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Metal Hails J.R.! Please introduce yourself to the readers of Canadian
Assault. When did you first become interested in playing music?
I became interested in playing music when I was pretty young, like 10 or so.
My father is a musician so I grew up around music and musicians alike.
Before you all formed Nocturnal Graves you were a member of the mighty
Destroyer 666 and Destruktor. How long did you play with these bands?
I was with Destruktor all up probably 5 years… Destroyer 666 just over 2
years.
In 2004 you formed the band Nocturnal Graves what gave you the idea to form
the band? How did you come up with the name of the band?
I wanted to play something with more thrash and early death metal
elements, and Destruktor was going in a different direction to what I wanted
to pursue. I came up with the band name by putting two words together which
gave a dark, morbid feeling.
For the readers unfamiliar with Nocturnal Graves music how would you best
describe the bands music?
Violence.
Nocturnal Graves has recently released their newest full length "From The
Bloodline Of Cain" through Hells Headbangers Rec. How long did it take the
band to record the songs for this release? Did the whole band take part in
the writing process?
It took roughly 12-14 months to write and record the album. I wrote all of
the music but we worked on the arrangements as a band which was a really
inspiring time.
Which usually comes for a new song the music or the lyrics? Who usually
handles the lyrics, where do you all draw inspiration for the lyrics?
There’s no set formula with what comes first, sometimes a lyric inspires a
riff and vice versa. On the album we all contributed with lyrical themes and
I am sure it will stay this way.
Does Nocturnal Graves have any upcoming shows or tours in support of new
album?
Nothing concrete at this stage… there is talk about Europe and the USA as
well as an east coast tour of Australia but it’s all in the planning stages
yet.
Where have been some of your most memorable Nocturnal Graves shows so far?
London and Oberhausen Germany were great shows when we played over there…
the last gig we did in South Australia as part of the Black Conjuration fest
was also great.
You have been a part of the metal scene since the late eighties so I was
wondering what is your opinion of the internet, email, web-zines and social
media sites like Facebook, Twitter etc.? Do you feel technology has helped
the underground or do you miss the early days of tape-trading, fanzines
etc..
I miss the days of tape trading etc but I’d say that’s more of a nostalgic
thing. I doubt I would be bothered to write 15 letters and dub 5 90 minute
tapes every day like I used to when I was 14. I would also say that the
internet and all that stuff killed off the underground, because when the
underground was alive it was sometimes hard to track down demos and stuff
that you wanted to hear. You had to WORK for it, and that took passion to
keep it going. Now, you download it and anyone can do that, with passion for
art and music, or just to fit in with a clique. It’s all the same to me now…
I only care about good music and don’t give a shit about the music “scene”
as a whole.
In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground
today? What does the term "Underground Metal" mean to you?
The term “underground music” means music that is done for artistic integrity
and conviction as opposed to making money as its foundation (which is
essentially anything on commercial radio or TV). There is n o
“underground scene” like there used to be, not how I remember it anyway… But
underground music will always thrive, in all subgenres.
You and Nocturnal Graves come out of the legendary Australian metal scene, I
have been a "fan" of Australia's metal scene since the mid 90's. So I was
curious what is your opinion of Australia's metal scene? Would you say it
has grown a lot since the 80's and 90's?
I think it is ok. There’s some
good bands, and lots of shit ones. Probably just like in every country. The
Australian scene was really strong in the 80’s and 90’s with lots of gigs
and big numbers in terms of attendance. In the mid – late 90’s it really
died off for a long time. The last 5-6 years though it seems to be growing
which is good… but I don’t go to many shows these days.
Who are some of your all-time favorite Australian metal bands? Are their any
new metal bands from Australia you feel the readers should check out soon?
Slaugherlord, Incubus, Spectral Birth, Sad Ex, Hobbs, Bestial Warlust,
Necrotomy demo, Acheron demo, Abyssic Hate, Destroyer 666, S.o.L. (demo and
first 2 LPs), Gospel of the Horns, Denouncement Pyre, Erebus Enthroned,
Cauldron Black Ram, Innsmouth. Readers should check out my other 2 bands –
Impious Baptism and Coffin Lust if they are interested…
I also remember in their used to be a few good fanzines are their still any
good zines that you could recommend to the readers?
Vomitose Zine.
Coming back to the band you handle the Bass for the band when did you start
playing the bass? Who are some of your fave bass players? Do you play other
instruments?
When you say play the bass, that term should be used quite loosely when it
comes to me “playing” the bass… Drums is my main instrument, but I also play
guitar.
You also handle the vocals for the band at what age did you become
interested in singing? Who would you say are some of your influences in
singing?
Singing? You’ve got to be kidding me haha. (I guess vocals would be a
better word for Patrick to use, still could have answered the question -
Dale)
Do you do anything special to keep your throat/voice healthy when preparing
for a show or getting reading to record?
Make growling noises. This isn’t Frank Sinatra.
Well J.R. we have reached the end of the interview, thank you for taking the
time to fill this out. Do you have any final comments for the readers?
Check out our new album if you are interested. Hail Satan!
https://www.facebook.com/nocturnalgraves
https://myspace.com/nocturnalgraves696
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