Show of hands, who else got obliterated by Penitence when it dropped last Friday? I for one definitely did. And then again… And again. The latest album from Apes is out through Secret Swarm Records and it is so much more than a grindcore album. It certainly has that bite we all look for in the genre, but there is a lot more to take away from it than that. The blackened industrial energy specifically offers a unique sense of depth that I immediately connected with, and the hardcore structure is undeniable. What I’m saying is that this is an awesome hybrid of so many different styles, clearly crafted without any kind of creative restraint, and there’s definitely benefit in listening to this thing on repeat considering all that there is to uncover. But that’s enough rambling. Gabriel (drums and other noises) took some time to answer our Profile questions and offered up some great insight and stories about Apes, their history, influences, and more. Give it a read after the jump and hit that Bandcamp link while you’re down there.

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

First, thank you for having us! We all started playing music at a very young age and had bands that performed locally. By the age of 14, some of us already had small hardcore and metal bands that played shows in small venues and community centers. The metal scene was very active in Eastern Quebec during our youth, and metal culture was omnipresent—we were literally immersed in it. Half of the band lived in a town called Rimouski during our youth, and the city hosted tons of shows, in addition to free punk, metal, or hardcore music shows every Tuesday in a park. These events were always packed and greatly helped sustain the music scene.

Our parents have always supported us in our musical projects, often driving from one place to another. Having parents who supported us so much and somewhat understood what we wanted to do was certainly very formative!

As for how the band started, we wanted to have a powerviolence band that sounded like Mind Eraser. We quickly began incorporating influences from death metal and certain black metal elements into our songs to vary what we were doing. The turning point that gave a significant push towards the sound we are now known for was definitely when we welcomed Gabriel (drums) and Louis (3rd guitar) into our ranks. From that moment, we delved deeper into our various influences, which greatly helped shape the band we are today.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Imagine a death metal band played by people who grew up in the hardcore scene, but who also like black metal. That’s Apes for you—a multi-headed hydra. Our influences range from Iron Monkey to Suffocation, including bands like Integrity and even industrial stuff. We are influenced by so many musical genres that it would be difficult to pinpoint a single genre that defines us. One thing is certain, we try to keep it interesting by drawing from whatever interests us, regardless of the genre. Our guiding principle is: as few barriers as possible, and keep it heavy.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Last summer, while driving to a show in Ottawa, our van goes dead on the highway. We call a tow truck, we’re told that the battery is dead, so we buy a new the battery and set off again. This is immediately followed by an interminable series of “omg the van is working”, then “wtf the van died again” moments, with us eventually having to cancel the show and using whatever juice is left on the battery to drive into a small town for repairs. A nice-yet-sketchy tow truck guy named Frank arrives with a tiny chihuahua under his arm. He says it’s an electrical wiring issue, and asks us to meet later to fix it. At the same time, someone grabs and takes off with his chihuahua, and we all start chasing the guy! Turns out it was a friend pranking him. OK. A few hours later, Frank meets us behind a bar, arriving in a bright orange, heavily customized El Camino. He uses parts from his own car to repair our van (!), says we’re all set. We give him a $40 tip, and we spot him gambling the money at the bar only minutes later. The next morning, as we’re leaving town, the van goes dead again. We call Frank, who shows up feeling guilty about our misfortune and finally tells us it’s not the wiring but (plot twist) our alternator that’s faulty. He did manage to find a garage for us right away, and even offered to book a show in his backyard next time we’re in town. Calling these 24 hours an emotional rollercoaster ride would be an understatement. I’m sure many bands have stories like this!

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

People are trying a lot of new things, which leads to fascinating results. The new Candy record is a prime example, with a super vicious mix of hardcore and industrial music. Scenes are not as divided as they used to be—no one would have believed in 2002 that Dying Fetus would headline a grassroots hardcore festival, or that major rap artists would take metal or hardcore bands on tour (here I’m thinking of tours like Ghostemane/VeinFM/Bitter End). Times are changing, and it’s for the better!

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

Apes started as a very eco-conscious band and often talked about environmental preservation (“kill yourself / save the earth!”). We’re still focused on that, but more subtly than before, and we try to have lyrics that are more open to interpretation. Although they talk about the environment, they can be interpreted in different ways, which is interesting for everyone.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

We all have our hustle, of course. Phillip works on video games, I’m a graphic designer, Gabriel works in software, Patrick works in construction, Simon manages chemical plants, and Louis presses vinyl records! We are definitely very busy, but music remains a passion that allows us to escape from our daily routines.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

I believe that simply engaging in the work you’re doing now is remarkable in its own right. Many music review sites operate solely out of passion, receiving no compensation for their efforts. Promoting emerging bands to a wider audience is crucial for highlighting what’s happening within alternative scenes. Personally, I am appreciative whenever I come across a media outlet discussing our band, regardless of the medium or format. I extend my gratitude to all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, playing an indispensable role in the preservation of alternative cultures.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

We definitely want to do more shows as much as possible, balancing family and work. We have plans for 2024-2025 for playing the USA, and we hope everything will go as planned. We’re also already discussing the successor to “Penitence”, for which we already have some ideas to create something truly different and artistically interesting.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Right now, we’re all very excited about the return of Nails, with whom we’ve had the chance to share the stage a few years ago. I’ve mentioned it earlier, but the new Candy album is also in regular rotation—it’s an incredible blend of Ministry, Integrity, and stuff that reminds you of Machine Head or Slipknot—it’s insane! The new Full Of Hell, Thou, Knocked Loose and Gatecreeper records are also sick.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

We’ll be playing several shows across Canada from now until October to promote “Penitence” with our friends from Scorching Tomb, Prowl, Serpent Corpse, Helsreach, and many others. We’re very excited to see the audience’s reception to our new material. We’ll also be announcing more dates soon, which will take us to venues we’ve never visited before. We’re all very excited!

Summarize your band in one word.

FERAL.

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Many thanks to Gabe for the time!

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Penitence is available now via Secret Swarm Records. For more information on Apes, give them a follow on Instagram or Facebook.