Interviews: Winterhearth

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Blackened Melodic Thrash Metal band, Winterhearth 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?

Just came out. We were 3 days before our first gig ever. Was driving Robbie (original bassist) home and a snowstorm randomly started. Robbie says how about…. Winter… Hearth??? It sunk in fast, and I said yeah, I like it!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I feel it’s the only style that speaks to people who live in rural and isolated areas like where I grew up. Being born in a small town in Newfoundland when the fishery went to shit was certainly a time, you just watch the population dwindle and establishments close. Growing up the nearest record store was three and a half hours away.

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

With the original lineup, I knew Robbie if I could remember. Went to school with his older brother. Met Mike through a friend. With the current lineup, I met Lenny through an ad for a Ramones tribute act and I’ve known Nathan for years since the Resettlement days. He used to message the band FB all the time asking when new merch was expected. Usual stuff people would message about.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Andrew – Dissection

Lenny – NOFX

Nathan – Carcass

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I’m the main songwriter. I listen to a lot of 70s prog rock and old school Thrash Metal when I’m on writer’s block. Sometimes just looking outside on a foggy day will inspire me to write a track. Just the dark gloomy atmosphere. I watch a lot of history documentaries as well so that inspires me. I have a fascination with extreme regimes. I by no means support them but it just blows my mind how people in a society like North Korea will survive.

6. Where was your last gig?

The last gig was at Bar None in St. John’s. The next gig will be the East Coast Music Association’s Loud Showcase in Halifax on May 6th.

7. Where would you like to act?

I’ll perform anywhere! I love learning about individual towns and cities plus seeing their local scenes.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If I could get Max Cavalera that would be a dream come through.

9. Whom not?

Can’t think of anybody off top of my head.

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

Still do but in the sense of caring and wanting people to enjoy the show. The best advice I can give is mistakes and hiccups will happen. A lot of the time it will be beyond your control. The trick is to handle the situation like a professional and not show stress or concern in front of an audience.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

We can be here all day! I’ll name a few. Dissection, Carcass, Morbid, Windir, Enslaved, Kreator, Venom, Sigh, Opeth, Obliveon, Vader, and Children of Bodom to name a few. Being huge into Prog I’m also huge into Yes, Camel, and Rush. Oh! Also huge into Tormentor and Master’s Hammer!

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

Not sure if this would count but someone yelled PLAY EYEHATEGOD NOW! At a set and I was like …no…. If we had some Eyehategod covers rehearsed then sure but still. Usually, people yell Bathory or Venom.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

I think if it wasn’t for people taking an interest in us, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. At the end of the day if they don’t give a shit about our music or our shows then what’s the point to continue playing shows? I mean yes, I could still release albums randomly on Bandcamp but that would be it.

14. What do you think of our site?

Pretty easy to navigate and user-friendly! It’s nice to see a site that doesn’t have the same clickbait “Mustaine said this about James in 84’ “articles.

15. Something to add?

Thanks to everyone who made Rape of Eden possible! We’ve had tons of help over the years and without their help, I’d be nowhere. They’re too many people to name.