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 all gamers and geeks in Tessia and so the band name is a planet in the sci-fi video game series Mass Effect, but in the game it is spelled Thessia. The band was officially created in 2016, releasing our first single ‘Fight For the Lost’. From there we started to hone our craftsmanship as musicians and more importantly as songwriters. After our EP ‘As Above, So Below’ we decided to produce and record everything ourself, but getting outside help with the mixing and mastering. Being in a professional studio is really nice, but having the clock tick and payment by the hour does not spark creativity and experimentation, because of that we bought the recording equipment and set to do it ourself. After the album ‘Burn The Sky’ We moved two floors up and started recording, producing and rehearsing in an actual studio created in an old paint factory that have been closed down. ‘Shadows and Dust’ was created there and it improved our sound tremendously. We feel that we are just getting better and better, and can not wait to show the world our newest releases, especially after getting such good feedback on our newest singles.
Lets introduce our band members, Julie, Dennis and Matias are all original members from the start in 2016.
I (Julie) am the vocalist of Tessia and make all the vocal melodies and writes lyrics. I love being creative and aspire to challenge myself a bit further with my vocals each time we make a new track.
Dennis is our rhythm guitarist, producer and creative mastermind. He has created many of our songs and written many of its lyrics. He is also the one producing our albums and takes care of recording. His job also includes telling the rest of us what to do haha
Matias, our bassist of course loves Steve Harris from Iron Maiden, even playing his signature bass guitar and is finger style exclusive, not only is he an incredible bassist, he got such amazing pitch, and have so many smart tiny ideas and inputs that changes the entire song or part to a new level.
Eirik our new lead guitarist started out with helping out the band with numerous projects like making armor for our music video for ‘Frostfall’ or whatever we else we needed, he is an creative force and a incredible guitar player, so the decision for him to join the band when we needed a new lead guitarist was not a hard decision.
Sindre our new drummer, is originally from Stavanger and as everywhere drummers are really hard to come by, so when Dennis saw he was posting on a musician Facebook group if someone wanted to jam along with some Lamb of God, and Slipknot we managed to rope him in. He is such a talented and amazing drummer exactly what Tessia wanted, an aggressive heavy drummer!

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

⅘ of us is hailing from areas just outside Bergen, Norway and our drummer is from a bit further south on the west coast of Norway.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

I have drawn a lot of inspiration from bands in the melodic death metal genre with how they combine clean vocals and growling. In Flames, Soilwork and The halo Effect are great examples. I have always loved female fronted bands such as Lacuna coil, Arch Enemy, In this Moment and Within temptation and gotten a great deal of influence from there.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Sort of. I have been singing my whole life and had an ambition as a child to sing in front of a crowd whether it be as a opera singer or a pop star in a big venue or with a guitar at a pub. As i got older, my music taste changed and I got into heavier music and the urge to create a band grew larger.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Our previous albums and songs I have primarily been singing with clean vocals, but in our newest release and upcoming releases I am doing a lot more growling and heavier vocals. I have always worked towards pushing my vocal capabilities to the max, while being classically trained it took some time to “unlearn” how to sing squeaky clean, but going into growling peaked my interest about what my voice can actually do, I am currently taking inspiration from other vocalists that pushes it to extreme so I’ve been listening to a lot of
Cattle Decapitation, Lorna Shore and Slaughter to Prevail lately. And the album ‘Twilight of the Thunder God’ by Amon Amarth never stops being on the current playlist.

Do you sing in the shower?

Actually no, i’ve always been to scared someone might hear me haha

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We just released 2 new singles ‘The Fall of Divinity’ and ‘Voidwalker’ and we plan to release 1 more during the fall. They are going to be part of part 1 of an album set to release somewhere in the first half of next year if all goes to plan.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes! 1 more single are getting released this fall. A long with part 1 of an entire full length concept album.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

That is a tough one since there are so many legendary venues out there. Royal albert hall is definitely one of them and any stage on Wacken Open Air would be awesome.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Isn’t it an unsung rule to never ask a metal head about their favourite album? Its like picking your favourite cat.. or child. Wintersun Forest seasons are definitely high up there together with Amorphis’ Queen of time that I think is one of the best albums ever. I also have to
mention Sabaton` ‘Great War’, I love that.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Lady Gaga – Born this way, that was my jam back when it came out. I still love it!

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Wow! The greatest show on earth.. It would have to include Metallica and Iron Maiden, those guys are of course metal legends. I would love to have Machine Head and Gojira there too and definitely Tool. And then I would say humbly that Tessia could be the first warm-up band or even just entertaining the people that were hanging up their coats haha

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

I can actually. I bought Led Zeppelin Mothership together with Tool 10000 Days, I still have and love them both.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Never let anyone say that you can’t do something just because you are who you are. When I say this I think about being a woman in a man dominated music genre. It is definitely getting better but there are still people out there who actually believe that being a female singer and growler is a joke.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessiaband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TessiaBand
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tessia2021
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qB2dNnA0tnNNX72gn5VnW?si=rElO5
GQaQPirvb8cd3OeYg

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Hmm… We want to thank The Metal Asylum for showcasing us and giving us a platform to speak, and thanks anyone who read this to the end, we are grateful and appreciate you more than you could imagine. We create music we love ourself, and love to blend metal genres and Tessia are better and stronger than ever and hope people are willing to check us out!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Since I was 18 years old I played in all kinds of bands as a drummer. Being able to play guitar was an unfulfilled dream I had since I was 12 years old, so about 10 years ago I just picked up the guitar, learned how to play and decided to record a solo album. Why solo? After all these years I just had enough of ‘ band democracy’ and decided it would be best if I would be completely in control of recording my album. I did however need other musicians for the album, since I can play various instruments, but not all of them. So I hired singers for lyrics & vocals and guitarists to play guitarsolos, since I’m not that confident about my own solo-ing skills.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

We’re not a band, but I work with guest musicians who come from all over the place, mainly from the US and Europe. They all record their parts in their home studios and we co-work completely online.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

My ultimate favourites are AC/DC and Van Halen. I’m not trying to sound like them, but I listened so much to them, especially when I was younger, that their music was hammered into my DNA. I guess that a good listener will hear elements of their style, music and playing in my music.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I always had that dream since I was a kid and admired all the great bands with my jaws open. In hindsight I’ve been dreaming way too long….the ambition came about 10 years ago when I actually turned that dream into action mode.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Very few actually, I’m soaked up by my own music at the moment because of the recording of my new album (release date December 1 by the way). If I have to mention one, then I’d say Eric Steckel. He’s a phenomenal heavy rock blues guitarists. I discovered him not too long ago and he is one of the best guitarists around! I can listen to his music for hours.

Do you sing in the shower?

Eehhhh…..no……my singing sucks, even in the shower

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Yeah sure, I recently released 2 singles from my upcoming album, called ‘Here to Stay’, which will be released on December 1. I wrote the music together with singer Keith St John whom you may know from Burning Rain, Kingdom Come, Montrose and many more. And there are guest solos from Gus G., Christopher Amott, Timo Somers, Per Nilsson, Joey Concepcion, Satchel and George Lynch. I am really proud of the album and I hope the fans will love it! If there is enough interes, both Keith and I are very eager to bring this music on tour!

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

See my previous answer

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I like playing in smaller clubs and venues, since I really love to “feel the crowd”. The Marquee in London is such venue from my memory as a kid. I don’t know if it exists anymore. The Paradiso in Amsterdam is a legendary venue as well

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I’ve got many favourite albums, mainly old school ones. Here’s a few of them:

• AC/DC – If you want Blood You’ve got it
• Van Halen – Women & Children First
• Riot – Fire down under
• Thin Lizzy – Thunder & Lightning
• UFO – strangers in the Night
• Lamb of God – Killadelphia
• Arch Enemy – Tyrants of the rising sun

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Despite it’s controversial title I always loved the Adolescent Sex song by a band called Japan in the 80’s. Kind of New Wave style. I don’t know why I liked it since I was into Hard Rock already, but it has just a great groove

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Pffff…..difficult to choose from all the musicians I admire…… first of all I want John Sykes back in the spotlights, so John would play lead guitar with myself on rhythm guitar. As a singer I pick Keith St John, since he is so good and we’ve worked together for so long without playing on stage. Ray Luzier is the drummer, I love his style! And on bass a French guy called Franck Hermanny. He has a very groovy, funky style and would make a perfect fit with Ray I’m sure.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

That must have been Boston – Don’t look back, and yes I still have it and cherish it!!

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Please take some time and listen to my music, that’s the best reward I can get from making music. On a more inspirational note I’d say: whatever your dream is, stop dreaming and just do it! Action!! Anything is possible if you have the drive and the will to do what you love !

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

If you visit my Linktree profile there you find all the links to all my profiles:

https://linktr.ee/roncoolen

and please let me know what you think of my music, I love to communicate with fans!

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 guys for having me here!

I’d say we’ve talked enough now, let’s look at some of my music: ‘HEAVY METAL TILL I’M DEAD’

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Well, everything began when I become to get bored of the new music, nothing interesting to hear but what I find the worst; without any meaning to give to the listener, that’s why I decide to make the music I wanted to hear.
The Project’s Name it’s an invention of what could be an ancient entity living inside us all, and it’s only objective is make us think.
I’m the only member of this project, who I’m it’s not relevant, I want the focus to be in the music.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Since it’s a one-man project, yes, I’m from Chile

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

This one is hard to answer; I listen almost everything: from classical music to extreme metal. If I got to pick my favourites I can say Claude Debussy, Anorexia Nervosa, Rage, and King Crimson.
I can say that how they influenced my sound it’s not their sound, but the originality that I found in them.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Sure, but what I wanted more was to give something to think. Many find a way to do it, some are painters, others are writers, I choose to be a musician (or at least try it).

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Currently you can find Mind Labyrinth, my first EP, and there’s 3 singles:
Libera Me!, Take my Heart and Oscuridad Abismal

Do you sing in the shower?

Sometimes

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Just keep making music, if it’s possible, maybe a video.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Surprise.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Ancient Roman Coliseum at night.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Chaining The Katechon by Deathspell Omega

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Hahaha, sure, Talking Heads – Girlfriend is Better

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Too hard to answer.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Was In the court of the Crimson King by King Crimson, sadly I don’t have it anymore.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Stay with Syrkander travelling the boundless corridors that compose the labyrinth of the mind.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

As social you can find me on Instagram, as platforms in all the usuals (Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube, etc)

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you so much for your time as well and for contacting me, hope you enjoy the journey Syrkander is making.

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Heretoir is a post (black) metal band from Germany, that combines the raw energy of black metal and the melancholic emotions of post rock with the rhythmic power of modern melodic death metal. David, our singer, alternates between screaming and clean vocals and our lyrics are about personal experiences, melancholy, urban life, nature and what it’s like to be human living in a dying world.
The bandname is a coinage, its basis is the word heretic. For us the bandname means something like “finding your own way” or “chosing your own path in life”.
The band was founded by David in 2006. A few years later I joined, since David and I knew each other for quite some time and we realized, that we are very much interested in the same music. A bit later the line up was completed and we played our first live shows. To this day we played shows with Katatonia, Killswitch Engage, Enslaved, Alcest, Agalloch, Der Weg einer Freiheit and many other bands and we released more than four records. Our new full-length called “Nightsphere” will be released on October 6th.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Three of us live in the area around Munich in southern Germany. Our drummer lives in Hamburg and one of us comes from Belgium. We met in local metal clubs and at shows, that we played with different bands of ours.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

For me it would be Ulver, Katatonia, Alcest, Agalloch, Wolves in the throne room, Darkthrone, Fall of Efrafa and In Flames. I listen to a wide spectrum of different genres, but of course black metal, melodic death metal and crust punk have been major influences for me. I love the atmosphere of old school black metal bands, but I also like the emotional intensity of more modern black metal acts. I am a huge fan of the frailty of post rock and the power of death metal. I grew up listening to In Flames and Dark Tranquillity a lot and I love those bands to this day. They formed my love for melody, atmosphere and darkness and I guess you can hear that on the upcoming Heretoir record.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

When I discovered metal in high school I immediately wanted to learn to play guitar. A few weeks later I bought a bass and a guitar and shortly after that I started to write songs. So I didn’t think about being a musician a lot, for me it was just the natural thing to do and I consider myself very lucky to have found other great human beings with whom I can share this passion.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

“A thirst for summer rain” by Lustre, “We are the apocalypse” by Dark Funeral and (as always) “The great cold distance” by Katatonia and “Damage done” by Dark Tranquillity.

Do you sing in the shower?

Never.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We have a lot of plans! We will play together with Alcest in October. Shortly afterwards our new album “Nightsphere” will be released. We will promote the record and tour Europe from October 20th to 28th. We will play some other shows in November and play our first South America Tour in march of 2024. In the meantime we are already working hard on new material for upcoming records. So we are quite busy at the moment.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Our new record called “Nightsphere” will be released on October 6th. You can already preorder it and watch the music video for our first single called “Twilight of the machines”.

If you could play at any place in the world where would you choose?

Wacken and Hellfest

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Ashes against the grain by Agalloch. It is an atmospheric masterpiece and I really love the fusion of black metal, post rock and doom. The melancholic darkness, that can be found on this record, is just perfect.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Katatonia, Alcest, Wolves in the throne room, In Flames, Agalloch, Harakiri for the Sky, Der Weg einer Freiheit and of course it would feature the reunion of Fall of Efrafa.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

I am not 100% sure, but it must have been either Soulfly or Metallica.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

I want to thank every single Heretoir fan from the bottom of my heart for supporting this band. It makes me really happy to know, that there are people out there who enjoy the music we write and it really means the world to me to meet so many lovely people at our shows. Thank you.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

https://heretoir.bandcamp.com/album/nightsphere
https://evilgreed.net/de/collections/heretoir
https://www.instagram.com/heretoir_official/
https://www.facebook.com/heretoir

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you very much for the interesting questions and the opportunity to talk about Heretoir.

This interview is the property of The Metal Aylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

I am actually a solo musician, as a multi-instrumentalist I write, perform all the songs in the album. Name is actually man original name, which is a very unique one, I decided to use it as my artist name as well. Only the vocalists are participating as featured artists, but I also write most of the vocal lines as well.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

no answer to this as I am a solo musician 🙂

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Meshuggah, Dream Theater, Pantera, Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Architects

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

It was my childhood dream, dream is coming true now 🙂

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Meshuggah – Obzen, Monuments – In Stasis , Humanity’s Last Breath – Ashen

Do you sing in the shower?

Oh sometimes, who doesnt 🙂

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

This year my first EP will come out, and next year I am considering releasing another EP, with more collaboration and featured artists

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes album is ready, and the next single will be out on 22nd of September, it’s called Battlefield.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Definitely Wacken Open Air Main stage!

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Dream Theater Metropolis Pt2 Scenes from a Memory – never gets old

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Nope I don’t think so 🙂 I love to listen all types of songs as long as they emotionally influence, affect me.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

All my favourite and inspired bands as mentioned before, but as well as I would add Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, The Beatles, Guns’n Roses, Rammstein (for some massive live sound and experience)

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Oh it was a very small, a local rap band. Album is called “Cartel – Cartel” (name of the band and the album is the same). I still have it but as a cassette 🙂

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

I love them all, and deeply appreciate the support they give to me

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

IG : @cevret_music Facebook, Spotify, and all other platforms @cevret
as well as my homepage is a good way to reach all these : https://www.cevret.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?

I would like to thank The Metal Asylum team for giving me this chance, you guys are awesome 🙂

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

J.P. KROM, I sing and I play the guitar. This is a soloist project, I started it years ago when I was really bored with singers and their egocentrism. I decided to sing, but it took years to “discover” my own voice. I was in a male choir and after that with the speech therapist in that process. After recording two self-made albums of covers I decided to record an album with songs that I composed. Gothic influences were on me at that moment, but I decided to do the album with many influences as Zakk Wylde, heavy and a bite of progressive metal. I studied astrology and the path for the lyrics naturally channelled in that. The music had the same inspiration in a more abstract way. I decided to call the style “astrological metal” (after called AstroMetal) after a conversation with a classmate who called my music like that when I told her that the lyrics and the composition were based on that. To play live I called some musicians and the ones that were with me almost from the very beginning were Braulio Morales on the keyboards and Reynaldo Catalán on bass. In drums for the albums were session drummers, and for playing live the one that spent more time on the project was Patricio Orellana. Now Braulio Morales is part of the management of this project with me.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Braulio is from Coquimbo and we knew each other through a metal group on Facebook and with Reynaldo we knew each other when I was looking for a bassist, I asked a front woman if his bass player was interested in playing with me.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

It is a very difficult question for me. My header bands are Slayer, Dream Theater and Guns N’ Roses, but what I do it’s not similar to that. But if you listen very carefully, you will find those influences. I really love Bloody Kisses and October Rust from Type O Negative, but they are not my favourite band (maybe if they just released those two albums). I love that style and I found it in other bands as well with songs that sound like that, but that the band don’t cultivate it. At the same, I love songs from bands that are gothic, but I don’t like most of the songs of the bands.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I don’t know. What I really like in life is creating, and the most abstract thing and complete thing in life that I found was music. Maybe it was the environment in which I was raised, with a lot of classic rock and alternative music, while the other families were listening to popular music, this different music was been injected into the depths of my mind. Also the art in general was very appreciated. I think in my youth I was shocked by rock stars and after that the metal, and their divergent thinking. Music was always my company and drug, a world that I can travel anytime: to different places and through the time.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Delain, Shadowside, Liv Sin, Adrenaline Mob, Moonspell, Type O Negative, Masterplan, Charon, Samael, Beesech, and a lot of more bands.

Do you sing in the shower?

I just think in how to resolve some problems of the day and I try to project myself.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

I would like to work with a publisher and play live in festivals in Europe. And prepare my next album.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes, Astrometal is an EP that is going to be released soon. Luna Plutón is a single that has been released on August 17th.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I really need to play and know the Netherlands. Their constructions and their people.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Appetite for Destruction

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

I have no guilt for the music I like. But if I can talk music that is not metal, I would recommend to you “Corazones”, from the Chilean band “Los Prisioneros”. What a great album is it.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Guns N’ Roses, Dream Theater, Slayer and Type O Negative.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

It was the Cowboys from Hell from Pantera. Yes! I still have it, but I don’t know where!

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

The message would be two questions: What do you like the most from what I do? What ideas do you have for me to do in this project?

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

WEBSITE: https://jpkrom.com/
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2yKNU…
YOUTUBE: / @jpkromofficial
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jpkrom/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/J.P.KromMusic

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Just thanks to The Metal Asylum for your space for this gothic metal artist from Chile who makes Astrometal!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Well, Augurium’s been technically active since August of 2015. We’ve gone through a few line-up changes throughout the years for each different record of the band and it’s always been an interesting experience w/ each line-up. I personally think each release reflects who we were as musicians at the time and shows both musically and quality-wise how much each line-up grew. I think our current line-up is the strongest and most mature music-wise. The history of the band name? Growing up I always loved horror movies, in particular Omen. So, being cool and wanting to stand out from the crowd – we decided to look up words in different languages and we landed on Augurium which is Latin for Omen.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Actually no, 3 of the members are from Saskatchewan and the other 2 are from British Columbia! I and Logan were a part of Augurium before it dissolved and we decided to get it back up and running in 202. I had previously played alongside Yianni when I first started out in the metal scene back in 2013 so that was an easy addition. Reid (our bassist) actually filled in the role of live bassist for a few shows shortly before we dissolved the band back in August of 2019 so it made sense to get him back into the fold as a permanent member and Taylor (our drummer) had actually played alongside a show with us back on tour in 2018 and we’ve remained in contact since. Although the distance made it quite difficult, we powered through and created what I believe is our strongest release to date.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Mental Cruelty, Septic Flesh, and Belphegor to name a few. We’ve always had a blackened death sound but the ability to add orchestration to our sound was a game changer and brought EVERYTHING we’ve wanted to life.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Honestly, no. Growing up I wanted to be a police officer or in the military but as soon as my mother put a guitar in my hands, it was game over. I’ve been playing since I was 12 years old and it won’t be changing any time soon, haha.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

The Pain Remains 1 – 3 by Lorna Shore, Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light by Woods of Ypres, and Virus of the Mind by Starkill.

Do you sing in the shower?

I mean… I do.. but is it good? Absolutely not. I think we all pretend to be Celine Dion or Axl Rose in the shower.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Yes, Augurium is touring western Canada this summer and we intend to do festivals across Canada and another tour in 2024.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes! Augurium has released two singles “Ancient Grimoire and Phantom Parallax” off our upcoming album “Unearthly Will” which comes out on August 25th, 2023!

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Wacken open air, for sure. Those festivals in Europe are definitely a bucket list.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I do, Rust in Peace by Megadeth. It was the first album that I fell in love with and it’s been a fuel source of inspiration and power since I first heard it back in 2007.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

I have a few.. I LOVE Celine Dion, “My heart will go on”, “I drove all night”, etc. Gotta mix it up haha.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Well, I believe Augurium, Megadeth, Mental Cruelty, Possessed and Hypocrisy. That would be THE show for myself.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

That’s tough but probably Killing is My Business… and Business is Good.. by Megadeth. And yes, I have many copies!

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

I hope everyone enjoys and welcomes this new era of the band and loves it as much as we all do.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuguriumSK
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/auguriumband/?hl=en
Bandcamp – https://augurium.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?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about Augurium and myself, it was a pleasure!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

My name is Antoine and I am the only musician in this project. I am 31 and I live in Lille, North of France. Maufé is an old French word that nobody knows and nobody uses anymore. It is one of the names we gave to the Devil during the Middle Age.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

After having tried to create metal bands in vain, one day, I decided to follow my own path. I cannot disband… and I can write the exact music I want.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

I am a great fan 50’s-60’s-70’s, rock, acid rock and hard rock. I appreciate The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, King Crimson… as well as extreme metal, especially sludge, death and modern black metal. If we talk about my inspirations, I would say that my main influences can be found in Gojira, Mastodon and Opeth. I love Mastodon’s psychedelism and mysticism. Crack The Skye, their 2009 album, has been a revelation for me. My riffing is very inspired by Mastodon and I’m also a big fan of their strange arpeggios (and Opeth’s arpeggios too). That’s why you can hear arpeggios in my own music. If we talk about the solos, my inspiration comes from Pink Floyd. David Gilmour’s sense of the melody is incredible and when I compose my lead guitars, I always try to create a melodic piece before thinking about speed or technical demonstration.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I play guitar since the age of 14 or 15, but I was already passionated by music before. So yes, at the beginning, my goal was to play with a band. I also had the plan to write my own music. Composing is certainly the thing that I prefer.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

I listen to a French black metal band called The Great Old Ones. Their universe is based on Lovecraft’s novels. Their album “Cosmicism”, released in 2019 is just incredible. When I want a few rest, these days, I listen to Neil Young’s “Harvest” and Rory Gallagher’s “Tattoo”.

Do you sing in the shower?

Of course, everyone does that, no? If you try to know what I sing in the shower I’d answer The Beatles.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

I have just released my first EP on May this year. It has been a long and difficult work. I have many other songs written but not recorded. And because I have a job in everyday life, it’s hard to say when I will be able to unveil new things. I recently began to write something that sounds like a concept-album. This project gives me a great motivation. Maybe out in 1 or 2 years…

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Hellfest, a real pride for every French metalhead.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Certainly the one I mentioned sooner : “Crack The Skye” by Mastodon. It’s very hard to choose one definitive favourite album. It depends of my state of mind of the day. I could also choose “The Link” by Gojira, “Blackwater Park” by Opeth, “Symbolic” by Death, “Abbey Road” by The Beatles, “Animals” by Pink Floyd, etc.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Linkin Park first 3 albums. This band made me discover metal music. When I was 11 or 12, neo metal was at the peak of its popularity. Linkin Park had just released “Meteora”. It is the first CD I bought in my life. Today I have 300 CDs!

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Elvis Presley, The Doors, The Beatles, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Death (with Chuck), Metallica, Gojira, Mastodon, Meshuggah, Tool, Opeth, Behemoth, Obscura…

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

I don’t know if I have fans but if someone reads this, go listening and be careful because my songs are very… bizarre.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

People can find me on Facebook, YouTube, Soundcloud and Bandcamp. I am becoming an old person so I don’t understand anything about Instagram!

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank YOU The Metal Asylum!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band
and a little bit about the various members?

The Name “Souls of Sorrow” describes us very well. Every Character of the Band is a Soul of Sorrow.And it’s like in Bands like KISS, or Lord of the Lost, that each member stands out in different ways. May it be through:- the music and lyrics, (because everyone in the Band is involved in the writing) – or the outfit and style that he presents on stage – or the natural behaviour and the unmasked personalities of each member that we show in our “TV of Sorrow” on YoutubeAnd our history has just begun. We formed out of a solo project from myself (Dan Singer of the Band) that I’ve published under the name “Dan Peters”. So I was looking for musicians to play my songs live and came across Terence (lead guitar) and Fabian (drums). Along with my former “In Dreams of Reality” bandmates Marco and Sebastian, a new band was formed, now called Souls of Sorrow.Also the combination of the different characters are the reason for the unique sound that finds its middle in Gothic Rock.

Are you all from the same area? 

Yes, we are all living in Germany between the city’s Cologne and Siegen.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

I can only speak for myself (Dan). My actual favorites are Lord of the Lost and Deathstars. They have a huge influence in my songwriting, so you’ll hear the influence. The good thing in our Band is that everybody plays his part in his own style; So that after the final recordings every Song has become a Souls of Sorrow Song. Bass and Rhythm Guitar are coming from the harder metal side and collide with Lead Guitar and Drums which are very much influenced from 80’s Rock, combined with a Singer who love’s both sides.That leads to the Sound of Souls of Sorrow. 

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I think I can answer this question for each Band Member. All of us are doing music for a very long time in our life’s. So, Yes we all have the ambition or more the addiction of performing our music. 

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

If you look at your characters I would say it couldn’t be more mixed :DTerence (Lead Guitar) is listening through so much different, from classical guitar stuff til Jazzguitar and through all the rocklegends. Fabian (Drum) is, I would say the most “gothic” guy of the Band. Sebastian (Bass Guitar) listens also to a lot of music, but is mostly home with harder tones.Marco (Rhytm Guitar) listens to the hardest stuff in the Band. He loves Neue Deutsche Härte and Death Metal, so to say the “in your face” music. And I am at home in Melodic Death Metal, Hard Rock and Gothic and Industrial Rock. Bands I really often listen to are: Kissin Dynamite, Deathstars, Lord of the Lost, In Flames, Insomnium, Kiss, Paradise Lost...

Do you sing in the shower?

Yes of course 😀

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Yes! We are about to release our first EP in October and a Single at the end of November.We are looking for money with a crowdfunding project at the end of this year to finance the second EP.So If you are interested, just check out our socials. Through the Fundraise you’ll get the opportunity to watch music videos before release, and listen to the raw Demos for the second EP.  

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I would love to be on a stage at the Summer Breeze Festival, Wacken Festival, Mera Luna Festival and Hellfest. To play at one of those would be an honour for us. 

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Yes, “Thornstar” from Lord of the Lost. 

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

This question is too early for us 😀 Ask that some years later again 😉 

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

That’s a unique question. I cannot answer it, there are so many good musicians out there. Sorry.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Yes, KISS – Killers. I was a child back then and I still have it at home.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

facebook.com/soulsofsorrowband
instagram.com/soulsofsorrowofficial
tiktok.com/@soulsofsorrow
https://www.youtube.com/@soulsofsorrow
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/0HCaU2tcGljZLg8DFuq98r?si=JUtRg1oLSRu6MaROKf3o9A

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you for the interview! I have nothing more to say than thank you to everyone who listens to our music, comes to our shows and reads this interview!
See you soon. 

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

All answers provided by Valentine Vandal

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

The name came about as we were trying to pick names that were representative of the band and also wanted to give a bit of a throw back to classics like Black Sabbath and Black Flag. We had considered a few different options, but “Black Daggers” was the only one we could all agree on. We formed in 2022 after lead singer Cody “Valentine” Vandal connected with drummer, Spencer Mcleod.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

We started working on the songs that would eventually be our full length in January of 2022 and bassist Mike Szeles and rhythm guitarist Stanley Sullivan joined in the summer of 2022 rounding out the lineup. Val and Stan were in a band back in 2006 called “Lust(Lust Boys)” on Vancouver Island and reconnected for this most recent project.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Our favourite bands are incredibly varied and I think it comes through in our sound. We pull from influences as broad as Between the Buried and Me and Mastadon to Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal. Big fans of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Hives.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

I(Val) have been performing in bands since I was in my late teens. I think I always wanted to be a professional musician. I played throughout my 20s in various outfits and fronted a band called Secondhand Habit for a few years. We eventually got signed to a Universal Music group imprint but ended up in album limbo with a label that didn’t like our record. I took a few years off due to being a bit burned out from the entire ordeal but kept writing and practicing in the mean time. Two of the songs on this latest record are from a decade ago.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

The Hives – Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, Mutoid Man – Mutants, Big Wreck – 7, Soundgarden – Superunknown, Avenged Sevenfold – ….life is but a dream

Do you sing in the shower?

Maybe

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Currently we’re building our presence online and engaging with other content creators to expand our reach and support our upcoming debut album, Phantasmagoria

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Surfin’ A Vibe – Video was released Aug 1/23, Single released on all streaming platforms Aug 8/23 I’m Here – Single will be released Sept 19/23 City Limits – Single will be released Oct 31/23 Phantasmagoria – Album releasing Oct 31/23

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Madison Square Garden

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Too many

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Pretty much most pop music. Weeknd, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Fastball – All the Pain Money Can Buy, yes (Val)

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

We love you and are very excited to share our new music with you. It’s been a labor of love for us and we really hope you’ll join us on our continuing journey because there’s plenty left in the tank and we’re ready to rock!

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

We’re @Blackdaggersmusic on Instagram, TikTok, Threads
@Blackdaggersofficial on Facebook
@Blackdaggerscad on X