Interviews: Rivers Ablaze

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Metal/Death Metal band, Rivers Ablaze, from Hungary. 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?

It was inspired by a Bathory song title!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I dig many genres within the extreme metal scene, and besides that, I am also a great fan of progressive music and jazz, so this whole thing came quite naturally; it was not planned whatsoever. I didn't really care about staying within the boundaries of a particular style; I was having way too much fun glueing together these different types of riffs, and the whole thing just evolved like that.

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

I only knew the bassist (Pál Purnhauser), who was (still is) a fan of my previous jazz/metal fusion band Special Providence. When I decided to put the act onstage, I started to reach out to guys in the Hungarian underground with the intention of putting a band together and that way I met Oszkár, Tadeusz and Márton.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Everyone has a different list of favourite bands, and it also changes constantly, but I would say that Emperor was a huge influence on each and every one in the band! 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I always get inspiration from music. When I hear something that has an impact on me, I am automatically reaching for my guitar (sometimes the piano), and I try to capture that vibe. In the end, something completely different is born, and that is the point!

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Budapest on December 6. We supported Hungarian black metal legends Sear Bliss alongside our friends Khargash (Serbia) at Turbina Concert Hall. It was a very special night because SB was celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut demo titled "The Pagan Winter" and it was performed in its entirety with some guests from the early days. It was also unique because we played two brand new songs from our upcoming album "Inexternal Dread" to be released on March 27th via Inertial Music, namely "Silent Orbit" and "A Mass Grave of Trauma". It is always exciting to play a song for the first time onstage, you are curious about the feedback, the reaction from the audience and also how you feel playing it because it is a totally different environment from your room or the rehearsal space!

7. Where would you like to act?

I would like to play anywhere we are invited. So far, we had a 10-date tour in late 2024 supporting Sear Bliss when we performed in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. It was absolutely fantastic, but there are still tons of countries inside and outside Europe that we would love to visit.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It would be nice to share the stage with Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Imperial Triumphant or Enslaved, just to name a few.

9. Whom not?

There is no such thing. I am glad to play and share the backstage with any band from any genre as long as there is a mutual respect to and fro, and they don't drink our beers, haha.

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

Yes, back in the day when I was starting out, I struggled a bit with stage fright (still playing for other bands), but after having played 300+ shows during my career, it is not really an issue anymore. I mean, you can never get rid of it 100%, but I would rather call it pre-show excitement. But it generally impacts the performance in a positive way, we tend to play faster!:)

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Well, as for me, my biggest influences are Morbid Angel, Emperor, and Dream Theatre, but I could still list hundreds of bands that played a crucial role in shaping my style of playing or composing.

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

We haven't really received any unusual requests so far. Hopefully it changes in the near future!:)

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are awesome! It is always incredible when you meet a fan, and while discussing the bands discograhy, you realise that your fan knows the album/song titles better than you, haha.

14. What do you think of our site?

We really appreciate your work; your efforts in promoting lesser-known bands are beyond amazing. It is something that can only be done with passion, and it really shows that you are truly passionate about what you do.

15. Something to add?

We will play our album release gig in Budapest on April 11 at Barhole, so in case you are in town, come hang!

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