EMQ’s With Helldown
EMQ’s With Helldown
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with South Wales, UK based Heavy Metal band, Helldown. Huge thanks to their Drummer, Ross Thomas, 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?
My name is Ross and I am the drummer of Helldown. When there was a music store in Swansea many moons ago, I went to Rowlands often and found an advertisement where brothers Ben and Matt were looking for a Drummer.
We then met in a pub called The White Rose for the first time, and from then we have stayed together through many lineup changes, shared the stage with many great bands and learnt a hell of a lot along the way.
How did you come up with your band name?
Me and Ben were just trying to think of a song name during a rehearsal session, me and Ben didn’t quite hear each other properly and thought we had said “Helldown”. From there we agreed it was actually a great name for a band and it stuck ever since.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
All 4 of us are from Swansea in South Wales. Over the years the music scene here has become a lot better for underground bands, as in previous years it was overly saturated with tribute acts.
There are a couple of venues in Swansea that are responsible for bringing the scene back to where it should be and we can’t thank them enough!
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release “Beneath the Veil” is a Single accompanied by a Music Video, shot by the very talented Nathan Roach at Coal Poet Media.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Personally, Slayer were the biggest influence when I started, and for me has remained throughout the years with the boys bringing in other influences such as Machine Head, Trivium and Lamb of God.
What first got you into music?
I didn’t have a choice really. My parents were both Metal Heads, and one day I had a drum kit next to the Christmas tree. That reminds me, I need to thank them for getting me into such an expensive hobby!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
As Slayer have come back … SLAYERRRRR!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Easy … Hellfest! The lineup is always the lineup you dream about and they never disappoint!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Is it weird that I have never received a Gift?
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for all the support over the years. It’s honestly not been easy and a big learning curve. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, but I’m so happy you’re all here for the ride!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Freddie Mercury. Queen’s greatest album in my opinion was their last with Freddie, and I would have loved to see where they went with Freddie after 1991.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
As a Drummer there is a lot to hate if I am honest, the lugging of the gear to the venue. The setup and then the even worse set down … however, it is so worth it when you are behind the drumkit looking out at a crowd going nuts to your music.
The most amazing thing that happens to me is the younger generation that do come to our shows, and come up to us at the end of the night asking for a signed setlist or drumstick. It gives us hope …
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Like anything in life, nothing is perfect and the music industry is not perfect and we all know this. I just feel it’s become a lot harder for bands to break through these days.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
WASP “The Crimson Idol”. Simply one of the greatest concept albums of all time.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
That’s a tough one but as we live life on the go, it would be downloads for me as it just means I can stream and go with ease.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
This would probably be the time we supported Acid Reign in Hobos Bridgend.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Most likely a sound engineer or a roadie as I think I would have staged in the music industry in some way.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Nicko Mcbrain, Neil Peart, Blackie Lawless, Vinnie Paul & Dave Lombardo.
Being a Drummer I have a lot of questions for these drummers. However, I need to ask Blackie how he felt when he shot his “Cock Rocket” and exploded that one time!
What’s next for the band?
Well, I can’t give away too much … this is just the first release of many to come in 2024, and while we release material this year, we will be working towards something much bigger.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Facebook – www.facebook.com/helldownofficial
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/36W9exJZJQFHPyDswrv5G3?si=ncfXnCMgSj61T8ZpmqjWZg
Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@helldownofficial?_t=8kmmjE9qzmS&_r=1
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/helldownofficial?igsh=aGpuZWh6aGU4aWs2
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
What a controversial question … A Cob!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
No and thank you for this interview.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.