Interviews: Athiria

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Athiria from Austria. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

The band name was a mixture of "Artah" and "Metallica". As we were thinking, we saw a movie and one scene was about "The Battle of Artah". Our drummer at the time wanted the letters "i and a" at the end of the name so that it would sound a bit like Metallica. And that's how ATHIRIA came into being, it has no deeper meaning.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn't actually choose the genre consciously, these are just the songs that came about when we played together. So the genre actually chose us! 

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

Yes, we're not a casting band or anything, we've always been friends and originally founded the band as a pastime. And until it actually became ATHIRIA, there were a few different projects and attempts that never took it that seriously.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

It's really hard to name just 1 favorite band at a time :D ...At the moment they are: Harakiri For The Sky, Baest, Bloodbath, and Deftones!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

There was never really a reason or we didn't need inspiration to write songs, we just used the creative phases and wrote our material there. The worst time was after our drummer (Michael Ledermüller) died in 2020. Until 2 months ago I couldn't write new songs, it just wasn't possible. But suddenly the feeling was there again, and what can I say, material was created for a new album and we have already recorded 7 new demo songs.

6. Where was your last gig?

That was a small festival in Upper Austria. There we played with Raphael on drums for the first time, it was really awesome to play with such a talented drummer! And the next gigs will be our album release shows. We're really looking forward to it!!

7. Where would you like to act?

Hellfest

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

There are so many... Bloodbath, Cannibal Corpse, Baest... basically all the bands we like.

9. Whom not?

Pornthegore.. no, I'm just kidding. They're awesome.

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

You always get a little nervous right before a show, but that's not a bad thing, it also helps you focus and just concentrate on the performance. So as a beginner, you shouldn't let your nervousness get the better of you, but of course, that's easier said than done.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

For me personally, it was clearly Slipknot with "People = Shit" when I was still 12 or 13 years old. This song changed everything. Before that, I didn't even know metal existed!

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

So they didn't ask about it, but someone sucked our ex-singer's toes during a show and someone bit my little toe at the festival site... that hurt quite a bit.

13. What do you think of your fans?

So some „fans“ believe that Jay Weinberg is now our drummer after being kicked out of Slipknot. They didn't quite understand the joke :D Otherwise, we are incredibly happy about everyone who likes our music and that is the best feeling you can have when you see and hear that it is well received. So thank you to everyone who helps us spread our music, you are the best!

14. What do you think of our site?

To be honest, we didn't know this site before, but we think it's GREAT that people like you exist to reach more people as a small band. Keep it up!

15. Something to add?

Finally, we would of course like to recommend our new album CONJURE THE BEAST to you! There is a lot of passion in the album and we are happy about everyone who likes it and recommends it to others ;) THANKS and CHEERS