Interviews: Without Mercy

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal project, Without Mercy, from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

I really wish there was a better story than the truth. But it was the result of a list of names I had written on a piece of paper. I think it was the third or fourth one down and it ended up being available. Just like that.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

This was the overall genre that inspired me the most. At the time, I had a cd changer in my car and it was the style of music that occupied the entire thing. I never relented and just got so inspired and passionate about this genre. Over the years, my tastes developed even more which led me to discover even crazier bands that resided deep in the netherworld of this style. It’s honestly just so damn endless!

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

No. Each member of the band was new to our lives as they joined. In the instance of Ryguy (Bass) and Alex (Vocals) they were performing in groups and projects that were not related to our style or genre. But the music scene is small enough in our area that we knew of each other. They were each recommended when the time came for new blood.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Alex Friis (Vocals) - Cattle Decapitation / Cannibal Corpse

DJ Temple (Guitars) - Pantera / Nevermore

Ryan Loewen (Bass) - High on Fire / Meshuggah

Matt Helie (Drums) - Meshuggah / Animals as Leaders

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Everything! We’ve written songs from the rhythm of a motorcycle idling in front of the band van. Personal events or trauma can bring forth a lot of lyric ideas etc. We try and leave ourselves open as a conduit to anything that can inspire.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last true gig was in Vancouver, BC Canada. It was at a nightclub that also served as our first ever live show in the major west coast city. It was an odd event that represented so much for us and brought on so many memories and emotions. It was a killer time and we made some new friends all the way from Columbia!

7. Where would you like to act?

Europe is the next obvious choice but Asia would be equally badass for us.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Any of our favourites that are still rolling strong. I would personally love to get on the road with Cattle Decapitation, Signs of the Swarm, Black Tongue, Whitechapel and so many more.

9. Whom not?

I think we’re super into pretty much everyone right now. Hard to think of someone we wouldn’t want to tour with.

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

Listen Dimebag said it best, “If you don’t get butterflies every time before you go on, you’re doing something wrong”. Stage fright is a reality of what we do but it doesn’t have to control you. Consider it a sign of you respecting the craft! It gets a hell of a lot better with time, I promise.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

So many bands for so many reasons!! I remember hearing Pantera the first time… that’s basically the reason I became a musician in the first place. Then when my buddy got me into Nevermore and I just became blown away with Jeff Loomis (who is on our new record by the way). That’s what inspired me to start playing 7 string guitar. Then there’s Whitechapel for the lyrical content and brutality in the voice, followed hard close up to Cattle Decapitation who is basically the bar for brutal vocals to me. Then there are animals as leaders for their composition and that drummer is…. inhuman. I could go on and on… but that’s best left for another time.

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

Easily the time a fan asked me to roast their boyfriend. That was…. different. I used to do a lot of banter on the stage and was a bit of an ass at times. Sometimes the crowd dug it and this one particular time was ….. different haha.

13. What do you think of your fans?

It’s still insane to me that we have any. There’s no clock or bell that goes off the day you make fans and if you’re like us in the band, we just kept our heads down and focused on the work. One day you look up and you have some people that really dig what you’re doing. It’s so damn surreal and honestly, kinda scary. All of a sudden there are these people that drive hours to see you spend their hard earned money to buy your swag or see your show. It’s still unbelievable to me and I know we’re all so damn grateful.

14. Something add?

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