SYSTEM DIVIDE Vocalists Talk The Conscious Sedation of Society

Sven and Miri Are United Through System Divide

Though most couples would tell you that living and working together is often a relationship killer, System Divide founders and vocalists Sven de Caluwé and Miri Milman are proving to be an exception. Not only did they choose to form a band together, but they travel around in a cramped van, crushed with several other believers, to bring their music to metalheads the world over.

So, one might think that once they can pile out of the van and stretch their legs they’d seek out a little personal space. Not the case with Miri and Sven. As I strode into the venue on the day of our interview I found them shoulder to shoulder hunched over a computer screen together. Adorable.

After Miri left Distorted, she and Sven (Aborted), decided they wanted to work on a project together, and System Divide was born. Sven brings his harsh growls and deathgrind, death metal background in, while Miri brings her beautiful clean vocals and progressive melodic goth-metal tendencies. Together they create a style and sound that draws from numerous metal genres.

In 2009, the band released an EP, The Collapse, which they followed last year with their first full length effort, The Conscious Sedation (Metal Blade). The latter was produced by James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary).

April/May finds System Divide stateside supporting the Revolver Magazine Hottest Women in Hard Rock: Hell Hath No Fury tour alongside Sister Sin, Straight Line Stitch and In This Moment.

Prior to the band’s biting performance, Miri and Sven spent a few minutes with Metalholic to bring us up-to-date on how the band came to be, how the tour is going, and what fans can expect for the rest of the year.

Learn more at their Facebook page.