MR: Hi guys how are you in these testing times ?
Getting by as best we can! Melbourne has been in pretty severe lockdown for a majority of the year and we haven’t been on stage since February, so its getting pretty tedious.
For the most part things are ok though, we’ve got an album to release and plans to make, its just a little difficult to guess at when we will even be allowed to leave the country and get on tour.
MR: You are a no holds barred thrash metal band, Growing up what bands were your heroes and what got you into becoming a musician ?
The reason I can sing and play at the same time is because of Dave Mustaine and Megadeth. I grew up obsessed with that band and learning Rust in Peace is a great way to get your chops up to scratch when it comes to riffing and spitting. That band were very important during teenage years and will always have a special place in my heart regardless of what they do from here.
I had always been musically inclined and I had always wanted to be in a band but it really wasn’t until I started listening to metal that it became something I HAD to do.
MR: Your last album " Extinction" definitely gives me a Slayer vibe about it, You have hot to be pleased with the album, And will the next album be on the same tracks has " Extinction" is ?
I think there is a lot of our sound on this latest record but it feels more genuine of a release to me. I never mind the Slayer comparison, its something to aspire to as they are the yard stick with which all thrash should be measured. But this next album (ive been told) is falling more into our own sound and our own style and I think theres some good musical progressions made from the last album that really make ‘Detritus of the Final Age’ our strongest release yet. Its certainly the album I am most proud of.
MR: With big artists coming from Australia with the likes of Inxs & Kylie, Is there a big Metal scene in Australia or are most of your fan base coming from outside of Australia?
I actually went to the same high school as Kylie. Obviously not at the same time, shes gotta good 20 years on me, but still something I feel worth mentioning seeing as you brought her up.
The metal scene in Australia is pretty close to identical to the scenes around the world in the countries you would consider to be comparable to down under. Its not enormous but it is passionate and dedicated. We have a ludicrously large country and a very small population filling it so its no surprise that Australia is fairly far down the list of countries when it comes to our biggest fan bases.
Generally we find the biggest responses from the US, the UK, Germany and amazingly South America.
MR: With everything that's going on at the moment around the world, How have you been keeping yourselves busy ?
Thankfully we have managed to stay employed in our ‘day jobs’ which has been no small feat given the global circumstances.
We do what we can to pass the time, it was almost nice to have a break from absolutely everything at the start but that novelty wore off quite quickly.
I find myself gardening a bit these days which is not something I ever would have suspected…
MR: Many artists have been extremely busy on Social media, Is this something you have been busy in doing or is it something you might do in the near future ?
Social media is the way forward for most industries and if you don’t embrace it you will struggle to make much of a mark.
We do as much as we can without leaving a bad taste in our own mouths but we should definitely be doing more… its unfortunate that the circumstances have forced bands to rely on the content as much as they have with snippets and tidbits and online streaming rather than being able to tour. But on the other hand its amazing that during these times of isolation artists are still to connect with their fans to easily and readily and give them a portion of the missed experiences we are all lacking right now.
MR: Finally going into 2021, What touring plans do you have and will we be seeing Harlott in the UK maybe on tour or a festival appearance?
Provided we are allowed to, we should be in Europe in May-June playing the festivals we missed out on this year, and the UK is high on the list of places we need to go. We always have a great time there and having grown up on British humour I find myself drawn to the subtle wit and delivery that you all probably take for granted.
Fingers crossed the world opens up a little and our airports start allowing some flights because we are dying to get over there.
