Interview by: Nkro
Canada is well known throughout the world for producing some of the most brutal bands as far as Death Metal, Thrash Metal and War
Metal goes. A new young band has now made its mark, and is continuing in the footsteps of some of Canada`s best War Metal
outfits. That band is Nulearhammer from Ontario Canada. Just having unleashed their first full length CD via Morbid Moon Records, lets
see what they have to say about Canadian Metal and how things have gone so far with their release Obliteratoin Ritual.
Tell us about the formation of Nuclearhammer. Who founded the band and how did the members find each other?
The band was founded by myself and decimator in summer of 2005, I met him through a friend who introduced us online since we
were the FEW people in our city into the same bands that most people here are not into, but rather into the generic or mainstream
run of the mill black and death metal and not the maniacal chaotic harsh sounds of the old school that people from Western Canada
seem to understand and create much better. So we eventually met up, hung out and after a year or 2 decided we would start our
own project. Later in 2007 I got Doomhammer AKA Repulser in on guitar who was also a long time friend and it became a full line-up.
Abyssious playing bass? He is a kick ass drummer!!
Yes indeed he is an amazing drummer! I am sure you remember his drumming attack in Dead Of Winter(RIP)?? he plays a number of
different instruments and has MANY years of bass playing experience so after Decitraitor decided to not only leave the band but mock
and turn his back on all of his friends, Abyssious stepped in at just the right time and took over bass, and I can honestly say he
KNOWS what he's doing and has made the band sound much tighter, something Decimator could not do.
Tell us about the early stages of Nuclearhammer. What were the first rehearsals like and what was the chemistry like in the band?
At first it was pretty good, I think one of the first songs we learned to play was Blasphemy's Atomic Nuclear Desolation, later on we
got our own rehearsal space and were jamming daily during the hot summer days of 2006. A lot of our old songs where born out of
improvisational jamming and deciding what parts to keep and mould and what parts to scrap, I can tell you I was pretty much in
charge of all the structure and knowing which riffs to keep and get rid of, while Decimator was never really sure about anything. This
frustrated me as I knew what direction I wanted the songs to go. Eventually things got done and that was that.
Which bands were you guys influenced by and how did you mix that with your own sound?
Too many bands to mention really, but as I said me and Decimator were into a LOT of the same bands in the early days which led us
to creating Nuclearhammer. Bands like Sarcofago, Hellhammer, Bestial Warlust, Beherit, Conqueror, Revenge, Sacramentary
Abolishment, Axis of Advance, Lust, Ouroboros, Rites of thy Degringolade, Repulsion, Nuclear Death, Supremacy, Darkthrone,
Profanatica, Archgoat, Von, Katharsis, Bathory, NME, Possessed, Incantation, Blood Storm, Autopsy, Thergothon, Disciples of Power,
Ungod, Varathron, Maniac Butcher, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Procreation, Blasphemy of course... those bands were the initial favourites
and influences and right now with Doomhammer and Abyssious we all have VAST and diverse taste in bands and music in general so it
becomes natural to blend all these styles and make it ONE without it sounding fucked up.
How often are you rehearsing?
Not very often at the moment, since we currently lost our reh space/party house. We are currently in the process of getting a new
reh space at least. New rehearsals shall commence very soon!
You have just released your first full-length album "Obliteration Ritual" through Morbid Moon Records, are you happy with the result?
Yeah, I'm pretty happy and proud of this record, there are a FEW things I would of done different like as far as Decimator being
involved, but it is too late now, cant turn back time, for a first full-length it is what I had hoped for.
Doomhammer: I've personally been satisfied 100% since the recording was finished. I am now glad that it is out there, materialized, to
pierce the ears of the false and tenderhearted.
How did it all happen? Did they contact you, or the other way around?
I contacted them but because of Voltaire of Deiphago who advised me to do so several times. He came to one of our rehearsals and
hung out with us and our gang of heathens for a bit when he was in Toronto on work related shit, its pretty much thanks to him and
Marc of course for releasing it!
How has the response been so far? Internationally as well as in North America?
All together very positive!
The artwork for the album seems very interesting, who was the artist behind it?
I was. It was my idea of using the inverted Sigillium Dei Aemeth over a picture of the band standing around a fire in darkness, it
represents the Obliteration Ritual. Any other design for this album would not work. As far as the artwork inside the booklet, I hand
wrote all the lyrics and drew the borders for the photos, Doomhammer put everything together later on the computer. I wanted it to
have a very personal touch, as I feel the music and concept is very personal.
Overall, would you say Nuclearhammer is Black Metal, Black/Death Metal, War Metal or something else?
I would say initially War Metal but really it is ALL that combined. All the elements of death, black, doom, thrash and war are in there. I
like to call it Ancient Kanadian Black Death War Propaganda!
You also appeared on the Rusty Axe Records VON tribute CD, how did that come about?
The guy from Rusty Axe contacted me and wanted us to do a cover for this compilation, so we did Blood Angel which is one of my
favourites, however, this was back in the day of just me and Decimator, and I am NOT happy with the way the track came out
sounding for the comp. It was mixed and recorded very bad. I made the mistake of letting Decimator have full control over it, when
all I wanted was something raw and simple but clear instead of shitty double layered distorted as fuck bass and guitar and dual vocal
layers. We do this cover live now pretty much every time and it sounds a million times better. Expect a redone version on a future NH
recording.
Where do you find inspiration when writing music and lyrics and who does what in the band?
I find inspiration in things that I hate about this world and would like to either change or destroy. Also, the Powers of Darkness and
the Occult that guides us. As far as who does what, I do all the lyrics and music for the most part, Doomhammer and Abyssious have
full control of the riffs and what direction they take them towards but I usually always have material written and structured in my
head before a rehearsal and bring this to the table to build on so it becomes the destructive force that it is later.
What do you think your greatest strengths as a band are?
Staying true to what we do and who we are, as well as our compatibility to get along and function as a tactical unit. As long as it
remains this way, NH will always keep coming out with nuclear warstrikes that will never stagnate. It's pretty solid now, I CANT see a
different line-up in the future.
Doomhammer: Since before I even joined the Nuclearhammer ranks and sat in on their rehearsals it has always been clear that this
entity had the capacity to go "beyond" the atmosphere and conventions of most bands that have been dubbed in the same musical
genre. The attack is devastating every time and yet there is always the ability to melt into the abstract and transcendental with this
music. That is my view on it, anyway. Of course I agree wholeheartedly with Axaazaroth's comment as well. The Hate Trinity can not
be undone.
How do you feel about the current standing of the Canadian Metal "scene"?(a word I don’t like to use) Any bands that stick out from
all the rest in your opinion?
Aside from the ones I have already mentioned I'd say Shellshock, Mitochondrion, Begrime Exemious, Antediluvian, Adversarial,
Apokrypha, Witchmark and Malaria are all worth a mention! Canada has ALWAYS had a strong scene and will continue to, however,
there is a LOT of shit out there as well, it is up to the listener to decide what is real and what is fake. The posers and fakes will
ALWAYS eventually be weeded out!
Doomhammer: I think Canada currently has some of the most groundbreaking and crushing bands in the world, whether east or west
coast.
I know you have had some live shows already, but what are your future plans? Any touring plans?
We have a show coming up here with Nunslaughter in March 2010, I am looking forward to that. As for touring, I would like to
eventually go out west and tour Vancouver and Alberta as well as Montreal. Also the states and who knows, maybe even overseas
one day if the offers are worth it to us.
Are any of the current band members involved with other bands? What do you do when not playing metal?
Yes, me and Doomhammer are also in Malaria,I play drums in Witchmark as well as another project that hasn't really gone anywhere.
Outside of playing metal we live our day to day lives however we want to or have to. Doomhammer can answer the rest...
Doomhammer: I am now in the midst of finishing up a demo for a project several years in the making known as Apokrypha, the details
of which will unfold in due time. Besides music I suppose we are as indulgent as one would expect, and pursue those things we hold
true and inspiring of creativity and pride in this world of complete scum, to put it simply.
Off topic question; what is your favorite beer?
TOO many, I love Bavaria Holland, Kozel, Holsten premium, Tuborg, Zywiec, Lech, Stella, also love the cider Blackthorn! aside from the
imports I drink shitty Lakers when broke haha!
Doomhammer: I'm going to have to second Zywiec and add Lowenbrau. Truth is, half the time I'm buying 24s of James Ready and
Maclays.
To wrap things up would you like to say anything to all the readers and fans out there?
Yes, thanks for the interview and be on the lookout for more deadly hymns and more destructive then ever before! In Nomine Dei
Nostri Satanas, Luciferi Excelsi!!!
Doomhammer: Hail the Final Hour. Thank you.
Thank you Nuclearhammer for taking the time for this cheap ass interview…best of luck gentlemen!!
WEB: http://www.sadomator.com/nuclearhammer
Metal goes. A new young band has now made its mark, and is continuing in the footsteps of some of Canada`s best War Metal
outfits. That band is Nulearhammer from Ontario Canada. Just having unleashed their first full length CD via Morbid Moon Records, lets
see what they have to say about Canadian Metal and how things have gone so far with their release Obliteratoin Ritual.
Tell us about the formation of Nuclearhammer. Who founded the band and how did the members find each other?
The band was founded by myself and decimator in summer of 2005, I met him through a friend who introduced us online since we
were the FEW people in our city into the same bands that most people here are not into, but rather into the generic or mainstream
run of the mill black and death metal and not the maniacal chaotic harsh sounds of the old school that people from Western Canada
seem to understand and create much better. So we eventually met up, hung out and after a year or 2 decided we would start our
own project. Later in 2007 I got Doomhammer AKA Repulser in on guitar who was also a long time friend and it became a full line-up.
Abyssious playing bass? He is a kick ass drummer!!
Yes indeed he is an amazing drummer! I am sure you remember his drumming attack in Dead Of Winter(RIP)?? he plays a number of
different instruments and has MANY years of bass playing experience so after Decitraitor decided to not only leave the band but mock
and turn his back on all of his friends, Abyssious stepped in at just the right time and took over bass, and I can honestly say he
KNOWS what he's doing and has made the band sound much tighter, something Decimator could not do.
Tell us about the early stages of Nuclearhammer. What were the first rehearsals like and what was the chemistry like in the band?
At first it was pretty good, I think one of the first songs we learned to play was Blasphemy's Atomic Nuclear Desolation, later on we
got our own rehearsal space and were jamming daily during the hot summer days of 2006. A lot of our old songs where born out of
improvisational jamming and deciding what parts to keep and mould and what parts to scrap, I can tell you I was pretty much in
charge of all the structure and knowing which riffs to keep and get rid of, while Decimator was never really sure about anything. This
frustrated me as I knew what direction I wanted the songs to go. Eventually things got done and that was that.
Which bands were you guys influenced by and how did you mix that with your own sound?
Too many bands to mention really, but as I said me and Decimator were into a LOT of the same bands in the early days which led us
to creating Nuclearhammer. Bands like Sarcofago, Hellhammer, Bestial Warlust, Beherit, Conqueror, Revenge, Sacramentary
Abolishment, Axis of Advance, Lust, Ouroboros, Rites of thy Degringolade, Repulsion, Nuclear Death, Supremacy, Darkthrone,
Profanatica, Archgoat, Von, Katharsis, Bathory, NME, Possessed, Incantation, Blood Storm, Autopsy, Thergothon, Disciples of Power,
Ungod, Varathron, Maniac Butcher, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Procreation, Blasphemy of course... those bands were the initial favourites
and influences and right now with Doomhammer and Abyssious we all have VAST and diverse taste in bands and music in general so it
becomes natural to blend all these styles and make it ONE without it sounding fucked up.
How often are you rehearsing?
Not very often at the moment, since we currently lost our reh space/party house. We are currently in the process of getting a new
reh space at least. New rehearsals shall commence very soon!
You have just released your first full-length album "Obliteration Ritual" through Morbid Moon Records, are you happy with the result?
Yeah, I'm pretty happy and proud of this record, there are a FEW things I would of done different like as far as Decimator being
involved, but it is too late now, cant turn back time, for a first full-length it is what I had hoped for.
Doomhammer: I've personally been satisfied 100% since the recording was finished. I am now glad that it is out there, materialized, to
pierce the ears of the false and tenderhearted.
How did it all happen? Did they contact you, or the other way around?
I contacted them but because of Voltaire of Deiphago who advised me to do so several times. He came to one of our rehearsals and
hung out with us and our gang of heathens for a bit when he was in Toronto on work related shit, its pretty much thanks to him and
Marc of course for releasing it!
How has the response been so far? Internationally as well as in North America?
All together very positive!
The artwork for the album seems very interesting, who was the artist behind it?
I was. It was my idea of using the inverted Sigillium Dei Aemeth over a picture of the band standing around a fire in darkness, it
represents the Obliteration Ritual. Any other design for this album would not work. As far as the artwork inside the booklet, I hand
wrote all the lyrics and drew the borders for the photos, Doomhammer put everything together later on the computer. I wanted it to
have a very personal touch, as I feel the music and concept is very personal.
Overall, would you say Nuclearhammer is Black Metal, Black/Death Metal, War Metal or something else?
I would say initially War Metal but really it is ALL that combined. All the elements of death, black, doom, thrash and war are in there. I
like to call it Ancient Kanadian Black Death War Propaganda!
You also appeared on the Rusty Axe Records VON tribute CD, how did that come about?
The guy from Rusty Axe contacted me and wanted us to do a cover for this compilation, so we did Blood Angel which is one of my
favourites, however, this was back in the day of just me and Decimator, and I am NOT happy with the way the track came out
sounding for the comp. It was mixed and recorded very bad. I made the mistake of letting Decimator have full control over it, when
all I wanted was something raw and simple but clear instead of shitty double layered distorted as fuck bass and guitar and dual vocal
layers. We do this cover live now pretty much every time and it sounds a million times better. Expect a redone version on a future NH
recording.
Where do you find inspiration when writing music and lyrics and who does what in the band?
I find inspiration in things that I hate about this world and would like to either change or destroy. Also, the Powers of Darkness and
the Occult that guides us. As far as who does what, I do all the lyrics and music for the most part, Doomhammer and Abyssious have
full control of the riffs and what direction they take them towards but I usually always have material written and structured in my
head before a rehearsal and bring this to the table to build on so it becomes the destructive force that it is later.
What do you think your greatest strengths as a band are?
Staying true to what we do and who we are, as well as our compatibility to get along and function as a tactical unit. As long as it
remains this way, NH will always keep coming out with nuclear warstrikes that will never stagnate. It's pretty solid now, I CANT see a
different line-up in the future.
Doomhammer: Since before I even joined the Nuclearhammer ranks and sat in on their rehearsals it has always been clear that this
entity had the capacity to go "beyond" the atmosphere and conventions of most bands that have been dubbed in the same musical
genre. The attack is devastating every time and yet there is always the ability to melt into the abstract and transcendental with this
music. That is my view on it, anyway. Of course I agree wholeheartedly with Axaazaroth's comment as well. The Hate Trinity can not
be undone.
How do you feel about the current standing of the Canadian Metal "scene"?(a word I don’t like to use) Any bands that stick out from
all the rest in your opinion?
Aside from the ones I have already mentioned I'd say Shellshock, Mitochondrion, Begrime Exemious, Antediluvian, Adversarial,
Apokrypha, Witchmark and Malaria are all worth a mention! Canada has ALWAYS had a strong scene and will continue to, however,
there is a LOT of shit out there as well, it is up to the listener to decide what is real and what is fake. The posers and fakes will
ALWAYS eventually be weeded out!
Doomhammer: I think Canada currently has some of the most groundbreaking and crushing bands in the world, whether east or west
coast.
I know you have had some live shows already, but what are your future plans? Any touring plans?
We have a show coming up here with Nunslaughter in March 2010, I am looking forward to that. As for touring, I would like to
eventually go out west and tour Vancouver and Alberta as well as Montreal. Also the states and who knows, maybe even overseas
one day if the offers are worth it to us.
Are any of the current band members involved with other bands? What do you do when not playing metal?
Yes, me and Doomhammer are also in Malaria,I play drums in Witchmark as well as another project that hasn't really gone anywhere.
Outside of playing metal we live our day to day lives however we want to or have to. Doomhammer can answer the rest...
Doomhammer: I am now in the midst of finishing up a demo for a project several years in the making known as Apokrypha, the details
of which will unfold in due time. Besides music I suppose we are as indulgent as one would expect, and pursue those things we hold
true and inspiring of creativity and pride in this world of complete scum, to put it simply.
Off topic question; what is your favorite beer?
TOO many, I love Bavaria Holland, Kozel, Holsten premium, Tuborg, Zywiec, Lech, Stella, also love the cider Blackthorn! aside from the
imports I drink shitty Lakers when broke haha!
Doomhammer: I'm going to have to second Zywiec and add Lowenbrau. Truth is, half the time I'm buying 24s of James Ready and
Maclays.
To wrap things up would you like to say anything to all the readers and fans out there?
Yes, thanks for the interview and be on the lookout for more deadly hymns and more destructive then ever before! In Nomine Dei
Nostri Satanas, Luciferi Excelsi!!!
Doomhammer: Hail the Final Hour. Thank you.
Thank you Nuclearhammer for taking the time for this cheap ass interview…best of luck gentlemen!!
WEB: http://www.sadomator.com/nuclearhammer
