Interviews: ANUBIS

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal/Power Metal band ANUBIS from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or come out just like that? 

So, “Anubis” was suggested by our first guitarist, and it satisfied my own personal 3 criteria: 1) It starts with “a” so it’ll be at the top of any alphabetized lists, 2) it’s 3 syllables so it can be easily chanted by a crowd, and 3) it doesn’t end in –ation or –ator.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Because I literally don’t know how to do anything else! Hahaha! I’ve been listening to underground metal (power, thrash, death, black, etc.) for basically my entire life, and I’m not any less excited about it now than when I was in middle school.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Justin and Eleazar have been friends since high school, I’ve known Robin for a while. Additionally, some current members we’ve collectively been friends with since before they joined, but other than those few exceptions this band is the reason most of us know each other.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Devin – Blind Guardian

Justin – Black Dahlia Murder

Eleazar – Nevermore

Will – Unleash the Archers

Robin – Iron Maiden

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

I’m typically inspired, at least lyrically, by anything that’s occupying my thoughts at any given moment, whether it’s an event in the news, a movie I just saw, something that happened in my friend group, etc. Whatever is taking up my mental space the most is what I write about. Whenever I have writer’s block, I take it as a sign that I need to be out experiencing more things or engaging with the world more.

6. Where was your last gig? 

I think our last show was at a local metal hangout spot here in LA called Knucklehead. One of the only bars specifically designed to be a metal hang, and one of my favorite spots in LA for sure.

7. Where would you like to act?

I would absolutely love to tour Europe someday. I feel like our style is much more suited to audiences over there. Before that’s feasible though, we’ve got to get some experience touring here in the States, which is the hurdle we’re currently working on.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

For me, the dream would be touring with the current leaders of our genre(s). Unleash the Archers, Exmortus, Dynazty, Upon Stone, Beast in Black, etc. I’d love to be thought of and associated with bands that are seen as keeping the genre alive and pushing the art form forward.

9. Whom not?

Fundamentally, I’ll tour with anyone, any time. But what I’d probably be less enthusiastic about would be bands from the ‘80s with older fanbases who really aren’t looking to discover new artists. I should note however, that I’ve toured with bands like that before, and you can certainly sell those crowds if you try hard enough, so I wouldn’t ever turn down an opportunity to do that.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that? 

I think everyone suffers stage fright when they first start out, and the only ways to beat it are 1) to be so thoroughly practiced at your instrument that your execution is automatic muscle memory, and b) to play live so much that it’s second nature. I’ve certainly played enough, both in this band and in previous bands, to where playing live doesn’t feel any different to me than practicing alone in my bedroom. If any of the other guys suffer from stage fright, it’s completely imperceptible from my end.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Blind Guardian (obviously, given how I answered the “favorite band” question), classic In Flames, Metallica and Megadeth of course, Iced Earth, Krisiun, Deicide, Vader, Sonata Arctica…. In short, any metal band that broke ground with creativity and influence.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

I mean… whenever someone asks for a picture or an autograph, that always seems weird to me since I regard myself as, you know, just some random guy. Other than that, I don’t know… maybe we’re just fortunate that our fans don’t really ask for weird things.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I literally adore anyone and everyone who gives us support, or even just the time of day. There’s definitely no shortage of metal bands out there, and we’re well aware that we aren’t entitled to a fraction of a second of anyone’s time.

14. What do you think of our site?

Well… my singular favorite death metal band of all time is Vader, so the fact that you site them prominently as a client definitely hits me directly in the heartstrings……

15. Something to add?

Keep listening, keep supporting the next generation of metal, and we’ll see you in DARK PARADISE.