Dreich interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We're four guys from very diverse, multicultural backgrounds, all living in Copenhagen, Denmark. We formed last year but in true Dreich style we've kept very busy at it.
We have Turkish, Egyptian, Portugeuse, Israeli and Scottish heritage to name a few.
We practice in an underground bunker that predates WW2.
We play loud.
We play nasty.

2.How would you describe your musical sound?
We live in a dark world, in darker days and play music that reflects that.
Given our difference in cultural backgrounds, influences and other projects we've worked on we're not exactly your average doom band. We expect to continue and expand in that style.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Our lyrics are bleak like our music, but also an honest portrait of one's experiences in life. They revolve around loss, depression, hopelessness and other human emotions that we all know too well and struggle with. All of them contain real life narratives and they recount the past and the present in life. In a sense they also strive to mould the future.
"Into the abyss" is a song that lyrically based on a recurring nightmare, it's about the feelings of restlessness and dismay concerning personal life. The use of different vocal styles (Death metal growls/High pitch screams) makes it easier to create a lyrical universe that is dynamic and profound.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dreich'?
Dreich is an old Scottish word and means bleak, miserable, gloomy, depressing etc. It's most commonly used as an adjective for a particular type of grey, wet, bleak, miserable weather.
As one of us has a Scottish heritage and that concept had been in mind waiting for the appropriate project to come along, this was definitely that project.

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've played a range of shows from gigs in places reminiscent of the Catacombs, bigger live music venues, small fucked up and totally awesome bars and everything in between. We've had the privilege of sharing that with some truly great people/musicians. This year we've played with heavy hitters Dopethrone (CAN) Mantar (DE) and just completed a mini-tour of the Netherlands and Germany, which was even better than we could have hoped for and were some of the first shows we've played outside of Denmark.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We've recently been announced for Blast Beast's 'The New Shit 2016' which is a showcase of Denmark's most promising new bands and features a show @Pumpehuset (Copenhagen 7/1) and @ Atlas (Aarhus 21/1). We're playing Ungdomshuset's Birthday with our friend's from SLAEGT (Copenhagen 3/9).
We have some other things in the works for other countries and always into invitations, but mostly our focus is going into writing and recording our first full length.

7.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Mares Of Diomedes', what are you thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
Mares are both stand up fellas and great musicians. As a whole the band thinks they're moving from strength to strength and their new material really demonstrates that. We're very humbled to have been approached by them. Musically, it's a great fit and we're hoping to set up some shows with them in 2017. It's certain to be colossal.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge and doom metal?
We're pretty fresh out, but so far we've had some really great reception. We do what we do, but it's been great to see that received well and we're getting a slew of great international reviews (even in French and Spanish!). We've had some offers to play in some pretty great places like Turkey, Ireland, The U.K., USA and Australia to name a few. We're looking forwards to making those shows happen.

9.Currently the band is signed to 'Heavy Earth Records', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?
For a smaller label they've been super great to collaborate with. They've got it together and we think they're doing some awesome shit.

10.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Most of us have slimmed down to just focus on Dreich, life is hectic, however, we put a lot into this project. Malik (bass) plays live with Decaying Purity and Tiago (vocals) is often approached for guest appearances.

11.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We're in the thick of the writing process. We feel as though we're really beginning to take form and solidify our own approach to music. We'll continue to evolve as we don't have appreciation for stagnation.

12.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?
Outside of life experience we're musicallly influenced by many genres and musicians. It's a tough question and individually we all answer differently.
We have different musical paths from with some roots in classical, punk, death metal etc. There of course are bands who have shaped us seperately in regards to our world views, musical taste and musical styles.
Isak (drums): Bölzer, Necros Christos, Black Sabbath
Malik (bass): Diabolizer, Hellsodomy, Engulfed, Humbaba.
Tiago (vocals): Early Bathory and Scandinavian Black metal. Florida Death metal/ early Chris Barnes stuff, Bolt thrower, and Uk crust punk, and bands like Iron Monkey.
Lewy (guitar): Bolt Thrower, Yob, La Ligne Maginot.
Recently on our mini tour we had a collection of mix cds. Judas Preist and CCR definately were on high rotation as was the Mares side of our split. Answering goes far more in depth than most care to know so we've picked a few local bands we think are worth checking out : Slaegt, Solbrud, Demonhead, Taphos, Bethmoora and Undergang.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Nothing//Nothingness. Music consumes us.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We'd like to express our gratitude to everyone who's helped us on our journey with the band thus far. Mares Of Diomodes, Heavy Earth Records, Ballade Studios, Twoheadeddogart and of course Doomed To Darkness Zine for the interest and taking the time to interview us.
Cheers // skål // Sláinte