VENOM PRISON
After slaying Glasto, the death metallers have damnation in their sights
How have things been going since your new album dropped? ben Thomas (guitar): “things have been great, we’re really happy with the response that we’ve had; it’s been so much fun touring and playing the new songs live.”
Ash Gray (guitar): “it’s opened up a lot of avenues for us as well, like a lot more of the offers we’ve got coming in for next year and stuff, so Samsara has done us a world of good really!”
You’re playing damnation this year, you must be feeling pretty stoked about that? ben: “definitely! Last time we played, it was fucking awesome! i don’t think we were expecting the reaction we had last time. the minute we walked onstage i think it was pretty impressive how people were reacting, wouldn’t you say, ash?”
Ash: “Yeah, it’s one of my favourite festivals in the UK at the moment. the line-up is exactly what i would put on a line-up and i love the atmosphere. People who attend damnation are very clued-up about music.” ben: “damnation attendees are connoisseurs of metal!”
It’s been a festival-heavy year for you guys…
Ash: “We did resurrection and glastonbury, which is pretty ridiculous. it’s awesome but it’s mental; whoever thought a noisy band like us would get to play glastonbury?”
what’s the biggest goal for venom Prison, festival-wise? Ash: “that’s tough – there are so many festivals i like. the main stage at download or bloodstock? You want them both!”
behemoth played the main stage of download this year. Is the glass ceiling getting smashed for extreme bands? Ash: “Yeah, definitely. i think there is such a change at the moment with more extreme bands coming out to get into a higher position. i think a lot more bands are getting a lot more theatrical and i think that’s how it’s all going at the moment. big bands are realising that just getting onstage for 50 minutes and playing isn’t quite enough anymore.”
what does the rest of the year have in store for you guys? Ash: “We’ve got brutal assault in august and some shows with Parkway drive and thy art is Murder, rock altitude Festival in switzerland, then back to London, so we’re keeping busy!”