EMQ’s with DORYLUS
Hi Everyone. Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Stevenage, UK Melodic/Death/Thrash Metal band Dorylus. Huge thanks to them for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
I’m Joe I’m the lead vocalist and guitarist for UK Metal band Dorylus.
We formed in 2015 with original members; Bassist Tom Oliver, Guitarist Craig Carmichael and Drummer Mitch Cartwright after our previous bands had gone their separate ways.
How did you come up with your band name?
So me and Tom where at a pub talking about potential band names and he had suggested that insects had really cool sounding names but Cicada, while sounding like an awesome band name, the bug itself is a bit dull. So in true metal fashion we hit up Google for a list of the most dangerous insects in the world and “Dorylus” was number 4 on the list.
What country are you from and what is the metal scene like there?
We are from England and based in Hertfordshire.
The Hertfordshire metal scene is one of the most incredibly supportive scenes in the country IMO. It has so many incredible bands that are really pushing the envelope of originality and keeping things interesting. If you put on a metal show in Hertfordshire it seems you’re guaranteed a good turnout, with all the regulars and bands that show up all the time to support an incredible growing scene. I thank the BOA M2TM competition going on at Club 85 in Hitchin for helping nurture such an amazing environment to make music.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
So we are currently preparing to release our Debut full length album on June 7th it’s called “Without Sin” and it’s taken the last 3 years to write and record and our first single is coming soon!
Who have been your greatest influences?
Personally my biggest influences as a musician have been Josh from Bloodshot Dawn, Chuck from Death, Randy from Lamb of God, Adam from King Leviathan and Ola England from Feared and the Haunted.
What first got you into music?
As basic as it sounds I remember hanging out with a friend when I was about 12 he’d brought round Metallica’s ‘Black’ album and the minute he put it on the aggression and raw feeling that I had never been able to understand when I’d heard metal before suddenly started to make sense I couldn’t not bang my head. my brother overheard us rocking out to it and the next day he dumped a bunch of CDs in my hands which included the likes of Machine Head, Soil and Slipknot as well as some classics like AC/DC and Iron Maiden. From then on I knew music was all I wanted in my life.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
There are so many incredible bands in my local scene right now and to be honest I’d love to do something with every single one of them. I feel like I’d enjoy working with friends a whole lot given the opportunity. So… any bands in my local scene that would like to collaborate HIT ME UP haha!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
100% it would have to be Bloodstock Open Air.
Not just because it’s an awesome festival but because of the work it does for the growing Underground Metal community. It has an entire stage that runs all weekend dedicated to what’s happening in the underground. It’s such a good thing to be involved with and it would be and absolute pleasure to be up on one of those stages one day!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Damn I wish I had something interesting to say for this… but honestly we don’t get gifts from fans. Although someone did stick a dildo on my guitar while I was playing once… but I think it was the bands dildo (long story) anyways so I don’t think that counts.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
WE BLOODY LOVE YOU CRAZY BUNCH OF NUTTERS!!! …(also the album comes out June 7th).
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
There are too many to choose from but I’d probably say Chuck (Schuldiner). I’d love to have another Death album and to see where he would have taken his musical journey. Death have been a band that has had a vibe across all of the albums that made it still feel like the same band while maturing so much musically it’s why they have been a huge influence on how I approach writing music.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
It’s a release or more like it’s real. While I’m on the road I feel more like myself than when I’m at work or at home. The only thing I hate is that I can’t do it 24/7… the wages suck a bit as well.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Actually nothing really! The music industry is fairer than it has ever been for Metal. It’s no longer about ‘right time, right place’. It’s no longer a game of luck. You can’t be lazy and get lucky, you can’t just spend money and you can’t be in it for the money because there isn’t any. The only people who are left playing Metal are the ones with the true unbridled passion for it, the people doing it because they love it and it’s making music better every day.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Paean Heretica” by King Leviathan. I’d been following this band for a couple years with their first 3 EPs playing on repeat almost constantly and once they released this album it changed my ideas of what I could accomplish musically.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
First off, anything that has people listening to music. To be honest I wish I was old enough to have been around in the tape trading days.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
That’s a pretty big toss up we’ve had so many good shows and shared the stage with so many incredible bands it’s hard to think.
I think I’d have to go with London 2016 M2TM Grand Final. While we didn’t go through and we definitely have played better since the atmosphere in that room was amazing. Playing alongside some of our best friend’s in Gevaudan, Slave Steel, Dead Before Mourning and Bearfist, to a packed room of people, was just one of my favourite experiences.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Being bored as hell at my day job… nah I’d probably have tried my hand at art or acting I like being creative and I love attention.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Only 5!!!
Matt Berry, Ian Mckellen, Morgan Freeman, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Tyson.
Just so I could hear them make small talk
What’s next for the band?
New line up (announcement soon).
New album.
Tour through June (still dates available so Hit Me Up).
Move on to another EP or Album ASAP. I don’t want to take 3 years for the next one!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We do a lot of stuff with Facebook and Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/dorylusband/
https://www.instagram.com/dorylusband/
And all of our current music is on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/41BStS4SHDO5KApFfb20Tk
(As well as everywhere you can buy or stream music)
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
A new breed of food called BISCAKE!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Just that we are really honoured to be given this platform to promote our band and our album and hopefully you’ll all enjoy what we have coming up in the future.
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