PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Darkened Polish riff kings, HAMULEC, are causing a huge stir at the moment. The band have just dropped their new single and video, Stos – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRNbr4Jq6m4 . We caught up with the guys to find out more:
What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?
Mikołaj Karolewski – Vocal & Guitar
Filip Karolewski – Drums & Vocals
Kacper Sobczyk – Bass
Kuba Habrat – Lead Guitar
How and when did the band form?
The band started to form in 2018 in Będzin. This is a small polish town with a beautiful old castle and rich history. Everywhere on the maps you will see that Będzin is a part of Silesian Voivodeship but actually it is a part of 3 cities area that is called Zagłębie. All the people from Zagłębie will tell you that we are not part of the Silesia haha.
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
The first “Yeah let’s make it a proper band came after our first single release in 2020”. Although the Covid stopped us for a bit we were set on tracks to become a great band.
Who are your musical influences?
Whole old school polish punk scene: Siekiera, Dezerter, TheAnalogs etc.
As for the metal influence there is of course: The Big 4 and Gojira, RATM, Tool, Behemoth, Venom, Bathory, Impaled Nazarene.
Where did the name of the band come from?
We are called Hamulec (Ha-moo-lets). It’s direct translation is a “brake”. We were going to our rehearsals in a train and we just liked hanging on a safety brake so we decided to call ourselves Hamulec. Everyone is making fun of us playing to goddamn fast in oppose to the fact that we are named “brake”.
Name one crazy, interesting, or wild fact or story about the band or a specific member?
We had one switch in a band with our lead guitar. The new player Kuba was our friend for years and we decided that we prefer to teach the best friend to play guitar up to speed rather than audition proper player with zero connections. He played the first show after 4 weeks of picking up the guitar!
How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend?
Mikołaj and Filip are brothers (26 and 23) but surprisingly Mikołaj knows Kuba (29) longer than his own brother due to our parents knowing each other as well. Kacper is the last piece of puzzle and we’ve known him for 5-6 years now but it was love at the first sight hahaha!
Where have you played or toured?
We’ve played 3 tours and some festivals around Poland. We are known within the polish scene almost too well but the first big gig with an abroad band was with Wargasm.
We have just played two of the biggest Polish festivals: Jarocin and Polandrock festival.
In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?
In terms of music. We play fast, loud and aggressive but the production is up to date. There is no “oldschool” or “the one and only way” bullshit around it. We compose our music like a good playlist. If there is one heavy-groovy single in the style of Gojira the next one won’t be the same. Lot of bands tend to stick with one or two ideas for their music. We try to bring you different stuff every time we release.
In terms of media. We gather a lot of people around us fast. We know that outside of music people need to get to know us. We record each gig we play, we have something funny, fast, informative and most important engaging.
We play, act and deliver as we are a huge band already. Dress for the job you would like to have, you know?
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
I would describe it as a hardcore hike in mountains. Lots of sweat, hard work, massive riffs and emotions, but at the end of that trip you are happy that you took the journey. Also maybe the city battle in Transformers 1. Just destruction and emotions :D
Where can we find your social media sites?
https://www.instagram.com/hamulec_b
