Few questions - interview with black/speed/thrash/heavy metal band from United Kingdom - HELLRIPPER.
Ave,
can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded
and what style of music do you play , etc.?
Hellripper
plays a mixture of first wave black metal and speed/thrash metal and
was started in 2014. Currently, I am the only studio member of the
band.
Where
and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was
in charge of sound, production and mastering?
The
album, like all of the Hellripper releases to date was recorded by
myself in my bedroom at home. So everything was controlled by myself.
The only change this time is that Damian Herring (Horrendous) handled
the mastering for this album and succeeded in improving the album's
sound a lot.
How
many copies were released and which medium was used for this new
edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
I
believe at the moment the CD by Barbarian Wrath is limited to 666
copies and the Granite Factory Records cassette is not a limited
number of copies. The album will also be released later this year on
vinyl by Diabolic Might Records and a 2nd
version of the tape will be released also by Hellforced Records. The
digital album can be streamed/downloaded from Bandcamp. It is also
available on other streaming sites such as Spotify etc.
Who
is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what
do the lyrics deal with ?
I
write the lyrics. The lyrical themes in Hellripper are all about
Satan, witches, exorcisms etc. Just the usual “evil“ stuff.
Who
created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and
the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider
these things important?
I
“created“ the logo. The various graphics and artwork I use are
done by a number of excellent artists including Skadvaldur and Marcio
Blasphemator. Social networking is very important for me in regard to
Hellripper. Since I am the only studio member and up until recently
did not have a live band to play shows, social networking and the
internet was basically the only way of promoting the music. It also
allows me to communicate with fans and answer any questions people
may have.
Which
label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label?
Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care
about you?
Barbarian
Wrath released the CD. They approached me about releasing the debut
full-length with them quite a while ago and I accepted. I am a big
fan of quite a few artists on their roster and the people in charge
are cool so it felt like I would fit in there. Granite Factory
Records released the cassette version, but that is my own label.
Diabolic
Might Records are releasing the vinyl version of the album and I
worked with them before with the release of the 'Complete and Total
Fucking Mayhem' compilation last year. The compilation turned out
great so it felt natural to release the new album with them. Very
nice guys in charge there too. Hellforced Records will be releasing
an alternate version of the cassette. I have worked with those guys
twice before with 'The Manifestation of Evil' EP cassette and the 2nd
EP. 'The Art of Debilitation' by my other band Rats of Reality.
Again, very nice guys in charge and the previous experiences were
very positive so it felt natural to release another cassette through
them.
Which
bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
A
lot of bands...
Enforcer,
Venom, Metallica, Kreator, Midnight, Toxic Holocaust, Sabbat [JPN],
Nocturnal, TANK, Celtic Frost, Slayer, Ranger, Riot, Vulture,
Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Warbringer, Sodom...
The
list goes on and on haha.
Did
you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was
the response?
I
didn't send the album to any labels as I had already agreed a deal
with Barbarian Wrath to release it. The reviews from people who have
listened to the album so far are mainly positive though which is
good.
How
many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether
it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you
consider as the best?
I
think so far we have only played 5 shows or something. We have 3
confirmed shows this year so far with hopefully more to come. All of
the shows so far have been in very similar venues (small clubs or
rehearsal rooms). Our first show was probably my favourite of the
lot.
What
about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the
band?
The
main goal is just to keep releasing good music. Hopefully a split or
two will be released shortly and then a second album. Besides that,
we are just trying to play more shows.
How
and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact
information?
People
can contact me via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hellripper1
or
e-mail: hellrippermetal@gmail.com
Music
can be heard at: http://www.hellripper.bandcamp.com/
Thanx
for the interview.
