Vahrzaw Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
GVD: Writing and rehearsing a new album.
SW: Yes, this will be our 3rd album. About 60% complete in writing/rehearsing.
BG: Constant complaining between S&G about difficult riffs.

2.Your last album was released in 2014, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
GVD: Blackened Death Metal with some thrash thrown in. Each recording is a progression. The overall style hasn't changed much in 20 years, but we try to write better riffs and song structures each time.
SW: The writing improves on each successive record/EP. The overall sound kind of happens by chance. No real pre-conceived ideas about it. Loose ideas of tone here and there.
BG: Black/Death/Thrash hybrid. Pure old school worship.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your newer music?
GVD: Religion, The fine line between sanity and insanity, I use some books, TV shows and movies as inspiration, etc.
SW: When I did write lyrics, which I no longer do, it was all odd topics like jealousy & depression explained using metaphors... and ghost stories or something occult.
BG: I don't write lyrics. G is the lyrical mastermind behind Vahrzaw.

4.In the earlier years the band had plenty of many different name changes, what was the cause of having many different names?
GVD: We didn't like the names we came up with. Eventually had to settle on one because we got a deal with Dark Oceans Productions.
SW: To be fair, if we never mentioned the name changes in our bio no-one would've ever known. They lasted a few weeks at best. Plus they were shit.
BG: I was yet to be born.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vahrzaw'?
GVD: I can't remember. I think it's a demon, but I have no memory of where we saw it...or which one of us discovered it.
SW: Total blank. It was 22 years ago & none of us have seen or read it since. An old zine mentions it's a demon at the right hand of the devil... but I have no idea if that's true. It's unique though, albeit spelled incorrectly on every show flyer.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
GVD: Description: Controlled chaos...there's always a chance it'll all fall apart mid-song. To be honest, the gigs all blur together for me.
SW: We don't fuck about with theatrics and props or clothing, just rip through the set.
1 in 3 shows in usually really good but I couldn't pick a 'best'. The ones where we make money, the mixer is competent and the crowd is energetic are the best of course.
BG: 'When Terror Unites' in 2014 was one of the highlight gigs personally. Good bands and a good promoter, so it worked out to be a good night. Stage performance, well we just get up, do what we have to do, and fuck off. No theatrics bullshit nonsense.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
GVD: No. Writing and recording takes priority at the moment.
SW: No shows until the album is complete then we might do a few to promote and sell some copies. We don't tour, Australia is fucking big and expensive to traverse.
BG: No. Getting out the new album is the main focus right now.

8.The 2014 album was recently re-issued through 'Blood Harvest', can you tell us a little bit more about the newer version?
GVD: A new sticker?
SW: New version has new CD design, some alterations in the notes/inlay & is pressed in the region of 500 copies. The Australian copies (around 100) might have a patch or pick included.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
GVD: It's been mostly positive...but there's always some useless cunt who has an opinion. We do what we do. Like us or not, we're going to keep doing what we do because it's our band. Our music is the best stuff we can write at that time. We work incredibly hard. If you don't like it, don't listen. Go fucking create your own music.
SW: People who like it buy it of course. One mans trash is another mans treasure. The consensus is usually positive.
BG: So far it has been mostly positive. Fans of the old-school really enjoy it. Those who don’t enjoy it can fuck off. 

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
SW: My electronic project is on hold & I no longer play in any other bands. It's really all about the next Vahrzaw record this year.
BG: As well as Vahrzaw, I also play in the bands Eskhaton and Hobbs Angel of Death. Eskhaton is currently writing and rehearsing for the upcoming record with a few shows wherever possible. Hobbs is currently organizing a gig for the end of year with many legendary Melbourne bands.
11.When can we expect a newer album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
GVD: Next year. Our songs are a little more technical and the song structures are a bit more intricate. Other than that, we'll always be a blackened DM band.
SW: It'll be 25 years since we formed the band next year so the album will coincide with that anniversary in some way. The style shifts around a central theme from release to release. The same but different in slight ways. More lead guitar and harmony work on this new album.
BG: Next year at some point. Our songs are more erratic as well as more technical. We'll always be a black/death band.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
GVD: In both cases, old-school bands (e.g., Mayhem, Dissection).
SW: I'm listening to everything from Sunn to old Swedish death & Norwegian classics to Aphex Twin to Zappa. Anything can trigger an idea.
BG: More of the 'classic' black/death metal bands are usually the inspiration that you can hear on most of the albums. Currently listening to Mayhem, Destroyer 666, Cemetery Urn, Trenchrot.

13.What are some of your non-musical interests?
GVD: Science. Watching movies. My family. Fixing my house.
SW: Collecting music & pop culture items. Good food. Movies (although they are 90% shit). My animals. Amassing more guitars. Art. Simple easy living with no bullshit.
BG: Collecting CDs, going for bushies.

14.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?
GVD: Thanks for the interview.
SW: Look out for the new album on Blood Harvest next year and pick up a copy of the official re-issue of 'Twin Suns & Wolves Tongues' on the 26th of August from the Blood Harvest bandcamp/web-store. Available straight from us from Facebook/Bandcamp too.
BG: HIPSTERS NOT WELCOME.

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