Rhütz

‘There’s something about mathematics, music & the human consciousness that begs exploration. RhütZ have been busy dissecting the very source of these things and have mixed everything to the right of the ‘equal sign’ into the new sound that is RhütZ.’ – Or so they say. Headbang Today’s editor Scream frantically revised his multiplication skills in preparation for an interview with one of MOTHERFUDD 2010′s bigger bands called Rhütz!

Rhütz are: Steven (Vocals), Chris (Guitars), Richardt(Guitars), Jason (drums), and Cicero (Bass)

Interview by: Scream

Headbang Today: For a band that falls under the sub-genre of ‘math metal’,  which takes incredible skill to master and even write… How would you explain this sub-genre to people who beg to ask the question: “What is Math Metal?”

Rhütz: Math Metal is an approach towards writing that involves utilizing mathematical structures within the musical timings. We try to stray from the average 4/4 time signature and make things a bit more interesting. One of our new songs has a structure of 2/4, 2/4, 3/4, 2/4, 2/4, 2/4, 5/4, 4/4. And that’s only one of the bars in the measure. It’s called Der Abacus.

Headbang Today: Are any of you any good at math? What is the sum of the coefficients of
( [3x - 3x^2 +1]^744 ) x ( [- 3x + 3x^2 +1]^745 ) ??

Rhütz:

( [3x - 3x^2 +1]^744 ) x ( [- 3x + 3x^2 +1]^745 )
((3x – 9x +1)^744)((-3x + 9x +1)^745)
((-6x +1)^744)((6x+1)^745)

= 1

Headbang Today: Okay, enough with the math questions! So you’ll be performing at one of South Africa’s biggest metal festivals, MotherFUDD 2010. With a full length 17 track debut album beneath your belts, you obviously have an interesting set that you’ll be showing off! Which one of your songs do you think will get the motherfudders banging to the most?

Rhütz: Well, we’ve got some awesome new material that we’ve really math’d out a lot, which should kick, but from the bangers perspective, a classic like Sky always gets them going. Feel is also a great new song which we believe has got a lot of potential.

Headbang Today: You’ve gigged throughout the most of South Africa during Rhütz’s existence and you’ve even crossed borders and paid Botswana a little visit… According to your website, you’ve ‘seen a new horizon’. Tell us a bit about your experience in Botswana? What are the headbangers like?

Rhütz: Personally, I have never seen such crazy head bangers before. They come cloaked in metal flags ranging from Iron-Maiden to Slayer and have nicknames like Black Dog and The Undertaker. When the music starts, they go absolutely crazy. From stage, it’s like watching a red-ant heap getting smoked out. Complete and total chaos.

Headbang Today: Now with an enormous amount of gigs behind you, which gig stood out the most for you as a band and why? (your best gig ever?)

Rhütz: MotherFudd 2007. There was a chick with a bloody gas-mask in the crowd. That’s the kind of madness that really gets us going

Headbang Today: 2008 saw the release of your debut album, The Colour of Television. Do you perhaps have a new album in the pipeline?

Rhütz: We’ve been hard at work writing the new material for quite a while now. We’re hoping to start recording our new album towards the middle of the year.

Headbang Today: How many hours a week do you put into rehearsing and jamming together?

Rhütz: On average about 8 hours a week if we don’t have large shows coming up. If we do, we’ll try to put in about 15 hours or so. We also do a lot of work on our own.

Headbang Today: Which internationally recognised band would you love to share the stage with one day?

Rhütz: Dillinger Escape Plan

Headbang Today: If we had to shove all of Rhütz’s band members into an octagon to fight to the death, who will be the last man standing?

Rhütz: Probably Chris. He’s like a bloody bulldog in a fight. I’ve seen the man take down large rugby players.

Headbang Today: A day in the life of Rhütz consists out of…

Rhütz: Getting high, playing and listening to a lot of music, work, parties, girls, the usual. On tour it’s kinda like, wake, bake, load gear, yell at each other, set up, jam, party, sleep. Repeat.

Headbang Today: We wish you all the best for MotherFUDD 2010 and our correspondents look forward to banging to your stuff! Any last words?

Rhütz: Many thanks Scream! We can’t wait to jam for you guys and all the fans at MotherFUDD! Rock On

Check them out on their official site: www.Rhutz.co.za