Interviews: Hellfrost
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On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Metal band Hellfrost from the USA. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.
1. Hellfrost has been grinding in the Florida metal scene for a while. How has that local scene shaped your sound and work ethic over the years?
As a band, we love being a part of the Florida metal scene. We've made a lot of good friends over the years, and we're always happy to see the Florida metal family at shows. I like to stay in the loop with what's going on around Florida with new up-and-coming bands. The metal community is relatively small here, so we do see a lot of the same people at shows, and as a result, we strive to consistently write new music. We want to have a fresh sound whenever we play live, so it's not the same old Hellfrost again and again.
2. What does the title Bestial Rage mean to you, and what headspace were you in when writing this track?
We all have the animal within us, and all it takes is the right circumstances to make the transformation occur. It could happen to any of us, and hopefully it happens in the pit.
2. This single feels like a statement of intent. Was Bestial Rage written as a reset or a new chapter for the band?
Bestial Rage is written as its own song, as a single. It has its own vibe and personality. Bestial Rage is the next addition to Hellfrost's ever-expanding music library. The song has a great blend of brutality and melody. Brutality without hooks is just noise, and melody without teeth is weak. 'Bestial Rage' nails that exact balance with blast beats and harmonized riffs mixed with harsh vocals and blood thirsty lyrics.
3. How would you describe the evolution of Hellfrost’s sound from your earlier material to this new single?
Hellfrost has never stood still—it's been in a constant state of evolution since I kicked it off as a solo blackened death metal band in 2010. Back then, it was pure instinct, just me channeling conflicts and nature into what was to become the first Hellfrost release, Phrixus. The first big change came with the addition of guitarist Mitch Keith. Mitch brought in a more technical style than what I was used to playing before. I would describe his sound as a harder-hitting blackened death metal and modern metal blend. He challenged a lot of my ideas, and it was frustrating, but in the end, it pushed for better results. After working with Mitch for 2 years, he ended up relocating. Then Sinjin Wheatly stepped in, bringing an outside-the-box songwriting approach with fuller, chord-heavy guitar work. Listen to 'Pagan Son,' and you can hear that the songs we wrote with Sinjin were more atmospheric and progressive. The next big turning point in the band was when long-time drummer and bassist, my brother Syd Vainer, left the band. After that, I basically had to start the band all over again from the beginning. During this downtime, I studied music and focused hard on songwriting. This was the next step in the evolution of Hellfrost. Now we enter into the current era of Hellfrost with bassist Ryan Blackburn and drummer Angelo Duca. With this iteration of Hellfrost, Angelo brings his years of underground Florida Death Metal drumming, and Ryan Blackburn brings a new perspective to the bass, giving us a more aggressive yet melodic sound. Bestial Rage is a prime example of the current Hellfrost sound. Combining elements of thrash, melodic metal, and more. This new single represents an ever-evolving sound.
4. What was the recording process like at No Metaphor Recordings, and how did working with Mike Joseph push the band creatively?
Working with Mike was a new experience for both of us. As the guitarist for VCTMS, Mike is also a metal musician, but he's on the opposite end as far as styles go. Some of his recording techniques were a little different than what we had worked with in the past, but we kept an open mind and trusted in Mike's vision. I think it's important to get that outside perspective to help get the best results. Before we got to the studio, we all knew 100% what we were going to do for each of our parts. The actual recording process was smooth and went really quickly. As a band, we have a very strict practice regiment so when it's time to record or play live, we all know what to do.
5. Do you usually write music first and build lyrics around it, or did the theme of Bestial Rage guide the riffs and structure this time?
Always music first, including 'Bestial Rage. I consider myself a guitarist before anything else, so when I write songs, I think in terms of instruments. Once the music is written, then I feel out the songs to write the lyrics. During the lyric writing process of Bestial Rage, I adlibbed and improvised the lyrics on the spot at rehearsal and even at the gigs. A lot of my best lyrics just came out spontaneously, and then I ended up writing the entire song based on one or 2 great lines. It's a different way to handle things. I guess it's kind of backwards, but I like the way it works.
6. Which band members took the lead on shaping the direction of this track?
The song Bestial Rage was a collaboration between Dave Vainer and Ryan Blackburn. We came up with the main ideas in the song together and expanded on them. Once we have all the bass and guitar parts figured out, we take the song to the rehearsal room to work out the drum parts with Angelo.
7. The song balances aggression with melody. How conscious are you about keeping that balance when writing?
I prefer songs to be both catchy and brutal. I want to be able to sing and mosh at the same time. That to me is what makes a song great. Hellfrost always leaves a lasting impression on the fans when they see us live. Brutality without hooks is just noise, and melody without teeth is weak. 'Bestial Rage' nails that exact balance. As fun as songwriting is, it can get difficult. As a band, we challenge each other's ideas to push for better results. We are getting very efficient at songwriting, and we can afford to be picky with the songs we release. Out of the 10 unreleased songs we have, Manipulation Machine and Bestial Rage were our choices. Manipulation Machine definitely has both the brutality and the catchy chorus you expect from Hellfrost.
8. How important is capturing raw energy in the studio versus polishing the final production?
For us, it's important to capture the real sound of the band when we record. We want the studio track to be an accurate representation of what we sound like live. We don't want the fans at the shows to be disappointed by our sound. Playing some of the songs live, however, is a bit of a challenge, being only a 3-piece, we don't have the second guitarist, and a lot of our songs have two guitar parts, but with Ryan Blackburn's heavy bass playing, we pull it off.
9. How has the response been so far from longtime fans compared to people hearing Hellfrost for the first time?
Do you feel extra pressure releasing singles in today’s fast-moving streaming world, or does it give you more freedom than the old album cycle?
Right now, we're working on releasing singles instead of full albums. We feel it's best to release one song at a time so each song gets featured. When you release an album, it always gets that initial pop from your fan base, but after a while, it wears off, and then you have to wait and wait for the next release. I feel it's a better service to our fans because it keeps everything fresh. So expect more releases, Hellions \m/
10. What kind of reaction do you hope fans have the first time they hear Bestial Rage?
My hope is that they become Hellions. For those who aren't in the know, a Hellion is a dedicated Hellfrost fan who's with us for life. With our new music, we want to create new fans.
The last show we played was at Stet's Bar in Ft Myers, Florida. Stet's Bar is owned by Stet Howland drummer from Metal Church. It was super cool getting to meet Stet and hanging out with him throughout the night. There was a really good crowd (there always is at his venue), and they really appreciated us. Performing our newest songs, Bestial Rage and Manipulation Machine, felt great. Both of those songs bring a high-energy vibe that reciprocates back from the audience. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing the motion of the audience when they start moshing.
12. What kind of venues or festivals do you see Hellfrost fitting into best?
Hellfrost has always been an underground band, and we're at our best in small late-night clubs. One of my favorite venues, Churchill's Pub in Miami, Fl recently reopened, and I was there for their grand reopening. While I was there, I was interviewed by WLRN Public Radio and Television.
You can read the article here:
As far as festivals go, definitely Metal Devastation Fest. Zach Moonshine always does a killer job selecting the best bands available to book at his festivals, and I feel Hellfrost would be a great fit.
13. Which artists or bands would you love to tour with that you feel match Hellfrost’s energy?
It's hard for me to answer that because I think we don't really fit in with most bands. Maybe from an outside perspective, we could make a match.
14. Is there any band or scene you would not want Hellfrost associated with?
15. What is the weirdest or most memorable reaction you have gotten from a fan so far?
Playing live is all about having a personal experience with the fans. At the shows, our fans are super cool. They always want to chat with us and ask about the band. To be honest, we haven't seen anything too out of the ordinary.
16. How do you stay motivated and focused as a band when the industry and attention spans move so fast?
The modern music industry is moving super fast these days, and it's getting even faster with AI music now being released. Home studios are more accessible, and gear is cheaper, so it is a lot faster and easier to release music than ever before; however, this over-saturates the market. That mixed with the fact that people's attention spans are getting shorter by the year, being in a band is becoming more of an uphill struggle as time persists. I still get a rush from writing and recording new songs and from playing live. That's what keeps me motivated: the live experience with everything and everyone there.
17. What can fans expect next from Hellfrost in 2026? EP, more singles, full-length?
There's no better feeling for me than it is to write and releasing a new song. So the Hellions of the world can count on more new Hellfrost songs in 2026!
18. What message do you want to send to fans discovering Hellfrost through Bestial Rage?
I want the new fans to see Hellfrost as it really is, and I feel Bestial Rage is a great representation of that. People need to know what rage they hold inside of them is capable of.
19. What do you think about Breathing The Core Zine and its role in supporting underground metal bands?
Zines like Breathing the Core are what's helping to keep the underground alive. For the type of music we play, you have to go out of your way to discover it. Zines like this help make it a little easier for fans who are actively looking for new bands to discover new music.
20. Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?
Follow Hellfrost on all socials or become a Hellion and join our mailing list at hellfrostband.com to stay ahead of the curve.
Stay Brutal
-Dave Vainer
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