Interviews: LiveKill

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal project, LiveKill, 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? Was it planned, or did it just happen organically?

LiveKill came from playing video games. I used the name “ Live2Kill “ in a few online games that I had been playing, and dropped the “ 2 “ and started using “ LiveKil.l “ When we started the band, it was the only name considered.

2. Why did you choose to play this genre?

We are from South Florida, and Death Metal is hard to get away from down here. I spent a year going to as many local shows, watching the crowd's reaction to different styles of metal. We decided to be catchy, not over technical - it comes across live better, the audience understands the music, and it makes it a better show and more memorable.

3. Did you know each other before forming the band?

In 2016, Damon and I (John) met up at a local show and discussed forming a band. A few weeks later, we had set the foundation. Damon left the band after a year to focus on family. Our current lineup with John (Guitar) and Naplam (Lead Guitar) were friends before the band started, and the rest of the band joined at different times.

4. What is each band member's favorite band?

We are all fans of Sepultura, Crowbar, Chimaira-type bands - Naplam and James tend to be Black Sabbath to hardcore, while Erik is a huge Mastodon fan. Hermes is a mix of 90s power, black, progressive, thrash, and Gothic doom, while John is more into individual songs like “ The Diplomat from Pig Destroyer,” Find My Way from Lions at the Gate, and “Satan is Real from Kreator.”

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Inspiration comes from so many places - you could pick up a new guitar and the way it feels in your hands affects your playing and inspires a new song, I could be listening to a completely different genre, and I would imagine how that would sound if LiveKill played it. Many times, it's something visual or a phrase I’ve heard that inspires us to write about a subject that makes you think.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Fort Pierce, Florida, at a new spot called Tipsy Tiki. What a great spot with over 200 people attending the show, that whole Treasure Coast area is a scene that’s blowing up.

7. Where would you like to perform in the future?

We wanna get on the road and play small towns to bigger venues, connecting with people at the shows is one of the best parts of playing in cities, the band is new too. But, ya know, your hometown venue where you grew up seeing the greats is always the dream to be on that stage, for us that’s iTHINK financial in West Palm Beach Fl.

8. Which artist or band would you like to collaborate with?

As a guitar player, I’d love to hear Mario Duplantier from Gojira and hear his take on a tune for Livekill playing drums. But realistically, Rob Arnold from Chimaira would be great to sit down with and run ideas around. That’s a band I could see us touring with.

9. Is there anyone you wouldn’t want to collaborate with?

Isn’t that the great thing about music? It’s subjective to the listener. Everyone has an opinion on what they would have done in a song they love. If our agent came to us and said You're going to collaborate with 'X$&Z,” we would dive in and bring them into the KillCrew family, and by the time we were done, it would be memorable.

10. Have any of you ever experienced stage fright? Do you have any tips for beginners on overcoming it?

I compare it to flying on a plane, you're nervous building to your plane ride, but once you’re on the plane, you enjoy the flight. It’s the same playing live, you're always a little nervous before a show, putting a lot of thought into what’s about to happen, but as soon as you get on stage and look out at the audience…. It’s all fades away, and you think to yourself, “ it’s on now, let’s go!”

11. Which bands have influenced you the most?

When I’m writing new tunes, I tend to search for something I can play along with that changes how my hands play on the guitar. It’s usually something weird I’d normally never listen to, but my guitar playing stands out as something new that I enjoy playing.

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

One thing that gets me at every show is that after playing, we are usually drenched from sweating. It’s pretty bad, and fans want to give hugs. You warn them, “Hey, I’m all sweaty from playing,” but they never care and pull you in. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

We are a band that loves our fans. The best part of playing live shows is getting down in the crowd and talking to the people who came out. Those connections are the things you remember and stand out as a great show. You will hear our singer, James, always say “ we love you,” and he means it.

14. What do you think of our site?

The site looks great and informative on new and upcoming bands. I saw you just did a post with “SELIAS”, they are on the same roster as us, great band..

15. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We signed with Distilled Entertainment, and Patrick has been working his ass off for us. Look for Livekill on the road in 2026 - come out and say hello!