Interviews: Hellfrost

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Metal band Hellfrost from the USA. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. What are you currently working on?

Hellfrost is working on their self-titled album recorded by Derek Roddy of Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Doomsilla, and more. The album was mixed by Hellfrost alumni Syd Vainer and mastered at Imperial Mastering by Colin Davis from Vile. Our album is set for release on October 27th through Curtain Call Records.

2. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Naming the band took a lot of thought and effort. I wanted a band name that was catchy and easy to remember. Something timeless, that stands for who we are. At the time I was reading a lot of philosophy books and the idea of opposites came to mind and during a session of blurting out random band names, it kind of just came out. When I first said the name I instantly felt that this was it.

3. Why did you want to play this genre?

Black metal, death metal, melodic metal, basically most of the underground genres are my music. That's the default music I listen to and that's who I am. Hellfrost only comes naturally.

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

Actually, no we never met before we worked together. After the release of our last album Dark Ages, Hellfrost broke up. I was determined to keep the band alive so during this time period I focused on songwriting. After coming up with a good amount of content I started looking for band members. I talked to a lot of different people and even auditioned a few but none of them were the right fit. I met our current drummer Angelo Duca through an ad on Craigslist. After talking a while we realized that we were both at a few of the same concerts and knew a lot of the same people. Once the drums were secured I started looking around for a guitarist. I met a guitar player on Instagram because I saw some of his playthrough videos and I liked what I heard. We got to talking and he told me his roommate Ryan Blackburn was interested in playing bass. Unfortunately, the guitar player wasn't the right fit for Hellfrost but Ryan worked out.

5. Each band member's favorite band?

Dave Vainer: Children of Bodom, Slayer, Dark Funeral, Burzum, 1349, Skalmold, Grá,  Blackbraid

Ryan Blackburn: Testament,  Death, Deicide, Emperor, Vukari

Angelo Duca: King Diamond,  The Mothers,  Revocation, Pro Pain

6. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The live concert experience is what inspires us to write songs. In-person appearances are the most powerful way to connect with the fans and the goal of our songwriting is to leave a lasting impression at the concert. I put a lot into the specific vibe of each song, especially for our new album. For us, it's more about how the song feels than it is about being technical.

7. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at Ollie's Pub in Cape Coral FL. Ollie's is a great venue and is the center of a great community of both fans and musicians. A few months ago, Ollie's was on the verge of closing for good. Our area was affected by the fallout of Hurricane Ian, plus the strain of COVID-19. These circumstances led to a big decline for Ollie. The community came together and through a GoFundMe campaign rescued Ollie's from the grips of foreclosure. We consider Ollie's to be our home because of the strong bond everyone has with the venue and the sincere support we get from the local fans.

8. Where would you like to perform the most?

As far as booking goes, my lifelong goal is to play Waken Open Air. That's the place to be if you're a metal band.

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

I'm always excited and very happy to be on stage, so I've actually never experienced true stage fright. As backward as it sounds, it's actually harder to play in front of a small group of people than it is to play for a giant crowd. My trick for stage fright is to pretend the audience isn't there. Just look at the wall all the way in the back of the room and focus on what you're doing.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

I've been inspired by a lot of different bands over the years. My earliest influences are what most other metal fans first influences are, Metallica, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden. As I delved deeper into the heavy metal underworld, my musical experience expanded. One person I look up to from the old days is Chuck Schuldiner. I felt connected with him because first of all, we're both from Florida but most importantly I look up to the fact that Chuck could write all the songs and put multiple bands together. That's kind of where I stand with Hellfrost. If you look into the band's history, you will see a similarity in the fact that I've worked with so many different band members over the years and the only part of Hellfrost that's stayed consistent is myself.

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

The fans can get a little crazy at times. I've had fans offer me drugs, alcohol, and sometimes even themselves. I live a healthy and drama-free lifestyle. I'm in it for the music and not the party.

12. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans are the best. We have a lot of fans who have been following us for years. We see them every time we play in their city. For us, the connection with the fans is our most valuable asset. They are the people that keep this band going.

13. What do you think of our site?

I think that it's great what you're doing. There are a lot of great bands out there that get pushed to the side because they don't fit with the mainstream media outlets. Breathing the Core provides a great outlet for these great bands to get out there and reach new fans.

14. Something to add?

Keep a look out for the new Hellfrost album coming October 27th via Curtain Call Records. We have a great team behind us and we're excited to share our new music with the fans.