As grisly as it was the
night of All Hallows Eve did I receive notice from the gent of
a cryptic essence bestowing his words of musical twists. Cryptic
Stalker, the doom impaled mastermind from the band GHASTLY,
sheds some light on what it means to be from a band down-under
that is soon to be an upcoming promise from Australia’s
own metal scene. So gearing up for some questions C. Stalker took
some time out of recording of his newest material to give me the
low down of what makes this band so ghastly.
Jessie: Tell me how the
history of GHASTLY came about?
Crypt Stalker: The idea for GHASTLY
came about early this year when I realized that I had a collection
of songs/riffs that were not suitable for my main band. I discussed
this with Hellpitt and we decided that indeed we must form a pact
and start a new band, thus GHASTLY arose from
a shallow grave to poison your stereo.
Jessie: I heard that the
band is planning to reside in Europe from Australia, what prompted
the relocation?
Crypt Stalker: We do not aim to relocate to Europe, but
our efforts for GHASTLY are to play live and
have a great time doing so. My intention has always been to bring
one of my bands to Europe to play and I believe that this is the
best option from the bands I work in. Europe is the home of Metal
and thus we want to perform with our friends over there and raise
the dead!
Jessie: Hearing that the
band has been taken up with Plague/Goatowarex Records and in plans
to record a split CD with newer material how do you feel about
that?
Crypt Stalker: Actually our first recording is going
to be part of a split CD with Flame, to be released by the mentioned
labels. (although Plague records is now known as Asphyxiate Records).
I am very happy to have a CD released with Flame and believe these
labels will do a good job with the release. The material is already
recorded; we have new songs in the works though.
Jessie: Do you find it
difficult that GHASTLY consists of 2 members instead of a trio/or
more in the aspects of the musical creative process as a band
in general? Or is there a bonus to that?
Crypt Stalker: Given that myself and Hellpitt live approximately
1400 kilometers away from each other it is very difficult, so
I am uncertain if a 3rd member would be a benefit or not at this
point. The band is still in its early stages and our creative
process of writing songs is still developing so perhaps it is
best that we get this honed prior to adding a new corpse to the
line up.
Jessie: If not, is the
band seeking other counterparts to the GHASTLY mix in the near
future?
Crypt Stalker: I believe it would be beneficial to have
a bassist in the band, as I always prefer that each member compose
on their native instrument that they play.
Jessie: Any ranges of
influences that bring into the sound of the band?
Crypt Stalker: We drawn influence and inspiration from
many sources, I prefer older metal bands to inspire me for GHASTLY
such as – Bathory, Sodom, Darkthrone, Tormentor, Autopsy,
Grand Belials Key (demo era), Celtic Frost, Running Wild, Goblin,
Iron Maiden to name a few.
Jessie: Upon hearing The
Morbid Demo, I was stunned by the sound that was conveyed
with the use of only a home mixed version of the material, do
you think that when entering a studio that it might take away
from some of the raw untamed sound that GHASTLY in my terms is
competent to have?
Crypt Stalker: Thanks for the compliments on the production
of that Hellpitt spent many hours laboring over the production
of the demo. Our demo which is being released soon is also recorded
at home but on lesser quality equipment and it is also very raw.
I believe in the genre of music we play, natural sounds and a
certain level of ‘rawness’ (for lack of a better term)
is required. We have no aims for a clear and stale production,
definitely a good production just more natural sounds from the
instruments perhaps is what I prefer.
Jessie: I know that all
bands have to start out somewhere, but with you gents there is
something about the sound that gives a remembrance of early an
early Borgir resonance. Can you give me an insight to that?
Crypt Stalker: That’s an interesting comparison
that I’ve not heard before, but there is a first for everything
right? The production on recording is not exactly how I would
prefer as Hellpitt did this on his own (I recorded drums then
traveled home) but maybe it does. I wouldn’t know as I don’t
own any Dimmu Borgir, rest assured the demo tape we have just
recorded sounds very different.
Jessie: As a beginning
band in the verge of a path into unknown territory, do you feel
that coping in a place so barren of a metal scene (not as vast
as some places), do you think that it gives GHASTLY some backbone
to run with some of the bigger metal dogs out there like yourselves
striving for the same vision quest?
Crypt Stalker: I'm not sure I understand your question.
(so we now move onto another one, *lol*)
Jessie: How would you describe the GHASTLY noise to those
whom yet to uncover this sinister form of music?
Crypt Stalker: Hmm - I always find it hard describing
my own music. I supposed one could loosely describe GHASTLY
as black metal, but in some ways, that term is too limiting. Basically,
see question six and that will give you some idea of how GHASTLY
might sound.
Jessie: If GHASTLY had
to tour with any bands of this genre of metal who would they be
and why?
Crypt Stalker: Actually in 2005 GHASTLY
is planning to tour with fellow Australians Cauldron Black Ram
with Italian Death metal maniacs Morbid Upheaval. Cauldron Black
Ram plays an older style of thrash and death and Morbid Upheaval
play older sounding death metal. I would prefer to play with bands
that sound different so the audience can watch a variety of bands
as opposed to bands that all sound the same, which inevitably
gets boring.
Jessie: About the second
upcoming release, what is one to expect with the sound, any plans
of a different musical state of mind when recording of the newer
material?
Crypt Stalker: The newest recording is of older material
and is going to be released as a demo tape, this recording is
complete. It’s very raw and rough with a thrash element.
We wanted to experiment playing some thrash orientated tunes.
Jessie: Where do you see
the band in the not so distance future of 3 years?
Crypt Stalker: In 3 year’s time, I’d expect
to have a few more releases out, to have toured Europe at least
once and to improve my skills on drums!
Jessie: Thanks for this
interview for it was a GHASTLY pleasure on my behalf to review/interview
your band. \m/ |
