Interview with SKULL SERVANT
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about SKULL SERVANT (Members, Starting Year etc).
Noah: Skull Servant was formed in 2022 from ex-members of NuCorporate and DK Unusual. Our lineup consists of bassist/lead vocalist Noah Terrell, guitarist/backup vocalist Calvin Bauer, and drummer Jeremy Sessions.
You have recently released your EP ''Traditional Black Magicks''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Noah: We are still pretty underground at the present, but so far the reception has been positive.
Label or DIY and why?
Noah: We are DIY as it's faster for us to record and mix everything ourselves. We have several content creators in and around the band so we can accomplish a lot.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Noah: Vinyl and digital are my favorites formats since records are great for collecting while digital is easy to listen to anywhere.
Jeremy: CDs used to be my favorite and it was fun to go into used CD/record stores, but many new cars do not have CD drives anymore, so I prefer digital. With digital, I’m also able to buy from any band even if they don’t release physical media. It’s also easier to manage and listen to digital albums on the computer, phone, or in the car.
Calvin: I prefer tape and vinyl. The music on vinyl and tapes is physically inscribed into the record/film, which I prefer as it feels more tangible to me.
Your music style is Black/Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Noah: We are influenced by Darkthrone, Sodom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Venom and Candlemass.
Calvin: I am mostly influenced, in how I write and the physical gear that I use, by classic artists, from T-Bone Walker to Tony Iommi, and Juan Garcia of Evildead.
Jeremy: I have a variety of influences, which include all kinds of rock and metal. A few of my favorite bands are 16, Horrendous, KEN mode, Man with a Mission, Powerwolf, and Rage.
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?
Noah: Time and Money in order to promote the band and upgrade recording equipment. Running several social media accounts is very time consuming. And we’ve also had to spend a decent amount of money recently between paying for audio equipment and all the various fees incurred by mastering and submitting tracks.
Jeremy: Definitely time and money. The main things I am focusing on right now are the band and my university studies. I have less time to do other hobbies, but I love making and playing music. All things drum related are very expensive, so I fit in some part-time work as well. I want to make sure I have good quality equipment.
Calvin: In order to continue with music, I have had to sacrifice the prospect of having a more consistent job, as I wouldn’t have the time and freedom to do what I do. Because of that, I have sacrificed the opportunity of a more commonplace lifestyle, which I feel has separated me from the rest of my local community/society to some degree.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
Noah: The best live shows are high energy and have the audience totally engaged. In previous bands, we've had a couple of shows like that at our local venues.
Calvin: Any show in which the audience wants to hear what we’ve created is the ideal show.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Black/Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Noah: Having a strong brand and image is essential to stand out as a band. We have a lot of artwork and content that we create in order to establish our branding.
Calvin: I think the most important part of being unique is not trying to emulate anyone. Make the riffs that sound good to you, and write on the subjects you want to talk about. Fuck the idea that you have to write what has already been written.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Black/Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Jeremy: Digital platforms absolutely help bands of every genre. It is really cool how easy it is to reach people from all around the world. Instagram is a big one because it is easy for people to stumble upon something new just by selecting a hashtag like #blackmetal, #heavymetal or even just #metal. Youtube, Spotify, and Bandcamp are also great platforms for promoting music. The best way is to use them in combination.
Calvin: While it helps reach more people, I think it also leads people to have less respect for their local musicians. People are so heavily inundated with music, they take for granted the effort and passion that goes into the art on their own front door.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Mebane, North Carolina (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Noah: Several of the bands we listen to from the NC Metal Scene are Hylic, Mega Colossus Datura, Children of the Reptile, Gnarlscar, Komodo and Spreadloves. Calvin and I were also previously in DK Unusual.
Calvin: The current metal scene in our area is fairly small, but we are hoping to help expand it, and I would like to see/take part in the creation of a local metal zine or club.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Noah: I am familiar with the bands Rotting Christ, SepticFlesh and Nightfall.
Calvin: I have a huge amount of respect for the metal scene in Greece. Every Hellenic metal fan I have encountered has been extremely passionate and knowledgeable about metal in a way that few people are in my area. I also respect how unique Hellenic Black Metal is, and the creativity used in bands such as Necromantia. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to look for current underground metal news in Greece, but I would love some information on new and upcoming bands from your area.
What are your future plans?
Jeremy: Start to play live shows, write more songs, and eventually record a full length album (some time during the beginning of next year).
Calvin: What Jeremy said, and begin creating physical copies of our music to spread to others.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
All: Thank you for speaking with us, cheers! \m/
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
SKULL SERVANT CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/skullservantmetal/
https://www.instagram.com/skullservantmetal/
https://skullservantmetal.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/skullservantmetal
https://www.tiktok.com/@skullservantmetal