PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Oz alt-rockers crew SUSPYRIA have released their killer new single and video, The Damage, out now – https://youtu.be/Bp5SZeUEsn0 . The rising riff merchants pull from a range of areas from across the rock and metal spectrum panning from Breaking Benjamin and ADTR to Avenged Sevenfold and Stone Sour. We checked in with the guys to find out more:
What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?
Terence Stevens – Vocals and Guitar
Mitchell Black – Lead Guitar
Beau Grech – Drums
Chris Viper – Bass Guitar
How and when did the band form? Tell us anything interesting about your hometown
In the end of 2018 Terence Stevens (Vocalist) met Mitchell Black (Guitar) through social media after struggling to find likeminded musicians with the same drive and passion for creating and writing music. Both had played in bands previously throughout high school but had not formed any long-standing groups from those experiences.
After writing together a few times both seemed to have a spark for songwriting and felt they had started to create something special. They went on to build the foundations as to what would become Suspyria.
Not too long after, Beau Grech was recruited as the drummer. He had previously played in several bands but was currently seeking something more. Having met and jammed previously with Mitchell Black, they clicked together very easily.
After releasing their single “Old Habits Die Hard”, they had interviewed several bass players, and then finally recruited Chris Viper as a member of Suspyria.
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
After the emotionally heavy year of 2017, which involved the passing of Mitchell Blacks father, and Terence Stevens being seriously injured in a horrific car accident that left him permanently scarred and impaired. By the time both met at the end of 2018 Terence and Mitchell had a big emotional drive to pursue music and create songs and connect with people.
Terence Stevens “When I nearly lost everything that night, the fear of never being able to pursue my dream and passion drove me harder than I’ve ever been driven.”
Mitchell Black “After going through such a giant loss, it put things into perspective about what’s most important. That is music”
Soon after recruiting Beau and Christian, the band was in the process of recording and finishing their debut album ‘Regression’. During this, they all clicked together and started to really see that they had a common interest and goal in pushing their love for music as far as they possibly could.
Who are your musical influences?
Terence Stevens
*Breaking Benjamin *Rise Against *Deftones
Mitchell Black
*Avenged sevenfold, *Parkway drive * A day to remember
Beau Grech *Architects *Stone Sour *Taylor Swift
Chris Viper
* Thy art is Murder *Guns n Roses *The amity Affliction
Where did the name of the band come from?
Suspyria comes from the English writer Thomas De Quincey. More specifically from one of his novels, the line ‘Suspiria de profundis’ means sighs from the depths.
After much debate on a name that would encompass and represent the band and its sound, they decided on the name Suspyria. It carries the darker side of the band and their personalities in accordance to the soundscape they are portraying. It is spelled with a ‘Y’ to distance it from the cult classic movie ‘Susperia’ which was not the influence for the band name.
How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend?
As previously stated the band only met and formed late 2018/ early 2019. Aside from Mitchell Black and Beau Grech previously playing together as Mitchell was looking to join his previous band. Most of the band met through the music scene in melbourne city via social media.
Where have you played or toured? Please name all countries / regions and recognised bands that you have played with.
Suspyria Released their debut album at the end of 2019 and started playing shows to support their release. Come 2020 COVID19 halted us in our tracks. Given no chance to play shows for the touring cycle of the album, the band turned inward to start writing new material, and work on a new album.
In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?
Taking our heavy influences and our more rock oriented/punk influence, we have blended a sound that is crushingly heavy at parts yet melodic enough for the average listener to fully enjoy. We really try to focus on writing catchy and powerful chorus melodies and a great foundation for a song before adding the many layers that come along with our unique sound.
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
We would describe our music as; powerful drums and emotional melodies, delivered with purpose and conviction.
Where can we find your social media sites? Please include the URL for your Spotify artist page.
https://www.facebook.com/suspyriaofficial
Instagram @suspyria.official
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHlAoNT9QqoMaeOF0pDCUWA
