Norm Rejection are soon launching their new album The Radical Underground. It’s all about rebellion and liberation, drummer Michael Briguglio tells Mark Debono.

As stifling as the arts scene in Malta might seem to the uninitiated, it is a thriving, living organism of many facets. As seen in countless ways around the world, the protest song is as alive now as ever and transcends genres easily.

When it comes to protest songs of a weighty timbre and subject matter, few do it as well as Malta’s own Norm Rejection, stalwarts of the metal scene and frequent contributors to its output. I meet with drummer and ‘face’ of the band Michael Briguglio, for a quick chat.

My first question concerns processes.How are Norm Rejection songs customarily written, and what’s the usual recording process for the band? Briguglio says the band has gone through various processes in the 20 years they’ve been active.

However, in the case of the soon-to-be-launched The Radical Underground, guitarist Sean Vukovic wrote the music and Briguglio himself penned all the lyrics after working on phrasing with Vukovic and vocalist Wil Pace.

Each band member then adapted accordingly, giving their own flavour to the songs. In particular, bass player extraordinaire Rex entered Norm Rejection’s music writing process by way of his major contribution to one of the songs in the upcoming album.

The band’s influences range from Black Sabbath to Sepultura, Rage Against The Machine, Dead Kennedys, and beyond. I ask about what unites all of these into Norm Rejection today.

Briguglio smiles and says that of course, many other names can be added to that list, especially because if one considered the personal tastes of the band’s members, musical styles such as doom metal, classical music, dub and other genres would also need be included.

“Essentially,” says Briguglio, “we are an anti-dogmatic band. We are open to all music forms. If it works, it is fine.”

Next, I ask about the ‘newest’ member of the band, bassist Rex, who has graced countless stages with myriad other acts. Rex has been in Norm Rejection for about six years, explains Briguglio.

“We grew up together. Sean, Rex and myself played together in Filletti and Friends for many years and our musical subconscious gels well.”

Stylistically speaking, Rex has added a dose of doom to Norm Rejection’s music. In fact, Briguglio, the sticksman and timekeeper, points out that the band’s tempo has tended to slow down, which adds to the heaviness of the compositions.

2011’s Belligerent was Norm Rejection’s last release; how was that received? The album, Briguglio says, did so well that it sold out, with the band recently re-issuing it. A song off the album, entitled Kemm Hawn Dwejjaq fil-Pajjiż, has become a crowd-favourite in concerts.

According to Briguglio, Belligerent was a transition production, the band’s first new recording in a decade. It was also their first with bassist Rex, and the first recording without the sorely missed keyboardist Andrew Martin, who since then passed away. In fact, the new album is being dedicated to Martin. Belligerent was also the band’s first recording produced, mixed and mastered entirely by guitarist Sean Vukovic.

Has the overall message of Norm Rejection changed over the years?

“Norm Rejection’s message is rebellion and liberation,” replies Briguglio, explaining that songs such as Malta Not For Sale and Kemm Hawn Dwejjaq fil-Pajjiż are direct agitprop slogan songs.

Essentially, we are an anti-dogmatic band

Other tracks are less direct and can be interpreted in various ways by the listener. As the lyric-writer, Briguglio spins his own reading to such songs, but the reader or listener can in turn give their own, personal interpretation.

I turn the topic back to the new album; what is behind the name The Radical Underground? Briguglio minces no words in stating that the title represents everything that is Norm Rejection.

“We are an underground band - but radical. Radical in our message and radical in our musical approach. We are about rebellion and liberation, whether philosophically or musically.”

More philosophically, The Radical Underground shines a light on those moments in life which bring about ruptures for the better, be that through social change or through encounters in one’s life.

More specifically, The Radical Underground is the theme song of the album, a song which incites rebellion against and deconstruction of dominant forms of power.

Two songs in the new album deal with real-life stories of prisoners who were framed: Peltier and Living Not Dead. Meanwhile, Existentialate is a song of personal liberation.

Il-Vo(j)t is a sarcastic take on the politics of spectacle, while the other three songs – The Just, Jesus Meets Mao and Celebration of the Snake – can be interpreted in various ways. However, all three relate to the antagonisms, opportunities, challenges and constraints Briguglio encountered in politics.

What about the differences between this album and the ones before? Briguglio explains that this is a self-made album – produced, mixed and mastered by Sean Vukovic at his studio.

As to the band’s progression from early gigs and releases to now, Briguglio says that they have never been as tight as they are now. Though they are not here to conquer the world, they have a message and want to deliver it.

Speaking of message, I ask about which issues in the country are closest to the band’s heart. Briguglio refers to the band’s 1994 debut EP Subtly Mesmerized?, which says to “reject all forms of oppression”. For Briguglio, this message can cross issues, borders, generations and nations.

But which is most important to the band, the politically-fired, social message in the lyrics, or the music?

Briguglio says that for the band, these are two sides of the same coin.

“I can’t imagine us playing Americana radio rock, for example. And similarly, I can’t imagine us singing Eurovision lyrics.”

Briguglio is known for more than his various musical contributions; he is a former chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika. Has this political background ever been of detriment to Norm Rejection?

“Not really,” says Briguglio. “Though now that my involvement ceased, I have more time to dedicate to the band. Being in Norm Rejection means being in art. And art knows no compromise.”

What should we expect of Norm Rejection in future? “We intend to promote The Radical Underground as much as possible, through live performances and further videos,” he says. After that, the band will start thinking of future releases. Turns out, being the voice of revolution takes time and lots of hard work.

The Radical Underground is being launched on July 11 at Zion Reggae Bar, Marsascala. Sempliċiment tat-Triq and Rage Against Society (RAS) will open for Norm Rejection.

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