Interviews: Painstorm

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Old School Death Metal band, Painstorm from Spain. 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? 

The band's name came to guitarist Xabi and singer Alv a year before Painstorm started as a group. They were eating hamburgers and deciding what musical style they would play (Thrash, Crossover, Death, Punk...) and they were shuffling different names that they didn't really like.

They were looking for a name not too long, that could be executed with a different logo than the other extreme metal bands that were emerging at that time were using (the typical scratched logo that could not be read clearly) and that could have a different style of music (Thrash, Crossover, Death, Punk...) and they were considering different names that they didn't quite like.

They were looking for a name that was not too long, that could be executed with a different logo from the other extreme metal bands that were being created at that time (the typical scratch logo that cannot be read clearly) and that it was catchy.

Because the band would have Thrash and Death Metal Old School as its main influences, they came up with Pain + Storm, giving rise to the current name of the band.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Because we love what the wave of American Old School Death Metal started in the 90s, we 100% share their love for classic horror movies, Punk and Thrash influences, and also their brotherhood with other bands. But above all, we respect and love that classic sound, without great decorative elements, brutal and catchy that made it one of the most important movements in the history of metal. That is why we are proud that many people who lived through that golden age remember thanks to us.

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

Yes, we knew each other. The band was founded by Alv and Xabi. As the first lead guitarist, Alv relied on Ian, whom he knew from high school. While Xabi asked Juanjo, whom he knew from attending concerts, if he wanted to take over the drums. As for Frank, we discovered him thanks to musician search websites.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Alv: The Misfits

Xabi: Slayer

Juanjo: Metallica

Frank: System Of A Down

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Mainly classic horror and B-movies, science fiction, the complexity of the human mind, and the harshness of the reality that surrounds us.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last concert was in Castelló, a city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. We performed with bands of great quality such as Morfina (Black Metal); Under Cold Sun (Thrash Metal); Carniceros Demoniacos (Death Metal) and The Art of Butchery (Legends of Spanish Death Metal).

7. Where would you like to act? 

We would love to act outside of Spain, at the moment we see it as complicated to have to combine our jobs and personal life with the band, but it would be amazing. From what we are seeing, the album is having a better reception abroad than in our country.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

It would be amazing for us to be able to perform with some of our favorite bands. Right now, we have the great fortune of opening for Argentinean Death Metal Legends Avernal and Dutch Death Metal Legends Sinister. But it would be great to perform with Cannibal Corpse, Demolition Hammer, or Immolation one day.

9. Whom not? 

The truth is, we are not close to perform with anyone in particular, as long as we like their attitude and their music they are welcome to work with us.

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

We've all had nerves at one time or another, but they are usually resolved as soon as we strike the first chord. As a piece of advice, we recommend taking a deep breath, trusting in the work done in the rehearsal room, and not trying to calm it with alcohol or other substances. If you are just starting out it can be a good option to perform for friends for the first time. There will always be failures, but attitude and enjoyment is the most important thing.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

There are many bands that have inspired us when composing, because we listen to different styles, from NWOBHM to alternative metal, punk, or flamenco. Some of them are Slayer, Obituary, Napalm Death, or Sepultura.

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

That's a good question! Our bass player Frank has the best anecdote: "The weirdest thing a fan asked me once was that after the show was over and I was handing out picks and drumsticks to the audience when a guy pulled out an exhibitor and asked me to sign it for him".

13. What do you think of your fans? 

We have the best fans in the world, we know it may sound cliché, but it's true. In our city (Madrid) we have more and more fans, who are great to meet over beers at concerts of other bands, outside our city the same thing happens; and the most surprising thing is outside Spain, from time to time we have some review, some order to others parts of Europe or in the USA. It's incredible, we are very grateful.

14. What do you think of our site?

We think it's great! You do a very important job of dissemination and promotion of the scene. We hope you have a lot of success and that this is not the only time we talk, it was a lot of fun!

15. Something to add?

We would like to thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to chat with you and to make ourselves known in your space. To Death Metal lovers, we invite and encourage you to listen to our work, we hope you enjoy it, and tell us through social networks what you thought of it. Cheers!