Interviews: Xenith

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Death Metal band Xenith 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?

If we’re being honest, it just kind of happened. The band initially started with me [Billy] and our original bassist. We were just coming up with random names we thought sounded cool, and Xenith ended up sticking.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I don’t think there’s ever been a huge intention behind playing melodic death metal; we’ve just always written songs that we enjoy and feel right to us. Even now, whilst our upcoming album is melodic death, if in the future we write something that aligns more with a different genre, then we’ll pursue that. I think as long as it’s us playing and the songs are authentic to ourselves, it’ll sound like Xenith.

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

No, we met once our EP was already released. We’d all been active in the Manchester scene prior to Xenith, so we already had an awareness of each other. I’d [Billy] had our EP songs written for a while, so our previous drummer and I decided to release them and use them as a kind of taster for what the band would become. I think that really helped fast-track us to our present-day lineup.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

For Jamo, it's Tool, Casey it's Megadeth, Karim it's Iron Maiden and for me it's Opeth.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I think our songs are primarily inspired by whatever is happening in our personal lives. ‘To No Avail’ was written during quite a difficult time, and I think you can hear that, especially in the back half of the record. We really believe each song should first and foremost capture a specific moment and act almost as a diary entry, regardless of what we’re drawing from musically.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at the Star and Garter supporting Cryptic Shift. We’re incredibly grateful for that opportunity. Cryptic Shift are definitely one of the most exciting UK death metal bands right now, so getting to support them was a real honour. Being on such a stacked death metal lineup was really exciting and put us in front of a lot of newer faces.

7. Where would you like to play?

This year, we’re covering a lot of the UK in support of our album, but we’ve yet to visit London. The Black Heart is a great venue, so we’d love to play there sometime soon.

8. Who would you like to support?

To name a few: Blood Countess, Vaticinal Rites, Coffin Mulch, Wode and Final Dose are some really amazing bands keeping underground UK extreme metal strong, so we’d love to hopefully play with them someday. If we’re talking dream supports, it's got to be either Opeth or Agalloch. The importance of both those bands to Xenith can’t be overstated.

9. Who not?

Any bands that don’t support grassroots venues.

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

I think every performer, whatever they’re doing, has had stage fright and anyone who says they haven’t probably isn’t being honest. The go-to method is usually to pretend you’re someone else. As embarrassing as it is to admit, when I’m extremely nervous, I [Billy] pretend that I’m Yngwie Malmsteen to try and psych myself up before playing. As soon as you start and the muscle memory kicks in it (almost) always goes away.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Opeth, At The Gates and Children of Bodom are definitely our three biggest inspirations. We’re a very riff and guitar-oriented band, and all three of these have very distinct styles we draw from. We appreciate the technicality of Bodom, but also love the more sombre atmosphere of Opeth and the aggression of At The Gates. Beyond these bands, we’re all big black metal fans, and I think you can really hear that in a couple of our newer tracks.

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

We’ve been really lucky, so far. Everyone has been very respectful.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the band in any capacity. We would be absolutely nowhere without the constant encouragement of our families, friends and scene.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s really great, very reassuring to see underground metal being kept alive and for smaller bands to be given a platform. It’s an absolute pleasure to be featured. 

15. Something to add?

Our debut album ‘To No Avail’ is out August 28th. We have an album launch show on September 3rd at the Star and Garter in Manchester, and we’ll be heading out with our friends,1986, on the 4th-6th September across the UK.

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