Interviews: Helltrain

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death 'N' Roll band, Helltrain from Sweden. 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?

Helltrain was born in 2002, we had some band names suggested and I think Helltrain was the least bad of them if I remember correctly, so we went with that. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I think our music reflects the stuff we grew up with. A bit of punk, some death-/blackmetal all mixed together with a good chunk of rock n roll. I don´t think we sound like any other band really.

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

Yes, we have played with each other for about 35 years in bands like The Everdawn, The Moaning, Scheitan, Gates of Ishtar, and so on. So yeah, we have all been good friends for a very long time.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

I can only speak for myself on this subject but Accept, the early stuff from Metallica, Dissection & Bathory is stuff that lies close to my heart.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I really don´t need “inspiration” anymore. I am more like a machine, I go to the studio and start doing something, maybe try out a riff on the guitar or try to find a drumbeat to go with. And all of a sudden the hours just pass by and the songs come out.

6. Where was your last gig?

The last time Helltrain played live was at a festival in our hometown Luleå. There´s a clip of the song “Wolfnight” from that show available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EZeQpQoTms

7. Where would you like to act?

I really don’t care where we play as long as it´s a great crowd and good playing conditions regarding equipment and arrangements.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I guess you can read that in one of the previous questions, Accept (with UDO of course) and Metallica would of course be great. For obvious reasons, Dissection and Bathory would be out of the question.

9. Whom not?

I guess I am not too keen on this modern “metalcore” stuff but we really don´t have any preferences of whom to play or not to play with.

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

I guess we all have been a bit nervous at the beginning of our careers. I think being well-rehearsed is the best medicine, if you know your songs well it brings a bit of self-esteem and calmness to the table.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I try to describe Helltrain as a mix of Misfits & Motörhead mixed with some death-/blackmetal so I guess that kind of music lies as a foundation of our sound even if we do not sound like any of them.

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

We have not really had weird questions from fans, it's the usual, people want some stuff signed, a pick, or a picture taken.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We love all the people who listen to Helltrain. For being a band that hardly tours and releases new music very seldom it’s absolutely insane that we have over 10.000 listeners every month on various digital platforms.

14. What do you think of our site?

Seems like you have a cool, well-done site with a lot of features. I think anyone that supports underground music like you do deserves applause, it’s a lot of work. Keep it going!

15. Something to add?

Thank you for your support and interest in our band. Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/helltrainofficial/ and check for merch at https://www.swedishmetal.se