(Here is another interview by Comrade Aleks, this time a discussion with drummer Niki Louder from the Austrian band Death Racer.)
Dying Victims Productions released the debut album of Linz-based blackened speed metal band Death Racer in late July, and I reached out to prepare an interview in support of the release. The official press-release for “their long-awaited debut album, From Gravel to Grave” is informative:
“From Gravel to Grave presents Death Racer as an all-pistons-pumping runaway racecar, chassis gleaming but torched black with exhaust underneath, its very construction pushing the outer limits of safety before all the screws fall loose and a fiery wreck ensues. For sure, it’s not difficult to spot the Austrians’ influences, and they wouldn’t have it any other way – they are transparent as they are thorough, to circle back to the earliest point – so therefore, there’s the obligatory “High Speed Metal” of classic Razor as well as the comparable grit & grime of equally old, raw metal like earliest Slayer, Exciter, Bathory, Hungary’s Tormentor, Bulldozer, true-metal Darkthrone, cult NWOBHM, Violent Force, and of course, erudite Teutonic thrash”.
But if you want to learn more, then you can sort out a few more things from the interview below.
Hi guys! How are you? Who’s online today?
Niki Louder.
So all of you played in different bands before, some played together. What made you gather in the name of Death Racer?
The need for some caveman music turned out to be the need for speed. After starting as a three-piece we figured out that three wheels are not fast enough, we needed some grip, so with the addition of Jörg Müller we finally have a stable construct, ready to crash into the next roadblock.
Were you focused just on proto black / speed metal stuff from the start or did you have a bigger concept of the band?
The concept always was and is racing. So, speed metal is the logical conclusion.
What kind of sound did you search for when you recorded From Gravel to Grave? Was it easy to get it at the studio?
We self-recorded it in our rehearsal room with the help of friends who are into recording stuff.
As I understand, your lyrics are partly inspired by movies. So how do you like the new polished Mad Max movie with the “strong female character”? Is it your cup of tea?
No movie references here, but I can understand the Mad Max vibe you may be getting. Well, there is Death Race 2000 (glorious movie!) but that is more about aesthetics than lyrics. Haven’t seen the latest Mad Max one, but it’s blowing up stuff in the desert and driving around in post-apocalyptic vehicles. Big explosions make monkey brain happy.
The race concept in itself is both damn fresh and old school, but what are your other songs’ inspiration? Do you write lyrics based on some real race situations?
You can compare a lot of daily life with car racing, so not everything may be racing related. Apart from the obvious racing references there are also some other references to real life events. C.F.S.O.D.C. for example.
You just started the real race with the From Gravel to Grave release. Will you put in efforts to promote the band further and drive faster, supporting it with gigs and other releases? Do you aim to use this moment?
Sure thing! The release show is planned in our hometown, at our favorite venue KAPU together with the amazing Cryptal Echoes, Ludgar, and Barbarian – big sunglasses – cool bands.
How many shows have you played so far? Do people dig Death Racer’s concept?
Hmm, guess somewhat around 8-10 shows? So far the feedback was more than good.
What are you plans for the rest of 2024? Do you feel that you have enough drive for one more full-length?
Full-length, splits, EP – let’s see what format will suit the next output best.
https://www.facebook.com/deathracerspeedmetal
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/from-gravel-to-grave
https://deathracerspeed.bandcamp.com/album/qualifying