GraVil - the interview...
Having listened to Thoughts Of A Rising Sun a while back, I was quite keen to catch up with the chaps in GraVil to see how things were going, and luckily, Andy (Guitar) was willing to respond to us with some answers to our questions! Read on to find out about this Jim Henson/Michael Jackson cross over band - their words not mine...
1). So thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us guys, first off, introduce yourselves.
Hey, now worries. Well, we're the world's first Jim Henson, Michael Jackson cross over band. The kids love us, and we love them!
Oh, wrong interview...
Well we're a 5 piece Melodic Metal band from London called Gravil.
2). When did you all get together?
Well the current lineup came together last year. Sparx and Grant had been in the band for a few years already but Tony, Andy and Connor joined over the course of 2012.
3). How did you all meet?
Facebook, Gumtree, the pub... the usual places. None of us knew each other prior to joining the band.
4). How would you describe your music?
Melodic / Industrial / Symphonic / Death / Thrash / Black / Progressive - Metal
We all bring so much to the table that the music often sounds like a melting pot of genres. The new material we are writing now has an even more diverse flavor. That's how we find our enjoyment in writing, by not limiting ourselves to any one path. Music should be explored and experimented with... like an expensive prostitute with no self-esteem.
5). Who are your major influences?
Hmmm.... Testament, In Flames, Sybreed, Megadeth, Nevermore, Fear Factory, Nightwish, Behemoth, Johnny Cash, Dimmu Borgir
6). We featured the record on Loud-Stuff a while back and loved what we heard, how has the general reception been for it so far?
It's been very good. We've been very lucky with the great feedback we've had and the awesome people who've started following us. It's also really relieving to know that the metal scene in the UK still has people working hard to keep it alive. This is what keeps a UK band going.
7). Grant says the album is ‘uncompromised melodic and aggressive death/industrial metal but at the same time wanted to push the envelope to the point of tearing it’ – do you think you achieved this?
I am certainly happy with TOARS, it showcases perfectly what we represent as a band. The album definitely gives the world a taste or what we can do and the direction we're heading in. There's definitely much more tearing to come though...
8). How is the album going down on the live scene?
We'll have to wait and see... we've been putting off live shows until June so that we can finalise the set-list and the stage show. We promise to make it memorable though.
9). What tour plans are there at the moment so we can get out to see you?
We're playing at headbangers balls in the Camden underworld, London alongside Collapse L Sole Tace and Ancient Ascendant on July 20th for a great cause! We're also dipping our toes into the midlands on September 2nd with a performance at The Rock And Metal Circus in Bromsgrove which has such a great lineup i cannot put my excitement into words! other shows will follow...
10). Finally – say something profound that will make everyone think:
If the universe is infinite and the combination of different atoms is limited... does that mean that somewhere in the universe is an exact duplicate of each of us?
Ma-nam-a-na....
Big thanks to Andy for taking some time to answer some questions for us, make sure you check out GraVil on Facebook HERE, and our review of the album below!
1). So thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us guys, first off, introduce yourselves.
Hey, now worries. Well, we're the world's first Jim Henson, Michael Jackson cross over band. The kids love us, and we love them!
Oh, wrong interview...
Well we're a 5 piece Melodic Metal band from London called Gravil.
2). When did you all get together?
Well the current lineup came together last year. Sparx and Grant had been in the band for a few years already but Tony, Andy and Connor joined over the course of 2012.
3). How did you all meet?
Facebook, Gumtree, the pub... the usual places. None of us knew each other prior to joining the band.
4). How would you describe your music?
Melodic / Industrial / Symphonic / Death / Thrash / Black / Progressive - Metal
We all bring so much to the table that the music often sounds like a melting pot of genres. The new material we are writing now has an even more diverse flavor. That's how we find our enjoyment in writing, by not limiting ourselves to any one path. Music should be explored and experimented with... like an expensive prostitute with no self-esteem.
5). Who are your major influences?
Hmmm.... Testament, In Flames, Sybreed, Megadeth, Nevermore, Fear Factory, Nightwish, Behemoth, Johnny Cash, Dimmu Borgir
6). We featured the record on Loud-Stuff a while back and loved what we heard, how has the general reception been for it so far?
It's been very good. We've been very lucky with the great feedback we've had and the awesome people who've started following us. It's also really relieving to know that the metal scene in the UK still has people working hard to keep it alive. This is what keeps a UK band going.
7). Grant says the album is ‘uncompromised melodic and aggressive death/industrial metal but at the same time wanted to push the envelope to the point of tearing it’ – do you think you achieved this?
I am certainly happy with TOARS, it showcases perfectly what we represent as a band. The album definitely gives the world a taste or what we can do and the direction we're heading in. There's definitely much more tearing to come though...
8). How is the album going down on the live scene?
We'll have to wait and see... we've been putting off live shows until June so that we can finalise the set-list and the stage show. We promise to make it memorable though.
9). What tour plans are there at the moment so we can get out to see you?
We're playing at headbangers balls in the Camden underworld, London alongside Collapse L Sole Tace and Ancient Ascendant on July 20th for a great cause! We're also dipping our toes into the midlands on September 2nd with a performance at The Rock And Metal Circus in Bromsgrove which has such a great lineup i cannot put my excitement into words! other shows will follow...
10). Finally – say something profound that will make everyone think:
If the universe is infinite and the combination of different atoms is limited... does that mean that somewhere in the universe is an exact duplicate of each of us?
Ma-nam-a-na....
Big thanks to Andy for taking some time to answer some questions for us, make sure you check out GraVil on Facebook HERE, and our review of the album below!
GraVil
We were recently put onto the spanking new album, due out on the 1st of May, from London heavyweights GraVil. Featuring 10 tracks of in your face, full on heavy assed metal, Thoughts Of A Rising Sun promises to propel these guys onto your radar and have you sitting up, begging for more. Comprised of Grant Stacey on vocals, Andy Slade and Tony Dando on lead and rhythm guitars, Nathan ‘Sparx’ Lamb on bass, and Conor Harkness on drums, these guys have already been recommended by the likes of Rocksound and Kerrang, as well as getting media coverage on radio shows from Bruce Dickinson and Ian Camfield – meaning I figured it was about time we stepped up to have a gander ourselves!
As the album kicks off with Structurally Unsound we’re not given a lot to go on, a soft guitar line initially paving the way into things, until all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose! Kicking in with an almighty roar and enough distortion to level a town, this track reveals the true power we’re in for with this record, hammering away with pounding rhythms, driving guitar work and roaring vocals, offering up a mix which is heavy, powerful, distorted and in your face. Despite the all out power there’s still a serious dose of melody thrown into things, keeping the sound alive and showing the level of understanding which is within this band – it’s a very clever mix indeed. Even going so far as to add in a soaring guitar solo, the twists and turns which we’re led through on this track are enough to make you sit back and just want to take it all in, preparing you fully for what’s to follow whilst still managing to blow your face off with power!
Enemy Within marks a slight change in proceedings, kicking in with some carefully levelled synth before a grunt signals the beginning of heaviness once again, kicking into a rolling melee of guitar work and pounding drums. Pulling no punches as it continues, this track has all of the hallmarks of the sort of track which will ignite a live crowd, getting people involved and pits moving – it’s a sound which is sure to separate the men from the boys at a live show. Once again pushing the boundaries of how much melody can be incorporated into a raw sound, there’s an almost hardcore edge to things here, something which further develops the raw power on offer. Beyond Reprieve continues this further, with fast paced drums, rumbling bass rhythms and heavy assed guitars getting things going for us in a manner which is sure to hook you in. Powerful and straight to the point, this is another track which is sure to kill on the live scene, and a moment which stands out as a serious high point on the record as a whole – make sure you check this one out.
Continuing to push the boundaries of raw power through The Wanderer, things take a sudden turn for the melodic in the opening moments of Something Worth Chasing, throwing in some serene piano lines to get things going before unleashing the onslaught of lead guitar lines, powerful bass rhythms and those awesome vocals once again. Melodic guitar work backs up the raw vocals throughout this track, resulting in a mix which isn’t just heavy, it’s the sort of thing which works its way into your mind and stays there, standing out as another serious high point.
Working through Interlude which is as it says on the tin, onto further demonstrations of power and distortion in Thoughts Of A Rising Sun, The Struggle and Through The Eyes Of Spartans, all too soon we reach the closing moments of the album in the form of Bottle Of Shadows, but what a finish it is. Closing with serene and laid back guitar work to get things going, we’re led slowly into the track forming around us, pummeling riffs once again taking the lead as the rumbling and powerful rhythm section backs everything up. Fast paced and in your face, the closing moments of the album stand out as my personal favourites from the album, combining raw vocals with hammering guitar work, subtle synth lines and rolling drums, resulting in a mix which is once again sure to absolutely kill on the live scene – a fitting close to a hell of an album.
Rob at Stampede Press is always pretty good for sending through records which stand out to me, but on this occasion he’s really outdone himself. This album from GraVil is one which is sure to reach out to fans of all out power, fans of more subtle metal, and fans who simply want something to satisfy that heavy craving deep within them. If you’re looking for a new metal band to light up your week look no further, GraVil are here, and they’re sounding damned good from where I’m sat.
To find out more about GraVil, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As the album kicks off with Structurally Unsound we’re not given a lot to go on, a soft guitar line initially paving the way into things, until all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose! Kicking in with an almighty roar and enough distortion to level a town, this track reveals the true power we’re in for with this record, hammering away with pounding rhythms, driving guitar work and roaring vocals, offering up a mix which is heavy, powerful, distorted and in your face. Despite the all out power there’s still a serious dose of melody thrown into things, keeping the sound alive and showing the level of understanding which is within this band – it’s a very clever mix indeed. Even going so far as to add in a soaring guitar solo, the twists and turns which we’re led through on this track are enough to make you sit back and just want to take it all in, preparing you fully for what’s to follow whilst still managing to blow your face off with power!
Enemy Within marks a slight change in proceedings, kicking in with some carefully levelled synth before a grunt signals the beginning of heaviness once again, kicking into a rolling melee of guitar work and pounding drums. Pulling no punches as it continues, this track has all of the hallmarks of the sort of track which will ignite a live crowd, getting people involved and pits moving – it’s a sound which is sure to separate the men from the boys at a live show. Once again pushing the boundaries of how much melody can be incorporated into a raw sound, there’s an almost hardcore edge to things here, something which further develops the raw power on offer. Beyond Reprieve continues this further, with fast paced drums, rumbling bass rhythms and heavy assed guitars getting things going for us in a manner which is sure to hook you in. Powerful and straight to the point, this is another track which is sure to kill on the live scene, and a moment which stands out as a serious high point on the record as a whole – make sure you check this one out.
Continuing to push the boundaries of raw power through The Wanderer, things take a sudden turn for the melodic in the opening moments of Something Worth Chasing, throwing in some serene piano lines to get things going before unleashing the onslaught of lead guitar lines, powerful bass rhythms and those awesome vocals once again. Melodic guitar work backs up the raw vocals throughout this track, resulting in a mix which isn’t just heavy, it’s the sort of thing which works its way into your mind and stays there, standing out as another serious high point.
Working through Interlude which is as it says on the tin, onto further demonstrations of power and distortion in Thoughts Of A Rising Sun, The Struggle and Through The Eyes Of Spartans, all too soon we reach the closing moments of the album in the form of Bottle Of Shadows, but what a finish it is. Closing with serene and laid back guitar work to get things going, we’re led slowly into the track forming around us, pummeling riffs once again taking the lead as the rumbling and powerful rhythm section backs everything up. Fast paced and in your face, the closing moments of the album stand out as my personal favourites from the album, combining raw vocals with hammering guitar work, subtle synth lines and rolling drums, resulting in a mix which is once again sure to absolutely kill on the live scene – a fitting close to a hell of an album.
Rob at Stampede Press is always pretty good for sending through records which stand out to me, but on this occasion he’s really outdone himself. This album from GraVil is one which is sure to reach out to fans of all out power, fans of more subtle metal, and fans who simply want something to satisfy that heavy craving deep within them. If you’re looking for a new metal band to light up your week look no further, GraVil are here, and they’re sounding damned good from where I’m sat.
To find out more about GraVil, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls