PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
UK bruisers heavyweights, TERAKAI are back with the release of their mesmerising new single and lyric video, All That Divides, out now –https://youtu.be/L5iXtZxMsWk . With that in mind, we got to know the guys:
What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?
Terakai in 2020 comprises of Joe Knipe on Vocals, Tom Grepne on Guitar, Dale Bryce on Bass & Elliot Wilkins on Drums.
How and when did the band form?
Terakai formed from the ashes of a couple of other local bands to the Reading scene in 2008 – 2009. Reading used to have an insane metal scene ten to fifteen years back and truth be told we were really lucky to be hanging out in those circles at that time, even aside from the band we’ve all got memories for life. We also had an incredible friend and promoter in Ben of Bring The Noise Promotions who managed to get some seriously established bands to visit our little town.
As well as some support opportunities we were lucky to grab we cut our teeth playing alongside the likes of Sylosis, Viatrophy, Malefice, The Arusha Accord and a load of other locals, some who went on to do great things, some who sadly didn’t. Reading was absolutely spoilt for local talent.
Who are your musical influences?
The earliest influences would’ve definitely been Killswitch Engage and Metallica. I remember the mission statement early on being to create something that the guys in both of those monolithic influences to us would create if they were young and fresh if that makes sense?
Over the years our influences expanded and diversified of course but the core would probably still be the likes of Metallica, KSE, Lamb Of God, All That Remains, Architects
Where did the name of the band come from?
Now that’s a good question. I think the desire was to have something totally unique, that nobody else would’ve had claim to but that was still memorable.
We went through some really dodgy ones before we came to Terakai, at the time we all liked it because it ticked the boxes above but also had a cool Transformers / Japanese ish sound to it you know?
Little did we know – as soon as we started playing shows we’d be followed forever more by a joke to do with a certain sauce which sounds similar to our name, wonder if you can guess which one? Top banter.
Where have you played or toured?
Over the years we’ve been lucky to play up and down the UK with some amazing bands and ventured over to the mainland in 2011 – 2012 to the mainland.
Bands played with : The Black Dahlia Murder, Sepultura, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Gama Bomb, Sylosis, After The Burial, Maroon, Bleed From Within, DeadandDivine, Our Hollow Our Home, Feed The Rhino, The Arusha Accord, Heart in Hand, Visions, Demoraliser, Aliases, Sheilds, Continents, Proceed, No Consequence, Chimp Spanner, Exit Ten, Carcer City and many more
In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out there?
1) For us it’s our fans. We’ve never had a huge following, but an incredibly passionate one. Never met someone who thought Terakai were ‘alright.’.. You either loved us or fucking hated us, which is fine haha. We have a pal who even followed us around the country on a tour in 2012 at his own expense and I’m pretty sure the total tour attendance was less than 100! (love you Scott).
Other people have cited a unique ability to blend the brutality of deathcore with melody and honest, catchy & relatable lyrics in a way that hits you in the feels and is widely accessible….Not my words but a nice compliment, right?
If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how would you describe it?
A perfect synergy of beauty and brutality
Where can we find your social media sites?
