Interview with DESOLATOR
!!!AGGRESSIVE SPEED METAL FROM THE UK!!!
We had a conversation with Jamie (Guitars/Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about DESOLATOR (Members, Starting Year etc).
We've been the same 3 guys since the formation of the band in 2010. Myself (Jamie) on guitar and vocals, Felix Dock on bass and vocals and Sam Talbot on drums. We all met at a local rock bar and I was looking to start a thrash band, we had a jam and never looked back!
You have recently released your album ''Spirit Of Speed''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The album is out at the end of the month, and things are in the works in terms of press / PR. We've put out a single which has garnered some positive response but we're very proud of the album and we hope people are going to enjoy it!
Label or DIY and why?
We've never had any label support. Unfortunately it's something that hasn't happened for us yet, it would be great to have that backing so we can reach a wider audience but we do OK without, as do many other independent bands.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
We have so many stories from being on the road for so many years, it's difficult to pick just one! Maybe you'll hear some stories over a beer one day! Recording things is often a dull process for those not involved, so no fun stories there I'm afraid.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Vinyls and CDs as part of a collection, and digital is a lot more accessible and reaches far. Physical releases are much better, you can convey the image of the band a lot further and owning a piece of artist is such a cool thing. Plus when we sell them it helps fund the band, put fuel in the car and provide the beers!
Your music style is Speed/Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We have loads of influences from everywhere, and I don't think we sound like any of them directly. You can maybe hear elements of certain bands in our music but nothing that obvious I would say. Not saying we are unique - far from it - but we just play the type of metal we'd like to hear. If we had to use a reference in terms of sound and style, Sam has a Philthy Animal Taylor approach, Felix's tone and attack is similar to DD Verni and I take a lot from Mille Petrozza, riffing and vocals.
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?
Time and money! Everything in a band takes time and money. I think the more of these you invest, the greater the return will be, and it's about finding that balance. It's sometimes difficult balancing home/family life, work and band stuff sometimes but for us it's always been quite easy, the 3 of us are on the same level and it never feels like hard work or a chore. Whether it's practicing, writing, recording or gigs - it's all things we love doing so getting it done is a lot more casual.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Oh definitely yeah! It usually comes after a few nights on the go, normally night 3 or 4 when the band are totally in sync and can perform without much thinking. The crowds rabid, sound is on top form and the stage set up is cool - lights, fog etc. Very simple but effective!
You have been an active band almost 15 years! Are there any changes in the band as well as in the UK Metal Scene within all those years?
It doesn't seem that long at all! We've lasted longer a lot of bands that were around the same time as us, we've seen bands change almost all their members and we've outlived bands that have started and ended in our time... these are all thrash bands in the UK scene. The scene has fluctuated quite a lot in the decade and a half, there was a tough time pre-covid where there wasn't a lot of gigs offers and shows poorly attended, but since covid every show has been great for us! Almost like it reset the scene and gave everyone a fresh interest.
What attributes do you think that a new Speed Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Stop trying to sound like other bands. I've lost count of the number of bands I discover that are almost a clone of Power Trip, or Vulture. 2 bands with quite unique sounds which is easily replicated with the right approach. Thrash / speed can be pretty one dimensional and straying too far from the core sound compromises that to some degree.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Speed Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Absolutely, it's the only real way to reach new audiences beyond gigging. For a band without any distribution support, we rely on paid promotion and radio/blogs to help us expand our fanbase. We worked hard on the latest release and like every band we want the whole world to hear it, but in this current climate you get lost in the noise very quickly unless you try and stay relevant. We will never be one of those bands are essentially content creators!
What does METAL mean to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal is pure energy, magic that takes over your entire being (our new song Rapid Force is about this). It's everything - freedom, fun and a life force. Heavy metal is a massive part of all of our lives and we'll never turn away from it as cheesy as that sounds! It's a form of expression, and an avenue to for us to live out our dreams.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Southampton, Hampshire (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
So we've been ever present in our local scene, which we share with Toledo Steel and Termination Force (who we play in / have played in). A fairly new band, black thrashers Savini are crushing it locally and reaching wider. Terrathorn, veterans like us have come back too, so locally there's a few old school bands kicking around! Our local metal bar/venue which allowed us to put on loads of gigs has closed down which has really impacted the scene negatively.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I know of a few bands! Typhus, Suicidal Angels, Hailsteel... and recently I caught Firewind in Southampton! I'm sure there's loads more but unfortunately I don't know them.
What are your future plans?
This week our album comes out, finally, so has relieved a bit of pressure to record new music. Now we focus on gigs, getting everywhere we can and hopefully getting back to Europe for some gigs, it's been too long (promoters get in touch!!!)!
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Cheers for reading! And thank you Stavros and Filthy Dogs of Metal for supporting true metal! It's this kind of old school attitude that keeps the lifeblood of underground metal pulsing!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
DESOLATOR CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/Desolatorthrash
https://www.instagram.com/desolatormetal/
https://desolatoruk.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gUnqn7Z9IBYUNCvH1uaY5