Interview with L. Chuck D, vocalist and guitar player of the French Deah metal band, Ghusa.
Hello Chuck, how have you been?
Hi there. Well, everything’s fine for us.
About the band, when was Ghusa formed?
I formed the band in Germany in the last quarter of 1989. During many years we have worked as a trio where I was assuming the role of guitarist and vocalist. From the genesis to 2014 I have been the only composer, but I lost the use of my left hand and I could not play guitar anymore. That did not prevent me from recording all I could from 1990 to 2006. Thanks to this way of working together we have been able this year to propose this box. When I took the decision to put ghUSa back on track I needed before anything else to surround myself with people I could trust, so I could play live again and propose new things. Nowadays ghUSa is a cooperation in the form of variable geometry, the most important thing being not the Who, but the What which has to remain the music and only the music.
You have released only one album, in 2006 entitled ”Letter To My Son (‘s). Tell me about it.
Some events change, even overwhelm, the life of a man and I think the title is explicit enough. However there is a double reading possible in this title as, in history, several Gods saw fit to leave us their “Testaments” written by some of their disciples. Through this EP, I wanted to give my view on religion. It is said everywhere that the Father created us in His own image, when I firmly believe that Man created gods in his own image. Otherwise why would we have all those wars in the name of divinities supposed to represent generosity, goodness and even Love? For me there is only in God the will to silent individual thought by systematic indoctrination from the earliest age. Don’t we say that France is Judeo-Christian? In my writings I never give any pre-made answer, I try to make the listener think if he’s interested in the lyrics. In this opus I talk about my personal view on things and it could be summed up like this: tolerance is not about renouncing its own ideas but accepting to listen to those of the others.Back at the time I was already surrounded with faithful friends you will find the name in the booklet. I had opted for a trio band made of a guitarist/vocalist, a bassist and a drummer. I wrote all the songs except of course for the Benediction cover. Then we started to record at Andrew Guillotin’s Hybreed Studio where I took care of the rhythm section with the guitars and the vocals. Then we had many guests with many soloists, as there is never twice the same musician on these specific parts. This album has been remastered by Jipouille de St Loup in his home studio. He’s also responsible for the recording of our new EP “Come Sweet Death” which you’ll also find in the box.
Are you going to release soon new materials?
At the time I am answering this interview the new album is almost completed as a demo. I have learned with time to never commit to what I do not master, which here is the case for the release date. There are nowadays too many factors in the release of an album. What I can tell you is that it will be rooted in the theme we chose, that is Old School Swedish Death Metal. We have already played 3 new titles during our different dates and we have been pleasantly surprised by the audiences.
What are the lyrical themes?
Our favorite lyrical themes are often around the religion as I told you earlier. This is an endless source of inspiration, as at every historic step Man descends further down in barbarity. Mental manipulation, physical oppression, tortures, murders, rapes and I could go on forever. I have chosen ghUSa’s image and the lyrics are totally part of it.
Are there any influences?
There is a plethora of influences, like Dismember, Edge of Sanity, Entombed, Unleashed, Nihilist or Grave for the older ones. But there are also newer bands like Bloodbath, Smothered or Demonical. ghUSa is a homage group to this Death Metal scene, which explains why we have recorded so many covers during all these years. I am proud to take up the torch of the genre while being a French band.
Any shows confirmed for this year?
We are working on some dates but I cannot confirm any yet. But we are at last surrounded by a team in which I believe and we entrusted them our destiny.
Do you have a message for the Ghusa fans?
At first I would never had believed to be still there, answering your questions 25 years after grabbing the 6-chords for the first time in ghUSa and I know perfectly well to whom I owe it. A band is nothing without its fans and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing this quarter of a century with me. I’ll do my best to keep their trust and to share again these moments of happiness.
Thank you Chuck and all the best!
Thanks to you for this interview and see you on tour soon. And don’t forget that God Hates Us All!
https://www.facebook.com/ghusaband
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