Interviews: Hellbearer

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal band Hellbearer from the UK. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Ash: The name 'Hellbearer' came out of a brainstorming session where we were throwing names at each other - ultimately it was a 'rule of cool' decision, but luckily it fits our themes quite well!

Mosh: Through a video call, it was a collaborative effort of brainstorming, and two names we had come up with merged into one

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Ash: I've been a thrash fan since I first heard Metallica's Seek and Destroy on an MP3 player my sister gave me as a kid. The moment I heard the momentum, I realised this was the genre for me!

Sam: I started a bit late into the thrash genre playing-wise, but I’ve always been fascinated with how fast it can become and the intensity of it, and for me, it’s the perfect genre to play

Mosh: The versatility, you can do anything with thrash, morph it in a multitude of ways, plus the raw, uncut carnage that comes alongside

Kieran: I grew up around metal in general, but mostly the first 4 Metallica albums. Cliff Burton is my biggest influence, so I naturally gravitated towards thrash. I remember learning all of “Kill em all” at around 14 years old.

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

Ash: I met Mosh a couple of weeks after moving to Manchester, completely by chance at a M2TM show, who introduced me to Sam and then Kieran.

Sam: I sort of knew Mosh beforehand, but met him properly at a local gig. I met Ash before a Xentrix gig in a pub, and then didn’t meet Kieran until after the band was formed

Mosh: I knew Sam from college, but Ash and I met at a M2TM by Ash accidentally mistook me for someone else, and Kieran spawned in one rehearsal, and he was perfect

Kieran: I initially was looking for bands to tag with to build a portfolio to be a session musician, and got a message from Sam asking if I’d like to join them at a rehearsal. After hearing the music and meeting the other 3, I felt that I wanted it to be a permanent spot.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Ash: Black Sabbath

Sam: Iron Maiden

Mosh: Municipal Waste or Korn

Kieran: Testament

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Ash: Internal rage! And the general societal dystopia that's growing every year. 

Mosh: The ability to project a message, a lot of our songs have deep meaning and messages that we want to scream from the rooftops and make sure everyone hears it. And the hope that one of our fans out there will connect with our music the same way I connect with some of my favourite bands.

Kieran: The variety in different types of music I listen to inspires me to try to create something unique myself. I take most of my bass writing influence from, of course, metal and its subgenres, but funk, blues, grunge, etc, too.

6. Where was your last gig?

Ash: supporting Sworn Amongst at The Bread Shed! Great venue in Manchester!

7. Where would you like to play?

Ash: EUROPE! The Netherlands/Germany would be awesome!

Sam: Germany, Latin America

Mosh: Europe. I would enjoy playing Scandinavia or the Netherlands

Kieran: Wacken or Resurrection fest

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Ash: Testament, Exodus, Anthrax, Municipal Waste

Sam: Exodus, Kreator

Mosh: Municipal Waste, Exodus, Slayer, Toxic Holocaust, Nuclear Assault, Pantera 

Kieran: Testament, Annihilator, Havok, Metallica (I can dream), Chevelle.

9. Whom not?

Ash: Anyone willing to give us a spot is worth talking to; never close a door!

Sam: Same answer as Ash

Mosh: Agreed, would love to give anyone a chance

Kieran: Same. Take what we can.

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

Ash: Remember you have bandmates to lean on, and if you believe in your material, your audience will too!

Sam: Same answer as Ash

Mosh: A LOT, but the best thing I've found is to hype yourself up, hype the rest of your band mates up, believe in yourself, positive mental attitude is the way to go. 

Kieran: Never be afraid of messing up or looking a fool on stage. I’ve always told people that you’re going on stage to entertain people. If you mess up, trip, or do something and it gets a laugh, you’ve still done your job, just go up and have a good time!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Ash: Slayer, Exodus, Municipal Waste, Black Sabbath

Sam: Iron Maiden, Bullet For My Valentine, Volbeat, Slipknot

Mosh: Korn, Municipal Waste, Testament, Pantera, Exodus.

Kieran: Testament, Metallica, Avatar, Gojira, Green Lung.

12. What do you think of your fans?

Ash: They're our Hippy Thrasher Punks, They Love, Mosh and Rebel!

Sam: They’re a crazy bunch, but they’re really loyal to us, and we’re forever grateful for it

Mosh: Absolutely amazing, we love them all, the energy they bring to every gig is unmatched, and it doesn't matter if we are in our hometown or around the country, they will always bring 110%

Kieran: Absolute nut cases hahaha, every show, no matter the size of the audience, there’s someone going crazy trying to encourage some movement, but talking with them, no toxicity at all, only love!

13. Something to add?

Ash: Support local music!

Mosh: Agreed, the more you support your local scene, the more new music you will be able to enjoy

Kieran: There's more music than legacy bands! You just have to go and find it!