Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
The band was originally formed in 2007 as a 5 piece and actually named after the Overkill song ‘Elimination’ as we were all massive fans of theirs. After a few of the members decided that they wanted to move on and concentrate of other areas of their lives, the band went on a hiatus until about 2018. It was then that I (Neil Stevens – vocals and Bass) recruited David and Leigh on guitars and we got down to writing the EP ‘Of Gods And Beasts’.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Leigh, AJ and I are all from Ipswich and David is from just outside Norwich. When I was looking for members in 2018, as the band came out of hiatus, I did the usual and post it over social media and David got in contact. I knew Leigh from bands around the area and he said he was interested. Just recently AJ has come onboard as our permeant drummer, who was in a band called Invasive with me as a guitarist.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
Metallica was the first band I heard as a kid which then got me into the whole thrash metal thing. My first band was a Metallica covers band with me being Hetfield (minus the guitar) and has always been a huge influence on my vocals. Other bands would be Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and any old school heavy metal. I think the mixture of fast, heavy riffs of thrash and the more melody and shrieking guitar solos of heavy metal plays a part when we write.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
Even since I first heard ‘And Justice For All’ I wanted to be in a metal band. The whole playing bass was more out of necessity as I was struggling to find anyone to play bass at the time, so I thought I’d give it a go.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
Currently in my car I have ‘Ride The Lighting’ on repeat but I’ve also been listening to Power trip (RIP Riley Gale), Judas Priest and Motorhead.
Do you sing in the shower?
Haha I don’t think I’m that cruel
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
We would love to play Bloodstock again this year…fingers crosses haha but mostly playing shows and writing new material.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
We have just released our cover version of Metallica’s ‘Dyer’s Eve’ and there maybe a few more surprises coming out this year, so you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
It’s not a venue but I’d love to play Wacken someday. That would be such an awesome show…I’ve only been there as a punter so to play it would be a dream come true.
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
I would defiantly have to choose Metallica’s “And Justice For All”, it’s one of the first metal albums I heard when I was a kid so it will always have a special meaning for me.
It was also not your typical thrash album, the songs were fast, but they also had a melody that put it aside from other thrash bands at the time.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
Just the occasional cheesy 80’s pop rock, the first Bon Jovi Album before he went all main stream.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
I would love to see a gig featuring Iron Maiden (pre-90’s), Judas Priest and Helloween…now that show would be awesome!
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
I just want to say a huge thank you for all the support as without the fans listening to and buying the music, going to the gigs and supporting us online then bands like ourselves would not be anywhere. For those young kids just starting out in bands, play music you want to play and write music that you want to write and don’t worry to much about pleasing people.
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eliminationuk
Shop: https://elimination.bigcartel.com
This interview is purely the property of The Metal Asylum