Featured Interview: The Algorithm (Remi Gallego)

What does the merging of metal and electronics sound like? It’s something that’s been done for years – bands as diverse as Pendulum, The Prodigy, and Celldweller have all been combining these seemingly disparate genres of music for a long time.

The Algorithm (the brainchild of Remi Gallego) is the next evolution in what Remi dubs “heavy computer music”. Following up 2012’s debut full-length Polymorphic Code and 2014’s groundbreaking Octopus4 couldn’t have been an easy task, but Brute Force is another important step in The Algorithm’s career. It combines EDM, electronica, and crunching metal riffs that leave listeners both dizzy and astounded at what they’ve just experienced.

We caught up with the mind behind The Algorithm, Remi Gallego, to discuss all things Brute Force – as well as a few fan-submitted questions from Reddit. The Algorithm is also heading out on a full Canada tour with support from Modern Day Babylon, as well as former Galactic Pegasus member Dallas Turner and his new project Ev0lution, which also fuses dubstep and metal. You can check out those dates below.

Note: Remi’s answers are italicized.

Please introduce yourself and what you do in the music world.

I am Rémi and I write blipblip-core as The Algorithm.

Your new album “Brute Force” is out in a few short days. What kinds of responses to it have you received so far? How is it different from Octopus4 and Polymorphic Code?

I think the feedback has been incredibly positive. It’s safe to say that it’s the most successful reception I’ve ever had and I’m so grateful about it! This album is a step forward towards the fusion of two worlds and I think it has more organic elements than ever, which makes it the most ‘human’ album, despite the electronic predominance.

You’re known as a pretty big gamer, incorporating lots of video games influences in your music as well. What are some of your favorite video games ever?

It’s gonna be Final Fantasy 7, Street Fighter II, Metal Gear Solid, and more recently Undertale.

When you played Download Festival 2013, the press was all over you. What kind of responses did you get when you played there? What were you hoping to get out of playing a high-profile gig like that?

I think playing Download helped to achieve more exposure and gave me experience and confidence. It was an incredible gig, one of my personal milestones.

Who are some good introductory artists and musicians for people who might be new to the electronic genre?

Recently I’ve been listening to Danimal Cannon. His latest album combines chiptune music with metal, and he writes his music on a gameboy. It’s awesome!

What are some of the challenges in recreating your music live?

I always have to be creative and find ways to actually play what’s going on on the CD. I think there are plenty of ways to play around with it since the live set is all controlled by a computer as its core. It just requires to think outside the box and that’s what i like.

How do you feel about streaming services like Spotify and Google Play? Do you feel they help the industry, hurt them, or somewhere in between?

I think it’s inevitable and a necessity nowadays. There is a lot of room for improvement obviously but you can already sell merchandise and show tickets on Spotify, in the end it’s a great promotion tool for the artists.

Have you set any career goals as a musician? If so, which ones have you checked off?

My career goal is to make as much quality music as possible, and I barely started.

What’s the best show you’ve ever attended as a fan?

The Dillinger Escape Plan in Bordeaux in 2009. I ended up throwing up in front of a hooker in the street after drinking too many vodka shots. But still.

Do you have any news you’d like to share with any fans who might be reading this?

I’m really happy to announce that I’m pregnant.

Fan-submitted questions:

How do you go about integrating guitar into electronic music?

It’s a delicate topic. With the music I make, I always try to cut some high frequencies from the guitars to leave room for the synths. It’s a complicated balance but once you get it right it’s easy to have fun with it and play around with glitches and stuff.

What DAW do you use for both the electronic stuff and guitar? What about tuning and string gauges?

I use Ableton Live for everything. Studio and Live. My tuning is CGCEbG#CF and gauge is 10-56

What’s your opinion of the current state of EDM?

I’m not so much into EDM except stuff like Neurofunk and the occasional techno stuff. I prefer experimental stuff when it comes to electronic music.

Thanks to Remi for giving us some of his time. What do you think about Brute Force? Sound off in the comments!