Rock Monsters Romania

It’s nearly Christmas time and we are back to one of our favourite places…the music underground.

Today we are talking to Berzerk, a progressive-metalcore band from Bucharest, which is going to release their debut EP, “Ashes”, on 10th of January in a special Rock Monsters show, with My Only Venus in opening.

The band first caught the attention this summer at Old Blacks festival in Bucharest and, after just a few months, they have decided to release their first EP.

We’ve talked to them about their expectations and here is what they said:

(EN)

Why did you start the band?

Honestly, I don’t really think this question has a concrete answer. We started this project as “lonely” guys who were into extreme music and music overall. When we started, there were only two of us. We found a few more people like us, and here we are.

Where does the name come from?

The name of the band means “out of control”. The term actually comes from the nordic culture, often associated with vikings.

We thought it represents us, and we loved the way this word sounds when someone says it.

Who are your idols in music?

The bands that we consider “idols” changed throughout the years. We get our inspiration from a wide variety of bands and artists from pretty much every sub-genre, from hardcore to progressive and even NU metal.

A few iconic bands for us are Heart Of A Coward, Nevermore, I Prevail, Fit For A King, Architects and many other, even outside the genre.

What goals do you have as a band for the next 5 years?

Our main goal is to be heard by more people, because we have something to say. We want to play live shows and develop our fanbase, our family. We also want to constantly release new, better music. We want to improve.

You are going to release your first EP on 10th of January. Where did inspiration for the songs come from?

Inspiration comes from many sources, but I believe that one of the most important things when it comes to inspiration is listening to music that is already out there.

There are many artists that inspired the way we play. We also try to keep our music original. We make something that has its roots in what we listen to, but we make it our own. Now, when it comes to lyrics, we believe that the best source of inspiration is the real life, the things that we all go through and the things happening all around us, in our society. Berzerk is our most brutally honest version.

What expectations have you got from “Ashes”?

We would like “Ashes” to be listened by a lot of people, we want it to be catchy and we want to send a message. We want to help the ones who can’t wake up, telling them they are not alone.

What plans have you got for 2020?

For 2020, we are preparing the release of the merch. We have some confirmed concerts and we want to have more all around the country. Also, in the summer, prepare for another EP, nearly 180 degrees like this one.

Do you have any message for your fans and metalheads who are going to read this interview?

Yes. Keep an eye on our Youtube channel because in January we will release “Ashes”. We’ve got many plans for 2020, including new songs. We will announce all the events and concerts on our Instagram page. Also, if you want to support us, the merch is coming soon. Stay Hardcore and stay tuned for more. 🙂

(RO)

De ce ati facut trupa?

Sincer nu cred ca exista un raspuns concret pentru asta. Am pornit proiectul asta ca niste “singuratici” pasionati de muzica agresiva si de muzica in general. Am inceput in doi oameni.. dupa am ajuns in forma in care suntem azi.

De unde provine numele trupei?

Numele trupei inseamna in linii mari “scapat de sub control”, “de necontrolat”. Termenul in sine vine din cultura nordica si reprezenta razboinicii. Noua, pe langa faptul ca ne reprezinta, ne-a placut extrem de mult cum suna.

Cine sunt idolii vostri in muzica?

Pentru noi, trupele care ne reprezinta “idolii” s-au tot schimbat de a lungul timpului.

Acum, putem spune ca ne luam inspiratia dintr o gama larga de artisti si trupe.. de la Hardcore la Prog sau chiar din zona de extreme si nu numai. Daca ar fi sa numim cateva trupe, adunate de la fiecare membru, am avea Heart Of A Coward, Nevermore, I Prevail, Fit For A King, Enterprise Earth, Architects si multe altele chiar si in afara sferei de metal/hardcore.

Care este obiectivul vostru ca trupa pentru urmatorii 5 ani?

Unul din obiectivele noastre este sa fim auziti, sa cantam din ce in ce mai mult live sa ajungem la cat mai multa lume, pentru ca avem ceva de spus. Vrem sa zguduim underground-ul. In acelasi timp vrem sa scoatem cat mai multa muzica, din ce in ce mai buna si sa ne dezvoltam cat mai mult fanbase-ul.

Urmeaza sa lansati primul album pe 10 Ianuarie. De unde a venit inspiratia pentru melodii?

Inspiratia pentru melodii, instrumental vorbind vine dintr-un amalgam de artisti. Incercam totusi mereu sa pastram o nota de originalitate din sound-ul propriu pe care inca il exploram. De cele mai multe ori nota aia a fost obtinuta din improvizatii.

In opinia noastra, liric vorbind, cea mai buna sursa de inspiratie e viata reala, lucrurile prin care cu totii trecem, si lucrurile care ne inconjoara. Berzerk este cea mai brutally honest versiune a noastra, care se reflecta in muzica.

Ce asteptari aveti de la “Ashes”?

Vrem ca Ashes sa fie ascultat de cat mai multa lume, vrem sa prinda si vrem sa transmitem un mesaj. Vrem sa intindem o mana de ajutor celor care nu se pot ridica, sa le transmitem ca nu sunt singuri.

Ce planuri aveti pentru 2020?

Pentru 2020 pregatim primul nostru lot de merch. Avem deja cateva gig-uri planificate si ne dorim sa obtinem mai multe prin toata tara. De asemenea, prin vara, asteptati-va la inca un EP, aproape la 180 de grade fata de primul.

Aveti vreun mesaj pentru fanii vostri si cei ce vor citi acest interviu?

Da. Stati cu ochii in patru pe canalul nostru de Youtube pentru ca pe la inceputul lui ianuarie iese “Ashes”. Avem multe planuri pentru 2020 printre care mult material. O sa anuntam fiecare cantare si fiecare release sau eveniment pe Instagram. Also, daca vreti sa ne sustineti curand vine merch-ul. Stay Hardcore and stay tuned for more. 🙂

If you want to see them live, come to their EP release,more info available here.