Interview with EXECUTIONER STEEL
!!!EPIC METAL FROM BANGLADESH!!!
We had a conversation with Uzzair K. Xion (Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about EXECUTIONER STEEL (Members, Starting Year etc).
Executioner Steel was formed back in 2020.
Current Members are:
Uzzair K. Xion - Vocals
Saif Saleh - Guitarist
Rehan Hossain Tamal - Drummer
Nahiyan Hasan - Bassist
Past Members :
Redwan - Bassist
In 2023 you released your song ''Defenders Of Metal''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
August 18th, 2023, will forever be a milestone in our journey as a band. Our first single, “Defenders of Metal,” gained significant attention from worldwide last year. To this day, it still continues to receive positive feedback from the Heavy Metal communities worldwide. In our local scene we have gained a lot of fans who are genuinely supportive towards Executioner Steel.
Label or DIY and why?
As an independent artist has been an exhilarating journey so far. But who knows what the future holds? probably in the near future we might include signing with a label. Until then, we'll keep pushing forward and making progress on our own terms.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Previous year during our show, we decided to spice things up by throwing our official band merchandise into the crowd. Little did we know, it would turn into a full-blown mosh pit as fans fought to grab a piece of our official t-shirts. It was a sight to see as half of the audience in the hall went wild, pushing and shoving their way to the front in hopes of grabbing a T-shirt. But the real fun? Watching them battle it out against each other for that one prized t-shirt. Who knew our merchandise could spark such an adventurous frenzy!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Heavy Metal music is all about the experience, and for us, the quality of sound is key. While our content has been primarily released on digital platforms, we are excited to announce that as it continues to grow, we will be expanding to other formats as well. But let's be real, what truly matters is how you listen. Whether it's through a high-quality audio file with headphones or enjoying the ritual of spinning a vinyl, we want you to immerse yourself in the music. After all, it's all about appreciating the album as a whole, right? Personally, I love collecting CDs and Vinyl's as a part of my musical library, but we understand the convenience of streaming on various musical platforms.
Your music style is Epic Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Our musical inspirations primarily stem from prominent metal bands such as Manowar, Heavy Load, Manilla Road, Iron maiden, Warlord, Omen, Doomsword and Brocas Helm. Their influential albums have significantly shaped the sound and spirit of Executioner Steel. Our music embodies the same passion and energy that these legendary artists have brought to the metal genre.
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 for your band?
Sometimes success often involves compromise. As a band we all have to work together to be successful. It's a journey that involves compromise, sacrifice, and dedication. We spend hours rehearsing, perfecting our craft, and then we have to take time to record our album. In between, we have gigs, interviews, and photoshoots, all while sacrificing our precious time. But that's the price we pay for our passion. We have to give it our all if we want to achieve more. It's the law of nature.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
A year ago, when we embarked on an epic journey with our band. Invited by promoters from various districts, we received eight concert proposals and successfully rocked four gigs. But there's one that will always hold a special place in our metal hearts - the Metal Armageddon Concert Event. It was our first gig, and we left the audience in awe with our performance. We even debuted our song "Defenders of Metal" for the first time and the response was insane! The crowd cheered, screamed louder than hell, and raised their metal horns, making us feel like we were surrounded by an army of metal warriors. A night we will never forget.
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Whenever someone plays Heavy Metal, they need to care about what they are actually doing. They really care about what they are actually doing. Having lots of influences helps a band to be unique. Following the instinct is important here too. It adds a very unique spin to the songs. Moreover, it comes with a fair bit of experience too. Bands need to keep writing good songs without thinking of making them unique. A recognizable unique sound will develop naturally. As a band, we also embrace the diverse sounds that have shaped us and fuse them together to create our own unique Heavy Metal sound. It's all about trusting own instincts and staying true to the spirit of metal.
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?
Spotify is a wonderful way for us to find the music we know we want, but a very poor source for browsing and discovering new bands since so much of the algorithms are based around sponsored content and generic programming. In contrast, Bandcamp offers a more navigable search experience, empowering users to discover independent bands. Additionally, Bandcamp fosters a stronger connection between artists and fans, allowing for direct artist control over releases, communication, and image presentation.
Do you see any differences between the Bangladeshian Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
There are a lot of differences. There are a lot of prominent record levels in Europe, in Bangladesh there are very few, because they don't work internationally. And that benefits European bands more than Bangladeshi bands. They have the privilege to do things in a professional manner. But that doesn't mean we have anything less from the fanbase support if not more. I personally think after COVID our fans got a lot hungrier for experiencing new music and new bands. They are coming to the shows more and more, no matter how small the venue is or how low budget show it is. I think the main difference is the European Metal Market is quite established and the Bangladeshi Metal Market is very promising.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Bangladesh (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Bangladesh’s New Underground Metal Scene is experiencing a significant growth. Shows are coming back, numerous new bands like Chronicles, Dark Aura, Obnoxious, Messianic Era, Trees Of Daymare, Nawabs Of Destruction, Symbollica, Last Article, Sonic Predator, Exothermic, Goddamn, Beheth, Mr. Diminish, Thy Ethos, Redeem Dystopia, Razor Scythe, Necrolust, Nihilifer, Kaizen, Dying Embers and others are contributing to this thriving movement. In our country there are a few genuine Metal show promoters and organizations who are working to create content on Bangladesh Metal Scene. Metal Blog, MuSophia, Raw and Heavy, NWOTHM Bangladesh, Bangladesh Band Music Generation, Heavy Metal Hub, they are working good in content creation. Concert organizers such as Metal Blog, Ace Of Spades, Spiritual Deliverance Series, Cosmic Crematory Productions, Bangladesh Metal Alliance, Hellfire & Brimstone, Inside Agonizing, Hillside UG Dominance, Metal Morgue, Valor Events and they are doing their best efforts to keep the scene alive.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
As far as I know that Greece being home to No Remorse Records- which is a bucket list record shop we hope to visit one day! Personally I have listened to lots of bands who are from Greece. Bands like Rotting Christ, Suicidal Angels, Firewind, Triumpher, Achelous, Darklon, Varathron and many more.
The last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
The COVID-19 pandemic indeed had a massive global impact, affecting various aspects of life, including the music industry. Musicians faced numerous challenges during this period, including cancelled performances, limited opportunities for collaboration, and other difficulties. We did our best to continue our individual practice as much as possible at home. We also stayed connected virtually to come up with new songs, discussions and ideas.
What are your future plans?
Our next plan is to release our new single track on this year and play a few gigs to spread more Heavy Metal music across the country! We are currently working on our full-length album. Recorded at the ''RiffLord Sound Engine Studio'', the album will be packed with nine epic songs. When we finish the songs, we will announce the release date our long-awaited debut album within next year.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you very much for the interview and your interest in Executioner Steel. Fair winds guide you. Long live and hail.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
EXECUTIONER STEEL CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/executionersteelofficial
https://www.instagram.com/executionersteelofficial/
https://executionersteel.bandcamp.com/track/defenders-of-metal