Interviews: Grand Inquisitor

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Thrash Metal/Power Metal/Metal band, Grand Inquisitor, from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the project on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

We had debated several options but nothing really stuck until I was going through some old lyrics. I came across a song I had written for a previous band, and it just struck me as the perfect name for this project.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

This is what we grew up on. We’ve all played a lot of different styles, from thrash to death metal to more progressive stuff, but we always return to our roots. Once we found a singer who could pull off genuinely powerful clean vocals it was something that we all agreed we wanted to explore.

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

I have known RJ Yelverton (Bass) for many years and have been in a couple bands with him previously. I have probably known Jay Minish (Guitar) even longer and had always wanted to do a project with him, and I think vice versa, but we were always busy with other bands. When we both finally became available at the same time I think it was just automatic that we were going to give this a go. We met Vivi Nox (Vocals) on a Facebook discussion group looking for musicians, and it was pretty clear once we heard her sing that she was the right fit.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Hard question because we all love so many bands, and we all love most of the same bands. Overall though, mine is probably Iron Maiden. Jay’s is King Diamond, RJ’s is Katatonia, and Vivi’s is Dio.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Lyrically speaking, I write a lot about historical events or themes. I’m also fascinated by supernatural or cryptic phenomena. Even though I don’t really believe in anything like that, I just find it interesting and amusing.

6. Where was your last gig?

We gig pretty often, but we had the opportunity to open for Crypta in Fayetteville, AR on Feb. 14th.2024. That was huge for us.

7. Where would you like to act?

Right now we are trying to expand regionally. We love playing in our home state of Arkansas, but we are trying to get more gigs in the surrounding states of Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. We have a short tour planned this Spring 2024 which will take us through the Southeastern US. We are also talking about doing a more extensive US tour in the winter of 2024, but nothing is set in stone on that at this point.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Of course, we’d love to play with all of our heroes. Bands like King Diamond and Accept are still touring, and to be able to open for any of those legacy acts would be a dream come true.

9. Whom not?

We really fit with anyone. While we broadly fall in the “traditional metal” category, we have enough versatility to play with doom bands, black metal, death metal, thrash, or whatever. We often play on cross-genre lineups and we love it. I suppose we wouldn’t fit in as well with some rap metal or something like that, but I’m not going to call anyone out.

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

Not greatly. I’ve been doing this for a long time so I’m pretty well past that at this stage. I would say playing in front of small crowds as a beginner, people you know personally and who support you. That’s a great way to start.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I’ve always loved the over-the-top theatrical performances of Iron Maiden or King Diamond. Always something unexpected or amusing. It’s as much about the theatrical performance as the music.

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

Nothing too crazy at this point. Fans occasionally want autographs or pictures and we try to oblige as much as possible.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are incredible. We’re the kind of band that you either “get it” or you don’t. The ones who get it are super enthusiastic. We are really trying to recapture that sound and feel of 1980s metal when it was fresh and subversive and not afraid to be a little melodramatic and humorous. We love to see our fans smile and laugh and feel good. We aren’t trying to be all “edgy and tough.” Let’s just all have a good time and rock out together!

14. What do you think of our site?

Online ‘zines are really the future, aren’t they? I think it’s great. When I started playing music ‘zines were usually one super enthusiastic guy literally copying and pasting logos and pictures, doing interviews by phone, and then sending out these wonderful handcrafted black and white collages by mail to a few subscribers. It took a real passion and commitment. It was also the only way you might find out about some super cool band that you would never find otherwise. That died out for a while, but now it can all be done digitally, so you have people like yourselves building these awesome fan-inspired websites that are tuned into the metal underground. It kind of recaptures the authenticity of the original ‘zines. 

15. Something to add?

Thank you for taking the time to include us. Grand Inquisitor will add lots more content to our social media and streaming platforms soon. We hope to have new songs, lyric videos, and full music videos up in the coming months. Also, we’ll be touring from April 5th to April 13th. I’ll include the stops and lineups below: 

April 5th, 2024- Firehouse Community Arts Center, 412 41st St. South, Birmingham, AL with Kamikaze Zombie, Shadows of the Wind, and Mechanyzed 

April 6th, 2024 - Kona Skatepark, 8739 Kona Ave, Jacksonville, FL- Crowd Surfers Entertainment Presents: Girls Rock Night," with Thirst, Dancing with Ghosts, As Above, The Enemy Within, and ANDI

April 7th, 2024- BRASS MUG 1450 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL- A Nihilist Media and Tampa Bay Metal Scene Event with Ejecudator, Withering Earth, Precipice, and Othalan

April 9th- Gator Tails 637 Broadway St. Myrtle Beach, SC with Metanoia and Primo Noctis

April 10th- Skylark Social Club- 2131 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC with Angel Massacre and Valar Morghulis

April 11th- Flavor 90s Bar- 1526 Demonbreun st, Nashville, TN with Symptom of the Universe and Modern Primate

April 12th- Copper Top Dive and Dine- 200 Oakwood Ave NE, Ste. Q, Huntsville, AL- with Krimson Karrie, Mother of Demons, and Gallas

Apr 13th, 2024- Growlers, 1911 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN- Morgue Rot Magazine Presents: "Just A Fucking Metal Show" Festival with Luciferian Insectus, N3philim, Nightspake, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, PantheonLr, Gravehuffer, Epoch of Unlight, PROCESS OF SUFFOCATION, and Mudshow