Interviews: NIGHT SLASHER

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Speed Metal band NIGHT SLASHER from Lithuania. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

We really wanted something more future-proof this time so we actually made a list of over 100 potential names and "Night Slasher" was among them. By that time we were listening to some raw version of the album's instrumental and thought it really sounded like "Night Slasher". It was the one that most resonated with the music, but also wasn't too specific so we can continue to evolve our music in the future without having to redo our band image from scratch on every new album. As for the old "Alcotopia" name, well back in 2014, we had a very different band idea in mind than what we eventually became. We knew we needed a name so we had an evening of "brainstorming" and the next morning we had a band name as well as some hangovers.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We're actually against the idea of genres. There was something special about that time in the 70s when no one knew what heavy metal was and they ended up playing weird heavy music just by feel without any restrictions. But I guess we did end up more or less in the black speed classification so the reason is probably that no matter what music we did, it always ended up fast and nasty. Especially with this album, we started adding more black metal parts in the middle of speed metal songs.

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

Only Laurynas (vocals) and Tomas (bass) knew each other before the band was started, but Tomas only joined in 2016. I've only met Laurynas and the original bassist before so I invited them to try this thing out and after a rocky start, we started terrorizing the local stages.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

We each have a hundred favorite bands that change every week, so I don't think we could answer this question. Usually, they range from Frank Zappa to Wu-Tang Clan to GG Allin to Pink Floyd and all the metal we can get our hands on.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Usually, songs just happen without warning, but I'd say it's a mix between listening to the music that we like and some darker personal experiences.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at this annual show called "Autumn Devastation" which was our last show as "Alcotopia". It was a really great experience since the crowd was damn wild after not seeing us for a long while and people were really interested in what we were gonna pull next.

7. Where would you like to act?

Most of us go to Black Silesia in Poland since it's the closest fest for our specific style and the crowd there is wild both in front of the stage and at the camp frounds so it would be amazing to hit the stage there. Also, the bands that get to play there are usually completely insane.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Again there are a million bands we like, but I think the most appropriate would be Piledriver for the grandiosity if he were still alive. RIP ol' Piley. If it has to be someone among the living, probably Pentagram for the Bobby Liebling experience.

9. Whom not?

It's rare, but we have met bands whose members refuse to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So we'd really hate to share the stage with such people.

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

Something switches in our brains when we're playing live. We never act that way in real life or even in rehearsals like we do on stage. Everything we do besides the music itself is spontaneous and unrehearsed. It's like you get possessed by the music and it comes alive through you. Also having rehearsed the songs well and trusting that your bandmates know what they're doing and have each other's back helps a lot. And of course, nothing beats the support of the crowd. As for the advice for people who get stage fright, I guess the best we can tell you is "let the music do the thinking".

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Again, there's an endless list of bands here. We do list out the bands "Razor", "Piledriver", "Venom", "Bulldozer", "Nifelheim", "Bewitcher", "Raven", "Overkill", "Satan" as some influences, since probably if you like some of these bands you'll find interest in our music as well.

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

There was that time when a guy asked me to sign his chest, but I drew a dick on him instead and he didn't notice until the next morning while he spent the entire evening showing it to everyone after the show.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Absolutely mad and wild. The only proper way to experience our music. And we've always got the most appreciation from younger headbangers so that's a good sign, I think.

14. What do you think of our site?

Could use a few more pentagrams and badly drawn Baphomets.

15. Something to add?

We're releasing a single on October 27 and it's gonna have a music video which, I think, is gonna show you what we're really about, so mark that date down. Until then see you around.