But after years of rebuilding themselves, sometimes quite literally, the four piece as it now stands is a force of strength like no other, bonded together and ready to take their hardcore style to the next level.

The band will launch their debut album, Scarred For Life, at The Limelight in Belfast this Saturday and spoke exclusively to Niall Kerr ahead of the celebration.

"We can't wait to get out there, gig everywhere we can, hit Ireland, England, Scotland, wherever.

"We are really excited to get the album out and let people hear it."
It's an album that's been a long time in the works from a band who have long strived to find a balance between members, styles and abilities. Only The Fall, perhaps, could reluctantly boast having more members.

"We have had our fair share of set backs," says drummer Stephen.
"Our practice rooms have burned down, we've had so many members come and go and there was my biking accident which I thought would have been the end."

But in fact, if ever proof of Interrogate's resilience were needed, it comes in the form of their astute drummer, failing even to let a broken back stand in the way of his dreams.

"The band in it's current form has really only been around since 2004 but along with Mark (Johnston - guitarist), we got together and started playing from around '98.

"We've always worked hard but things seemed to always go against us in one way or another. But there's a really good vibe with the band at the minute.

"We've put so much work into this, I have dreamed of this for so long, and it's been a lot of hard work, a long road, but we're really proud of the album and what we've achieved."

The album itself promises to be a monstrous affair, the band specialising in a hardcore metal style that appeals to a huge audience. But as Stephen explains, they're not to be pigeonholed.

"It's a lot more diverse than what people might expect," he says. "Yes, there's some pure hardcore metal, but on the album we've also got some of the heaviest and some of the lightest and melodic stuff we've ever written.

"We like to think it has a huge appeal, not just to fans of metal, but beyond."

And if the album isn't going to play ball, then why should the launch night?

"When we were organising and planning the launch, we wanted to do something that was going to be entertaining; to make it a great night out for people to be hear some great music and be entertained in other ways too.

"And what could be better than coming out to listen to some heavy metal, have some beer and enjoy some Jagermeister while pole dancers are putting on a show?"

He makes a fair point. But far from being a gimmick that the band want to be forever associated with, Stephen reminds us that Interrogate are in this for the long haul.

"Our ultimate aim is to take this band as far as we possibly can. We're dedicated to making Interrogate succeed and we're in it for the long haul.

"We've come this far, through a lot of crap, and where some would have packed it in, we've kept going because we know we can make this a success.

"We've persevered for this long, and I don't think there's much more anyone could throw at us that would break us."

Interrogate will launch Scarred For Life at the Limelight in Belfast this Saturday with doors opening at 5pm. Support from Triggerman and No Grace Given.