UN: Although it is an entirely overused question, can you tell us about the beginnings of the band? What were some of the Texan and non-Texan bands that drove you to start Disfigured?

Mike/guitar: Just wanna say thanks real quick for having us. The band started in Early 2001. We had all been jamming together in other project's, but nothing really serious until Disfigured came along. We were all wanting to start something along the line's of a mix of old school deathmetal and thrash. Some of the bands that made us wanna play deathmetal were Morbid Angel, Broken Hope, Suffocation, old Deeds of Flesh, Cannibal Corpse and Napalm Death. Tx bands like Devourment and Prophecy had also big influence on us knowing that they had already raised the bar for some serious TXDM.

UN: Blistering of the Mouth is one hell of a debut album. Are you guys pleased with how the album turned out and the response it has been receiving thus far? Has it been selling reasonably well?

Mike: From what we've heard, it has been selling pretty steadily since it's release. We had a killer cd release show which was at this year's annual Central Illinois Metalfest. One big ass deathmteal party. To be honest, we didn't know what to expect from the listeners, but overall the response has been nothing but positive which is cool as hell. People from all parts of the world are really digging it.

UN: The album sounds phenomenal. I know that you guys produced the album yourselves. How long did it take to record the album? Did it take a while to get the sounds you were striving for?

Mike: Well we recorded the album 2 parts. The first part being in Sept. of '07 with the 2nd half being recorded in Jan. of this year. Spent a good while in the studio both times making sure what we put out was gonna sound heavy, thick and kickass. Production wise, all we wanted was to be able to make an album you could jam from start to finish and also that sounded clear. The end result came out fucking great. Glad you like it man.

UN: Jon Zig was the artist behind the cover artwork. Was it tough to get him to do the cover artwork? He must be extremely busy with tattooing as well as all of the other artwork he does. His artwork is definitely a staple of underground death metal and has been for some time.

Mike: Zig's artwork is legendary. He's done so many of the sickest album covers as well as logos for some of the biggest names in deathmetal. Forunatly for us, Zig lives up the road from us in Austin. We've known him for a few years and played many shows with both of his bands Images of Violence and Sarcolytic. We new from the get-gp that we wanted to work with him. Thankfully he had time to get some sick artwork going for us. The artwork he did for our album is awesome. Color schemes are great and it's not too over the top gory, yet still captures the sickness. I also am working on a full tattoo sleeve from Zig as well.

UN: How did the band first come into contact with Comatose Music? Have you guys known Steve for a long time prior to signing to the label?

Mike: Actually no. We met Steve in Nov. of last year at a big fest here in Tx. Totally hit it off with the guy. He label has put out some of the best underground album's ever, so being apart of the Comatose Family is a HUGE achievement to Disfigured. We gave him a copy of some demos we had put together, but things really seem to get going until the April of this year. Again, glad to be with the Comatose crew.

UN: One thing that definitely stands out about the Disfigured sound is the fact that while the band is fast and extreme you guys explore a lot of different tempos throughout the album. Many similar bands just basically play fast and then add in a few groove parts. Is it important to keep the songs interesting musically and never really fall into any sort of formula?

Mike: Yeah. We don't really want to categorize ourselves with this or with that. We've always been about the music that makes us happy. Brutal TXDM!! We like to mix it all up and keep it for sure interesting. Were all big fans of tech. deathmetal and some slam, but that's not what were about. More simple straight forward kind of shit.

UN: Recently the band played with Carcass. Was it an honor to get to open for what many consider to be one of the greatest death metal bands of all time?

Mike: Glad your bringing up that show, cause that one was for sure one to remember for a long time to come. It was for sure an honor jamming with them. Been big fans of them and Suffocation for a long ass time. That had to have been THE biggest show we've ever played.

UN: Looking over the many show posters you guys have online it seems like you guys have had the chance to play with a large number of amazing bands. Any shows really stand out in your memory?

Mike: In late Feb., we did 2 nights in a row with Immolation and Belphegor. That weekend will stand out forever. Seeing Immo back to back slayed. Ugh.. the Prong show was cool, Dark Funeral, Crowbar, Meshuggah, Cattle Decapitation, Vital Remains were all shows that stand out. Honestly many of these shows are a blur to me from all the bud I smoke...haha.

UN: Do you think that Texas has one of the strongest scenes in the country when it comes to death metal? The State has consistent had bands bringing out quality releases and seems to be something of a hot bed for death metal right now.

Mike: Tx has always seemed to be a state of overall great music. Not just in deathmetal, but blues and cuntry too. Deathmetal alone has been a big staple in this scene and yes the scene is pretty strong. There have been many great deathmetal releases coming from this state and many of them do influence alot of other bands out there.

UN: Lets talk the early years of Texas metal. Who would you say was one of the first bands from the State to play death metal? I know Rigor Mortis is from Texas and while they are quite awesome they definitely are more thrash oriented.

Mike: Prophecy was prolly the first TXDM band I ever heard. I was hooked when I heard them. Of course Tx slamsters Devourment have really put TXDM on the map. Older bands like Putrilidge, Infernal Dominion, and Viral Load have all been doing it for quite sometime. Some of these bands are not around anymore, but for sure left there mark here in Tx.

UN: I was actually curious to ask about the name of the band. I know that the name has been used in the past a few times, with the most well known probably being a New York based death metal band. Have you run into any trouble with your choice of name? Im fairly sure the New York band is long defunct at this point in time.

Mike: This question always comes up.. haha. When we first started the band back on '01, we hadn't ever heard of any band called Disfigured. To this day, I still have yet to hear what they sound like. We choose that name cause it fit the style of music we were looking to play. The only trouble we've run into with the name is older deathmetal fans getting us confused with the New York Based band. Nothing else really besides that.

UN: What do you guys hope to get out of Disfigured? It doesnt happen often in death metal, but is this something you guys would like to do full time? Is the prospect of touring for most of the year appealing to you guys?

Mike: If we could tour all year long, we'd do it. This band is definatly something we take serious. We've done a few tours already and plan on doing more to support this album. Work sucks...lol. Deathmetal 24/7 sounds way better...haha. In the end, all we hope to get out of this band is some fun times, killer fucking shows and making killer deathmetal music that we all like to listen too!!

http://www.myspace.com/disfiguredmetal