Jussi: Thanks Khris for taking the time out for this interview. So how are things with you guys?
Khris: Currently, we rehearse every day except the weekend, in view to be ready to record an album! We would want to record 15 songs, but only put 13 on the album! I think with 13 songs on, we could release an album for around 1 hour and I think it’s enough! There will also be a lot of concerts to come where we will have to play around 1 hour or more! We have to be ready for that, and we only want to play our own songs, not covers! We all also have a job, but we rehearse every day! I think this is the only way to play a good music! The strongest work is for me, because I compose all music and lyrics, I promote and sell the band, I search for booking manager, and I rehearse with all the rest of the band! Let me tell you it’s not funny every day!!!

Jussi: Upon reviewing your WARATTAH's latest material you guys are very aggressive with your music which by all means is different, how would you describe your style?
Khris: Very good question. I have absolutely no idea? I only write what I hear in my head, and that’s all! I even can’t tell you we have a style, because I don’t think about it! I’m not asking myself if I have to write this or this, to sell CD’s or not, I write what I am, and we play what we are. Our style, it’s no style! *lol*

Jussi: Out of curiosity how did the name WARATTAH come about?
Khris: When I started the band, I didn’t want a name which meant something. I just wanted a name which finished by "a", with 3 syllables, and with an aggressive-sounding. I thought if there would have the word war inside our band name, no one could tell we play funk music, for example!!! *lol* And one day, a friend of mine suggested waratta. I found this name very good, exactly what I wanted!!! I only added the "h" at the end of our name, for a tribute to Meshuggah for their perseverance in their own style!

Jussi: Read some good stuff about the band as far as reviews go. Is there anything new as far as future material of an album in the making?
Khris: Thank you for your kind words. Thank you. Glad to see you read our reviews. Now, we know each other much better than when the demo was recorded. The drummer joined WARATTAH to record!! Not less! He has got 15 days to learn the songs and to record them. Now, we have been together for 2 years, and it bears fruit. I still write the totality of the compositions, but each one a little differently plays its part from what it wrote on the scores, particularly the drummer, precisely. Each one of us tests some different things, but based on a song already written. It is good, because everyone can express himself in his own way. On the other hand, I lead the band to play faster, because it pisses me to play mid-tempo. I would like to have more songs which are fast. But I don’t want either to play fast to play fast! It is necessary that there is cohesion with everyone, and also towards myself! And precisely, I pass by one period of my life where I remind me of my past, which pushes me to write this way, I think? It comes like that, I don’t ask myself a question!

Jussi: If an album is in the process, what is one to expect from this new material?
Khris: Yes, as I said before, an album is in the process, and we want it faster, louder and more aggressive than our 4 first songs composed. For the moment, there are 10 songs finished, but we currently finalize 3 other new songs (it takes a long time to set them up because they are a little bit complicated). I would like to have 13 songs on our first album, but if we could record 15, it would be good. Now, there are a few fast songs, and we continue in this way, even if I find that it’s not yet rather aggressive. Then, I take it out on the lyrics... *lol*. The lyrics are more aggressive than on the demo, I speak more about my past! About spite, frustration, hatred. There are also a few very technical settings up on the last composed songs. And some solos, since Denis joined us. Now that he is with us, we’d better make the most of his technique. Otherwise, we have also one or 2 songs where there are melodic chorus, thing which we didn’t make on the demo (except on Skulls…). And finally one song really groovy and low-tempo. So, yes, you can expect new material for our first album.

Jussi: WARATTAH seems to be making their way amongst the ranks of raw talent from France . Do you think that the group will reach a more serious rank from the rest of the groups presently from your country?
Khris: I only can tell you I hope. But all in good time. I will be able to answer to you 6 months after having released our first album!! lol You know, there is Gojira, Dagoba, Scarve for example, which became well known on the international scene. And now, I think it’s a real chance for the French Metal scene that these bands have made what they made. For a few years, there are some real good French Metal bands, and people know it. We have more opportunities in the world, now. Time will tell if we will reach a more serious rank from the rest of the bands here.

Jussi: How would you describe WARATTAH as a band?
Khris: WARATTAH is a family! Everyone can count on everyone. And there is a real complicity between me and the bassist, because we were already at the high school together, where we already had some bands together. All of us are united, and if a problem arises, everyone will get a move on to help the one who is in difficulty.

Jussi: Vocally your style is not based on growling death like vocals like some singers out there. Do you find that having your own signature tone adds to the diverse sound of the group?
Khris: I never liked growling death vocals! I don’t understand what these men say, and I like to understand the lyrics. I respect their choice, but I don’t like it. I always liked Phil Anselmo’s voice, for example, because, yes he roars, but every one can understand what he says. That’s what I like. And after, I met Devin Townsend, and I understood there is more to do with voice in Metal band than to roar. I don’t pretend that I am a good singer, I just try to do things with my voice.

Jussi: Are you still currently seeking management and show promotion still? If so, anything new to report as far as future performances for the band?
Khris: Yes, we currently seeking a booking manager for France, because the most important for us is to play, play and play in concerts. We don’t find anyone. And yet I’m seeking. So, for the moment, I do WARATTAH’s business management. But if I don’t find this here in France, I have found booking managers for Switzerland and Benelux.

Jussi: When the group recorded the Distorsion demo, were you surprised by the recording of it or was there something different you were expecting?
Khris: No, there were no surprises. I had written these 4 songs for a long time, and we had recorded exactly what there was written on the scores. As I said before, I write all the scores for everyone in the band, and I’m lucky because everyone knows to read the scores in the band. I only changed the bridge of The Void at the last moment, because I found it too much linear. That’s all. I knew that we had to sound like this; I was not expecting something different.

Jussi: Any other projects besides WARATTAH? Additional music related activities?
Khris: *lol!!!* No, I have no project beside WARATTAH, because WARATTAH was a project before! At least in a first time! I have another band, Oversoul, with which I released 4 albums, but we are in stand-by since 2005! So, I decided to start WARATTAH, and now, I am only interested in WARATTAH. Otherwise, I also write some songs different from Metal, where there is no voice. My friends told me it could be film’s music. There are a lot of instruments in. And one more time, I have no idea of what it could be, it just go out of myself.

Jussi: What are you currently listening to these days? Band wise?
Khris: I listen to a very little bit of music, in fact! I pass my time to write… or promote the band. The only bands I listen to are Ben Harper, Red Hot Chili Peppers, FFF, Oceansize, Devin Townsend. These are the bands I listen to the most, but I currently don’t listen to nothing.

Jussi: What do your lyrics express or touch ideas on? Nothing to extreme I hope?
Khris: What I express in the lyrics is what I lived in my life or what I think about some situations what I lived! It also can be lyrics about feelings I have or I had. Generally speaking, the lyrics are based on reflection, reality, and on the life. From which the “Open your eyes, your ears, everywhere, all the times” on our website first page.

Jussi: Any news to report on the band?
Khris: Yes! We just dealt a distribution’s contract in Germany for 1 year, with Comet Records/Radar Music. There will be on the CD the 4 songs of the demo, but with a re-mastering sound, the video clip of Fits Of Rage, and some pictures. And with a great artwork! And we are currently in contact with a few labels which would seem interested to release our 1st album.

Jussi: One thing that the group is looking forward to in the near future?
Khris: My agent and I search a contract better than a distribution’s contract, with some labels, and we’ve got some interesting answers! For the moment, I can’t say anything because nothing is signed and done, but I think WARATTAH is in a good way to announce a great deal with a world known label soon.

Jussi: How would you describe a WARATTAH’s live performance?
Khris: I would describe a WARATTAH’s live performance as a mix of pleasure and good mood; we try to make people happy! We play fast, loud, we move as it can be possible, and we take good time with people who are here with us. When the show is over, everyone (public and us) must be worn out! We are dripping with perspiration, by the way, it’s why we are always stripped to the waist (and that’s not to show off!! lol). And for me, it is also an outlet for my inner rage and anger! But I think that a concert is not only one concert to play, it also unite all of us a little bit more every time, and promote the band in the best way! We attach a high importance to play and play again, because we think it’s the “sinews of war” in Metal. Maybe more to sell CD’s…Of course, this is our point of view…

Jussi: Out of curiosity what kind of musical gear do you use? Such as guitar..amps.
Khris: I only use Schecter’s guitars 7 strings, and Peavey amps! I am endorsed by these brands. And I’m pleased with them. I currently also seeking an endorsement for the drummer, because he is the one who have the worst stuff of us! Broken cymbals, too much small drums, and no money to buy another! He is the priority of the next endorsement, if possible.

Jussi: Most annoying question you have been asked? Besides some of mine that I have asked here.
Khris: I forgot!!! Sorry, but I don’t know anymore…

Jussi: Final comments or anything that you would like to mention?
Khris: Thank you very much for this interview! I hope to meet you one day, in a concert or elsewhere, and I wish you all the best to come for Nocturnal Hall. Thank you to exist, to take time for us, because without you, we couldn’t explain what we are!

Jussi: Nocturnal Hall would like to thank Khris for letting us probe his brain and wishing the band much success throughout this year and years to come.