Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
We are Backstabber, a Canadian death metal quartet from a small industrial town up north called Rouyn-Noranda. A lot of things can influence a name such as Backstabber you know. Integrity has a price. When interacting with selfish people they will mistake it for treason when you don’t go their way. They will try and call you names in order to steer you back on their path. We just embraced it and stood our ground. The project has been around since 2012, but it’s not until 2016 that it really took off as a live band with the release of the Revenge demo. Although we definitely have solid roots into death metal, we have various influences that find their way into our music. The band has undergone some changes over time but have currently the same line up since 2019.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
We are all from Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Québec and we have to drive a lot just to jam hahaha! Our jam space is in the basement of our bass player and two of us have to drive around 30 minutes and the other one needs to drive 2 hours. We came together in 2019 after the band split with their drummer of the time. I and Phil had another band who wasn’t meant to continue so it was an easy decision joining Backstabber. We all have been around the metal scene here for a couple of years so we already knew each other.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
My biggest influence as I started drumming was Joey Jordison. I discovered metal with the album Iowa from Slipknot and I just kept digging deeper into every metal genre. I’d say now my biggest influences as of today are Joey Jordison, Chris Adler and Mario Duplantier.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Music always impressed me. I was in a classical music orchestra during High School and my teacher was a very passionate pianist. He really transmitted his passion and from this time I knew I’d do music all my life. Probably not for a living because it’s a difficult industry, but I’ll always have an instrument to play. I started by playing trumpets and switched to drums later after discovering metal music.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
Lately, I have: Death Atlas from Cattle Decapitation, Mirage from Gaerea, Merciless Destruction from Get the Shot, Goliath from Kataklysm, In The Court Of The Dragon from Trivium and I always blast some Archspire, The Acacia Strain, Spiritbox, Lamb of God, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Carcosa, just to name a few.
Do you sing in the shower?
NO! I can’t sing that’s why I play drums!
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
The current plan is to hit the road a little to promote our upcoming EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’. Due to the 800 km separating us from Toronto or Montreal, it has always been a pain in the ass for us to get booked on a regular basis like bands from the urban areas, but I think this EP will help us get our name out there and hopefully be able to get more shows in the coming year throughout Quebec and Ontario. Playing our music to audiences really is the main driving force behind what we do!
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
We released in February the single ‘’Harvesting the Weak’’ from our upcoming EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’. I hope the variety of this EP will appeal to both older and younger metalheads. We feel like there is a little something for everyone in there, it is musically consistent with our previous works as much as there are new ideas chiming in here and there throughout the EP. As our fans already know, these are live bangers as well so we can’t wait to bring these songs to life.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
For me it would be the mighty Wacken Metal Festival. I mean, it’s probably the biggest metal music festival in the world. Just to be in the crowd is a dream so I can’t imagine playing on one of these stages!
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
It’s hard to just have one favorite album! One that I will never get tired of is Iowa from Slipknot. The first love eh! And one that I always come back to is King from Fleshgod Apocalypse. The songs, the production, the sound, everything just blends together perfectly in my opinion.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
When I’m not listening to metal I’m into pop! I always loved Lady Gaga and now I often listen to Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Troye Siven, Maneskin, Doja Cat, etc… My girlfriend also introduced me to K-Pop and now I listen to it regularly. I think that when you write music if you only listen to one genre or one band you will be influenced and almost sounds like it so I expand my horizons.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium, Fleshgod Apocalypse, The Acacia Strain and Spiritbox. I’d be better at making my perfect festival list than just a show! I know most of the people would name legends such as Metallica, Kiss, Iron Maiden, and more but I really wish I could have seen them in their prime.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
Yes! It was 9.0 live from Slipknot and I still have it! It’s in a rough shape but I have it.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
Don’t hesitate to go to smaller shows. The underground scene is underrated and full of talent. If people just go out to see bigger bands, one day there will be no bands at all. Smaller shows can make dreams of making music more accessible.
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
https://www.youtube.com/@Backstabber
Music | BackStabber (bandcamp.com)
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
Thanks for your support, we gladly appreciate it! don’t hesitate to drop by for a chat, with social media nowadays, we are easily accessible. Keep it up! Lml
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