Interview with Mindrazer
Mindrazer are a metal band formed in 2017 based in New Jersey, all answers by Nick
Alicia
Can you Introduce the band?
Nick
We are Mindrazer, we are a melodic thrash band from Hackettstown, New Jersey. We qualify our style as melodic because thrash these days has kind of really coalesced behind that very hard-edged neo-thrash sound with very gritty or even harsh vocals and crossover-tinged guitar and drum passages. We don’t really do that, we have clean tenor vocals, much like the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and early Thrash movements. Our instrumental parts are not at all bereft of heaviness, you can’t be thrash without the thrash, but we still feel the need to specify so people know what we are getting at.
Alicia
Where did the name come from?
Nick
The name Mindrazer comes from an extradimensional monster of the same name. It is an eldritch aberration that defies the laws of physics. It uses its facial tentacles and razor-sharp teeth to extract the brain matter from its victims and it uses the knowledge within as sustenance. It either completely consumes the victim’s mind, killing it, or it will consume all semblance of personhood and leave behind only a husk that will bend to the creature’s every whim.
Alicia
Your album just came out can you tell us about the recording process?
Nick
We recorded the bulk of the record at Backroom Studios in Rockaway New Jersey. We had initially begun recording elsewhere but a family emergency resulted in us having to relocate. The process was pretty streamlined as the band was very well versed in the songs already so it came together easily. We did have a lot of fun doing the sword fight in Crusader. Weissman, our drummer and I spent about an hour running around the live room screaming and bashing real swords together. We did that to create the sound of medieval battle. Like something you’d see in Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones. We love all of that stuff and it really fit with this track.
Alicia
Do you have plans to tour this release?
Nick
Tour is a stretch because of how the music industry works these days. From our perspective, it is either go all in on touring and making that your primary source of income, which can be a huge struggle, or keeping your day job and taking weekend gigs and one-offs when you can. We fall into the latter category so touring properly is pretty impracticable at the moment.
Alicia
Can you tell us about the music scene where you’re from?
Nick
New Jersey is kind of an eclectic scene. It is wedged between New York and Philadelphia so it kind of gets the best of both. Thrash is pretty big here which is very fortunate for us because we would be playing thrash regardless of whether it was popular in Jersey or not. There are some pretty cool venues that consistently pull a big turnout. The fans are pretty supportive but you really have to put in your time to win them over. They don’t just come right away. It’s a great vibe though. Not too many jackasses, people are pretty supportive. It's a good scene.
Alicia
Was music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Nick
I personally have always wanted to do a proper album with this band. This record coming together really was fulfilling a childhood dream. I foresee many greater achievements in the future but this record will always be the one that made the dream real in a sense. It was the culmination of all of our effort since we got together all those years ago. This album will always be special to me for that.
You can check out the bands social media and music below