Interview with Heathen Beast done by Patrick
1.Hails how are things going in India this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
HB: Hailz! We are Heathen Beast, an atheistic black metal band. We are based in Kolkata, India but are like a collective and collaborate with members across the globe. In India there is a lot of shit going on, hatred is being bred, the elections are coming and doom seems imminent.
2.When did you first start listening to black metal and who were the first bands you discovered?Who would you say are some of your current favorite bands?
HB: We started our black metal journey discovering bands like Emperor and Dimmu Borgir and from there we explored further. We found Bathory, Venom, Satyricon, Burzum etc. From the newer bands we really love MGLA and recently discovered VITROL who are incredible. Anaal Nathrakh is a favourite as well, Marduk and Dark Funeral too.
3.You all started Heathen Beast in 2010 when did you first get the idea to start this band?How did you choose Heathen Beast as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?
HB: We were just friends jamming who shared a passion for black metal. We really wanted a purpose to the music we made and a message behind it. Our common hate for organized religion and the state of the world is what inspired our lyrics and ideology. The name represents what we are, how we are perceived. It fit the style and sound we had as well. This is why we chose it.
4.How do you feel Heathen Beast's music has changed over the years?And who would you say are the bands biggest influences?
HB: We would like to think we've evolved with each release. We're always trying to create music to fit the subject matter of our releases. We're inspired a lot by the great music that is constantly being released but more than anything it's the world and the events that unfold around us that inspire us to write the music we do. We like to channel our energy into the music through these inspirations rather than musical ones. Those are more subconscious.
5.The band recently released a 2 song EP. how long did it take the band to write the new songs? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
HB: These are actually 2 singles. One was released in 2018 in December and the other in 2019. Each song was inspired by events that occurred. As the events unfolded we began writing. We have no fixed process, sometimes it's one person starting the idea, sometimes it stems from a rehearsal together. Like we said we're more like a collective so we're always emailing ideas and developing songs. It took us about a week to 10 days from conceptualization to finishing the song and recording it.
6.Has the band started working on new material for the next release? Will it be a EP.or would you like to work on a new full length release?
HB: There are no plans for anything. Music isn't our job so we don't write on a schedule. We will write when the inspiration strikes us. We don't see ourselves doing a full length anytime soon. We like to tackle things head on so for us singles or EPs make more sense. But never say never.
7.Would you like to find a label to work with or do you prefer self-releasing your own material?
HB: We were signed by Transcending Obscurity who released our discography and we are grateful to them for the incredible support. We release all our music for free. That's our basic fundamental plan. We are always open to sign with a label but we would like to keep giving our music out for free.
8.Has the band had the chance to play very many shows over the years or do you prefer working in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?Who are some bands you have shared the stage with?
HB: We have never played live and haven't planned to ever do that. We prefer to be anonymous and in the studio.
9.Heathen Beast comes out of India's blackend grind scene what is your opinion of the Indian metal scene?
HB: The Indian metal scene is great and there are many good bands churning out good music. There is no specific 'blackened grind' scene but more like a metal scene as a whole.
10.Who are your all-time favorite Indian bands and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
HB: We will definitely recommend bands like Antakrit, Stark Denial, Plague Throat and Gutslit.
11.What does Underground metal mean to you?
HB: Music that has fans who are passionate about the music. Fans who immerse themselves in the style and who live metal as a lifestyle and not following it as some trend.
12.Besides Heathen Beast do you or any of the members currently play in any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
HB: No we don't.
13.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview do you have any final comments for the readers?
HB: HAILZ!! Thanks for reading our interview, we hope you will check out our music as well. HAILZ!!
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