Hands Of A Saviour - Interview

In this new occasion we have the great opportunity to interview the Metalcore/Hardcore/Djent band Hands Of A Saviour from UK, here we will let you their FACEBOOK PAGE to give them a like and follow them.We have nothing more to say, so enjoy this interview!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

James: Basically, me and the old guitar player were joking about merging band names like Eyes of A Traitor & Heart of a Coward and we stumbled across Hands Of A Saviour.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

James: When I first started playing drums, I was listening to a lot music to learn what music about and also the technical aspect of each genre. I was drawn to metal because when I saw the drummers using double kick pedals, I thought it was amazing! But while listening, I began to understand a lot more than just playing metal because this genre helps the listeners express themselves in a way that might not be considered the ‘normal’.

George: I first took an interest in metal because I wanted to learn more complex guitar songs. I learnt guitar by playing Oasis, Led Zeppelin and Indie stuff, so I wanted something more challenging. I was initially repulsed by the screaming, but I grew to love metal – there is some nice tonal work in metal.

Luke: The material is challenging. Tech Metal is the zenith of heavy music now, and its underground and mainstream exponents are pushing the boundaries of metal, in my opinion.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Henry: For the most part no. James and George did as they were in bands together while they were at school. James is technically the only remaining founding member of the band though. Both Luke and I joined after responding to online adverts further down the line.

4. Each band member favourite band?

George: Periphery. I love how their riffs coincide with melodic beauty.

Luke: Of recent months? Coheed and Cambria. I never gave them the time as a teenager, but after listening to ‘Second Stage Turbine Blade’ last year, I thought, “post-hardcore AND prog? Yes!” I’ve plundered their back catalogue and it’s gorgeous.

Henry: This is going to sound pretentious, but I don’t really believe in having “favourite bands” anymore. In my experience, if they stick around for long enough, bands always change members, release material you’re not as into or disappoint you in some other way. Because of that, I only have really favourite albums (and I have a lot). I would say my favourite “core” album is Living Hell by We Were Gentlemen. They were signed by Century Media around 2009, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out. They didn’t really catch on and broke up shortly after releasing it which is a shame because I love that album.

James: As I’ve become older, I would say I don’t have a favourite band anymore either. As I appreciate the genre as a whole, it doesn’t matter if they’re big time or if starting out because if I like that band I will listen to their music!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

James: Hands Of A Saviour has many writers in the band, we’re always sharing ideas and discussing what we want to experiment with next! What inspires me to write personally is what’s going on in my everyday life, but the main motivation to write is that I want people to hear our music. Nothing is more satisfying then hearing the final recording of an idea that has become a song and the excitement of performing it to the public.

George: Personally, I usually sit with the guitar and mess around until when I find a riff or melodic sequence and that’s what inspires the song. You don’t sit down and try and write a song, or if you do, that song will be shit.

Henry: As the singer, for me the writing process is very cathartic. Whenever I sit down to write, my ambition is to put something about myself on paper that is totally, brutally honest – whether it’s ugly or pretty doesn’t really matter because it’s real. I think that comes from my time as a Drama student. Lyricists that inspire me in that regard are people like Marina & The Diamonds and Childish Gambino.

Luke: My love for music inspires me.

6. Where was your last gig?

Henry: We played in this excellent venue ‘The Zombie Hut’ in a small town called Corby in the middle of England. It had amazing sound and a really cool stage area. I like to run around a lot when we play and there were lots of opportunities to hang upside down and climb bits of the room, it was great! I hear it’s closed down now which is a real shame.

7. Where would you like to act?

Henry: We have this festival over here called TechFest. It’s a music festival which puts on bands involved in the technical metal scene. It’s something I think we’d really like to be a part of because that’s our audience.

Luke: Wacken in Germany is the Mecca of metal, so that festival in particular. And of course, Download Festival, for its history and relevance in the UK. The Royal Albert Hall is great. In fact, it would be cool to play any auditorium or theatre-style venue.

George: At the carnival in Rio – People of all classes, all sexual persuasions, religions, creeds come together… to mosh. We could be playing on a float. And I agree with Luke, the Royal Albert Hall!!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Luke: The bigger names in our genre: Monuments, Tesseract, Periphery etc. Their music music led to Hands Of A Saviour being formed. But in total rock-fantasy land, Kiss or Limp Bizkit. Because why the fuck not?

Henry: Who wouldn’t want to play with Limp Bizkit?!

9. Whom not?

James: There are no bands that I don’t want to play with, music is a universal language which should unite listeners and bands.

Luke: Small bands don’t have the luxury of choice - so in the words of Henry Rollins: ‘Get in the Van!’

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Luke: Relax. Practice alone and with your band. Practice. Relax. Practice.

James: I agree. I still get nervous before I perform, but the way to overcome stage fright is to ensure you practice and listen to the songs over and over again - this will build up your confidence. Just remember the people watching you are there to support and enjoy your music.

George: I get nervous like 5 minutes before playing too. Plus, I’m really sweaty in general, and I start to shake, so I fuck up a lot. My advice is the same, just practice and, like Luke says, relax. When I play on stage I never remember anything. It’s like a dream; your muscle memory kicks in. So if you have developed solid neural connections you’ll be fine – if not then you will make mistakes due to the adrenaline.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Luke: As a kid, Iron Maiden. I thought Steve Harris was the coolest dude and played the best, so bass guitar was a logical choice for me.

Henry: When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Korn and the Murderdolls. I thought being in a band, performing and dressing up like that must be the best thing in the world. Then I got a bit older and I heard bands like It Dies Today and Bleeding Through that got me into music with screaming in. Since then, I think I always wanted to front that kind of band – and here we are!

George: Periphery, Tesseract, Volumes, Monuments, Uneven Structure, Circles, Queen, Slipknot.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Henry: I don’t think we have any really wild stories. I think it’s strange enough when people ask us to sign things for them! I find it hard to imagine that would ever stop feeling weird.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Henry: Anyone who listens to our music is a hero! I’ve never had many grand ambitions, but one thing I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember is to create something that someone would feel about in the same way I feel when I listen to my favourite bands. Even the smallest compliments we get from people mean so much, so thank you if you’re reading this!

14. What do you think of our site?

We think it’s great that someone out there is shining a light on lesser known bands like us. Rock on, guys!

15. Something to add?

Just be excellent to each other.