Hi guys! Be welcomed on the pages of the best fanzine of Hungary! Haha! How was the album release show came off?
Daif: It was amazing to see our hometown Wellington come out in force and wreck their necks.
Chris and Nick played in RAZÖRWYRE previously. What was brought that band to an end?
Chris: That is correct. Me and nick were in Razorwyre together. The band came to a end when our singer left for the USA to be with his new partner.
Could you tell us about the creation of your band? What kind of motivation did the STALKER form shape and who brought together the band?
Chris: After Razorwyre was over, there was no way i was going to find a new singer and go that route, so i chilled. I still wanted to shred and had the fire more than ever to get some new shit done. I was hanging out at Daifs place at the time as we had some of the same friends. I had no idea daif had all these sick as fuck riffs and i said let's turn these into tracks. One thing led to another (you know how these things go haha) and it wasn't long till i brought in Nick from my old band to Drum. The icing on the cake was when i found out that daif could also do vocals. I guess that sealed the deal for a 3 piece and has been that way ever since.
Where is the name of the band come from? Maybe is it from the Stalker (1979) movie or its scenario?
Daif: Yeah that’s part of it for sure. We are all huge fans of 70’s and 80’s horror and sci-fi films. Tarkovsky's Stalker has stuck with me ever since I saw it years ago. I'm also a huge fan of ‘alternative reality’ and conspiracy theories. There is an idea that there are creatures that exist in a reality outside of ours that engineer and then feed off humanities negative energy. New Zealand being a really small country that can also have social implications here too haha.
Your music is fast as fuck! What is inspire you during the composing? Maybe do you eat particle accelerator or meth for breakfast? Haha!
Daif: What’s funny is that when I am watching other bands play live, say a regular garden variety rock band, I get very impatient. Feels very frustrating. They just seem so fucking slow. Maybe my songwriting is a reaction to that on some level. On the other hand, I can't find fault in these boring bands for causing a reaction in me. If it wasn’t for their terrible songs I wouldn't be shredding fast as fuck.
Chris: Always loved fast music from the 80’s. Not like... deathmetal fast. But you know, speed metal fast. What inspires me? I guess i just writing music that i would like to listen to haha. No more “speed for breakfast” that was the old me (not a good time!)
Which bands give you the main inspiration? What is that top speed what would you like to reach in the end?
Daif: For me every song has its own energy. The aim isn't to get “faster and faster”, but to let the song express itself in it’s own way. Each riff has its own “sweet spot” where it sits perfectly. It just so happens that Stalker is tuned into the high speed spectrum of the universe.
Your first release, „Satanic Panic” got a really considerable international interest. Would you thought this in the beginning when the demo came out? What places of the world did you get interest?
Chris: Yes and no. With the internet the way it is these days it can reach any corner of the world. Of course it's not till you are sending out the packages to the countries that you realise there really are fans from the worldover. Man i think we sent tapes everywhere except africa!
Please tell us about the birth of this demo! How was the recording process happened? Was the booze flowing through your throat to your stomach and after that from your vascular system to your brain?
Daif: Actually yes hahahahahaha. I drank so much wine recording the vocals for the demo. Chris was very patient with me I have to say. We had one neighbour who looked like he was dressed like Sherlock Holmes come over and very angrily tell us that he was sick of hearing these fucking screams. We still have a drawing of his stupid fucking face somewhere!
„Satanic Panic” came out on 2 vinyl versions and on 2 tape versions, but not on CD. What is the reason of this? Do you rather prefer the analog formats? Anyway I really hate when a demo material release on CD…
Chris: Good ! I am glad i am not alone to also thinking a demo / ep should not be released on CD. Esspecally a dubbed computer CD. I think a lot of fans of the old school style music perform all physical formats. The die hards definitely want the vinyl.
What did you think when Napalm Records show interest in your band first? Did you sign their contract straight away? Or even you looked up them? Was there any other label on the sky-line?
Chris: Haha we didn’t think it was real that Napalm had messaged us. We found the message in our facebook inbox. We knew who Napalm was of course. Napalm of course have a lot of different bands on the label, but they also had Evil Invaders on the roster. It was more about speaking to napalm 1 on 1 that sold it for us. They are fucken sick and so happy with everything we’ve done or let us do what we want. Looks like they have good support which is what we were looking for to help us out in Europe. Otherwise would of been very hard for us to do anything over there coming from NZ.
Your new full-length, „Shadow of the Sword” is still hot. I know this question is too early yet, but are you satisfied with this issue?
Daif: I think we achieved everything we set out to do with Shadow Of The Sword. I’m really glad some people like it, but we can’t slow down to enjoy the view because production is already underway for the next one.
Chris: Yes very satisfied ! Was satisfied after we finished it. I guess by the time it comes out we were already done with it and looking to move on. Wasn't until the feedback started to come back that i think we had done well (with the fans) very happy that everyone is able to enjoy it and accept it !!
In your opinion wherein did you change or progress according to the demo?
Chris: I don't think we did change or progress. Well i hope not. Apart from the mixing and the recording. Everything was done the same. A Lot of the songs were half written when the demo came out so they should all be of the same style.
The three song from the demo was added to the album. Why did you decided to put them on the album? Were these songs re-recording for the LP?
Daif: Yes these are killer songs in our opinion, so why the fuck not include them?
Fun Fact: when we were re-recording Satanic Panic we sped it up 6.66% faster than the version on the demo.
Chris: We were going back and forth as to whether to add them into the album or not. Im glad we did at the end of the day. I like hearing songs on demo tapes and then released on Debut albums so why wouldn't other people you know? We did change a few things up on them, but not too much.
Is there a MANTAS/DEATH cover on this LP, namely the classic „Evil Dead”, what you could form your own shape very well I think. Why did you choose this song?
Daif: It seemed a natural choice. The bassline was easy (haha), there was heaps of room for Chris to shred all over, Nick got to do some blast-beats (his favourite thing in the world after fishing). It was the perfect fit for all of us.
The LP and the demo were „released” in digital versions, even there was a digital single too, before the album. I know we have to get with it, but in your opinion are there any sense to release „stuffs” like these, especially in underground? Okey, I know, many people buying music in this way and support the bands but I think this kind of music is so impersonal. What do you think?
Daif: Great question. I don’t see much harm in this. I almost never buy physical records unless it is direct from the band at a show, I listen to music digitally at home, and seeing as I almost never leave the house, this is how I listen to 99.999% of music. I guess what you are asking though, is a question about marketing versus staying trve? Fuck man, I dont know.
Chris: I think it is VERY important release physical formats. I also know alot of people have moved onto only digital also. With the demo we let is out as digital download (for free) and the album of course is available as a digital download for those that want it that way. To be honest i dont mind which route you take.
There is a video clip to „Shocked to Death”. Tell us about the filming! What kind of experiences was this? There will be new clip(s) from you in the near future? In your opinion are there any raison d’etre of this kind of promotion in this modern world?
Chris: The shocked to death video was a fucken rad experiance to make. It was my second video i have ever been involved with (the first was a old RW video that is still not finished/released) We made this with a small group of our best friends who are all into film/editing/directing etc. So was a great few weeks working together and getting it all done from the planning to the filming to the editing. Can’t thank everyone enough to helping out. There will definitely be another one, unsure yet what. I think Videos are very important, if not for the band and promotion then for the fans to sit and enjoy a experience.
The cover artwork is really spectacular! Who made it?
Chris: Thank you ! a very talend man called Matt Stikker painted it. Look him up
How often do you play live? Where did you play outside New Zealand?
Chris: Not very often we play live! Have had a handful of gigs. Not too many places in NZ to play without over playing towns. We haven't played outside of NZ yet !
How is the music writing process happening? Who is responsible for the lyrics?
Daif: For Shadow Of The Sword I would write the skeleton of a song then Chris would come along and with his wizard ears - would make it 666% better. Then we take it to jam with Nick and pull it to pieces and put back together again. Always trimming off the fat to make it the leanest and meanest we can. I guess I have to put my hand up for the lyrics. I have a rich and fucked up fantasy life inside me, so why not tap into it?
You will play at the cultic Keep It True fest in the April of 2018, where I’ll be there too! I guess it’s a huge honour to you. Unfortunately whereof this zine come out we will over of this gig, but I’d like to ask you, that how do you prepare for this heavy metal orgy?
Chris: You will be there!? Fuck that is sick. Let's definitely get together. How do you prepare for this? fuck. Watching a lot of live videos to try and get into the mindset of playing in front of so many people haha. Cant fucken wait!
I guess you will be at this fest as audiance too. Which bands are you looking forward most of all?
Chris: Raven, Heavy Load, and Flotsam and Jetsam !!!!
Daif: Who’s idea was it to have Flotsam and Jetsam play Doomsday For The Deciever in full?!?!?! AMAZING! Also just seeing that much fucking metal. I’ts going to be all new for me. New Zealand is pretty small hahah
Will you play at any other gigs before or after KIT in Europe? For what may expect who watch your live performance?
Chris: We are working on it !! Hopefully have some more shows after KIT. Well i hope for those who watch us will have smiles on there faces and fists pumping in the air. We try and put on a show like the forefathers before us.
Slowly I’m out of questions so finally I’d like to ask you what are the future plans of STALKER?
Chris: Production is already well underway on the next release, so… more of the same. Bigger, badder, further, faster.
Thank you to accepted my interview request! The last words are yours! See you at KIT!
Chris: Massive thank you to all the fans in Hungary and a big thank you to you Szilárd for running the zine and asking us questions for this interview. We are all doing a apart in keeping the underground alive. Cant wait to see you at KIT !
Daif: Can’t wait to see you all in Hungary/ KIT! Can’t wait to see what you are all made out of. Huge thanks for hosting us here on these pages.
Interview by Sz.
