Interview originally published Dec 9th 2020.

Tuning into live streams from around the world has been a new hobby of many music fans since live music is only slowly starting to come back in some places and is still quiet in others. One of the perks of this is that bands you may not have had access to before may come across your radar- and this was the case for me and this incredible band

Monsters Dive.

A post-hardcore band with a unique sound and incredible energy, Monsters Dive has become a popular presence on the Seoul metal scene and has been making moves, releasing their first full-length album ‘Dive or Die’ in October. I caught up with guitarist Sangwan to get the low down on Monsters Dive.

Monsters Dive has been together since 2011. Tell us how you came together?

Monster Dive was made by me in 2011. Early members were mainly friends and acquaintances. They were forced to quit due to their own circumstances, and there were many member changes. Now I’m with people I met in the online community. We complement each other well and we have a great chemistry.

What have been the big challenges Monsters Dive have faced?

Finding drummers is the most difficult thing that we are currently facing.

It’s okay even if it takes a lot of time. We just want drummer to join our band.

We want you for Monsters Dive

 

How would you describe the metal music scene in South Korea for those who may have never been or experienced it?
There are not many people who listen to metal, seek it, or play it. It’s like a tree on the verge of dying down. But we are not losing hope.

Your music has a diverse sound, being a post-hardcore band with some techno core elements. Who or what are the bands influences?

The music of Monsters Dive is a mixture of elements. Metalcore from Britain and the United States were greatly influenced, but also by Thrash metal, Nu Metal, and Djent. Monsters Dive basically has a heavy sound and exciting music motto. The reason why electronic elements are mixed is because I like to mix various musical elements.

I think it will continue to be dynamic in the future. The bands we are influenced by are

There are so many, Asking Alexandria, Bring Me The Horizon, Make them Suffer, Bleed From Within, As I Lay Dying, Crossfaith, of course, Of Mice and Men.

 

Recently, the band has released the new album ‘Dive or Die’, how was the process putting together the album?

Working on the first full album, the first thing I did was set a deadline and I composed and arranged for 3 months at the same time. Because of corona, the ensemble is not easy, so I worked mostly on the computer. Producing and recording were done within the band, and mixing and mastering work was done by Shawn Su of Ours Records in Taiwan. We worked with him on a single album before. The communication went well and I was able to finish it satisfactorily.

Monsters Dive has been back playing shows. What is the live music scene like in South Korea at the moment? Especially since some countries are still struggling with COVID19.

Maybe it’s similar around the world. Most bands in Korea couldn’t do anything for a while because of the Corona virus. Most of the performances were canceled.

Fortunately, however, we started performing again a few days ago, and we had a live club performance and a Korean metal festival called MMC (mullae metal city).

What are the future plans for Monsters Dive?

We have three goals. First, we want to perform abroad next year.

And even a small stage is to be on the festival stage.

Finally, our goal is to release our second album next year.

 

How can fans support Monsters Dive?

It’s very simple.

If you like our music, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

The comments on Youtube will be very good, too.

Every little thing really gives me a lot of strength.

Head for Spotify!

Please support us.

Thank you.

 

When I caught up with the band initially, they had been playing shows again, but unfortunately due to the raising of the alert level in South Korea, bands are unfortunately not able to play. Please support Monsters Dive by purchasing, streaming and sharing their music. Check out their music video for ‘Moment of Reckoning’