A Dirty Dozen with CK SMILE from CHAOSEUM – September 2025

According to a recent press release: “The fast-rising Swiss nu-metal / metalcore band, Chaoseum, will soon be offering up their sixth release overall, Life 4 Sale. Released on September 19, the ten-track LP shows the band further focusing and perfecting the sound laid down on such earlier albums as 2022’s The Third Eye and 2020’s Second Life. Comprised of members  CK Smile – vocals, Loïc Duruz – guitars, bass, Valery Veings – guitars, and Greg Turini – drums, Chaoseum originally formed 2018 in Lausanne (Switzerland), and have created a buzz by sharing the stage with such renowned/respected metal acts as Soulfly, Tarja, Eluveitie, Five Finger Death Punch, Metallica and Sabaton.” We get CK to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

It was a huge work and challenge, in the past we were 2 composers in the band, but since we changed our line up, I am currently the only composer. The rest of the band obviously make the arrangements. That we have added more electro/industrial sounds in this new album. I already did that in the previous albums; I like to refer to words or melodies that were in the previous album. For example, in 2 minutes only I repeat a sentence that was in “Sex In Hell” (Second Life album).

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I grew up as a musician. I’m the third generation of musicians in my family. I always wanted to be a musician. I can’t do anything else. I don’t want to do anything else.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The first one was Michael Jackson and then I heard Deftones Adrenaline album and that was a real revelation that I wanted to listen and play that genre.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Chino Moreno (Deftones) cause I’m still a huge fan of his voice and his style, Massive Attack, I also grew up listening to that band. Their songs still take me on a journey, and I listen to their music a lot when I’m composing.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Photography. Movies. Stay home, recharge.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s basically a mix of new metal and some metalcore influences, today we add some industrial and synthwave sounds. We had a lot of comparisons (specifically with one band 😉 ) but nothing cringe…yet.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Dunno… we don’t live in the same area lol.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

It was in Germany, we were playing in a festival, and I met Annisokay’s singer a great band from there.

9. What is the best part of being a musician?  If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

To express yourself, to feel like a kid whatever your age. When I dream, I don’t work.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

“Are you tired to have to introduce your band in every interviews?” “Can you introduce your band?”

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Life is an experience, I regret nothing even what I did wrong… in my career. 😉

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Without a doubt, a recording session for Chaplin’s movies. He’s my other mentor and idol. Many moves that I make on stage are from him.

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Category: Interviews