DEATHNIR
HEAVY THRASH METAL
FROM
ZEALAND
Band Questions
answer by
ANDREW CARTER
Please introduce yourself and the band members briefly?
We are Deathnir, New Zealand’s ONLY original thrash metal band!
We’re a 4 piece: Drew Carter on vocals and guitar, Adam Johnson on bass
and BVs, Raana Paterson on drums and Grant Holden on guitar.
What does the band name mean and how do you get it?
Deathnir loosely means: The Weapon of Death, or Death’s Divine Weapon.
It’s an amalgamation of words - Death being from English and nir being from
Norwegian. Adam came up with the name and we use it to identify with our
viking ancestors.
Where and how was the band founded?
We formed during 2013 in Hamilton. The original line-up was a bit different
to today’s one but the heart of the music was the same. Adam and Drew are
brothers and the band was their outlet for original music. Originally formed
to enter the battle of the bands in New Zealand Deathnir is now touring
internationally. We are currently in our 4th line-up.
Have you played in other bands before?
Yeah we all have played in past bands. Adam and Drew were in an 80s
Metal cover band together called Icebreaker before forming Deathnir in
2013. Grant used to play for a Death Metal band called Psychoclasm and
Raana used to play for a Munter Metal band called D.I.C.
Was it hard to find suitable band members who fit musically and humanely
with the band?
We have been through a few line-up changes over the years due to
character clashes and musical tastes. Mostly our line-ups have been good
fits. Usually it’s outside influences that cause the members to change (i.e.
commitment issues, relationships, etc.) but we have had business
disagreements in the past. Our current line-up is working well and seems to
fit comfortably.
What are the lyrics about and who of you is writing them ?
Andrew writes most of the lyrics and the subject material obviously differs
from song to song. The lyrics off our first album Die By The Axe have quite a
variety of themes: revolution, fear and manipulation, depression, anger, lust
and a bit of mythology. Our second album is more focused on Hellish lyrical
themes with a few uplifting songs to contrast. We also occasionally
reference Norse/viking culture.
Which bands inspired you and how would you describe your music to
someone who has never heard a sound from you?
Our influences include Megadeth, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Judas
Priest, Black Sabbath, Pantera and Dio. How would we describe our music?
HEAVY FUCKEN METAL!
Why should people listen to your music?
‘Cos it’s fucken awesome.
Your debut album Die By The Axe is from the year 2015. How satisfied are
you with the album today and what would you do better?
It’s interesting to go back and listen to your records from previous years ‘cos
it’s like listening with a fresh pair of ears. We all still like the music we
produced in the beginning and perform it to this day. The recordings could
be described as ‘a bit raw’ but to us that captures more of the underground
vibe that we were working in at the time. Lots of records are over produced
these days that they sound like machines played on them. Die By The Axe
has a bit more of a ‘human element’ to it.
What's your favorite song on the album and why?
Hmmm… hard choice. I think the title track ‘Die By The Axe’ represents the
whole album quite well and it’s thrash as fuck. That said, ‘Thanatos’ has a
crushing drum beat and insane solos that are really fun to play live.
Second Sin your second album is from 2018 how long has the work been
done and who helped you in the production?
We began writing tracks for album number 2 in 2016. The first was ‘Wings of
Death’ followed by ‘Bringer of Evil’ and ‘Dark Angel’. The album was
produced at the Waikato Institute of Technology in the music department.
Recording and mixing was done by our own Drew Carter as he is also a
qualified music producer. Second Sin was mastered by Jason Long.
I think the artwork from the album is very good. Who drew it for you and how
did you come to the artist?
The art was made by Hoss Aneece. Follow him on Facebook: Hoss Aneece
- Illustration and Design. Drew searched for artists while he was producing
the album and heard of Hoss through a friend in an art department.
Are you already working on new songs and when will you release the next
album?
We have begun working on a couple of new songs. The main one we are
working on now is for a New Zealand film we have been contracted for. We
are aiming for a new album some time in 2020 and we may release a new
EP before this year so keep an eye on our website www.deathnir.org.
Is it difficult to organize concerts in your home country?
For us it’s pretty easy. We just decide when and where and who we want to
play with and make it happen. We know a lot of bands and a lot of
organisers.
What was your first concert as a fan? And what memory do you have of it?
Drew: My first concert was with Adam and our dad. It was Paul DiAnno and
Blaze Bayley performing Iron Maiden songs at The Kings Arms Tavern in
Auckland back in 2012. It was amazing and we all left with the biggest
ringing in our ears ever! That was the first time we went to The Kings Arms
Tavern and it wouldn’t be the last.
What were your live highlights and with which bands did you play?
We have played a lot of live shows. Probably the most fun ones were
playing in Wellington at Valhalla with J-Solo Project, Ant Wars and Ivy Blue.
That was a packed show and we all trekked down there with our girlfriends,
it was a good time. On top of that we’d have to say when we played in Yulin,
China just recently. Full house and crazy fans all around fighting to take
photos with us and get our autographs. That was with Lowsee and AK-47.
Have already resulted in friendship ?
Most of the bands we play with end up becoming our friends one way or
another.
Which band would you like to play live with and why?
We’d be honoured to be invited on tour with Devilskin. Those guys are great
and we think our music would compliment theirs quite well.
Would you like to play in Europe?
Hell yes.
With what do you earn your money except with the music?
Hahaha, we all have our own side jobs. Drew is a music teacher, Adam
works in plastic extrusion, Raana installs fire alarm systems and Grant is a
sales rep.
How important are social media for you as a band?
Pretty important. We engage on Facebook nearly every week but we are
trying to turn the focus to our website and email. Social media is a great way
to share our experiences and music with our fans though.
What would you want to achieve with the band?
We definitely intend to tour the world and make lots more music. Last year
we went to China, before that was Australia. We will probably go back to
Asia this year and look at expanding from there.
What do you think about the New Zealand Metal scene in general?
In general...it’s OK. There are a lot of cool bands with great musicians in
them. There are a few shit bands too. NZ has a lot of Death Metal and Black
Metal bands operating the scene. Occasionally you might find the odd Alt
Metal, Power Metal or Hardcore band amongst it, and us of course. A lot of
the time it’s dominated by Death Metal though and sub-genres of Death and
Core.
Maybe you can recommend some bands from your area?
The most famous ones right now are Alien Weaponry, 8 Foot Sativa and
Devilskin. In the underground we’d recommend: Bulletbelt, (IN)Human,
World War 4, Deadset and Harbinger.
PERSONAL QUESTIONS !
How was your school time you were rather the good student or the class
clown ?
School sucked. We just wanted to play music all day. We occasionally broke
the rules as all kids do and generally we were there to hang out with our
friends. Sometimes we’d get into trouble haha but generally we were pretty
chill.
How did your parents react when you started making metal music? did they
support you and how do you feel about your music today?
After realising we were adamant about it they supported us pretty well really.
I guess we owe our parents a bit. They got us our first instruments and in
that respect we couldn’t have started this journey w
Are you someone who loves the hustle and bustle of the big city? or rather
looking for peace and relaxation in nature?
Big cities are cool when you have a guide to navigate, otherwise you can
get horribly lost. Taking time to chill out is a must but that’s what hotel rooms
are for. Metal isn’t about solitude, it’s about being heard, so the bigger the
city the better!
Do you actively practice sports or are you more of a passive spectator?
Raana loves his Rugby. The rest of us are pretty passive.
When it comes to your physical well you can cook or let you cook for you?
We can all cook, but if you want to do it for us go right ahead!
What does your environment tell you about your passion for metal (friends /
family / colleagues) ?
Passion for metal doesn’t come from your environment, it comes from
within. We have plenty of friends who like metal and who don’t like metal.
That doesn’t mean we need to follow any of them. We’re heavy metal and
that’s how it is.
How do you see the problem with the haters on the internet who have to
announce their mental garbage in anonymity always and everywhere?
Generally we don’t care. If someone wants to be a dick then they can be a
dick on their own. But if someone is attacking our band mates personally or
our good mates in other bands there’ll be Hell to pay,
What do you think about the internet in general? a blessing or a curse?
Can be both. Depends how you use it.
What would you personally like to do in your life?
Fuck hot chicks, travel the world and play Metal til we die!
New Zealand
New Zealand, support more of your local underground music! The
mainstream doesn’t need your support, it’s the hard working bands at the
pubs and clubs that do. And to the elitists out there, drop your snobby
attitude and just realise metal is metal. Heavier is not always better and
softer is still better than the shitty pop you music we are plagued with.
Austria
Austria, we will be coming for you one day! Maybe not this year, maybe not
next year, but we WILL come. Until then follow us on Facebook, Twitter,
iTunes, Spotify, subscribe to our YouTube Deathnir Music and keep it metal
\m/.
Rugby or Cricket
Rugby
Wraps
Are tasty.
Fish and Chips
Are better.
Kiwi bird
Endangered and beautiful. Don’t fuck with it.
India Pale Ale
Speights
Gingerbeer
No, real beer.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Haven’t been
Milford Sound
Haven’t been.
Movie or Series
Check out a New Zealand film called ‘Deathgasm’. Go on. Do it!
Judas Priest or Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Family
We all have relatively large families but in the hectic life of adults it’s not
always easy to stay in contact. Raana’s family is pretty close ‘cos of Maori
culture.
Metallica or Megadeth
Both.
Metallica until 1991, then Megadeth. Megadeth before 1991 is still fucking
good though. Equally as good really.
Your top 10 all time album faves
Metallica - Master of Puppets / Kill ‘em All
Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying? / Rust in Peace...Polaris
Slayer - South of Heaven / Raining Blood
Iron Maiden - Powerslave / The Number of the Beast
Judas Priest – Painkiller
Dio - Holy Diver
Closing words?
Look us up on iTunes and Spotify
Keep it Metal \m/
© 2019 by Haschi`s Metal Corner
