Agankast are one of the most talented young bands
to come out of Scotland in a long time, not only that but they have
shunned the safer road of rock and turned their sights to Thrash Metal.
Here we catch up with Scotland's finest to find out more.
MM -
Hi guys, thanks for agreeing
to take part in this interview with us. 2007 finds a change in line-up
for the band, what brought about the change?
Allan - Well, Rob decided
to set down and pursue other things so we brought in a young guitarist
named Steven Gray and the drummer position has been taken by Matthew
Finnie.
This will be the line-up going forward and after just a few
rehearsals together I feel that this is the strongest the band has ever
been and we cant wait to get out on the road with this renewed energy.
MM - Once Rob had decided to leave the band,
how did you find a suitable replacement, or did you already have someone
in mind for the position?
Allan - A friend of mine knew Steven so I went
to see him and check out his playing and was blown away! His rhythm
playing was just what we were looking for with the thrash direction the
band is going in and he has slotted in perfectly.
| MM - I would like to know what kind of feeling it is when a member tells
you he is leaving the band and if that brings frustration along or do
you think more of it as a relief sometimes to start a new band-era? |
 |
| Ciaran
- A bit of both I think! Its always
hard when a band member leaves but
as soon as Steve and Matt jammed
with us it just clicked and we are buzzing right now and can't wait
to play live. |
MM - Last year the band played at the
Bloodstock Festival here in England, can you tell me did you get the
chance to meet and hang with some of the more well known musicians
backstage at the festival?
Allan
- Well, we shared a dressing room
with Irish band Mael Mordha and Australian band Tourettes Syndrome who
were both very cool! Ciaran met Deathstars but Primal Fear were on the
previous night so I missed the chance to meet them.
MM - What part of the festival and everything
surrounding it, made the biggest impression on you?
Ciaran - I think just the whole atmosphere
was brilliant, the vibe with-in metal is so cool and everybody is just
like your best mate. Obviously when the spotlight first comes down
before you kick in to your first song leaves the biggest impression.
MM - How did you feel your
performance went that day, what feedback did you get from the fans and
how has this helped focus the band’s mind to go further?
Allan - Looking back, I
regret that we did not have the line-up we have now back then. We played
well and received great feedback from everybody there but I'm hoping for
another opportunity at something like bloodstock to show off just how
good the band are now. |
 |
MM - Has there any label interest in the band
as yet or are you still holding back until the time feel’s right to
approach them?
Allan - There has been some interest but
we won't sign anything unless it will benefit the band in the long-term.
Unfortunately, because of downloads, the money just isn’t there for
labels or bands any more.
MM - Do you have any gigs or festivals lined
up for the Summer months?
Steven - We have a gig in Edinburgh on the
30th June, we are playing in Galashiels in September and we
are playing the full thrash assault festival in Wakefield in December
but we have a few more in the pipeline.
MM - How did you hook up with new guitarist
Steven Gray? It seems quite difficult for bands to break through in
the UK,
perhaps more so than in Europe. Do you think this is especially true
for bands like yourselves?
Allan
- Yeah definitely, Its so hard for bands like us to even get
gigs these days but in countries like Sweden and Germany we would be
playing every weekend! It’s a shame but that’s the way it is so we have
to get on with it.
MM - The thrash metal genre is
one that has a lot of fans yet for some reason the mainstream press
chooses to ignore this genre for the most part. Why do you think this
is and what do you believe can be done to rectify this situation?
Allan - Thrash has always
been an underground movement and I don’t think I or any fans of thrash
would have it any other way.
|
 |
MM - The new album ‘Walking With Angels …
Running With Devils’ gives us a taste of both the old and new sound of
Agankast, what made you decide not to just do a whole album of new
Thrash material?
Ciaran
- Well, we already had most of “Walking With Angels” written when we
started thinking about the thrash idea and felt it was a good enough
album in its own right to be released. Its always good to have such |
|
diversity with-in our songs as we can pick a set accordingly
depending on what we want to do. |
MM - What
is the main goal you would like to achieve with the band and how much
time have you given yourselves to achieve that goal?
Allan - With this line-up and the talent
with-in the band now id like to see us settled for the next 10-15 years
and I wouldn’t like to set limits on what I think we can achieve! Matt
is the final piece in the jigsaw as far as I'm concerned, his drumming
style and personality was exactly what we needed.
MM - How do you personally feel about the Internet and the
role it plays in the music industry?
Ciaran - Rob always said if it wasn’t for the internet I
wouldn’t have bothered starting this band. I think it's fantastic to have
a tool at your disposal that allows you to get your music into any
household on the planet.
MM - Where does the name Agankast come from
and does it have a deeper meaning?
Allan - Unfortunately, this is a very
boring answer, I'd like to say it means something cool but no. It means
nothing, Rob came up with it and I think it suits the band perfectly.
MM - Name the most memorable or inspirational gig you have
attended as a fan and what made it so special?
Allan - I have to say Rammstein ... simply for the
stage-show they put on!
Ciaran - Steve Vai for me, inspirational
Matt - I'm gonna go for Sepultura simply because of Igor
Cavalera … unbelievable! |
 |
|
MM - Now name the most memorable gig that you have
performed at and explain why that particular gig stands out from all the
rest?
Allan - Its got to be bloodstock! Just the whole
atmosphere and the vibe from the whole day made it special.
MM - Is it important for you as a band to get
out of Scotland to play gigs and get yourself known to a wider audience?
Allan - Absolutely, we all love a road trip,
getting out and seeing the country and meeting lots of cool new people
and contacts. We have played in Birmingham a few times and the vibe is
always fantastic bit I also think its important to remember your roots
and where you came from.
MM - Okay, to wrap this little
talk up, did I forget something you like to share and what is the latest
news update from the band?
Matt - Nothing to share, but
a warning that Agankast are just starting now, a new, fresh sound,
playing full on relentless metal to the highest standard.
Allan, Ciaran, Steve and
Matt
MM - We'd like
to thank the band for taking the time out to chat with us today.
If you're a fan of Thrash Metal then make sure you check out their new
album 'Walking With Angels ... Running With Devils', you'll not be
disappointed! |
