Interviews: IMPERIUM

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal band IMPERIUM from England. 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 started with an idea Hardip and Scott had back in their school days. When they came across the word “Imperium” and learned that the meaning was “absolute power”, it felt like the perfect name for a future band, so it was filed away and was the natural choice when we formed the band.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We all grew up listening to bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest. Their music resonated with us a lot and ultimately inspired us to create music within the same genre.

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

Not entirely. Hardip and Scott were in the same class at school. Ben and James went to the same school, but were a couple of years younger. We were all introduced through mutual friends a few years later and eventually came together as a band. Rapha joined later, but from the moment we met him, we knew he was a perfect fit!

4. Each band member's favourite band?

We all have eclectic tastes in music and different bands of different genres, but within metal/rock, it’ll range between Metallica, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Bathory, and The Sword.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We’re fortunate to see each other as brothers and to be in the unique position of playing the music we genuinely want to hear. The buzz of being on stage together, touring, and the stories that come with it gives us that drive and inspiration for songwriting.

6. Where was your last gig?

We last played in January at The Imperial Palace of Big Red in Camden, London. We have intentionally taken a few months off to focus on the new album, and now we’re buzzing to get back on stage. We have shows coming up with Venom Inc in Bristol and Sheffield, our Album Launch party in Camden, London, we have festival appearances at Bloodstock in August, Slaydays in October, and Thrashchester in November.

7. Where would you like to play?

There are loads of venues we’d like to play, but we’ve always had Camden Underworld as a goal of ours, so hopefully that’s a real possibility. For bigger platforms, I think Hellfest would be a dream to play. One day fingers crossed!!

8. Who would you like to support?

We are really looking forward to playing our upcoming dates with Venom Inc, but of course, we’d love to open for some of the legends in the scene. Metallica? Pantera? Judas Priest, honestly, we just love to play and sharing our music with fans of some of those huge bands would be amazing.

9. Who not?

We aren’t gatekeepers, so I don't think there's anyone we wouldn’t consider supporting. Obviously if the clash of genres is too great they may not work, but sometimes even that can be really cool - a hip hop thrash fest… we’d go!!

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

Stage fright, you mean shitting yourself because you keep putting yourself on the spot? Absolutely, we all handle it differently, of course, but you’ve just got to be well-rehearsed, tuned into your vision and yourself. Then trusting your brothers on stage, then you’ve only got to go and do what you wanna do!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

None of us listens to the same music as each other each day, so many genres and bands have given us inspiration. The common ones we do have would be the obvious… Pantera, Metallica, Testament, Judas Priest, through to bands that have come from the UK underground scene, Evile, every band that goes on stage and delivers is an inspiration!

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

I guess the oddest experience was when Hardip had his sweatband basically taken off him as if it was for sale at one show, it made us laugh for ages when we watched it happening, and it still makes us chuckle

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are Legends, all of them - we massively appreciate anyone who listens to our music, buys our merch, comes to a show, and throws a like up on social media. It means the world to us, and you know, when that classic thing of without the fans we wouldn’t be here?… yeah, that’s 100% true.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s great to see a site that focuses on bands of all levels and gives bands the opportunity to share their music, the stories behind the songs, and the artwork

15. Something to add?

Just a thank you for checking us out. We look forward to sharing EXODUS UNKNOWN with everyone. The first single and title is out now, the second single ‘Tread The Serpent’ is out on the 10th of July, with the full album a week later on the 17th July - get yourself to a show and thrash with us!!

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