Interview with Downfall of Gaia
Downfall of Gaia are a German extreme metal band, all answers by Dominik Goncalves dos Reis
Photo credit: David Stöcklin
Alicia
Can you introduce the band?
Dominik
Downfall of Gaia is a four-piece band hailing from Germany and the US. We are based in Hamburg DE, Berlin DE and Brooklyn NY and we are around since 2008. Musically we don't want to reduce ourselves to one genre, but if you would have to break it down, it's probably a mix of Crust and Post-Black Metal.
Alicia
Where did the name come from?
Dominik
Our bassist Toni came up with the name, if I remember things right. Basically Downfall of Gaia was born from the ashes of the previous band of Anton and me (Toxic Nation). We were looking for a new name at the time because our sound had changed a lot, and Anton came up with the idea. We still had the same line-up as before, except that our guitarist Peter joined the band. We thought it would fit perfectly with the longer and more atmospheric tracks we were writing more and more at that time.
Alicia
You have an album coming out, can you tell us about the recording process?
Dominik
The usual plan was to record the album together with Timo Höcke at "Die Wellenschmiede" in Hamburg, but a few days before we were supposed to enter the studio, Timo caught Covid. Due to schedules, family matters and private life, the planned time frame was the only chance to record the album in time without losing several months, so we ended up recording the entire album alone in Peter's studio in Hamburg. After recording guitars/bass/vocals on our own and together with Peter, we went to "die Wellenschmiede" for one day (as it was actually planned) and re-amped our own recordings for a whole day. Before that the drums were recorded in New Jersey at Backroom Studios together with Kevin Antreassian. Luckily everything worked out and so the mix could be taken care of. Everything was mixed by Timo Höcke (Die Wellenschmiede). Master comes from Jonas Romann (Chaos Compressor Club).
Alicia
Do you have plans to tour this release?
Dominik
Absolutely. So far we have a small release tour confirmed for April (together with Implore and Deathrite), as well as several festivals for the second half of the year. More shows are currently in the making.
Alicia
Can you tell us about the music scene where you’re from
Dominik
We originally come from the DIY/Punk & HC scene. But over the years more and more influences found their way into our music and our sound has evolved organically and naturally.
Alicia
Was music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Dominik
In our younger days, definitely! At that time we based our entire life on music and it was the absolute center and the most important thing in our lives. Before Downfall of Gaia, we all played in other bands for many years that went more or less nowhere. That's why it's pretty cool to see that 15 years after DoG was formed, we still have the opportunity to make music and travel the world.
Alicia
Is there anything in the works you can tell us about
Dominik
Nope :)
Alicia
Is there anything you want to share or promote
Dominik
We will be on tour in April, in support of our new album. 'Silhouettes of Disgust' drops March 17 on Metal Blade. For all upcoming shows and links and stuff, feel free to visit downfallofgaia.com
You can check out the bands social media and music below