrong here?

Good description. The only material for Spineless was done in 2000. That was right after Dead Infection fell apart. That project was the proof that I cannot function for long without music.

Dead Infection’s 20th Anniversary is approaching. Do you have any special plans for that occasion already?

Just in January we had our 18th anniversary, in 2 years it will be 2 decades already. Of course we’re planning a huge party in Bialystok for that occasion. Can’t tell you the details, but there will be a lot of awesome guests!

Do you think that residents of Bialystok, or maybe even residents of Poland altogether, can hope for another gig by Cyjan Prod.?

Definitely. On Feb. 23, we already had a second concert under the wings of Cyjan Prod., and I already have plans for “treats” from out of our country to come here.

Last words for metal-maniacs?...

Thanks for the interview. It was cool and all. Best wishes to all.