Interview with CLANGRU
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about CLANGRU (Members, Starting Year etc).
Clandestine Group was an idea of mine that started from a collection of unserious riffs, a drum machine, and a routine day in the woods shooting where the concept popped in my head. This began taking form early 2024. As the riffs kept building so did the perceived potential and seriousness of the project. I borrowed some members from another band of ours (Qabrum). El’shabellum laid down the bass tracks, Asmonaar laid down the drums, and I (Fafnirvos) laid down vocals and guitars on the EP.
You have recently released your EP ''Soldiers of Hell, Veterans of Death...''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
I’ve only released it on Bandcamp and a few YouTube Channels so its still at a relatively low exposure rate. That being said feedback has been very positive from all the different interactions I’ve had this far.
And what about the lyrics?
The project has an esoteric/occult warfare theme. Specifically based off Vietnam lore surrounding the incorporation of the first night vision(Red Phosphor) and those devices unintentionally allowing soldiers to thin the vail between our dimension and the demonic. Majority of the songs are/will be loosely based off clandestine spec war operations/conspiracies but through an anti-religion/war/death lens. The name is a play on Development Group (DEVGRU) also known as Seal-Team 6. They are known for doing some of the most gnarly shit in the Spec/Black Ops community, so I thought it would be fitting that the soldiers of hell would be derived from that.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
Yeah totally, once I finish writing a full-length I’d like to find a record label to support it. I’ve always done DIY/homie type releases so I’d like for this project to be different in that aspect and to take it to the highest level possible.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
I recorded and mixed it at home so nothing too major other than I learned how much I fuckin hate performing vocals. Until this point in my life I considered myself strictly a guitar player only. El’Shabellum has a wide variety in music taste to say the least. She was able to help lock-in a more rock n’ roll cadence versus a traditional black metal cadence, which is my default operation. I shit you not the vocals/writing lyrics process probably had over 40 hours of work put into those takes alone. We spent multiple weekends, bottles of wine, liquor, and beer getting those takes down.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I prefer vinyl and tape. However, I live a very on-the-go lifestyle so majority of my listening is from streaming.
Your music style is Black/Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
My intention for the band was to do black n’ roll differently, landing on the term “War N’ Roll”. In my opinion, most go a more Motorhead/punk route. I wanted to go a different direction. Most of my influences are 80’s Sunset Strip bands/Guitarists instead. My biggest influences when it comes to guitar playing/writing are George Lynch, Warren DeMartini/Robin Crosby, Jake E. Lee, Mark Kendall, John Sykes, Chris Holmes, Mick Mars and their respective bands, among many others in that scene.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Yeah I mean time is always the biggest sacrifice right? I sacrificed a shit ton of surfing, snowboarding, shooting, and other shit I enjoy doing. Spent most of my weekends writing, recording, mixing, etc. for the last year.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
CLANGRU has never played live nor do we have a full-line up currently. Ideally, when or if we start to play gigs I envision the shows to be more on the boisterous side. When I see bands I like to be entertained and not feel like im in a wax museum starring at a Nirvana exhibit.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
I don’t think AI has a place in anything creative. I see it being useful as a tool. For example, to create mock-ups when talking with an artist to get your vision across for artwork, logos, etc.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Just do whatever the hell it is you want to do. There’s so much noise to break through to find good bands nowadays, I think authenticity is needed more than anything.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Yeah, I do, if help is what you want that is. If you aren’t meeting your audience online with social media you’re naturally going to have a more difficult time being found. I understand the hesitation bands have towards creating social media pages/spotify/youtube uploads etc., but I also understand the power digital platforms have if a band wants exposure.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Make cool shit you like. Get out there, play some shows, and link up with like minded bands/people and make shit happen.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Seattle, Washington (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
A lot of good clubs closed during COVID. Since then the scene has felt more on the stagnant side to me personally. We don’t get the same caliber of bands as frequently coming through town as we used to. We still have a few good local promoters keeping it alive though.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Slayer - Show No Mercy, Infernal Majesty - None Shall Defy, Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, King Diamond - Abigail, Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness, Destroyer 666 - Cold Steel, Strid - End of Life, Bathory - Blood, Fire, Death. Great White - Self Titled. Loudness - Thunder in the East.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Not super well versed on the scene there, but I mean Rotting Christ and Dead Congregation, some top-tier shit right there. I’ve been jamming Thy Mighty Contract and Graves of the Archangels since I was a teen. Also No Remorse records out of Greece looks to be constantly doing cool shit too. Been meaning to get that Randy LP they recently put out. Also, they recently signed Agartha which I’m stoked on as I’ve recently joined as one of the guitarists. Insanely rad 70’s heavy metal if you haven’t checked it out yet. I say this as the fan I was for years before joining.
What are your future plans?
Going forward I plan on finishing a full-lengths worth of material and get a live line-up solidified. Ideally, I would like to have the full length written and recorded by the end of 2026.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
I appreciate your support and thanks for reaching out.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
CLANGRU CONTACT:
Bandcamp
Soldiers of Hell, Veterans of Death... | Clandestine Group
IG
Clandestine Group (@clangru_war_n_roll) • Instagram photos and videos
Email
clangru.bm@gmail.com