Interview with GRIMSEVER
!!!BLACK/SPEED METAL FROM THE USA!!!
We had a conversation with Adrian. Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about GRIMSEVER(Members, Starting Year etc).
GRIMSEVER is a one-person band that I first began writing/recording for at the very end of 2022, and officially released the first EP exactly 3 days ago! I’ve been a musician my entire life, but I hadn’t released music to the public in quite some time - until now!
You have recently released your EP ''Grimsever''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
I’m surprised and flattered that I’ve received ANY of the positive feedback that I’ve gotten over the past few days, admittedly! It’s very encouraging, and I’m really thankful for the enthusiasm.
Label or DIY and why?
GRIMSEVER is entirely self-released at the moment, and I definitely feel that DIY is the best way to go. With that said, labels certainly have a place; especially in the independent realm.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
All of the above! I think that every format to enjoy music is perfectly valid. Currently the EP is exclusive to digital, but the goal is to eventually do limited runs on vinyl, tape, and CD.
Your music style is Blackened Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
The whole idea of the project was to write it using minimal brain cells, not overthinking it, and just paying homage to all things loud, fast, and evil; so a lot of the classic bands like Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Motörhead, Exciter, Judas Priest, etc. There’s also tons of more contemporary bands that I was inspired by - namely Midnight, Toxic Holocaust, Hellripper, and Wolfbrigade!
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?
Seeing as the project is still in its infancy, I can’t speak on this nearly as much as many others would be able to! But I do know that sacrifices are often inevitably made in order for a band or artist to get to the next level, and this is something I’m fully aware of and ready to roll with, when the time comes.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Not yet, although I would like to assemble a live band in the future! My ideal live show is somewhere between the chaotic, violent intensity of early Samhain shows, and the theatrical revelry of early Mercyful Fate shows. If Grimsever can capture that even just a little bit, I would be happy.
What attributes do you think that a new Speed Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
As corny as it might sound, I think quality songwriting will always translate - regardless of the genre you’re playing in. I think if you can write something that resonates with you, and even with other people, you will inherently stand out. In the context of speed metal - Venom and Accept wrote great songs, but they sounded quite different from each other because they were just being authentic to themselves. Same thing with newer bands like Vulture and Solicitor; both bands write killer songs, and that’s what makes them stand out to me.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Speed Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Absolutely! I think this extends to all forms of heavy music, honestly. Even though I’m speaking for a band that’s technically only 3 days old lol - I think the ideal way to promote your work, as a band, is to build a rapport with fans and other bands, and consider every aspect of what makes a band appealing. Visual aesthetics, consistently releasing music, playing live, selling merch, etc.
Do you see any differences between the US Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
Speaking as a fan and as an American, I think that the EU metal scene has us beat historically! I’ve personally been inspired more by European bands than by American bands. With that said, I think that both markets are pretty equal in output and in their overall liveliness and health.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Sacramento, California (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
There’s a lot of great metal bands, as well as punk and hardcore bands, in the Sacramento scene! Bands like Piss Baptism, Battle Hag, Cockring, and Disperser are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. There’s also a lot of crossover into the very vibrant Bay Area scene, given the fact that it’s relatively nearby.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I do! Rotting Christ, for example, is a band that I’ve had massive love and respect for, for many years. Ravencult and Zemial are some other bands that I thoroughly enjoy.
The last 3 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?
I think it’s been a mixture of the two, to be honest. A lot of it was not fun whatsoever, but a lot of necessary changes took shape in my life during that span of time. A lot of things continue to change, and I don’t think that will be any different for awhile, going forward - not just for me, but for many other people. I try to take as much of the attitude of “it is what it is” as possible, and roll with it; the one thing I will always be able to control is myself. The past year or so, especially, gave me enough of a push to finally start releasing music again - which is what ultimately led to the birth of Grimsever!
What are your future plans?
Keep pushing forward with Grimsever as far as it’ll go! Seeing as it’s just me steering the ship currently, I have a lot of ideas for what I’d like to do. We’ll see!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Check out our self-titled debut EP on Bandcamp, as well as on just about every streaming platform you can think of! I appreciate the love and support! Thank you!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
GRIMSEVER CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/grimsevermetal/
https://grimsevermetal.bandcamp.com/album/grimsever
https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/214535375