Interview Chris Maragoth

Explore the inspiration behind 'Bury My Remains' and more with Chris Maragoth, as he discusses themes, collaborations, and the evolution of his music career.

1. Congratulations on the release of "Bury My Remains"! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this new single?
This song was planned to be part of my latest Album „Gatherer of Souls“ (released November 2023) but I wasn’t quite happy with the song in its state back then so I decided to give it more time for song writing and luckily Per offered his vocal performance on this one.
The song (instrumental) was written some years ago when I had a Metalcore phase again (I often got some kind of phases where I listen to bands of a specific genre in a escalating way :D). The melo death influences came with Per and Erik‘s vocal performance and some improvements on the song‘s instrumental side.
2. How did the collaboration with Per Lümbersson and Erik Schuetz of Aeon of Awareness come about? What was it like working with them?
Per and I are working quite together quite regularly. I wrote some stuff on his band‘s releases, he joined me on my latest Album on a track called „On the Brink of Death“. It’s always a great collab work.
Erik provided some backing vocals. He’s kinda fresh in Aeon of Awareness, so it was my first time with him but I guess not my last :D
3. The song blends elements of Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal. What drew you to this particular fusion of styles?
It happened naturally due to our musical background (Per and mine). But in general I often merge some styles in my songwriting.

4. The lyrics of "Bury My Remains" explore questioning established ideals and belief systems. What message or themes are you hoping listeners take away from the song?
To stay true to yourself and question established things every once in a while. Not in a conspiracy way, hell no, but more in a personal matter. Is something you are doing still something YOU want to do or are you doing it because it‘s expected of you or always was done that way.
5. The music video for "Bury My Remains" is visually striking. How did the concept for the video develop, and what was your experience like working with Olga Kann?
The music video wasn’t my first one with Olga. She did all the music videos for my latest Album „Gatherer of Souls“. It‘s always a great experience working with her.
I send her an upcoming track, write what this one is about, send her the lyrics and some background to the song writing process. Then we start brainstorming…okay, she starts brainstorming and is coming up with some ideas (I‘m not really good in such thins :D). We then discuss what we can implement (and yeah it‘s a matter of budget too).
6. Your music often delves into deep emotional and philosophical themes. How important is it for you to convey a message through your music?
I‘m always happy when people can relate to the topics I‘m writing songs about. But it‘s of course totally fine too when someone’s only here for the music (someone said „I like your melodies“ :D). Primarily I‘m writing the songs because a certain topic is in my mind, something’s going on in my life, I got some kind of emotional situation etc. Some kind of therapy for myself I guess :D

7. What's your creative process like when you're writing and composing new music?
Like mentioned above, most tracks originate in some kind of mood/emotional state I‘m in (eg a break up or a loss of someone). I often then got some melodies, riffs in my head or I‘m just sitting with one of my guitars, playing some stuff randomly, thinking about the situation and often there‘s some kind of raw song construct developing. Sometimes it develops to a full song in the next days/weeks, sometimes it happens some years later (disappears in the digital drawer) and yeah there‘s stuff I haven’t continued working on until today.
8. How do you feel your music has evolved since you first started your career as Chris Maragoth?
Production is a lot better now. When you listen to my first ones, like „The Entrance“ you can definitely make out the differences in production. Drums for example, using better plugins (strings and piano for example) but now I‘m looking to use the plugins only in the songwriting process and look for collabs or people that wanna join me and for example do the cello or piano parts, so it’s more human and less artificial (was a question of budget but also question of contacts back in the day too)
9. As a solo artist, how do you balance creative independence with collaboration in your music projects?
In all of my collabs I try to give all collab partners as much freedom in their part as possible. I only tell them what’s the song is about, what was the background and of course want to keep the topic the same (eg a melancholical instrumental track and a collab partner would write lyrics about a super happy topic…that wont work so well :D). But except some people that aren’t reliable I always had great experiences and recurring collab partners too. So I guess they loved the freedom I gave them in taking part in a specific song project.

10. What can fans expect next from Chris Maragoth? Are there any upcoming projects or releases you can share with us?
I‘m currently working on a new EP. Maaaaybe it will develop into a new Album, but let‘s see. Don’t wanna make promises. Depends on several factors. But this EP won‘t be out before February/March next year. But I got a single that‘s nearly finished and will release 1 track of the EP as a single before too. So if all works out as planned, there will be 2 singles this year coming.
11. You've been active on various social media platforms to engage with your fans. How do you think social media has influenced your music career?
When I was in my last band (that I left in 2017) social media was important but not as much as it is now. It‘s a great way to reach new people and of course keep followers and fans updated, what’s going on and will be out soon. But nonetheless the reworking every once in a while of algorithms on all platforms, the situation that you reach less people (followers primarily) than a year ago, can sometimes be a bit annoying, because you have to rethink your posting strategy and yeah, have to use more budget to be seen.
12. Finally, what message do you have for your listeners and fans who are excited I about your new music and future endeavors?
Stay tuned, new stuff in the making :) New and old people I did collabs with will be on board. It‘ll stay dark, it‘ll be melancholic and of course the melodies…don’t forget the melodies

Chris Maragoth | Musician

Interview AEONS

AEONS began in a pub in 2016, borne from a shared desire to create meaningful music after previous projects. Their journey is rooted in camaraderie and musical exploration.

1. Can you tell us about the formation of Aeons and how you all came together as a band?

Sure! Thanks for taking the time to ask us these questions! Like all good things, AEONS started in a pub, in 2016. With Scott, Justin and myself lamenting the ending of our previous projects and deciding “Hey, let’s do a good thing!” and so we did. I had just come from a heavy alt-country band and Scott and Justin and Skippy had been in The Water is Rising, but their drummer had left. So we started something new based on the song “Strange Aeons” that I had demoed to Skippy a few months prior. The band name comes from that very song when we shortened the titles in a messaging group. That song is on our first album and we try and play it at every gig where we can. It has the multi-layered long, dynamic prog shit and harmony vocals we have been doing ever since. It’s part of our DNA now.

I’d also just like to shout out Justin who had never played drums in a band before AEONS and now he’s a fucking machine. Even on practice one it was obvious he was a ferocious talent and now seven years into our career we are dropping massive complex prog pieces and he sounds like he’s been playing for all his life!

Personally I couldn’t wish to be in band like this with anyone else. We hit jackpot with the lineup.

2. How did growing up on the Isle of Man influence your music and creative process?

Well for a start only three of us did. Skippy is from New Zealand and I am from England. The other boys grew up here. I don’t think it affected them too much except Justin can’t say the word “fourteen” properly. The Isle of Man is a lovely place – if a little boring – to grow up in so I’m glad I came from a rough part of the UK. And Skippy will regale you with tales of Kiwi debauchery. Musically there nothing definably “isle of Man” about our music, but the island has a way of getting under your skin. We are all proud to be Manx. We fly the flag always whenever we can. There is a great musical and historical heritage to this wonderful island and it deserves to be heard.

3. What was the inspiration behind your second album, Consequences, and how did it shape your sound?

One word – COVID. While everyone else was locked down, the Isle of Man ( being an island ) managed to keep the indoors shit to an absolute minimum and we went on pretty much as normal except for a couple of really short lockdowns ( Like 8-10 weeks total over a year ). So while we could not go to the UK and tour the first album like we wanted to, we sat down and we wrote and wrote and argued and wrote some more and argued some more and before you knew it Consequences was all done.

Thematically, the clue is in the title : All of the songs reflect stories or situations where the Consequences of your actions – or inactions – are the thread of the narrative. From the modern plague of being unable to see someone else’s point of view to the inexorable end while you float through space in a suit with a dwindling oxygen supply to the tragedy of a turn of the 20^th century chorus girl watching her husband murder the man who assaulted her.

I’m saying this lightly but each of the stories means a lot to us – we each have our own different favourite from each album which I think is a very good thing for a band. I hope people not only enjoy the music but can read the lyrics and enjoy the narrative equally well in isolation. We always ensure out lyrics are printed on the physical CD as this is not only an old vinyl album thing that I sorely miss but it really helps the listener to engage with the tracks.

4. How did it feel to see Consequences make it onto numerous "Best Albums of 2021" lists?

Aw man! Feels amazing! When you release an album it’s like baring a part of your soul. And to know it’s close to the hearts of so many people is incredible. It means we are doing something right! But also that there is a connection between us and the audience. Doesn’t matter if they just wanna thrash around to the grooves or do a dissection of the music theory or just want to sing the catchy choruses. It’s the connections that make a band – and thus the songs – become real and grow. We are so very grateful and hope you find the next offering equally noteworthy!

5. What was the experience like playing your first headline show in London after the release of Consequences?

Technically that was an industry showcase – I won’t say for who but let’s just say it put a smile on our faces! And we learned a lot. For a start, even to an audience who had – let’s face it – no idea who the fuck we were the songs sounded epic in the room and the crowd fucking loved them. If you can get a visceral reaction to a cold audience that’s a great feeling. Yeah, you love it when the audience knows the words and sings them back to you but to see complete strangers get totally on board was an amazing feeling. Thankyou to everyone who came and amazing bands we played with!

6. How did the creative process for The Ghosts Of What We Knew differ from your previous albums?

Honestly I think it was faster. We write fast. We already have 90 minutes of material ready for album 4 to go through. There’s no real difference in the process – it’s just familiarity with what it is to write an AEONS song gets easier with every session.  We try to not write the same song twice – by that I mean we don’t do two songs on an album that could be considered in the same sub-genre – and that gives us a wide creative canvas to write on which makes the creative process much easier.

7. Can you walk us through the songwriting process for The Ghosts Of What We Knew?

Sure. The magic tends to happen in the demos. We record them all ourselves ( We do everything ourselves except mastering ) and then we learn those demos in the practice room. If we can we will gig them a few times. But then the demos get replaced in the same project by the re-records with all the little changes we have made and then mixed by myself and produced by the band. Almost everything except the drums happens in my front room. Some songs need a lot of changes. Some are just exactly as draft one. Weird that, but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

There is usually a lot layers happening in an AEONS track so we divide those up for live. Scott and I are rarely playing the same thing on stage. Then the vocals get divided up as they’re almost always written in three or four part harmonies. We try and use our individual tones and ranges to their best. That comes from my love of country music and their multi-layered vocals. There’s not a lot of metal bands – in fact I can only think of one – who does what we do vocally and getting that right is the key to standing out on stage or on a line-up with a lot of other bands. We aren’t shy to drop in the acapella sections  - and making those a feature of the songs especially where the narrative allows it.

8. Which track from The Ghosts Of What We Knew are you most proud of and why?

I can’t speak for the boys here but my personal one is Ghosts itself. It came together quickly – about a month which is good going considering its something like 19 minutes long – but shows off not only the writing but also the individual talents of everyone in the band to their fullest. What I mean by that is across the mammoth runtime we tell this coherent story that you can really feel in the playing on the record. I never get bored of listening to it. There’ still parts in there I forget where in there and go “oh yeah Scott did that there? “ or “Fuck me Skippy really nailed that!”

What our personal favourites are is a different question. I know Justin loves Machines. Joe loves Collapse. Skippy loves Thanatos and Cascade. For me my favourite one to listen to is Noose because its everything I ever wanted in a metal track.

9. How did you achieve the final sound on The Ghosts Of What We Knew, and what was it like working with Sebastian 'Seeb' Levermann on the mastering of the album?

Let me tell you that man is a fucking legend. We do all the recording ourselves like I said. And the production and the mixing. So we stem it down and send it to Seeb and he works his magic to add that 10% “better” that just makes it sing. We do the best we can – and we are fortunate our skills in this are getting stronger every record – but having a great ear on the mastering is the number one difference between a good album and a great one and he certainly delivers. He also loves the music and understands it which is an absolute must for a great sounding record. Thank you sir! We do love you!

10. How do you balance technical proficiency with emotional depth in your music?

That is a fucking great question! I’d say personally that they are one in the same. Technical proficiency on your instrument is a must anyway – but I mean technical proficiency in the writing process. You have to understand what you are trying to say and let the music tell the story. I’ve always said “a riff is not a song” and we hold that dear.  Yeah killer riffs are important but if the musical narrative doesn’t match the lyrical one then you’re fucked. But technical proficiency is also when to lay back. Think of your favourite singer-songwriter acoustic player: They have so little to work with that you need to really understand your song to make it sing. So yeah you can widdle all you like but without a function for it there’s no real point - its just wanking. But you shred a fucking face-melter at just the right point in a song’s finale and you can open up people’s hearts. My advice to any young musician is yes learn your instrument – of course – but also listen to all your favourite songs and break them down – deconstruct them. Find what makes them great. It’s the best tool you will ever have in your pocket.

11. What can fans expect from your live shows in support of The Ghosts Of What We Knew?

Well let’s see! We don’t really know ourselves. We don’t plan ahead very far. We are lazy like that. But hopefully something amazing before we hit a festival or two next year.

12. What are your plans for the future, and how do you see Aeons evolving in the coming years?

Album 4 already has some amazing tracks on it – we already have one in our live set! And there is one enormous prog 24 minute piece that we may release individually. So it’s more of the same but never quite the same, if you see what I mean. We don’t write the same song twice. So hopefully we can keep doing this until something important falls off one of us.

But I think that’s a way off yet!

 A E O N S

Interview TASI

Founded during the 2020 lockdown, TASI emerged from a creative exchange of metal riffs. Named 'To Avoid Serious Injuries,' their journey blends family ties with a passion for heavy, intoxicating music.

1. Can you share the story behind the formation of TASI and how the band name, "To Avoid Serious Injuries," came about?

The story begins during the first lockdown in 2020 when Max, the band's guitarist, exchanges about thirty metal riffs with Mathieu (TASI's very first guitarist).

After this great remote composition session, the idea of forming a team naturally follows. Max then asks his cousin Doodz to be the drummer and Guénaël to be the bassist. With the "bass/drums" found, the compositions take on a more professional scope. David then joins as the singer in 2022.

A few rehearsals later, Mathieu decides to leave the project. With one guitarist down, David suggests his old friend Adams, who brilliantly takes over as the guitarist in the band.

With the team complete and the compositions almost finished, all that was left was to find a name. Max proposes "To Avoid Serious Injuries," TASI for short. The other four approve, marking a new phase in the band's creation.

2. How would you describe the evolution of your sound from your earlier projects like MOSK and EUDAÏMON to the current heavy, intoxicating style of TASI?

First and foremost, it was our desire to make metal music that brought us together.

Then, we found common ground through shared influences such as Bleed from Within, Architects, Parkway Drive, and While She Sleeps. These influences precisely laid a solid foundation for TASI.

Finally, thanks to the recording work done with Rémy Brugère, the band's sound has become more defined.

At present, this evolution in our sound is very constructive, thoughtful, and positive. The future will only be more beautiful.

3. Which elements of bands like Bleed From Within, Architects, Parkway Drive, and While She Sleeps have had the most impact on your music?

We share a common approach to the structure of our songs as well as their diversity. Heavy and progressive guitar riffs or the heavy "screamed" vocals are also part of our vision and inspiration. Our influences allow us to anchor ourselves in the rapidly developing movement represented by modern metalcore.

4. Your lyrics focus on themes like the fate of our planet and civilization. Can you elaborate on your songwriting process and what inspires your lyrics?

For the lyrics of the first EP, Dave felt the need to get some fresh air to be able to put his feelings down on paper. The drafts of the lyrics were written on the Landes coast, between the forest and the ocean, a place dear to him, but unfortunately, one that is suffering the effects of climate change with severe coastal erosion and increasingly intense wildfires.

5. Empathy and humility are central to your band's philosophy. How do these values influence your music and interactions with your audience?

The general impression is that to make metal, you need to be angry with a good dose of ego to make music that is nastier and more technical than the "competition." We prefer to focus on the intoxicating aspect of the music, which allows us to relax and enjoy being on stage. In our lyrics, we are far from the toxic violence often spewed out; the rage is certainly present but directed towards common good issues that are close to our hearts.

6. With long-standing ties of friendship and family among the band members, how does this dynamic affect your music and overall band chemistry?

The group's dynamics, from a human relations perspective, are simplified due to long-standing bonds. Our interactions are healthy, genuine, and sincere, which makes us completely relaxed and confident in how we create our music, experience it together, and share it.

7. Could you walk us through your creative process, from initial ideas to the final recording of a song?

It’s first with a guitar riff that everything starts. Adams and Max are very productive for this first step. With the riff in hands, the development of the track can begin. As soon as a verse/chorus/bridge is in place, Max begins writing the tablatures and gives the ball to Guenael for writing the bass and, often, a drum sample. Following this, Doodz creates his own drum patterns. Once V1 of the song is finished, we can play it in rehearsal. Following this rehearsal, David takes inspiration from the mood of the track to finish it with vocals.

8. What can fans expect from a TASI live performance, given your goal to share your music on as many stages as possible?

We will certainly make sure to deploy our music as much as possible and not miss any opportunity, but above all we will remain vigilant about the quality of sound and the live aesthetic, so as to avoid a too big gap between audio support and overall rendering on stage.

9. What have been some of the most significant challenges and triumphs TASI has encountered since its inception?

We are only at the beginning of the projecyt and we know that the challenge is immense. Almost everything is self-producted with overflowing passion, far from hubris or self-pity. The support and shared experience received from Rémy Brugère allowed us to finish our EP, a music video and a playthrough. Now it's time to bring it all on stage !

10. Your music carries a message of openness to humanity and nature. What impact do you hope your music will have on listeners and the broader community?

An awareness and a questioning of the way we operate, our societies have forgotten a lot of knowledge and give complete confidence in technology.

Humans must reconnect with the world around them and must once again learn to respect Nature and the various forms of life that surround us.

11. With your EP completed and a music video shot, what are the next steps for TASI? Are there plans for a full-length album or upcoming tours?

We continue to work on our future, new compositions are coming soon. Regarding the dates, we are in negotiations for an opportunity at the end of 2024 but we cannot really say more at the moment because nothing has been confirmed. We are looking for dates to book our 2025 year so don't hesitate to contact us ;-).

12. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who aim to create meaningful and impactful music like TASI?

First of all : create, even if you find it lame, and above all, without expecting feedback.

Then, find a good entourage to enhance the first steps.

Finally, don't give up and continue even if you fail.

Work, surroundings and perseverance are the keys to success

(2) Facebook

To_Avoid_Serious_Injuries (@tasi_toavoidseriousinjuries) • Photos et vidéos Instagram

Before We're Done (youtube.com)

 

Interview Narcotic Wasteland

Dallas Toler-Wade, guitarist/vocalist of Narcotic Wasteland and ex-Nile member, discusses his favorite song "Barbarian," societal messages in lyrics, upcoming album "Digital Cordyceps," and tour excitement and challenges.

1. Dallas, you've mentioned that "Barbarian" is one of your favorite songs you've written. What specific elements of the song make it stand out to you?

DTW I just really feel I am improving at writing songs. It is always a fun challenge to push myself in some different directions.

2. Your lyrics often reflect your personal views on society. How do you balance conveying strong messages with creating music that resonates with your fans?

DTW Well that is exactly why it resonates with people. We are all living it and the people who open their eyes to reality will totally relate to it, and it also has the potential to open minds to a different point of view.

3. "Digital Cordyceps" is your upcoming third full-length album. What can fans expect from this new release in terms of musical direction and themes?

DTW The themes have expanded for sure and so will our sound as we progress. I just want to write the best music I can and stay focused on the craft. 

4. Your summer tour kicks off on May 31st in Crockett, CA. How are you feeling about hitting the road again, and what are you most looking forward to?

DTW Playing our music and traveling. I feel very lucky to still be able to do this.

5. This tour is special as it celebrates both your 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of your debut album. How does it feel to be marking these milestones with your fans?

DTW I feels great!!! Everyone has been so super cool and we have been raising some hell together it feels great. I could not think of a better way to spend my 50th!!

6. You're touring with Malignancy, Whore of Bethlehem, Ignominious, and Filth. What can fans expect from this lineup and how did these bands come to be part of the tour?

DTW It just kind of fell together and some of these bands are on the same talent agency. it just so happen that some of these dates just collided and fell into place. Looking forward to playing with all of these bands they are all very unique!!!

7. Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from past tours that have stayed with you over the years?

DTW One in particular was loud as hell festival that was a big highlight for Narcotic Wasteland.  Such an amazing time there I hope we return!!!

8. The tour dates cover a wide range of cities across North America. Are there any specific venues or locations you’re particularly excited to perform at?

DTW I am looking forward to playing the Brass Mug in Tampa FL. It is kind of a legend in it's own right. You never know who you may run into out there!!! Good people. But I am looking forward to all of the shows we hardly have any days off on this six week run!!

9. With the release of "Barbarian" and the upcoming album, how do you feel your sound has evolved since your debut?

 DTW I really feel everything is just getting more focused and has more direction overall. We are just getting better at what we do.

10. What challenges have you faced while preparing for this extensive tour, and how have you overcome them?

DTW Well before the first show even our van almost got stolen. Lucky for us the rental company was able to get us another van in 2 hours!!!! Man what a close call the tried to drill out the fucking ignition make it happener and steal the whole thing but got ran off by people at the hotel.

11. Finally, what message do you have for your fans who are eagerly awaiting your new music and upcoming tour?

DTW Thanks for all of the amazing support and response over the years it means the world to me!!!

https://www.narcoticwasteland.com/

Interview Spitbite

Spitbite, a dynamic trio from Pittsburgh, blends influences like Jesus Lizard and Melvins into their raw sound. Their debut single "Final Form" honors personal journeys with sincerity and power.

1. Can you introduce the members of Spitbite and tell us about each person's role in the band?
Daryl Shawn plays guitar and sings, Pat Herron plays bass, Jesse Tranfo plays drums. Jesse is known for his work in the Portland-based band The Hague and currently plays in Trace Remains. Pat has been a long-time member of Aberrant Kingdom.
Daryl has released seven albums of solo guitar compositions and also plays in surf-rock group The Killifish.
2. How did Spitbite initially come together as a band?
A series of want ads over a very long time. It took well over a year for us to arrive at our final combination.
3. What are some of the key musical influences that shape Spitbite's sound?
Jesus Lizard, Replacements, Melvins, And They Shall Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Daughters

 

4. Tell us about your debut single "Final Form". Where was it recorded and who was involved in its production?
"Final Form" is our debut single, recorded at Very Tight Recordings in Pittsburgh PA. Our engineer, Matt Very, is a super talented and passionate individual, and he was very key in shaping our sound for this single.
5. Could you give us insight into the inspiration behind "Final Form" or any other tracks you've worked on?
"Final Form" was inspired by a friend of the band, who went through one of the biggest changes that anyone can go through, the transition from one gender to another. Their journey was deeply felt and entirely sincere, and only arrived at through great introspection. They're a true inspiration and this is a tribute to their personal strength.
6. Were there any memorable or amusing moments from the recording sessions of "Final Form"?
We recorded this single before we ever played our first show. It was very eye-opening to discover what we actually sounded like outside of a deafening rehearsal room.

7. What was the thought process behind choosing "Final Form" as your debut single?
We feel very strongly about the subject matter of this song, and think that the sound very well represents what we like to do.
8. Are there plans to release more singles or perhaps a full-length album in the near future?
We plan three more single releases in 2024, and hopefully a full-length album in 2025.
9. How does the songwriting process unfold within Spitbite?
Daryl writes the lyrics and comes to the band with rough arrangements. Jesse and Pat then write their own parts and the final arrangements come together as a group.
10. What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Exhilaration from the sonic impact, and hopefully a sense of renewed insight as well.
11. Is there a particular venue or city that Spitbite is eager to perform in?
Pittsburgh is in a great era of music, with a lot of great venues. But we look forward to getting on the road and playing outside of Pittsburgh as soon as possible.

12. Can you share a personal quote from one of the band members about Spitbite's music or your creative journey?
"We are addicted to the cathartic experience of raw sound, but are equally dedicated to the art of creating songs of actual substance". - Daryl Shawn

Spitbite – pittsburgh loud 

Interview War Gods of the Deep

War Gods of the Deep's "Action Space Battle" returns by popular demand! Discover why fans clamored for its re-release and what makes this edition a must-have.

1. Congratulations on the upcoming re-release of "Action Space Battle"! What inspired the decision to do a second pressing of this album?
Thank you very much! Over the past few years we've had a number of fans reach out asking if we were ever going to do a second pressing of the "fan club edition" that was originally offered when the record was first released in 2019. It was a limited edition opportunity then, so once they were gone they were gone. We've had enough requests now from folks looking to pick up the physical media version of the record to do a second pressing of the “fan club edition” so I decided now is as good a time as any.
2. The first edition of "Action Space Battle" sold out quickly. How does it feel to see such a positive response to your music?
It is always very humbling to think that anyone takes time out of their daily life to listen to and presumably enjoy WGOTD Music. I am a very grateful.
3. Your sound is often described as a blend of classic '70s and '80s heavy metal with a modern twist. How do you balance these influences to create your unique sound?
It's really quite simple… You just cannot care what anyone else thinks about what you're doing. You have to make the music that you want to make and you want to hear. Of course, it's wonderful of other people like it and respond to it, but that can't be your motivation to do it. You have to be content with just the sheer act and privilege of being able to make the music you want to make, the way you want to make it. Absolutely nothing that WGOTD does musically, aesthetically or even visually is popular in the heavy music industry these days… It's actually quite the opposite. I just simply am not concerned with pleasing the gatekeepers and naysayers. Another component that contribute to the success of othe WGOTD sound is that I’me constantly immersed in the music movies and media I love from those time periods, as a result all of those components are continually influencing me in every creative decision I make.

4. Could you tell us about the concept behind "Action Space Battle" and how it has evolved since its original release?
Action Space Battle was written with the sole purpose of trying to create a record that sounded like it was from the 1982-1983 US metal scene. I wanted it to sound like it might be something you find in your older brother's closet after he moved out of the house that you've never heard of and you fell in love with it. Not just musically or conceptually, but sonically as well. There is nothing high Fidelity about this recording, it was specifically recorded and mastered in a way that allows it to retain a lot of the character and nuance of recordings made during that time period.
5. The band has mentioned influences like Kiss, Queen, and Metallica. How have these bands shaped your approach to songwriting and performing?
Absolutely. If anything, all art stand on the shoulders of the great art that went before. Music is no different. I'm constantly paying attention to the way that things were done by all of the artists that I admire, not only for inspiration and guidance, but to be sure we're never too close to doing what they've already done. You always want to take your influences and move forward with them, never stand in one place, or move backwards with them.
6. With the resurgence of interest in vinyl and collector's editions, what makes the "Action Space Battle Fan Club Edition" special for your fans?
There was a time of many many years ago when big rock bands and even television shows and movies had fan clubs… These community-based groups not shared their love for the band or the television show or the movie they were into by creating a club around it. Many of them were situation's where you would mail in some sort of membership form that you filled out and they would send you back all kinds of goodies that had to do with whatever you were being a fan of… Posters, magazines, photographs, trading cards, buttons, newsletters, fan-zines, that sort of stuff. It was a pre-Internet world back then, so this was not only how you would connect with other fans, but how you'll get the cool stuff from whatever band movie or television show you were really into at the time. I wanted to replicate that experience of having something unique and immersive that you could celebrate along with the music, that also had some scarcity to it as not everyone has it or can have it. To me rock 'n' roll is best enjoyed as an experience… Something you can connect to that's more than just a Spotify playlist while you're working out. If I'm going to go to the effort to record and release the record, I want the music to be surrounded by other things that bring it more to life and make it more in during an enjoyable for anyone who cares to experience it.

7. What can fans expect from this limited edition release that differs from the original? Any surprises in store?
There's actually no difference whatsoever from the original run and this run. I did them exactly the same for consistency sake so that everyone has the same stuff.
8. How has the Chicago music scene influenced your music and career as War Gods of the Deep?
The music scene here is fantastic. Since most of what WGOTD does right now is record and recording based, I'd say the biggest influence of being located where I am is the work ethic that comes from living in a blue-collar city like Chicago. Being from here instills a drive and undying ethos of moving forward and getting work done every day. That kind of mentality comes in incredibly handy when you're recording records.
9. What's the most challenging aspect of being a band in today's music industry, and how have you navigated those challenges?
There are none if you don't care about it. You really have to take all of this "industry" stuff with a grain of salt as they say. Yes, there is an industry. Yes, that industry yields an economy that provides a wonderful living experience and opportunity for many people within it. However, unfortunately for most artists, the only way to move in that industry and achieve the expected or anticipated successes that seem to come with being a musician or artist of any success these days is to do what the industry tells you to do, when it tells you to do it and how it tells you to do it. My viewpoint is that there's nothing rock 'n' roll about doing exactly what everyone tells you to do when they tell you to do it and how they tell you to do it, so the best thing to do is move forward with a pretty blatant attitude of "fuck off - I'm going to do what I want to do and you can, do two things about it, watch and nothing”.

10. Your previous album, "Robots, Rockets & Rampage," had a different thematic approach. How do you decide on the themes and concepts for your albums?
The Robots Rockets & Rampage EP was really just a step in the direction of metal modernity as far as sonics and production goal. The first EP was a little more rooted in what has become the authentic WGOTD sound, well the second EP was just a journey forward to see how we could mesh some of the more classic elements of what WGOYD like with some of the more current /recent metal sonics
11. What's next for War Gods of the Deep after the release of "Action Space Battle Fan Club Edition"? Any plans for new music or tours?
No tour(yet), however there will be another single or even possibly EP before the end of this year, with the focus next year being on recording and releasing a new full length album.
12. Lastly, how can fans support War Gods of the Deep and where can they find your music?
Just listen and enjoy. If you really like it share it with someone. If you want to buy a T-shirt from the website, that never hurts either :-) whatever you do, from the biggest and smallest thing to help spread the news about the music is greatly appreciated and makes all the difference in the world.

HOME | War Gods of the Deep | Chicago IL UNITED STATES

Interview Illyria

Illyria, a Perth-based band, features Ilija Stajic on vocals/guitar, Andre Avila, Harry Prosser, and Jeffrey Anderson on guitars and bass, and Cam Stone-Griffin on drums. Each member contributes to their genre-blending sound in "Wanderlust," integrating death metal, black metal, metalcore, and post-rock with orchestral and synth layers.

1. Could you introduce the current lineup of Illyria and share what each member contributes to the band?

Ilija Stajic - Vocals/Guitar
Andre Avila - Guitar

Harry Prosser - Guitar
Jeffrey Anderson - Bass
Cam Stone-Griffin - Drums

2. "Wanderlust" is described as a journey across various extreme metal genres. How did you approach blending these styles while maintaining a cohesive sound throughout the album?

Wanderlust is a blend of death metal, black metal, metalcore and progressive/post-rock elements. We enjoy incorporating orchestral and synth layers additionally to keep our listeners in a state of suspense of what is going to happen next.

3. What themes or concepts inspired the creation of "Wanderlust"? How does this album differ from your previous works in terms of lyrical content and overall atmosphere?

I have personally been travelling and working around Australia for the past few years and each place that I have resided has provided myself with vast experiences and emotions that I like to capture in my compositions. Some of the  songs have passages written by other band members which have also incorporated their journeys travelling to places like North America and Scandinavia. Wanderlust is a collection of experiences from our travels around the globe with an assortment of lyrics that is an amalgamation of religious scripture, archaeology and mythology.

4. Your music has been influenced by bands like Alcest, Deafheaven, and Lantlôs. How have these influences evolved over the years, and how do they manifest in your latest album?

We have been a band for a decade with multiple line-up changes, but I have always stayed integral to the core foundations of this band. Our earlier material was definitely more influenced by the bands mentioned but I have expanded my horizons and this album definitely brought out more of my death metal influences than the post-black metal/shoegaze textures. It is still present, but ever so slightly. I don’t think it will go away forever, it is in the band’s DNA but we like to explore and push the limits and be an outlier in the respective genres.

5. Could you take us through the songwriting process for "Wanderlust"? Are there any tracks that underwent significant changes from their initial conception to the final recording?

Wanderlust was meant to be released in 2020 but due to multiple factors, particularly the pandemic and myself moving to the other side of Australia, the entire album changed significantly. The only song that wasn’t changed was Frostbite as we had already released it as a single, besides new production and a couple of changes, everything else was turned upside down, pretty much.

6. The album features tracks like "Frostbite" and "Pragma." Can you delve into the themes explored in these songs and what they mean to you personally?

Frostbite is definitely a more tender and emotional song about a failed romance. It is different to the other tracks but we still believe it is a good fit to take a deep breath before you get into the other intense tracks. Pragma was a song written by Andre initially where it delves into the spiritual manifestations of the human psyche. I watched a lot of Legend of Korra at the time when writing the lyrics and took inspiration from the intense battle of the harmonic convergence. It is a blend of neuro-science, the modern blight of social media Tik-tok brain and a fantasy kids TV show about fighting with fire and water from your hands.

7. After releasing "Take Me Somewhere Beautiful" in 2022, how did you approach the creative direction for "Wanderlust"? What were your main goals or aspirations for this album?

I am so proud of Take Me Somewhere Beautiful, personally. I understand that some people think it was an absolute curve ball of what was to come but I consider it my ‘Alcest - Shelter’ album. I just had to get it out of my system. It is different to what we had done in the past and I am grateful to have collaborated with my close friend, James Tolich to just bring out a different sound. I had experimented in the past with a post-hardcore/metalcore sound in my previous albums and it was great to push it to our limits. I may go back to in the long, long future but for now, I am really enjoying this high-intensity chaos that I am composing with Wanderlust. The rest of the band is enjoying it too and the songs are an absolute blast to perform live.

8. You've toured with notable bands like Cattle Decapitation and Wolves In The Throne Room. How have these experiences influenced your growth as musicians and as a band?

Not really, to be brutally honest, it is very hard to make the next step as a band based in Perth, Australia as we are thousands of kilometres from the rest of the continent’s major cities. We haven’t played outside of our state. At this time, we are comfortable being a band that will honour a support slot for a touring act that travels to Perth and it is great to witness some great bands play on these nights. We would love to tour more cities and grow but it is quite hard logistically and financially.

9. "Wanderlust" marks a return to a full-band lineup after operating as a solo project for a period. How did this impact the recording process and the overall dynamic within the band?

It hasn’t changed much in the songwriting department but it is nice to have an extra set of ears to critique and be proud of the compositions. I begin the process and they provide their extra flair along the way. The boys want to be part of this, perform the songs and enjoy the process. It is a pleasure playing live still and I am grateful they insisted to be part of the lineup during a time when I felt like packing it all up and just releasing music online solo.

10. Could you share any memorable anecdotes or challenges faced during the production of "Wanderlust"?

The fact that we had been sitting on the final masters for a year and eagerly trying to sort out the business, marketing & finances for the build up. It is so relieving to finally showcase Wanderlust globally and seeing all the feedback, positive & negative, it drives us to keep improving and make more tunes.

11. Your album covers themes of exile, isolation, and rebirth. How do these themes reflect your personal experiences or observations of the world around you?

Living in rural Australia will do that to you, everything you see about the Australian outback in a stereotypical sense is fairly accurate. It makes you change your perspective of life after being an urbanite your entire childhood and young adulthood.

12. Looking ahead, what are Illyria's plans for the future? Are there any upcoming tours, collaborations, or new musical directions that fans can look forward to?

As we do every album, we will release an instrumental edition of Wanderlust in the coming months. We have a vast array of music that we will decide how to compile over the next couple of years. Maybe even release an EP or two for a change instead of waiting every few years for a full-length. The content creation world is changing around us and we need to improve on that front.

https://illyriamusic.com/ 

 https://lnkfi.re/illyria_au

Interview Bat Flattery

Bat Flattery's latest single "Onibaba Mask" dives into themes of endurance and resilience in today's societal challenges, drawing inspiration from the haunting imagery of the film 'Onibaba.'

1. "Onibaba Mask" is your first single of 2024. Can you tell us about the inspiration and creative process behind this track?
Paul – The song was written in 2020 and we held on to it a long time in demo form before we started rehearsing it towards mid 2022. It’s a song written about reaching the limits of endurance. In Britain we have the phrase ‘grin and bear it’ which is used as a sort of weak mantra to promote resilience, and it’s a bit out of date in the present day, especially given the current social, biological, economic and diplomatic climate on this island and beyond. The lyrics were written whilst watching the film Onibaba, which featured a killer who wears a kabuki mask, fashioned into a rictus grin. In my mind at least, the appearance of the mask looks like the visage of someone who is at the limits of ‘grinning and bearing it’.
2. How does "Onibaba Mask" differ from your previous releases in terms of sound and themes?
Rob – We feel that Onibaba Mask is truer to our current sound as a band than previous releases we’ve made. Whilst we still use the songs from the first two EP’s in our set, we’re writing more and more, and soon these older songs may be only the longer shows we play. We’re not an especially “heavy” band, but we feel that Onibaba Mask and all of our newer songs pack more of a punch than our older bits, and bring a rawer, brasher sound than what we’ve done previously.
3. You recorded, mixed, and mastered "Onibaba Mask" with Martyn Bewick at Playing Aloud Studios. What was that experience like?
Rob – Martyn is someone that we have known for many years, and it was a pleasure to record with him. He really got involved in the project to the perfect level that we were after; not invading our creative process, but very happy to advise and lend his expertise to the recordings. He was also extremely patient with our weird ways of doing things and our excessive pickiness when it came to revising the track and getting it to just how we wanted it. I’d 100% recommend him to any artist or band wanting a solid, professional recording.

4. Your sound has been described as a blend of post-hardcore, math-rock, noise-rock, grunge, and punk. How do you incorporate these diverse influences into your music?
Rob – There are a huge number of other bands, artists and music that are influences to us, however it’s important to keep direction in a band and not lose focus on what you want to achieve with a particular sound. I remember a huge inspiration for my attitude towards music was an interview I read a while back with a band (who shall remain nameless), whose ethos was essentially “be your own favourite band”. While this risks sounding a bit arrogant, it has made me strive to write music that I truly love and proud of having been part of creating. A major part of being in a band (as opposed to a solo project with a backing band) is the ability to listen, consider and work alongside everybody’s contributions and influences that may be different from your own, and most importantly, value them.
5. Bat Flattery formed from the ashes of Grassic. How did that transition shape the band's current identity and musical direction?
Paul – So Grassic played a lot of influence on the line up of our band. Lincoln has a tight community of bands and sometimes these bands share both gear and line ups amongst themselves. This has helped craft a lovely little scene of collaborating friends. Frank Frost played with myself in Grassic and also played with Rob in a band calked Fedic. The three of us have been friends for nearly a decade and we formed Bat Flattery together in early 2020. Frank loves to challenge himself so he moved from bass to drums. He was an enthusiastic drummer but he’d be the first to say that his abilities was great but he could not maintain the stamina of playing long songs like those we played in Grassic.

Therefore we decided that we should write music that emphasised our strengths and passions. So we focused on alternating time signatures within our songs and also keep our songs very condensed whilst sometimes featuring pauses of percussion. You can hear this stringly embedded in our first EP Clap City. Frank left the band in mid 2021 and he sporadically plays music but plays in Pothole who are a great band. From then we worked with another good friend of ours Alan Tyres and we recorded our first two EPs with him. Again he still remains a lovely friend and its always a pleasure to catch up with him. Then we acquired the Bulgarian beast himself Mr Pironev.
6. Plamen Pironev is the new addition to the band on drums. How has his presence influenced your music and dynamic as a band?
Paul – When it was Alan, Rob and I we used to easily be able to name drop bands from our youth and generally tickle our nostalgia spots when we incorporated our influences in our song craft. However with Plamen it’s been a bit different as he was raised in Bulgaria. However, we love that just as much as we have learnt a lot and include his influences (either through domestic music or his love of American rock and metal) in our new writing. Which is great. We don’t want to play pigeon holed music and we’re happy to bring any influence to the table.

7. You've shared the stage with bands like The Skids, A-Tota-So, and Mannequin Death Squad. How have these experiences impacted your growth and exposure as a band?
Paul – Every band we have played with has been a blessing to play with because you learn something. Every set you watch gives you a little master/disaster class on how to perform and keep an audience engaged. I don’t want to say that one band has been our favourite but I hold them all in high esteem and I can say our band have benefitted from sharing a stage with them.

Rob – We’ve been pretty lucky to have gotten the chance to play with a lot of good bands; local, national and international. Getting to play with punk legends The Skids was both a fantastic opportunity and a great show – even though we’re not necessarily the exact same genre as them, we were very much accepted by both them and their fans and our set went down very well. Mannequin Death Squad we played with when we were just starting out and it was fantastic to work with a band with not only a great bunch of music, but such a strong worth ethic and commitment to what they do. We’re looking forward to playing with A-Tota-So in July, they’re one of my favourite bands in the scene currently and I have both a lot of respect for them, and get a lot of enjoyment from their music.
8. Being part of the Socks On collective, how has this community supported and influenced Bat Flattery?
Rob – Socks On have helped us out within the UK Midlands/East scene – they’re a very accommodating, accepting and friendly bunch, nothing like the worrisome image that can be conjured when picturing a record label. We’ve had the chance to bring them further out towards our home town, supporting them to put on shows in Lincoln and hopefully other cities in the area, which they seem to have appreciated – their ethos is more of a community of musicians who support one another rather than anything else, so it’s good to be able to contribute to that as well as take from it.
9. Your music has been praised for its to-the-point style and unique blend of genres. How do you balance maintaining your signature sound while experimenting with new elements?
Paul – Rob and I are both nerds for Rollercoaster Tycoon. From the start of the band, we used to joke that the perfect set of music would be like a visit to a theme park, and we wanted to have enough thrills, highs lows and chills in our music that a visitor would have. We try and mess around with time signatures to dizzying effect, noise and lyrical harshness to shake people up but also incorporate enough melody in our songs to act as the sweet snacks after the rides. It’s just been fun to balance and you can definitely tell that it’s been effective on our audience.

10. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your music, particularly in "Onibaba Mask"?
Paul – I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want people to be determined by what I tell them the song should be about. All I can say really the words are there for people to either be affected by or shout out mindlessly. Plus, that bit at the end gives people something to dance to.

Rob – Generally speaking lyrically we write about what we see and know. From political issues to mental health issue, from distaste towards certain aspects of society to celebrating our favourite books and films. We like to make our music emotive about the way we feel on certain topics, because this is by far the best way to awaken passion in our performance. Bill Hicks screamed “play it from your fucking heart”, and we do.
11. You've been featured on BBC Introducing East Midlands and praised by notable figures in the music scene. How does this recognition affect your motivation and goals as a band?
Rob – Praise for our music means a lot more than people think. The act of anybody approaching us just to tell us that they’ve enjoyed what we’ve done really goes a long way in our motivation to continue doing what we want to do. We’re in an economic shitshow as a people, with the cost of living rising at a disproportion to what people earn – if somebody parts with their hard-earned cash to simply come and see us, not only is that a fantastic motivator to continue, but also drive to put on the best show we can. Some people might decide they’d like to buy a shirt, which again means the world, but it’s just simply not feasible for a lot of people to do that, so listening to our music, coming to our shows, that really means the world. Getting praise from notable figures within the scene has the potential to make us more successful as a band as well as solidifying a good feeling and forward drive. People don’t have to be nice to us, it’s their choice, and the fact that they are choosing to do so on occasions is, as far as we’re concerned, a powerful gesture.

Paul – It’s been a pleasure every time we’ve been played. It’s nice to be recognised and have some sort of acclaim. But I do feel uncomfortable to just statically wait around for acclaim and sometimes I still feel awkward when it comes. I think we usually find motivation in ourselves, and we just concentrate on the next thing. I am firm follower of stoic principles and truly believe that ‘The obstacle is the way’.
12. What can fans expect from Bat Flattery in 2024 in terms of shows, releases, and future projects?
Paul – More singles to be released over the course of the year. Which is great as the lads have allowed me to go full on Fellini and keep directing/making the music videos. I’m not going to spoil the order but people will recognise the songs being released as they feature heavily in our current set. Plus, we are writing – always writing and generally keeping the wheels of creativity in motion while we are still in gear.

Rob – We’re excited to continue playing live around the UK, and plan to look further afield soon. As Paul said, we have a few more singles left to release this year, and really plan on being able to release a more-or-less constant stream of music as much as we can.

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Interview Twin Seeds

Discover the evolution of Twin Seeds from Diogo Ferreira's solo beginnings to a collaborative powerhouse, blending progressive metal with diverse musical influences and new vocalist Joana Mafalda's transformative impact.

1. Can you tell us about the origins of Twin Seeds and how the band came together?
Twin Seeds started as a solo project by Diogo shortly after he left another progressive metal band, Monolith Moon. After composing and recording the “Red Powder”EP, he began searching for musicians that could help him playing the songs live.
2. Your debut EP "Red Powder" was a solo project by Diogo Ferreira. How did the transition happen from a solo project to a full band?
In his search for musicians to help him play the songs of the EP on a live setting, Diogo came across David de Gruyter on drums, Rodrigo Teixeira on bass and Rodrigo Boto on guitar. The chemistry between us all was so good that he decided he wanted to make this a fully fledged band.
3. "Grumpy Euphoria" marked your first studio album. How did the band's dynamic change during the recording process compared to the EP?
Well, since Diogo was working by himself during "Red Powder", the input was all his. And whilst he is still the main composer for our songs, from “Grumpy Euphoria” onwards we all began to give our input and feedback on the work that he shows us.
4. You've mentioned a wide variety of influences in your music. Could you elaborate on some of the key inspirations behind your sound?
Names such as Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Deftones or Limp Bizkit were definitely major influences early on. Over time we started to mix different sub-genres of metal and other genres that we appreciate such as jazz or bossa nova. Lately newer acts such as Spiritbox or Sleep Token have also made their way into our writing.

5. Joana Mafalda recently joined Twin Seeds as the vocalist. How has this addition impacted the band's creative process and overall sound?
It was a big game changer actually! Writing instrumental music is quite a different process as without the vocals, which is what people connect to the most, you have to find other ways to captivate the listener, such as texture, dynamics and more instrumental hooks. The additon of Joana has changed our formula, enrichening our sound and adding new posibilities.
6. "Unguided 2.0" is your latest release featuring Joana Mafalda. How did this collaboration come about, and what does this song represent for Twin Seeds?
Joana was a long-time friend of Rodrigo Teixeira and upon finding out that she was having vocal lessons, we invited her to be a special guest vocalist in one or two gigs. However, we ended up liking her voice and our chemistry so much that we decided to invite her to the band and change things up a bit.
7. With the departure of Rodrigo Boto earlier this year, how has the band adjusted to being a quartet again?
Initially, we were a bit concerned on how would it sound, especially live, since two guitars creates a fuller sound and Diogo and Rodrigo had such complementary styles of playing. Despite this, we have found that with Joana those concerns faded away.
8. You've performed at various venues and festivals. Could you share some memorable moments from these live experiences?
Probably our most memorable moment had to be from Comendatio Music Fest 2023. We were opening the stage on the second day, August 6th, and it was during the peak of a massive heat wave that was hitting Portugal at the time. We started playing in the sun at 4pm and it was about 44ºC. We still remember seeing everyone on the crowd trying to get every bit of shade that they could to survive.

9. What can fans expect from your upcoming music, especially with Joana Mafalda now officially part of the band?
A whole new experience, pretty much! Whilst some of the songs we have been working on are something akin to a heightened “Grumpy Euphoria” others are some new and some interesting stuff will surely catch fans off-guard.
10. How does the band approach songwriting and composition? Has it evolved over time?
Yeah, as previously mentioned, the four of us have a lot more say on what they like/dislike about a particular song. Different members of the band have also started to pitch in their own bases/ideas for a song and we work on that together.
11. As a progressive metal band, what challenges and opportunities do you face in today's music industry?
Progressive metal is still kind of a niche that not everyone enjoys, we think. But it is a genre that has been on the rise for the past few years and it is also a genre that allows a bit more creative freedom in terms of writing.
12. Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations for Twin Seeds?
To spread our music as far and wide as we can, pretty much. We all love making music and we want as many people as we can to hear and enjoy what comes from our hearts.

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