UN: I was surprised to read that you guys have been together for almost a decade now. Do you think the band has grown a lot over the years? Do you think it's more rewarding to put in your dues over the years and build momentum overtime? Rarely do you hear of flash in the pan success stories in extreme metal though.

Dan Loughry/guitar: I think being together for ten years makes it inevitable that you're going to grow as a band . We have put so much work into this band and it makes it so rewarding that after all this time we finally got signed . Also believing that Polterchrist could really go somewhere, and loving what we do , makes things happen eventually . We have put in our dues and it paid off in the end .

UN: How did things come together with Season of Mist? I think they are an amazing label that truly signs bands that are deserving of the chance. They aren't worried about trends and sign bands that take metal in interesting directions.

DL:Well as far as I know, SOM had interest in Polter for a few years before the signing, but a deal was never offered . In 2003, after the 2002 demo, SOM opened a U.S. office in Philly . After talking with them for awhile, and playing for the president of SOM, we finally got a deal . And that was that .

UN: Engulfed by the Swarm is an interesting concept for an album name, with equally cool cover art. How did the concept for the cover come about? Did the lyrics for the title track come first? Who did the artwork?

DL:The lyrics did come first . And the idea of the art concept was pretty much right there . The lyrics and the music are like a swarm coming down and crushing everything in sight . So the idea was pretty simple . We told the label our idea, and Jerome from Season of Mist did the artwork , excellent job I might add .We also didn't want to do the typical death metal cover that has been done for years. And it is not your typical cover.

UN: Was it an easy recording experience working with Brain Griffin? He obviously knows heavy music. Was it important to have an organic sounding production? A lot of death metal albums these days sound over compressed and you lose a lot of feel in the music. Engulfed....has a very clear and natural ring to it I find.

DL: Working with Brian was great . Brian is extremely talented . Polter had recorded with him in the past . I was not in the band at the time, so I didn't know what to expect . But the experience was great . Brian is in tune with what we want to do, so that did make it easier . And the fact that he had recorded the band before, he knew what to expect . It was very important to us to have a crisp, clear sound considering the type of music . With all the changes and fast paced riffing , we needed someone who was experienced in recording metal to bring out Polter's true sound . Brian was the only way to go. He is the hardest working guy I think I have ever seen. And beings this is our debut album, there was no one better for the job .

UN: You guys definitely have a unique spin on the black/death genre. Would you say that it's important for you guys to bring something unique to the genre? There are so many bands these days playing by the rules, and it just doesn't make for interesting music.

DL: When we first started the band we decided right away that we didn't want to be your typical death metal band . We all had such different styles . Yet we all grew up listening to the same music . I think that it is very important to be original, especially in metal . There are so many bands that sound exactly the same . I also don't think there should be rules in death/black metal . A lot of people like to hear band after band of the same old stuff . But then again there are people out there that get bored of that . I consider myself one who gets bored . We really don't have a choice in writing a unique style of metal . We are all so different in our writing styles, that when you put it all together, that's what comes out . A lot of reviews on the album so far say that we should pick a style and stick with it . But that would take away from what Polterchrist is about .

UN: I find it refreshing that you guys aren't afraid to slow down and play more rhythmic riffs. Do you think a lot of bands forget about the significance of slower more sinister guitar riffs? Blast beats are an integral part of death metal, but constant blasting just numbs the senses

DL: I would have to agree that constant blasting does numb the senses . We love going fast, but you have to have some feel in each song . I think there are a few bands out there that do forget about slowing down and letting people bang their heads for a little while . It is very important to us that each song has a different feel . I for one, need to slow down sometimes and play riffs that have some emotion . It's much better to build up to a blast and take people for a ride with each song. Although hate filled blast beats will always be on Polter's roster .

UN: Would you say that Cynic has at all been an influence on Polterchrist? Some of the clean guitar parts, and bass playing have a Cynic feel to them I'd say.

DL: We all loved Cynic when we first heard them, and still till this day they are an influence on us . They broke the bonds of death metal . Their diversity and jazz influence made a huge impression on us as musicians . As far as the bass playing, I think Monty takes influences from all types of music . He listens to just about everything . Still to this day his bass lines amaze us . Not many death metal bands get such an original and talented bass player .

UN: Now that you have a label behind you, will you guys be on the lookout for more tours and probably tour more extensively?

DL:Yes we are on the lookout for tours . And are eager to get on the road promoting this album . We love playing live more than anything and want to show the world what we've got in store . We are willing and able to do whatever it takes to get out there and stomp everyone's guts out . P.S. please check out our brand new website www.polterchrist.net