Heavy metal, sci-fi, and existential musings collide in the cosmic realm of Kontact, a Calgary-based band that defies conventional categorization. Known for their space-infused metal and thought-provoking themes, the band has carved out a unique niche in the heavy music landscape. With their latest release, “Full Contact,” turning heads and challenging perceptions, we caught up with the band to discuss their origins, inspirations, and what lies ahead in their interstellar journey.

Interview

TheNwothm: Can you introduce the band to our audience? Who are you, and how would you describe your sound in a few words?

K: We are the Alien, unknown, and Morh Morf Xela. We play rock ‘n’ roll, but also not really. Metal from another place, maybe?

TheNwothm: How did the band come together? What’s the story behind your formation?

K: We started as a Swedish side-project turned one-man covid obsession turned Canadian 3-piece turned 4-piece turned 3-piece. This is now our final form. Hopefully… 

TheNwothm: What’s the story behind the name Kontact? Does it tie into your themes of space and science fiction?

K: That would be too easy wouldn’t it? Let’s just say, science fiction is written on earth, by humans, about humans, on earth. There are many different forms of contact, some of which seem to be getting lost. 

TheNwothm: Were you all involved in other musical projects before forming Kontact, or was this a fresh start for everyone?

K: We have all had multiple bands before this. It takes a long time to develop as an artist, to figure out what you want to say. I like to think this experience shows in our music.

TheNwothm: How has being based in Calgary, Alberta influenced your music? Is there a strong heavy metal scene there?

K: This place is a black hole of aesthetics, of consciousness, of meaning. The kind of place where the only “art” that can survive beyond the DIY level is commodified and diluted beyond recognition. The cultural atmosphere here is so vacuous that it snuffs out any spark of creativity before it can ignite. Imagine if Plato’s cave was a shopping mall, or a brewpub. There are some cool people here, and even a few good bands, but way less than you’d expect from a city of a million people. Personally I’m quite detached from the local scene, and what goes on here has zero influence on me artistically. On the other hand, the suffocating alienation of the environment itself affects everything I do.

TheNwothm: Your music is deeply tied to themes of space, sci-fi, and fantasy—what draws you to these subjects? Any favourite books, films, or games that inspire your lyrics?

K: I am only interested in science fiction insofar as it is a kind of microscope or prism or funhouse mirror for reality. The consciousness of every single human being is formed through dialogue with their material circumstances. Thus the realm of imagination does not actually exist, it is only a reflection and an abstraction of our tangible social reality. Done well, science fiction and fantasy can be used as a smokescreen for radical philosophical ideas, in order to bypass our stubborn mental filters and assumptions. 

I like Ursula LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Tarkovsky, Lynch and others for this reason. I have no interest whatsoever in escapism or fiction for fiction’s sake. Three of our favorite films are Solaris (1972), Possession (1981), and Fire in the Sky (1993).

TheNwothm: Your debut EP “First Contact” (2022) introduced fans to your cosmic-heavy metal sound. How did that release set the foundation for Kontact?

K: The songs from the EP and the LP were all written within about 6 months of each other, and many songs from the LP were written before songs from the EP. So when people talk about an evolution from one release to the other, I can’t help but be sceptical. Not saying that’s what you’re doing, but it’s a common misconception.

The major difference between the albums is in the production, and maybe the vocal style, which is simply a result of having been recorded several years apart, the need to do vocals in as few takes as possible, experimenting with different production techniques etc. 

TheNwothm: Looking back at “First Contact,” how do you feel about it now? Would you change anything about it?

K: Sure, if I recorded it again today I’d do a lot of things differently. But I’m also an advocate for capturing the spirit of something and letting it go within a reasonable timeframe. It’s easy to get bogged down chasing perfection, and I’ve got a hearing problem that won’t let me spend too much time on things anyways so it’s a bit of “you get what you get”. 

TheNwothm: Your first full-length album, “Full Contact” (2024), has received great reviews! What were your main goals when creating this album?

K: Thanks! Although I’d say the reviews were definitely mixed, which is fine by me. My M.O. with Kontact has always been to see how weird we can get before we lose people completely. If too many people like it, then I guess it’s time to get weirder!

TheNwothm: The album title suggests a deeper dive or maybe a more intense connection—what does “Full Contact” represent for you?

K: First Contact was our first release, Full Contact was our first full-length. There’s a lot of deep and cryptic stuff about this band, but that’s not one of them haha. 

ThenNwothm: Your themes revolve around space, science fiction, and fantasy—do your albums follow a conceptual storyline, or is each song its own unique world?

K: As mentioned above, the world of Kontact is the real world. The one we’re all living in right now. However, to answer your question, each song has its own message while relating to the others in some kind of way. Variations on a theme, I guess. Like the song order on the full-length definitely has a narrative arc, but not to the extent of being a concept album, if that makes sense. And like I said, the albums are really just collections of songs, so there’s no meta-narrative from one album to another, at least nothing intentional.

Bandcamp: https://kontactheavymetal.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kontact.Heavy.Metal/

Instagram: instagram.com/kontact.heavy.metal