Patric
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357/posts?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
Interview with Josh drummer of Hellbringer done by Patrick
1.Hello Josh how are things in Australia these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Same old shit really. Mundane stuff such as working and all that. Our new album "Awakened from the Abyss" has just come out and our next gig isn't until September so we have taken a short break from rehearsals.
2.When did you first discover metal music and who were some of the first bands you heard?
I discovered it in high school. I got into though bands like Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc.
I actually think my brother Luke who is also in the band had discovered Metallica first and showed me. We both loved it and it went from there!
I discovered it in high school. I got into though bands like Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc.
I actually think my brother Luke who is also in the band had discovered Metallica first and showed me. We both loved it and it went from there!
3.When did you get the idea to start Hellbringer and what is the current line up of the band?
The idea to start a band came about in high school too. We had a mate at the time who was also into the same kind of music who played guitar.
We got him in and decided to start jamming. We eventually started writing some material. Straight away we know the sort of thrash we wanted to play. Heavily influenced by bands like Sodom, Slayer, Destruction and so on it went from there!
4. Hellbringer is getting ready to release their second cd "Awakened From The Abyss" does the whole band work on writing the music or does one member usually write everything?How long does it usually take to complete one song?
Awakened from the Abyss was kind of a joint effort but mainly Luke and James wrote most of the riffs. I came up with a few but I more come up with ideas about structure, beats and that sort of thing.
It's hard to say how long it takes to finish a song really. It totally depends on how many ideas/inspiration we have and how the flow is going.
There's just no particular answer. Some can take weeks, where we leave it unfinished for a while, then come back to it refreshed when we have more ideas. Some can get done within a couple rehearsals.
5.Besides the new release "Awakened From The Abyss" are their any copies of the debut release still available? Besides the cd releases does the band have any other merchandise available to the readers.And if yes where can the readers buy your merchandise?
I think you can find some copies of our first album floating around on ebay.
We of course have LPs of Awakened and we have shirts available for sale on our Bandcamp page. www.hellbringer.bandcamp.com
I think you can find some copies of our first album floating around on ebay.
We of course have LPs of Awakened and we have shirts available for sale on our Bandcamp page. www.hellbringer.bandcamp.com
6.Does Hellbringer ever get to play "live" or do you prefer to work in the studio
We play live of course. I don't see the point of being in a band if you don't play gigs. The sort of music we play definitely needs to be played live.
In saying that, we also take our studio albums seriously too and make sure that what is represented on that is also done like that live.
We play live of course. I don't see the point of being in a band if you don't play gigs. The sort of music we play definitely needs to be played live.
In saying that, we also take our studio albums seriously too and make sure that what is represented on that is also done like that live.
7.What have been some of Hellbringer's most memorable shows over the years? Are their any upcoming tours or shows the readers should watch out for?
Most memorable would probably be Los Angeles on our recent United States tour. Easily the most wild crowd we have ever played to! They are hungry for it which is totally killer! I've never seen a crowd that intense for one of our shows before.
Maryland Deathfest 2016 on the same tour was also great.
Our next show is in December in Sydney to launch Awakened from the Abyss and then in March we head over to Germany to play Hell over Hammaburg fest. We will also be playing some club shows too.
8.Josh in your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground scene today? And what does underground metal mean to you?
Best thing would be discovering great bands who keep the old spirit alive properly and do it right.
Worst thing would be too many gimmicks, trends and fashion based idiots. The sort of people who put designing a fancy denim vest or something like that ahead of buying the actual music. We try not to associate with people like this though.
I suppose what underground metal means to me is heart, passion and spirit. As cheesy as it sounds but that's what it's about!
9.Josh you handle the drums for the band when did you become interested in playing drums? Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
I had always been interested in drums ever since seeing drum kits in music stores as a kid and things like that. My dad also used to play in a rock band and the drums always used to fascinate me. Seemed like a very exciting instrument to me.
I eventually got my own kit. It was a cheap black kit which I can't remember what brand now.
I'm mainly self taught but have had some lessons in the past too. Definitely helps to see how your technique and things like that are.
I had always been interested in drums ever since seeing drum kits in music stores as a kid and things like that. My dad also used to play in a rock band and the drums always used to fascinate me. Seemed like a very exciting instrument to me.
I eventually got my own kit. It was a cheap black kit which I can't remember what brand now.
I'm mainly self taught but have had some lessons in the past too. Definitely helps to see how your technique and things like that are.
10.Who are some of your influences and favorite drummers? Besides the drums do you play any other instruments?
Clive Burr - incredibly energetic feel and groove
Dave Lombardo - total power and energy. Made thrash drumming what it is today.
Bill Ward - Underrated drummer. Some incredible beats and fills on that early Sabbath stuff.
No other instruments. I dabbled with guitar when I was kid but it didn't quite take off. I'd like to pick it up again though.
Clive Burr - incredibly energetic feel and groove
Dave Lombardo - total power and energy. Made thrash drumming what it is today.
Bill Ward - Underrated drummer. Some incredible beats and fills on that early Sabbath stuff.
No other instruments. I dabbled with guitar when I was kid but it didn't quite take off. I'd like to pick it up again though.
11.Hellbringer comes out of the legendary Australian metal scene what is your opinion of the scene in Australia over the years?
Not a lot to say about it really. We of course have had a lot of great bands from here over the years like you say but these days it's quiet and not liked it used to be.
The good gigs are few and far between with the good bands rarely playing and there are only a small number of cities that are actually worth playing.
The crowd numbers aren't as big as they used to be (before my time but from what I've been told) but if it is a decent lineup people will still show up. Sometimes from all over. So shows can still be good if they are done right.
Not a lot to say about it really. We of course have had a lot of great bands from here over the years like you say but these days it's quiet and not liked it used to be.
The good gigs are few and far between with the good bands rarely playing and there are only a small number of cities that are actually worth playing.
The crowd numbers aren't as big as they used to be (before my time but from what I've been told) but if it is a decent lineup people will still show up. Sometimes from all over. So shows can still be good if they are done right.
12.Who are your all-time favorite Australian bands and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
My all time favourite is Armoured Angel hands down. Some other greats are Destroyer 666 of course, Slaughter Lord, Mortal Sin (although really only for their first album as cliched as that sounds), Hobbs Angel of Death.
Although not brand new anymore, I would suggest to check out Convent Guilt. Great, catchy heavy metal.
13.Besides bands are their any good fanzines or web-zines you feel the readers should check out soon? What about good and reliable labels and distro's?
I'm actually not really up to date with a lot of these lately but off the top of my head Voices from the Darkside is a great one. Some quality interviews on there. Recommended!
Some good reliable distros would be High Roller Records, Invictus Productions and some smaller, newer ones, Muerto En La Cruz (USA) and Rush of Power (NOR). They're new, tape labels but they are run by cool guys with the underground spirit. Releasing some great stuff!
Some good reliable distros would be High Roller Records, Invictus Productions and some smaller, newer ones, Muerto En La Cruz (USA) and Rush of Power (NOR). They're new, tape labels but they are run by cool guys with the underground spirit. Releasing some great stuff!
14.Other then working with Hellbringer do any of the members currentl play with any other bands? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
James plays in a band called Tyrannic which is a mixture of a few different things. Sort of like thrash mixed with doom which is an interesting one. Real cult sort of stuff.
15.Thank you Josh for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Thanks for the questions. Our new album Awakened from the Abyss is out now on High Roller Records!
Band Contact
Label Contact
