Interview with DARKMOON BLADE
!!!HEAVY EVIL METAL FROM THE USA!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
We had a conversation with Velda (Guitars/Vocals). Enjoy!
Tell us a few things about DARKMOON BLADE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Darkmoon Blade formed from the ashes of my older band, Mythicus. Back then, my mission was exactly the same as it is today, to craft heavy metal with a darkened edge similar to those bands from the eighties that skirted the lines of traditional metal and early black metal. I met Helmont online after looking for potential drummers and Mehrunes was an old friend of mine who was also into that specific era of metal. So we are a trio now, consisting of me (Velda) on Vocals and Guitars, Helmont on Drums, and Mehrunes on Bass. I've always been fond of trios honestly, it seems like a more personal effort with only 3 people.
You have recently released your album ''Darkmoon Rising''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The reception has been overall pretty good for the small audience we have. I think there's room enough for old school style heavy metal in the scene today despite everyone trying to "outbrutal" each other and all. I think it was interesting that some people have told us that they're not actually all into old school heavy metal, but liked our take on it nontheless. I thought that was pretty cool, to catch the attention of people who aren't usually into your thing. At the end of the day, what do you come to metal for? Riffs and atmosphere. And Darkmoon Rising is filled to the brim with those.
Label or DIY and why?
DIY, at least for now. I wouldn't be opposed to having a label, so long as I have complete creative control over my music. That's not something I'm willing to budge on in the slightest. So DIY seems the route for now, and there's something to be said about the album being completely done by hand. It feels like an experience that is as authentic as it gets. From the little fuck-ups on the recordings to the artwork and all.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I collect vinyl and tapes and even CDs. Something about having actual physical copies of albums just feels so cool. That said, Digital is absolutely the more convenient. I'll be honest too, I don't remember the last time I actually used my Vinyl record player or my tape player. It's always been digital of some sort. I work 40 hours a week, I can't just bring a CD player and 50 CDs with me to work and just change them out whenever one gets finished haha. It's definitely much easier to just put a playlist on shuffle or listen to albums back to back without pause from my phone. That said, I still regularly buy physical media, even if it's purely for aesthetic purposes. Holding that shit is so cool and something that feels lost with digital formats. I remember being a kid and just reading lyrics and liner notes and shit, bringing them to school to show all my friends.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
As I've said before, my mission was to make music that's similar to those eighties bands that skirted the line between traditional heavy metal and early black metal. Bands like Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, Death SS, Venom, Angel Witch, and so forth. Bands that never had to compromise on their riffs or their evil atmosphere. Besides those bands though, other influences snuck in, like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death, Tears for Fears, The Cure, etc.
Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
Sacrifice nothing, stay as true to your vision as possible. You absolutely need to practice and fine tune yourself in order to achieve that, which I suppose in itself would be quite a sacrifice of time. But never compromise on what you are willing to do. If you're in a metal band, you're definitely not in it for the money haha, so it's just a complete waste of time to try and sell your soul to achieve some sort of financial success. I don't want Darkmoon Blade to become something else. If a label or producer said to me "hey, you should do this or play it like this in order to gather more success for your band", I'd tell them to go fuck right off!
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Our ideal live show is an actual PERFORMANCE. We believe strongly in the idea that if you pay to go see a band perform, they should PERFORM. Not go onstage, stare at their instruments and walk off. There'll be buckets of blood, fog, theatrics! Nothing else would do the nature of metal music justice. I can respect bands who do not want to do more than that, but I want people leaving our shows with something to remember us by. Unfortunately, we have yet to play any shows due to the coronavirus situation, but we'll be there before long, hopefully around Fall of this year.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Your identity comes from the very souls who craft the art. What's important is that your very soul is attuned to what you're doing. The music industry is not a meritocracy, you will not become famous for simply being good at what you do or for being wholly unique. That's a splash of cold water to many musicians I've spoken to, but that's just how it is. You shouldn't be doing this for money, because you're not likely to get it at all. If your soul is in the music, the identity will formulate. Oh, and fucking RIFFS! If you've got the right riffs and atmosphere, I don't give a fuck about anything else! Fuck reinventing the wheel if it's boring, you know? If it riffs, it fucking riffs, bruh.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Absolutely. Digital platforms have revolutionized who can make music. Anyone can make music now and put it up on their own without bending to the wills of a label, and I find that liberating and beautiful. It allows for so much creative freedom and I don't see why people would hate it other than holding onto outdated traditions that are better left in the past. The easier my music is to access, the fucking better.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in South Carolina (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
It's essentially nonexistant. There's a big Punk scene near the middle of the state, there's a band I really like from that scene, they're called Anergy. But as far as heavy metal? It isn't really a thing here. People around these parts prefer more classic rock sounds or acoustic country. Which I do like a fair bit of, but heavy metal is where my heart's at. We really need a scene here with bands to be proud of, but if no one else will start here, then why not Darkmoon Blade? Someone's gotta start the fire! Honestly, I'd say Darkmoon Blade more so belongs to the online metal community scene. Of which there are some REAL fucking rippers! Heavenfield, Drucastil, Periodeater, Ashbreather, Onyxhead, Demon Semen, Resthaven, SKVM, my god there are so many good fucking bands, and we're all pretty tight with each other. I'm missing so many, I feel kinda bad haha. I feel like there's a lot of people who overlook online communities, especially in metal music. Since everyone is from so far away, you get the best from all over the fucking place.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Very little, but I do know Rotting Christ, they're probably one of my favorite bands, honestly. We regularly have Non Serviam on repeat here!
What are your future plans?
We're already beginning work on the sophomore album, so stay tuned for that! And we're beyond excited to finally get out there and perform for the bloodthirsty! Above all, expect more riffs to pound your fucking skull in!
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you! Check us out if you're into old school evil shit!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
DARKMOON BLADE CONTACT:
https://darkmoonblade.bandcamp.com/