Interview with RAZE
!!!BLACKENED THRASH METAL FROM BERLIN!!!
We had a conversation with Robin (Guitars) & Liv (Bass/Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about RAZE (Members, Starting Year etc).
Robin: Me (guitar) and Liv (bass and vox) wanted to start a heavy band during the lockdown and see what happens. No real plan just to see what came out. The first person we had on drums was a snake-like dude called Flo who was a great drummer but didn't end up having enough time, but at least we got a bit of a start with him and wrote some songs. After he left we scratched our heads for a minute but then asked Simon who I also play in Occvlta with. By the time Simon joined the band we found the sound that we wanted to go for which is darker and thrashier.
You have recently released your demo ''Demo 2023''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Liv: We have been quite blown away that people showed such interest in the band before we even released anything. So far from the few gigs we have played and the release of the demo we’ve only received very positive feedback which makes us very excited!
Label or DIY and why?
DIY or Die for now. We haven't really thought of anything label wise yet. We will though with the next release.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
Nothing out of the ordinary so far. It's been pretty smooth sailing but we're sure there is plenty of chaos waiting for us around the corner!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Obviously we prefer Vinyl and Tape. Sounds better and it’s also nice to have something to hold in your hands but also we do realize that we’re unfortunately not in the 80’s anymore so it’s also good to have the music out online for people to listen to.
Your music style is Black MetalPunk. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Robin: A lot of my favourite artists are pretty far from what I would like to do with Raze but inspiration for me is some of the classic thrash, like Slayer and Sepultura but also some death metal and more contemporary bands like Aura Noir and Nekromantheon. I like the blackened thrash genre that's been going since the 90s.
Liv: A common influence that we all have in the band are bands like Robin mentioned. My bass playing has always been heavily influenced by the rhythm style and sound of Lemmy and with Raze I can experiment with a few more DiGorgio style licks. Vocally I'm very influenced by Sacrilege and Wendy O.
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?
Nothing. A band should just do what they like but if you're talking about work, school, etc we have all pretty much fucked up our lives for music.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Loud, hard, fast, furious. Good energy and intimacy from the audience and being treated well by the promoters. So far that's all we have experienced. It's been great.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Being yourself pretty much. Try to be your authentic self with your music and your performance.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
It obviously helps. I don't think any platform promotes a band better than a good live gig though.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Berlin (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Liv: Berlin is famous for it’s electronic music scene but there are also thriving metal and punk scenes. In my experience it doesn't really compare to London (where I’m from) but there’s promoters such as Wolf City who put on a lot of good shows and festivals. An interesting thing about Berlin is that if you go to a metal gig in a different area of town you can meet a whole other crowd there which is cool.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
No, no clue. Educate us!
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?
Unfortunately the underground music scenes took a real hit post pandemic. Less ticket sales, higher gas prices, venues shutting down etc. But the positive side is that we had more time to get the band started and people have built up quite an appetite for gigs.
What are your future plans?
Write more music, release a full length, get on the highway to hell and play more shows. Basically just shred!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you for your interest and for listening to our music. Hope to play a town near you some day!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
RAZE CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/razehell.band/
https://razehell.bandcamp.com/album/demo