Interviews: DeathAssault

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal band, DeathAssault, from the UK. 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 did it just come out like that?

The name of the band is one that didn't have much meaning or planning in the beginning of the band. However, as time passed, it started to take shape and be understood through the energy and atmosphere we convey in both our recorded music and live performances. It's an unbridled, unforgiving force. It contains every aspect of the human condition. The highs… the lows and everything in between. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Metal is something we all grew up with in one way or another. Whether others grew up with it from the beginning or if they came to discover it later in life. Metal can be such a versatile genre, but at its core is a vessel for conveying raw emotion as a form of catharsis. Expressing those feelings that otherwise cannot be expressed in such a way. It's a unique form of healing for us. Therapy through music. 

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

Some of us had prior connection bands that never went anywhere. For example, Jake, Levi, and Wiktor all had met previously through other bands. Darrell and Bill, however, both came into the band without knowing the others previously. Darrell, who had been practicing vocals and seeking to join a band, came across a post looking for a Bassist and a vocalist. Bill, however, came into the band via an audition after the previous guitarist, Jack Madderson, departed from the band. Bill had known of the bands and sent a series of videos as a form of audition before being brought into the studio to practice songs and test if he could take on the task. Bill, in no time, became part of the brotherhood and has brought an unwavering energy into the band. 

4. Each band member's favourite band?

We have touched on this in other interviews and in discussions with people who ask about the band. As a collective, we all have such a vast range of influences and listen to such a scope of music that it always makes it hard to pick an influence or favourite band. But if we had to pick… here is a list of each members favourite band:

Bill Mander: Children Of Bodom

Jake Ackrell: Black Veil Brides

Levi Spry: The Wiggles

Darrell Baker: Slipknot

Wiktor Weinreb-Osiecki: Blood Incantation 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We in some way inspire each other. We all have our musical influences and inspirations from other artists, but something about being in a room with each other, hanging out, jamming, and coming up with new ideas is always an inspiration. We fuel each other's minds with ideas without needing to speak. Each person knows the right thing to do next, whilst improv jamming without really knowing what the other person is going to do. It’s like its own raw life. Happening. Creating itself. Creating new things and experimenting with where its path will take it. Watching each other perform and hearing ideas fall into place is something that fills us with such awe and appreciation for each other. That is just the way our chemistry works. Although we could attribute our inspiration elsewhere, I find we are most inspired when we are together… creating. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig for the year was at the Bristol Exchange alongside: Eliminate The Middle Class, Cast Courts, Arbiter, and Stitched on the 25th November. This was the first time we’ve played a new venue in Bristol for some time. We typically play The Gryphon; however, this year has been a year of growth and expanding our reach beyond our normal locations. The November stretch of gigs has been some of the best we've had this year, and some that we are incredibly proud of and will always remember fondly.

7. Where would you like to play?

There are so many places we would like to play, both inside the UK and outside of the UK. If we had to pick a top 5, I think that would include: Bloodstock, Hellfest, London O2, Poland (our bassist's home country,) and finally… it’d have to be Madison Square Garden for both the history and sheer capacity. 

8. Who would you like to support?

Due to our varying tastes in music, it varies… so here is a band per member that we’d each like to support.

Darrell Baker: Acid Bath

Jake Ackrell: Trivium

Wiktor Weinreb-Osiecki: Acid Bath

Levi Spry: Inquisition

Bill Mander: Power Trip 

9. Who not?

Seems like a clean sweep over here… Darrell Baker: Disturbed Bill Mander: Disturbed Wiktor Weinreb-Osiecki: Disturbed Levi Spry: Distrubed Jake Ackrell: Distrubed 

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

I think everyone, to some degree, must experience stage fright and nerves; it’s just something that means you care and want to put across your passions in the best way possible. It’s not every day you are standing up in front of however many people, attempting to control the energy of the room, and have people enjoy your music. For us, combating such a feeling comes down to using it to fuel our stage presence, that erratic fight or flight feeling… adrenaline coursing through you. We take that and turn it into fight energy. Fueling every single sound we make, converting emotion and natural biological reaction into a furious pummeling machine that takes no prisoners. Simply, take that energy and use it to fuel what you do. This is your path in life. Your music. Your art. Nothing can take that away from you. The more you do it, the more you get used to it. That feeling. You will start to like it. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Bands of all subgenres have taken a huge influence on our sound as a band and are a large aspect of inspiration. Here are some, jhere are a few notable bands: In Flames, Meshuggah, Sepultura, Blood Incantation, Aklash, Tool, Black Veil Brides, Trivium, Children of Bodom, Slipknot, Slayer, Gojira, Death, Nausea. 

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

Funnily enough, fans have never asked much of us. Especially nothing that has come across as weird. Sometimes, those who are starting bands or have just started bands ask us if we would like to perform together, some have asked for signatures, our setlists after we come off stage (we typically keep one for our own band archive of each gig). But nobody has ever asked for anything weird from us. “One time, someone asked if they could have my mask. To which I promptly explained they couldn’t, as there is only one of them, and that it means a lot to me. I have a special connection to my masks and outfits that are an extension of me as a person, and I do my best to keep them in good condition and in my hands.” - Darrell Baker (Vocals) 

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans have been some of the most dedicated people we have ever met in our walks of life. Since day one, they have been chanting our name for everyone to hear. It’s really something special to witness from the stage. We have always made it clear to our fans how much we appreciate every single one of them, as they enable us to do what we do and spread it even further. Sharing it with their friends and family, streaming our music, buying our merch, all add up to helping us achieve our dreams and finance them as well (especially through merch sales). Those who are true fans, you will see their face at every hometown show we do, and it is always a pleasure to see them. They know who we are, they have seen us go from the beginning up until now, and they have never faltered in their support. Even new fans approach us with this air of excitement and dedication as if they’ve always been there. It is always a pleasure to speak to new fans at gigs and hear them speak about what they enjoyed, their opinions. We had our time on stage, and after that, it's time to get involved with the community. They are a pleasure all around, and we are ever so grateful for them sticking with us. To all those a part of the DEATHASSAULT family… we love you guys! 

14. What do you think of our site?

The site has a nice range of sections to choose from, unlike quite a lot of sites. The fact that you have sections dedicated to: Bands from certain countries, Genres, Playlists, testimonials, etc, is nice to see. It has a wide range of choices, which are detailed. It’s easy to read, visually pleasing, and overall laid out nicely!

15. Something to add?

We are super grateful to every article that has featured us lately, interviewed us, reviewed and played our tracks on the radio. Also, a huge thanks to SAN PR for working alongside us to help get our music out there in our joint effort to spread our reach far beyond our coastal city of Plymouth. If you like what you have read, or want new music to listen to… go check out our two latest singles off our Debut Self-titled album: “ASHES OF REALITY” and “WE WILL REMAIN” out now on all major streaming platforms.