Interview by John Wisniewski for MK ULTRA Magazine
London-based Inertia was officially formed in 1994 by Reza Udhin, making their debut the following year with an EP entitled “Infiltrator” on the long defunct German label Celtic Circle Productions. Since that time, Inertia have toured the world incessantly while releasing numerous titles on their own Cryonica label. It should also be mentioned that all the while Reza spent many years playing keyboards in the legendary band Killing Joke. Now, Inertia are back with a fresh record deal with the Pittsburgh-based Distortion Productions along with a new album packed with dark electronic hooks entitled “Estranged Icon,” which has already climbed to the #2 spot on the German Alternative Charts. “Estranged Icon,” is Inertia’s 14th studio album and showcases the guitar work of Steve White (KMFDM) along with Matt Howden (Seiben) on violin. Frontman and leader Reza Udhin chatted with us at length about the 30th anniversary of Inertia, the band that the legendary Gary Numan once said, “are the best and most aggressive band in London.”
BANDCAMP:
https://inertia1.bandcamp.com/album/estranged-icon
John Wisniewski: Reza, what was it like recording “Estranged Icon” with all of its different sounds?
Reza Udhin : Estranged Icon actually took a very long time to write and record, about 7 years! We have always been used to releasing albums every 2-3 years.. But this one took a while. I started writing it around 2017.. it was going in a certain direction and then the pandemic hit.. My writing changed quite significantly around that time and then we came out of the pandemic and my writing changed again.
I think this album represents 7 years of World turbulence and emotion but I look the time to make sure the 10 songs on the album were a good representation of those years.
JW: What inspires you these days to write your music?
RU: I have been writing music for over 35 years, I love making music, it is in my bones and the only thing I know how to do!
I make music all the time, whether it is for Inertia or my side project BLACK VOLITION.. Or in the past writing music with KILLING JOKE.
I am always inspired to write music every day of the year.
JW: Could you tell us how you signed to the Pittsburgh-based label Distortion productions?
RU: I have been friends with Jim from Distortion for decades .. he promoted several Inertia shows in Pittsburgh over the years and we always had a great time.
I also mastered music for his project RED LOKUST via my mastering company CRYONICA MASTERING.. and we have had tracks on his awesome compilations ELECTRONIC SAVIORS.
I have always trusted Jim and he is so dedicated to the music he represents.
We parted with our previous label, Metropolis Records in 2017 (on good terms) and I was on a search for a new label.
My very good friend and Inertia US manager, Athan Maroulis (Spahn Ranch / Noir), mentioned Jim and his label.. The moment he mentioned it, I knew it made sense.
I wanted to be with a label who were dedicated to the band and release but who I also trusted. That is Jim Semonik. And I am so glad I made that decision!
JW: Are there any trends in industrial music that you have liked over the years?
RU: I got into the music very early.. so really enjoyed the original experimental electro dance phase like Cabaret Voltaire, DAF, Nitzer Ebb, Front 242, Depeche Mode.. These kinds of bands are what got me into doing what I do.
JW: Could you tell us about what prompted you to record a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “Games Without Frontiers”?
RU: It was just a song I have always liked and wanted to cover.. when chatting to my good friend Jenn from Ayria one day, she offered to do the female vocals on the song.. so I went about recording it. Ironically it actually came out on our Ayria/Inertia 2016 US Tour together.. so we recorded the video together.. a tour diary of that fun time.
JW: Any favorite up and coming bands these days?
RU: Not many “scene” bands but I do like Kite, Lana Del Rey, Muse..
JW: What has the reaction been like from audiences to your recent live shows? Any plans of coming to North America?
RU: Our 2024 UK Tour together with AYRIA (yes we tour a lot together!) went down so well! Our long term drummer/singer, Alexys B returned to the band after 10 years and really gave the shows a good lift.
Incidentally, Alexys is from San Diego / Los Angeles.. we did so many great shows in SD/LA back in 1996/1997.. so many great shows and good times.
We have a few plans for shows in the US in 2025.. we will definitely be over for a bunch of shows.. just confirming them at the moment!
JW: Any future plans and projects you’d like to discuss?
RU: I’ve already started work on the next Inertia album, plus finishing off a couple of EP’s for my BLACK VOLITION project.. which is like a sound track to Twin Peaks crossed with Spaghetti Westerns and vampires!
Plus ESTRANGED ICON is due to be released on vinyl in 2025 by Distortion Productions! We are super excited about that, as it will be our first vinyl release ever in 33 years!