Five years worth of energetic shows and festivals prove Necrobiosis are no strangers to the stage. And with the upcoming release of their as-yet untitled third album, and a cross-Canada tour that they’re keeping hush-hush for the time being, all the hard work and determination are finally starting to pay off for the horror-grinding-death metal quintet from Edmonton, Alta.

Founding members and dual guitarists Josh Fell and Curtis Vanderham gave us a peek into the world of Necrobiosis, taking time to reflect on where they’re headed, where they’ve been, and how it all began, starting with the crusty goodness of the band’s zombie-inspired name.

“It’s the [physiological] death of a cell.” Vanderham explains. “It’s something related to zombies, how they form and mutate. After all, there is no live tissue in a zombie. In short, it sounded cool.”

Although Vanderham agrees that many other bands have come and gone under the same moniker, he stresses it’s how they’re Necrobiosis that really makes them stand out.

“Pat Milloy on vocals, Paul Banham on drums, and Mike Sparks on bass. All three bring such a different style to the table that we, as a band, cannot help but sound completely different,” Vanderham says.

“In addition, the overall guitar tone provided by Curtis and myself bring brutality and musicality in one package” Fell adds.

How did the band first get together?

Curtis Vanderham: Josh Fell and I met a few years ago in another band called Second Stone. Feeling frustrated with the situation there, we decided to go off on our own and do something we wanted.

What can fans expect to hear from the new album?

Vanderham: A vast difference from the previous two. The songs are faster, heavier and a lot more technical.

How important is it for you to travel around for shows, before and after an album release?

Vanderham: Very important. We cannot expect people to come to Edmonton to hear us, so we bring the show to them. Traveling before a release is important. It gets your name out there and you can connect with the fans, as well as gain some interest in the music itself. Tapping into new markets is easier if you have not released a new album. The importance is there, but the pressure is off. Afterward, the release is more important because now you have an album to promote and sell in those markets you touched.

You‘ve played at many festivals over the years. Do you still get the same excitement as you did playing your first one?

Vanderham: Definitely. Every festival is different, but the general feeling and excitement is always there.

How different is playing festivals compared to playing bar shows?

Vanderham: During festivals, it’s a lot easier to blend in with the crowd and watch the band that is playing. There are so many people and bands walking around, everyone is almost on overload so they focus on who is playing rather than walking around. Bar shows almost get you one on one with a lot of the people in and around the metal scene. Bar shows are a lot more intimate than festivals, whereas in festivals you can become anonymous and experience the energy from the floor, rather than the stage.

Josh Fell: It’s a different vibe. The people go nuts. Big mosh pits and double-decker mosh pits. It’s quite different from bar shows where some people are at the front, but most are at the back bobbing their heads.

Do you have a favorite Alberta festival that you try to play at every year?

Vanderham: So far there are two. Hell-o-caust, close to Edmonton, and Dethfest [in Coaldale, Alta.]. We had a lot of fun at Dethfest last time we played, and are really looking forward to playing it again this year.

When you play festivals, do you usually haul all your own gear or do you find someone to play roadie for the night?

Vanderham: We wish we could have a roadie. We haul all of our own gear.

What‘s the best thing about taking part in a festival?

Vanderham: Seeing other bands that you may have missed, or that haven’t had a chance to make it out of their own town. Meeting a lot of new people, and rocking their asses off.

And the worst?

Vanderham: Skeezy venue owners who promise a lot and never deliver.

Do you have any funny, scary or just plain strange stories from any festivals that you wouldn‘t mind sharing?

Vanderham: The last Dethfest we played, we ended up sleeping in a dog park in Fort Macleod.

Fell: And then having to book at 5 a.m. Some lady walking her dog warned us that the cops are not very nice to “vagrants.”

Are there any festivals anywhere in the world that you would love to be involved with and, of course, why?

Fell: Inferno in Norway, Bloodfest in England and Hellfest in France. The answer to all three would be the experience, and being able to play with all those bands we have looked up to for so long.