In this short but sweet chat with LENG TCH’E, the Belgian grinding machine since 2001, we talked about lineup changes, influences, and their upcoming new album…
Given that there are no original members left in the band, how would you describe the evolution of LENG TCH’E over the years? How have the lineup changes affected the band’s musical direction and the overall process of creating new releases? Have these changes led to experimenting with new styles or techniques?
Nicolas (bass): Having Jan pick up guitar duties in 2004 definitely shifted the songwriting into a heavier and simultaneously more progressive direction.
Obviously changing vocalists also changes the overall sound quite a bit.
But we’ve always been a band that incorporated various styles into our music, even from the start we had influences from hardcore, doom, stoner etc.
Which bands or artists have had the most significant influence on your music? Is there a particular band or musician that especially inspires you as a band in ways that fans might not expect?
NAPALM DEATH, EYEHATEGOD, NEUROSIS, MORBID ANGEL, BURNT BY THE SUN, CRO-MAGS… our tastes are all over the place.
When can we expect a new album or another release? Considering your last album, “RAZORGRIND,” was released in 2017, are you currently working on new material, or are you primarily focused on live shows?
We are in fact working on a new album but with age comes responsibilities (and fatigue) so it’s taking a bit longer than expected.
And Jan is occupied with his other project COFFIN FEEDER which is brootal as fuck.
Which album or song from your entire discography do you consider the most representative of LENG TCH’E and why?
One song that I always love to play and which makes the crowd go into a frenzy is “Totalitarian”.
We can see you performing both in club gigs and at larger festivals. What do you prefer more? Do you make a distinction between the two, and how do you prepare for each? Do you create special setlists, or is it always somewhat consistent?
Setlist is pretty much consistent, we might shorten it a bit when we have shorter time slots on festivals.
I love both experiences, as long as the crowd is into it then I’m happy. Nothing worse than playing for a crowd looking like cows staring at a passing train.
Speaking of performances, you are known for very energetic live shows. What is your approach to live performances, and what do you consider the key elements for a great concert? How do you maintain the energy and motivation for a live show, considering that some band members might not always feel like playing?
We always try to give it our all and I believe that energy transfers unto the crowd.
Apparently it’s working since like you said we are known for energetic live shows.
I don’t understand bands who just stand there staring at their instruments while playing music that’s extremely aggressive.
Your performance needs to convey the energy of the music, otherwise what’s the point?
How do you see the current grindcore/death metal scene? Have you noticed any changes or trends lately? Has the rise of social media and online music platforms increased visibility for you as a band or not?
Yeah especially the younger generation is receptive to gimmicks because of short attention spans and being bombarded with nonsense thru social media.
It’s kinda sad to observe when you’ve grown up in the 80’s and 90’s when fans used to buy and listen to complete albums and follow bands throughout their whole careers.
On the other hand the underground is still alive so what can you do right? Times change.
What’s the craziest experience you’ve had on tour?
Too many shenanigans to pick just one, haha.
Actually a lot of it is uber boring like the traveling and waiting around.
But those 45 mins on stage and the crazy fans after the show make it all worthwhile in the end.
Do you follow other Belgian bands on the scene, and would you highlight any new ones? Or perhaps some older ones? 🙂
For me personally I don’t see many new bands that are doing something interesting. Most of it is just rehashing stuff from 20-30 years ago.
What’s next for LENG TCH’E?
We’ve got a show next month with CYTOTOXIN and a bunch of local bands which should be a lot of fun.
And hopefully finish that new record somewhere next year!
Top three Belgian beers?
Orval, Tripel Karmeliet, Bolleke Koninck.
For the end, any message for readers, fans, enemies? 🙂
Thanks for the support all these years!
It’s amazing to look and see where we started as a joke and now we’re all famous and shit. Not really.
But we still love playing for you, crazy fuckers! See you on the road.
Follow LENG TCH’E:
Official website: http://lengtche.net/
Bandcamp: https://lengtche.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leng-Tche/7030041429
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lengtche.official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RazorFuckingGrind
