Interviews: Hellset

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal band, Hellset from Poland. 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?

Jan ‚Beliar, Hawajski: We used to be called “Global Warning”, which was Metalking's idea. After I joined the band, we functioned under this name for a while, until I took the initiative to change the name to something shorter, which would be easier to remember. We decided that our name will be HELLSET. The name comes from the Sami name of the capital of Finland Helsinki - “Helsset”. So I took that name, removed the 's', and added another 'l' instead, and Hellset was born. Why? Well, I really want to go to Finland one day, and one of my favorite bands – Children of Bodom – comes from Espoo, near Helsinki! I think that everyone should interpret this name in their own way, 'hell-set' can be associated with a crew from hell, a hellish bunch or just setting up hell. I hope that with our work we will indeed set hell on Earth.

Sebastian MetalKing‘ Nawój: Weh ad hard discussion some time ago, how should we be named. There were several options, for example, ‚Raging madness‘, but none of them looked good for us. After a few weeks, Beliar just came up with a random idea – our current name. In the beginning, I wasn’t very convinced of that name, however, the rest of the band members approved that, and so did I.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Beliar: It's a question that if I start answering, I won't be able to stop talking. So I'll try to shorten it. I fell on thrash metal with this band by accident. Currently, I'm more into black metal, death metal, melodic death metal, or dsbm than thrash. Metalking was supposed to be the originator of most of the songs, so the main reason for this sound is his thrash metal inspirations. We don't feel the muzzle on our faces and we don't aim only at playing thrash metal. What I play or write is a reflection of what my soul wants to manifest to the world, a reflection of my own experiences, sensations, and advice. I think we just play metal. The metal that whatever I sing in it, aims to manifest the life and encourage you to fight every day, not to give up. Therefore, according to the classic of the genre, STAND UP AND SHOUT!!!

MetalKing: Well, long story short – I loved nice metal since early childhood and this passion kept going with me, so I found a similarly minded crew and there we go.

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

Beliar: Nope.

MetalKing: No.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Beliar: Children of Bodom.

MetalKing: Blind Guardian forever.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Beliar: Satan.

MetalKing: Honestly, it’s hard to say. It’s either ‚nothing‘ or ‚everything‘, like any other song or soundtrack or even random sound may bring inspiration.

6. Where was your last gig?

Beliar: Zamek Kazimierzowski, Przemyśl, Poland.

7. Where would you like to act?

Beliar: Pol'and'Rock Festival.

MetalKing: I agree with my friend above, Pol’and’Rock would be awesome.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Beliar: Behemoth.

MetalKing: Of course with top bands, especially Blind Guardian, however, it doesn’t matter as long as it matches with the music genre

9. Whom not?

Beliar: Sordino, my ex-band (laughs).

MetalKing: Anything, which doesn’t match the music genre, i.e. pop stars, etc.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Beliar: Not really, even playing my first gig with Scream From Basement I wasn't scared. I was rather very, very excited, but not terrified. Tips? Hmmm... Think you have to grab the whole audience by the mouth. You have your five minutes, everyone listens to you, it's a gift! Use it and humbly present what you have to say to the audience so that they receive and give this energy to you, which will create a self-propelling machine, and the concert will be magical and your band – unstoppable.

MetalKing: Well, my first performance was said in point 6. I didn’t feel stressed or stage frighten (at least not very much) and that was interesting. I would say that if you are prepared, worked hard enough and everyone is skilled enough, it will be enough to bring peace of mind.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Beliar: Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Death, Halloween, Hunter, Psychonaut 4, Kalmah, Norther, Cadacross, Carcass, In Flames, At The Gates, Arch Enemy, KAT. 

MetalKing: I maybe won’t say that, since you may guess from the previous part *laughs*. Aside of my favorite band, I would say that almost every song I listened had somehow at least minimal impact on my creativity, so maybe I shouldn’t copy-paste here my entire Spotify playlist. But in shortcut, the top 20 inspiration bands (in random order): Metallica, Running Death, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Battlelore, Sabaton, Heidevolk, Slayer, System of a Down, Dethklok, Powerwolf, Hypocrisy, Judas Priest, Death, Persuader, Overkill, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Percival Schuttenbach and Vader.

Jagoda ‚Haneryu‘ Piórkowska: Skillet, Set it off, Egipt central, Kontrust, Enter shikari, Sabaton, Happysad

Mikołaj ‚Miki‘ Piskorowski: Slipknot, Motörhead, Nirvana, Wu-Tang Clan

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

Beliar: Nothing yet, but I hope that one day someone is going to ask me to sign her boobs... or his (laughs).

MetalKing: I also wasn’t asked for anything weird yet.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Beliar: They are crazy, and I think intelligent people. Also, they are very kind. To be honest I love every single of them for their support. They are not afraid of what others people think about them which is good. But yeah, for me this craziness in them is one of the most important things. I love the life affirmation that they give to me.

MetalKing: I hadn’t much time to make a huge fanbase, but I think all of them are awesome guys and girls and I’m grateful for their support.

14. What do you think of our site?

Beliar: It's cool and you people seem okay to me, I admire you for your willingness, hard work, and contribution to the promotion of young bands, I feel honored to be interviewed.

MetalKing: I have nothing more to add here, Beliar described it very well.

15. Something to add?

Beliar: Hmm... Fear not... and HAIL SATAN!

MetalKing: *laughs* Everything will be fine, don’t worry people.