Answers provided by Nicholas Klaus – Bass and Vocals
Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, the band’s history, and a little bit about the various members?
AxMinister isn’t just a band, it’s a full-blown philosophy! It’s a way of life, my friend. After delving deep into our own existential abyss, we realized we’ve lived countless past lives. And guess what? In every single one of those lives, we managed to find each other and continue our sacred quest. We declared a Jihad against all metal enemies and those posers who peddle false metal. It all started during the epic Battle of Hastings in 1066 when we had a major “Aha!” moment about our reincarnations. However, how long this holy quest has been going on is still a mystery that even our deepest reflections couldn’t solve.
Are you all from the same area? How did you come together as a band?
Well, you see, every time we shuffle off this mortal coil, we must scour the globe to reunite. Sometimes we find each other in childhood, and other times it takes until our twilight years to cross paths once more. It’s a never-ending cycle of metal-seeking reincarnation.
Who are your favourite artists/bands, and how have they influenced your own sound?
Just like there’s one God, present in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there’s only one force that drives us, split into three separate yet equally powerful parts: Megadeth, Iron Maiden, and Manowar! Hail, hail, hail, and kill!
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band, or did you originally have other plans?
We are immortal warriors who must combat the heresy of false metal in every life. Sometimes we wield weapons, sometimes we resort to violence by proxy, and sometimes we even resort to the printing press. But in the twenty-first century, we realized that music is the most potent weapon we can wield to reach a mass audience.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
My morning routine kicks off with a healthy dose of Manowar. Their lyrics, promoting healthy masculinity, give me the strength to conquer the day. In the afternoon, Megadeth fuels me with the courage to confront the cesspool of our modern society. And when it’s time for slumber, Iron Maiden’s intricate melodies cradle me to sleep like a mother rocking its baby.
Do you sing in the shower?
I do more than just sing in the shower, my friend—I sing and masturbate! It’s an invigorating experience, really.
Do you have any plans for the band this year and into next year?
We’ll be rocking as many live shows as possible to promote our EP called “Vir Fortis.” On June 17th, we’re throwing an album release party at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto. If you’re in the area, come on out and support us!
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
We’ve just unleashed our latest EP, “Vir Fortis.” It’s a tribute to two fallen brothers, Napoleon Bonaparte and Vlad the Impaler. These great men were misunderstood and slandered by the lame street media. They fought against the system and stood up for the working man. The EP sets the record straight!
If you could play at any venue in the world, where would you choose?
We’re not picky about venues, my friend. Whether we’re performing in front of a roaring crowd of thousands or just the sound guy and the bartender, we bring the same level of intensity to our show. We’re ready to rock anywhere!
Do you have a favorite album? If so, what is it?
My all-time favorite album is Megadeth’s “Countdown to Extinction.” Every track on that masterpiece is solid gold. It’s the album that made me fall head over heels in love with metal.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
When I need to unwind, I put on a Wagner opera, stand in front of the mirror naked, tuck my penis, and apply lipstick while shedding a tear or two. I find it profoundly therapeutic.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
AxMinister would undoubtedly headline the show. Iron Maiden would kick things off, followed by Manowar, and then Megadeth. Finally, we’d all come together for an epic medley to close the show with a bang!
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it, and do you still have it?
The first tape I ever bought was The New Kids on the Block’s Christmas album. I listened to it a whopping 665 times in a row. On the 666th listen, I had an epiphany and decided to go all out—I burned down my house along with the tape and the family cat. Then I picked up my bass and started writing metal riffs. Good times!
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you’d like to send out to them?
I declare a global Jihad against anything that perverts the pure sound of metal! You’re either with us or against us. We have no time for fence-sitters. Join our ranks and let’s conquer the metal world together!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
You can find us on all the major social media platforms. But the best place to catch all the AxMinister madness is http://www.axminister.ca.
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for having me! I’d like to end this interview with a message to all the bass players out there: You don’t need that fifth string! Leo Fender invented the bass with four strings, and that’s the way it should be! If you’re playing a five-string bass, well, you’re a woman… unless you’re a woman, then you’re a cat! Allah Akbar! Keep the metal alive!
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum