EMQs with Billy Of XENITH
EMQs: XENITH
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hello, my name is Billy and I am the vocalist and guitarist of Xenith. The band formed at the end of 2023 and we put out our debut EP in early 2025. Around that time, we secured a full lineup and started gigging consistently. Our debut album is set for release late August followed by a mini tour in early September.
How did you come up with your band name?
There isn’t really any great story unfortunately. We really wanted a one-word band name and Xenith is what ended up sticking. Like all great metal band names, it of course had to be spelt incorrectly.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are based in Manchester, and the scene here is extremely inspiring. With the volume of both local talent and touring artists that come through you’re always exposed to something new from lots of different genres. You have everything from slam to post-punk so it’s a great city for music as a whole.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our latest release is our new single Killer Instinct from our upcoming debut album To No Avail out August 28th. We really wanted to start our album promo with something completely different to what we’ve done before and I think this track really sums up the heavier and more serious direction we’re going on the record. It’s definitely something new for us so it’ll be interesting to see peoples’ reactions.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Our biggest influences are Opeth, At The Gates and Children of Bodom. I absolutely love the sombre atmosphere that Opeth create and their approach to songwriting is truly unique. At The Gates have some of the best riffs of all time but alongside that I think there’s a real authenticity to them that’s given them so much staying power, just really honest music. And as a guitarist, CoB are such an important band. Their lead lines are so catchy and memorable but still challenging, I think they strike the perfect balance between technicality and songwriting.
What first got you into music?
The first artist I got into when I was really really young was David Bowie. Looking back now, his music and artistry is still so ahead of the curve, really progressive and forward thinking. I think when you’re young and first getting into music you think less about genre and more about whether the songs are good so it’s interesting revisiting those Bowie records and seeing how experimental he was, more expressing what felt right at the time than trying to adhere to one particular thing.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I think if Xenith were to ever collaborate with another artist it would have to be someone outside of our genre, similar to the full of hell/nothing collab. One artist I really enjoy is Abriction, very shoegazey and synth heavy tunes, absolutely beautiful music. I think something in that vein could be really cool in the future, just anything that would get us out of our comfort zone.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Damnation. 100%. I went for the first time last year and it’s undeniably one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended. Stellar line up with lots of diversity in genre but clear cohesion in vibe and tone and a good combination of old and new bands. I think it encapsulates everything great about underground metal and extreme music at the moment and is a really important and relevant festival for the UK.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We haven’t received any physical gifts but I suppose the fact anyone attends our shows is the most surprising gift to date.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We’re extremely appreciative of everyone who has ever been to see us or supported us in literally any way, we would be nowhere without the encouragement of all our friends and families. I don’t know if calling the people who have supported us fans is right but either way, thank you.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Probably Valfar from Windir. I think he was a truly legendary and underrated musician we lost way too soon. Every album from Windir is 10/10, they were a really big gateway band for me getting more into black metal, just exceptionally catchy tunes. Mad respect to Vreid for keeping his legacy alive.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I enjoy everything. I don’t think there is a single downside because at the end of the day, you’re making music from nothing and I’m in the fortunate position that I get to play that music with my best friends. I know a lot of people really hate how much you have to market yourself online now, but treating that as another piece of the puzzle and giving it the care and creative thought you would the music itself can be really fulfilling. At least for me, it’s felt like building a larger world around the record and has made me think more carefully about the kind of band we want to be. Everything has its ups and downs but I’m just extremely grateful to be making music.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
No AI. Anywhere.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
High Fantasy by Gygax. Some of the best traditional metal of the last 10 years, every single song is an absolute banger. It’s one of my favourite albums to listen to in the summer, just really fun, feel-good heavy metal. The melodies on this album have also really informed a lot of my lead guitar playing over the last years, I genuinely can’t praise this record enough.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Physical media is the best, but I think they all serve different purposes. CDs are my default, it’s what I grew up with so I just never really stopped collecting them. I like to reserve vinyl for the albums that mean the most to me, it definitely makes the experience feel more special and immersive. I love tapes for more underground bands; the format just feels right when the album already has a super gritty production. I think it would defeat the point listening to something super modern sounding on tape.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Probably our most recent gig supporting Cryptic Shift at the Star and Garter. Cryptic Shift themselves were so welcoming and it was great to hang out with our friends in Unburier. The vibe the whole day was just really nice and getting to play to a bit of a different crowd was a brilliant opportunity. Aside from that, supporting Evile last year was an amazing gig. Their guitarist Adam is a really close friend and has always looked out for us so it was just an incredibly fun night.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Likely something else creative. I’ve always enjoyed knitting so maybe I’d be doing more of that. I think when music has always been such a big part of your life nothing else really compares so it’s hard to think of an interesting answer.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
The entire lineup of Human by Death. The combined history and contributions all four of those musicians have made to music is insane. For a fifth person probably Fenriz from Darkthrone. He seems like an absolute encyclopaedia of the underground so I’m sure he’d have some good stories and album recommendations.
What’s next for the band?
We have a run of dates in September in support of To No Avail, starting in Manchester with our first ever headline show at the Star and Garter. We’re really excited to be gigging more later this year and are very grateful to our friends in 1986 for taking us out with them.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? Please include any links
Bandcamp- https://xenithband.bandcamp.com/merch
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JlB8LJTRgdQTgOtO8XVb8
Apple Music- https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/xenith/1734470778
And all the other usual places.
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?
A muffin.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Our debut album To No Avail is out August 28th. CD and Tape pre-orders are live now. We have our album release show at the Star and Garter in Manchester on September 3rd and we will be playing across the UK with our friends in 1986 from the 4th-6th of September. Thank you very much for the interview.
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