Interview with IRON BITCH
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about IRON BITCH (Members, Starting Year etc).
Iron Bitch started in very late December of 2024 as an excuse for us to just rip sick riffs and fun songs with our friends. At first, it was just going to be a one song deal for a compilation album, but the group had so much fun writing the song, that we just never stopped. Iron Bitch is Zeke Brake and Dylan Andras on guitar. Dylan also does the engineering and mixing as well. Ed Stephens plays the bass and Grady Wessollek plays the drums. Ed and Grady are both in the Hardcore band Ringworm together as well. Finally on vocals we have Hannah Renee Sowry.
You are going to release your debut EP ''Nephilim''. Tell us a few things about this Project.
I don't think we could be more proud of how it turned out. The writing process was fairly quick and easy. We probably had all the songs written within the span of 3 or 4 months when we really started writing. Luckily our guitar player Dylan has a studio that we record out of and he also mixes and masters everything and that just added another layer of easy onto the whole thing.
The cover artwork has a killer atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
We wanted something that tied thematically into what we were writing about and we had it commissioned based on the lyrics for our song “Power and Steel”. Huge shoutout to Masruron Nihayanto for totally crushing it out of the park!
And what about the lyrics?
That's all Hannah! Her whole concept for how she writes for this is really awesome. A lot of what we sing about on this EP and the overarching theme stems from metaphors and stories about the book of Revelation. This includes themes of sin, the evil of men and the wrath of God.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
A label would be nice and it's always good to be a part of a network like that for sure. Currently we are doing everything independently. The plan is to get this EP out, see what sort of traction it gets and hopefully shop a demo out and see what happens. Right now, we're just focused on writing fun catchy songs and promoting Nephilim.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
When we were recording vocals for Power and Steel, one of the nights at the studio we got really hammered (to get the creative juices flowing of course) and everyone was just throwing out any idea they had good or bad. Throughout all that drunken craziness, that's how we ended up writing the bridge for that song and that's one of our favorite moments on the whole record.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I think they all have their upsides and downsides. Physical media is the way to go for sure, and as much as me and artists hate what streaming has done to the music industry, it has never been easier to get your music in front of people's ears. On the flip side of that, it's never been easier to find new music and that's a good thing. Still nothing will ever beat being able to open a vinyl or CD, physically hold the music in your hand, and read the liner notes and look at the art and pictures. That's something that streaming and digital media will never be able to replace. Physical media to me is still the best.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
As far as metal goes , our influences run everywhere. We absolutely love traditional heavy metal such as Satan, Judas Priest, and Cirith Ungol, but we love to draw from everywhere. We have elements of Candlemass and Black Sabbath as much as we draw from bands like Testament and Voivod.. We wanna be a culmination of our record collections. On top of that, everyone in the band plays a lot of different genres outside of metal. Everyone is in at least one funk, jazz, blues or country band so we try to incorporate that as best as we can too.
9. 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?
Whatever a single band or person is willing to sacrifice is up to them, but that also depends on how seriously they take what they are in. We care very deeply about this project and I know that we've sacrificed a lot of time and money into crafting the vision and making it as rad as it can be for everyone. Lots of hours at the studio jamming or recording, marketing and networking, booking, and everything else that comes with being a band.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Honestly, we just want people to have as good of a time as we are when we are on stage. We wanna know that people dig what we are doing, and they are singing along, head banging, and going totally nuts in the pit, that’s all that you can really ask for as a metal band.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
It's hard to say what's gonna happen. Even though it's crazy what it can do, we’re still in the very early stages of AI. I’m sure it will be able to do some amazing things, but I don't think AI will ever be able to replicate the human element of music. That element that makes you feel something when you listen to "Don't Think Twice its Alright” by Bob Dylan or you first hear John Coltrane's solo on “In a Sentimental Mood”. That is nothing but the human soul coming through in the music form, and that is not anything that is ever going to be replicated as good as the human soul can make it.
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Just be 100% yourself. We live in a world of trends and instant gratification, but if you just do what your gut tells you, then good things tend to happen.Also its all music, its supposed to be fun. Just enjoy what you do and let that shine through when you write or perform. People can smell bullshit a mile away. It doesn't smell very good.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
We live in a digital age where everyone has access to everything. The quicker you make yourself available to everyone, the more exposure you're gonna get. Especially when you can share posts. It's a trickle down effect if you do it right. The other side of that argument is that there are now so many bands and tracks out there that it's very easy to get lost in the mix of everything. If you know how to use it, social media can be a great tool.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Heavy Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Just keep yourself professional and respectful. If you are booked on a show as an opener, show up prepared, on time, ready to play, and be easy to work with. Write with intention and write what you love.Promote yourself, network within your scene and meet people and other bands constantly. Don’t be a dick either.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Cleveland, Ohio (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
The metal scene across the board in Cleveland is absolutely amazing. You don't see a lot of ill will towards other bands and everyone seems to show up and support everyone's projects. People still seemed stoked to go to shows and see new bands. Some of the local bands here that we love are Mutilation Barbeque, Assault, Atomic Witch, Slug, and so many others that I could easily name but I’d be here typing for hours. I encourage everyone to check out a new Cleveland band. It's very difficult to find a bad one.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Metal is a release from whatever bullshit you may be dealing with. Its a place where you don't have to follow rules or conform. You can be yourself without judgement and you can do it as fast and as loud as you want to.
Black Sabbath- Black Sabbath
Court in the Act- Satan
Defenders of the Faith- Judas Priest
New Order- Testament
Consuming Impulse- Pestilence
Frost and Fire- Cirith Ungol
Melissa- Merciful Fate
Overkill- Motorhead
Jailbreak- Thin Lizzy
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus- Candlemass
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I’m not super familiar s black metal is not really a thing that resonates with me. Much respect to the genre though.
What are your future plans?
Currently, we have the EP releasing March 20th with a show booked the same day to celebrate. The plan is to keep writing and gigging. We would like to expand regionally in the US and hopefully put together a full tour to coincide with the release of our full length whenever that would come out. We have a couple songs in the workshop currently and are planning to hash those out.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for having us. We really appreciate what you do for the scene.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
IRON BITCH CONTACT:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574618662055
https://www.instagram.com/ironbitch_cle
https://ironbitch.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0m4v3iirrdQr84hlX1Mbrp