Siberian Hell Sounds Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We're a 3-piece from Brisbane, Australia, the sunniest, least stereotypical black metal location ever besides possibly Hawaii. We've been on-off as a band since early 2013 and have finally settled into a more solid lineup and are finally starting to get shit done.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?

The most oppressive, discordant racket we could muster. Like sleep paralysis in musical form. We aim to make you feel bad. 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

All our lyrics are quite abstract, older material was generally inspired by Dante's Inferno and Milton's Paradise Lost. Lyrics for Svengali relate to the process whereby an external party can begin to manipulate a person. The Svengali in question is open to interpretation based on the listener's own beliefs but for me it represents media, religion and their affiliates.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Siberian Hell Sounds'?

It's taken from a radio hoax from the 80's. Basically someone convinced a Christian radio station that they had a recording of the sounds of Hell (supplied by a family member who had been part of a drilling team in Siberia) and the station bought it hook-line-and-sinker. Google 'Well to Hell hoax'.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We recently had the privilege of touring Australia with the Danish band Hexis, quite possibly the most intense band you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing live. I don't know how to describe our stage performance besides 'dark'. I never pay attention to what anyone else is doing onstage.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

I hope so. Nothing locked in as yet but plenty in the works.

7.So far you have been a part of a couple of splits, can you tell us a little it more about the bands you have shared these recordings with?

Our first split was with a now defunct d-beat/crust band called NONE. The studio we recorded at had an EGC on hand, damn the guitars sound sick on that recording. Our second split was with an also now defunct hardcore band named Travels. I've been friends with all those guys since forever and although they're a completely different style to us we decided to try something a little different. Cool thing to note about this is that we play in very different tunings and wrote the songs independent of each other and they both came out in the same key so we decided to make it one long song. Played it live as such one time and it was fucking awesome.

8.The new album was released on 'Art Of Catharis Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

The most enthusiastic, eclectic, awesome label in Australia. Lachlan loves music and seems to do everything he can to help the bands on his label and I'm very happy that he chooses to associate himself with us.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal and grindcore?

We're still very much in the dank basement of the underground but I've been sending a lot of packages lately to a lot of new places so that seems indicative that it's all going in the right direction. Thank you to anyone reading this who has bought shit off us.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Faster, darker, more intense. I don't know yet how we'll achieve this but I'm looking forward to it already.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Bands that I feel directly inspired Svengali; Kriegsmaschine, Cursed, Darkthrone, Plebeian Grandstand, Hexis, Medico Peste, Amenra.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Food, dogs, nature, drugs, talking shit.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

It is better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven

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