Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

This is actually a solo project that I have been thinking about doing for quite sometime. Over this past summer I decided that I would put this together and see where it goes. The name is basically a play on the names of my sons, I thought it would be cool.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

As I mentioned this is currently a solo project , its just myself at the moment.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

I listen to pretty much all kinds of music, it’s really hard to list them all. But to name a few I would say Kansas, Yes , Judas Priest, early Rainbow ( w/ Dio ), Triumph, John Sykes, Iron Maiden, Randy Rhoads. I am also a big fan of Evergrey, Nightwish, and Katatonia. I could go on but……

I’ve always loved the concept trying to merge some of that classic prog vibe with a heavier riffs and big sound. To me the goal is to always try to keep it melodic and musical, which is what I think influenced me most  from all those mentioned above. They we’re and some still are masters of that on various levels.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Yeah pretty much, as soon as I started playing guitar and writing I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

My playlist always has material from most of the artists I mentioned earlier. Every once in awhile something new will grab my attention or a new release and I’ll add it, I’m always listening different stuff.

Do you sing in the shower?

Sure , doesn’t everybody ? Lol…….

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Right now I’m looking at possibly putting together a lineup, but haven’t really decided.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes, I did release another single “ Out of Time “ recently which will also be on the upcoming EP which should be out shortly.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

I guess I would have to say that Hellfest and the Wacken are the places to be right now.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

That’s a tough call, but I would have to say “ Leftoverture “ by Kansas.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Not really, I pretty much listen to everything as long as it’s good.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Pretty much all the artists I mentioned earlier, and hopefully Doncryus as well hahaha…

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

I want to say probably “ Just a Game “ by Triumph I think? Not really sure if I still have it, it may be somewhere hidden away….

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Yes, thank you all for your support it is greatly appreciated. Without you none of this is possible.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/doncryus/1707067631

soundcloud.com/doncryus/rise-or-fall

https://pandora.app.link/K7u1HUaSdDb

https://doncryus.bandcamp.com/follow_me

twitter.com/doncryus

https://www.youtube.com/@Doncryus

https://www.instagram.com/doncryus

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

I would like to thank all of you at The Metal Asylum for your support and the opportunity to share some insight with the metal community. I am truly grateful and wish you all the best .. Rock On !

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

We are Backstabber, a Canadian death metal quartet from a small industrial town up north called Rouyn-Noranda. A lot of things can influence a name such as Backstabber you know. Integrity has a price. When interacting with selfish people they will mistake it for treason when you don’t go their way. They will try and call you names in order to steer you back on their path. We just embraced it and stood our ground. The project has been around since 2012, but it’s not until 2016 that it really took off as a live band with the release of the Revenge demo. Although we definitely have solid roots into death metal, we have various influences that find their way into our music. The band has undergone some changes over time but have currently the same line up since 2019.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

We are all from Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Québec and we have to drive a lot just to jam hahaha! Our jam space is in the basement of our bass player and two of us have to drive around 30 minutes and the other one needs to drive 2 hours. We came together in 2019 after the band split with their drummer of the time. I and Phil had another band who wasn’t meant to continue so it was an easy decision joining Backstabber. We all have been around the metal scene here for a couple of years so we already knew each other.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

My biggest influence as I started drumming was Joey Jordison. I discovered metal with the album Iowa from Slipknot and I just kept digging deeper into every metal genre. I’d say now my biggest influences as of today are Joey Jordison, Chris Adler and Mario Duplantier.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Music always impressed me. I was in a classical music orchestra during High School and my teacher was a very passionate pianist. He really transmitted his passion and from this time I knew I’d do music all my life. Probably not for a living because it’s a difficult industry, but I’ll always have an instrument to play. I started by playing trumpets and switched to drums later after discovering metal music.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Lately, I have: Death Atlas from Cattle Decapitation, Mirage from Gaerea, Merciless Destruction from Get the Shot, Goliath from Kataklysm, In The Court Of The Dragon from Trivium and I always blast some Archspire, The Acacia Strain, Spiritbox, Lamb of God, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Carcosa, just to name a few.

Do you sing in the shower?

NO! I can’t sing that’s why I play drums!

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

The current plan is to hit the road a little to promote our upcoming EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’. Due to the 800 km separating us from Toronto or Montreal, it has always been a pain in the ass for us to get booked on a regular basis like bands from the urban areas, but I think this EP will help us get our name out there and hopefully be able to get more shows in the coming year throughout Quebec and Ontario. Playing our music to audiences really is the main driving force behind what we do!

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

We released in February the single ‘’Harvesting the Weak’’ from our upcoming EP ‘’Patterns of Domination’’. I hope the variety of this EP will appeal to both older and younger metalheads. We feel like there is a little something for everyone in there, it is musically consistent with our previous works as much as there are new ideas chiming in here and there throughout the EP. As our fans already know, these are live bangers as well so we can’t wait to bring these songs to life.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

For me it would be the mighty Wacken Metal Festival. I mean, it’s probably the biggest metal music festival in the world. Just to be in the crowd is a dream so I can’t imagine playing on one of these stages!

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

It’s hard to just have one favorite album! One that I will never get tired of is Iowa from Slipknot. The first love eh! And one that I always come back to is King from Fleshgod Apocalypse. The songs, the production, the sound, everything just blends together perfectly in my opinion.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

When I’m not listening to metal I’m into pop! I always loved Lady Gaga and now I often listen to Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Troye Siven, Maneskin, Doja Cat, etc… My girlfriend also introduced me to K-Pop and now I listen to it regularly. I think that when you write music if you only listen to one genre or one band you will be influenced and almost sounds like it so I expand my horizons.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium, Fleshgod Apocalypse, The Acacia Strain and Spiritbox. I’d be better at making my perfect festival list than just a show! I know most of the people would name legends such as Metallica, Kiss, Iron Maiden, and more but I really wish I could have seen them in their prime.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Yes! It was 9.0 live from Slipknot and I still have it! It’s in a rough shape but I have it.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Don’t hesitate to go to smaller shows. The underground scene is underrated and full of talent. If people just go out to see bigger bands, one day there will be no bands at all. Smaller shows can make dreams of making music more accessible.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

BackStabber | Facebook

https://www.youtube.com/@Backstabber

Music | BackStabber (bandcamp.com)

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thanks for your support, we gladly appreciate it! don’t hesitate to drop by for a chat, with social media nowadays, we are easily accessible. Keep it up! Lml

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

(Marius) We are from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a former coal mining town and home of legendary thrash metal veterans SODOM. “Smorra” is the name of a demon or ghost that sits on people’s chests while they sleep and wants to suffocate them. It is an old miner’s myth that has been told for generations in the Ruhr area. Pumper our guitarist and I founded our very first band back in 2003. We have also been friends with Kraje (bass) and Rapha (drums) for almost 20 years and have already hung out together at concerts and parties back then. We’re all friends for so long and that makes our band life special.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

(Marius) Yes, we are all from the same city and met each other at local underground concerts or at school. In 2016 we wanted to form a new band and after Kraje joined, we started to write music as SMORRAH.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

(Rapha) My absolute favourite bands are AC/DC and Metallica. Because of Lars Ulrich I want to play drums. I think he has a very big influence on my way of playing drums.

(Marius) Our overall sound is shaped by many bands from the from the eighties and nineties. Nowadays these bands would be described as “old-school”. From Accept to ZZ-Top we have heard almost all of them and we were particularly impressed and influenced by the thrash, death and groove metal bands of that time and still do today.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

(Pumper) Ever since i started playing the guitar at age 11, I wanted to join a band. After a couple of years i got to know some guys at my school that were playing cover songs in a rehearsing room not far from where i lived. Soon after, I met Marius and he joined the group, quickly turning to writing our own Punk songs and then later evolving into more of a Hardcore/Metal hybrid.

(Rapha) Music has always been an important part of my life. Since 2003 I made it my goal to become a drummer and play in a band. Before that, I wanted to become a soccer player.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

(Marius) I’m currently listening to GHOST’s “Impera” album, which my work colleague gave me for Christmas. Actually not my favorite band at all, but the album has now been played 6-7 times on my stereo. I like it.

Do you sing in the shower?

(Marius) No, I sing in the car. I often practice new singing melodies while driving. At the same time, I find myself amusing the people who walk by and some of them sometimes even start headbanging. Or they complain loudly about the noise.. (laughs)

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

(Marius) Yes, we will release our debut album and play some shows to bring our music to the people.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

(Pumper) Our debut album came out on 23rd of February this year and is available on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital on all common streaming platforms.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

(Rapha) There are many places… not easy to answer. When I was at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin at the Metallica concert in 2019, I was overwhelmed by this stadium… Yes, I would like to play a show there!

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

(Pumper) It changes from time to time, but if I have to name one it’s got to be Sabbath’s first album.

(Rapha) I have some favourite albums, but my absolute favourite is Metallica’s Black Album. The sound of this album is still very good even today and filled with fantastic songs.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

(Pumper) I listen to a lot of different musical styles and genres and can’t say that I’m ashamed for any one of them. So no, I don’t.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

(Marius) Original Black Sabbath, classic Pantera, original Slayer and of course SMORRAH as the opening band for these legendary metal groups.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

(Pumper) I’m not a 100% sure, but I think it was Blink 182’s “take off your pants and jacket” and yes I still have it.

(Rapha) Oh yes… I worked on a farm with a restaurant at the weekends. I set up the tables and benches there… what a time. There I earnd my first own money. In any case, I bought the Metallica Death Magnetic that just came out at that time. Unfortunately, the album was stolen out of my car… FUUUCK, that’s life.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

(Marius) Thank you for your support over all these years. Without you, making music would make no sense at all. Thanks!

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

www.smorrah.com

www.smorrah.bandcamp.com

www.instagram.com/smorrah_official

www.facebook.com/smorrah

www.twitter.com/smorrahofficial

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

(Marius) Thank you for your invitation. Keep up the good work. Loik!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

All answers are representative for the whole band (Formulated by Andrea Raffaela (Vocals) and translated by Andri Leonardo (Keys)

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

We just think the name is cool and it indicates that we are a female fronted band. It just sounds sexy. We haven’t been around as a band for very long, but we are all experienced and motivated musicians who plan to make history in the future. 😀

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

We are all from Switzerland and very passionate about playing big stages. So we got together to work on making it happen.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

It’s different for everyone. But for the band sound, we were influenced by power metal legends like Helloween and Stratovarious on the one hand and Arch Enemy, Battle Beast and Europe on the other. Hence the unique melodic sound.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Yes. *.* Making music together makes so much more fun than by yourself.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

The new Bad Marilyn album, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and many more…

Do you sing in the shower?

Apart from Andrea, our lead singer, everyone has other plans in the shower…

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

We are working on our first album release for May 2024 and on the music videos for the selected singles. The goal for next year is to play as many live shows as possible.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Yes. You can pre-order our album here: www.bad-marilyn.com/album-pre-order . For the first 50 pre-orders there’s an additional Early-Bird goodie. 😀

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

At the sold-out Wembley Stadium.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

No, not really. We are all very open with a wide range of influences.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

No, not really.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Bad Marilyn, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Nena – 99 air balloons and yes, it is still in the collection.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Don’t do anything we wouldn’t and order our album 😀 We hope to see you at our next show: April 27, 2024 at Rockfact Münchenstein, Switzerland.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Website: www.bad-marilyn.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bad_marilyn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/badmarilyn
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@badmarilyn
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@badmarilyn

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you for the interview, you all rock!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum