Interview with Crucifier

Crucifier are a thrash band from Greece who have been around for over a decade. Recently I got to interview vocalist Hlias to find out more about this band and their plans for the near future.


Hello, tell us a little about the history of your band.

CRUCIFIER was formed in February of 1995 by Hlias "Thanatoid" Kyriazis (vocals) and Giorgos Kyriazis (bass guitar) in Athens, Greece. With 3 demos (1995-Infernal Pain / 1996-Totally Madness / 1998-Fear is your Mind) 2 Ep's (2001-Innocent World / 2004-Escape or Die!) and a full length album (2002-Merciless Conviction) after several changes in the line-up, the band recorded the second full length (2006-Cursed Cross) with new members from 2003-'04 and '05 except Thanatoid. Crucifier have played in many live gigs until now and as a support they have played with Paul Di'Anno in 2003 and with Tankard once in 2004 in Athens and again in Larissa in 2006. Currently the band has changed once again his line-up with a new drummer, bass player and continue with one guitar. A new album is in pre-production, and Cursed Cross was released recently by Anger of Metal in vinyl Format. A couple of 7" as well as our new album will come out on ibex moon records in 2009.... so keep watching this space !

Who are your musical influences?
Canadian speed thrash and bay area bands too....Exodus, Razor, Sacrifice, Vio-lence, Rigor Mortis, Sacred Reich, Exhorder and shit like that.

I understand that you are working on material for a new album. How is that going? Do you have a possible album title and release date figured out yet?
We 're signed to ibex moon records, so the new album should be coming out sometime in 2009, we 'll start recording towards the fall, we also did a split with Hirax and one with slaughter. The new album remains untitled for the time being until we figure that one out !

How do the new tracks compare with your previous material?
Faster and more furious, also hopefully the recording will be even better !

How did you come to be influenced by a style of music that happened when you were fairly young?
It doesn't really matter, if we were young or not - as far as we love and breathe it... also we 're a little older than some may think... haha ! Shitty old lechers from hell!!!

What do you think about the metal scene in general today? Is it getting better or worse than it was say at the beginning of this decade?
The scene was always strong - no matter if the bands were more prominent or not. Right now the scene is strong and it will become even stronger so it's an exciting time for us. Generally every decade has it's own bands, style and history and we appreciate them all !!!

Old style thrash bands have been popping up more and more in recent years. Why do you think that is? Are the thrash acts today doing anything different from the acts twenty years ago?
Well, there's renewed interest in the scene - a lot of the old bands - are back with a vengeance - offered a second chance .... I don't think they really do anything differently - not really, it's just the way things are...it's a cycle and things have come full circle !



What is your band doing that sets you apart from other thrash bands?
Thanks for the comment - we don't think we do something differently - or that we 're better than others... we want to be the best we can and we try to do our best.... we play with conviction and feeling... and we try to stay true to our roots ! In union we stand with all the other metal thrashing mad bands !!!!!!

What’s the metal scene like in your part of Greece? Are there any great bands there that we should know about?
The scene is blooming here too, there are many good bands, here too, but the promotional means are lacking, however I'd like to point out that bands like Infest, Mortal Threat, Braindead, Conviction , Steamroller Assault and many more are really kickass and you ought to check them out !

What are some of the most memorable shows that you have played so far?
With Tankard in Larissa (2006) and quite a few local gigs, with Paul Di anno in 2004.... hmmm... well we are looking forward to be seeing you in a pit near your house ... or not so near your house ... hahahaha.
Have you played any shows outside of Greece yet? Do you hope to play outside the country in the near future?
There are some shows in Belgium and Holland in the horizon - our first gigs outside Greece, so we're pretty much excited..... !

Who do you think are some of the best of the younger thrash bands going today?
Fuelled by fire, Merciless Death, Strikemaster, Avenger of blood, Hatchet, Vexed, Violator, Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, Executioner, Indemnity, Retzet !!!! HAHA ! Slaver, Nuclear, Head on collision, Cross Examination, Armored Assassin, Diamond Plate, and more.

Pick the band from each of the following pairs that you prefer and tell why you picked that band.
All are super bands - but I'll pick them according to tastes.... which are like arseholes ! hahaha ! You know the saying !
Destruction or Sodom
Destruction, cause I love them from a very young age.

Nuclear Assault or Overkill- Too hard too choose ! Nuclear assault are one of my fav bands !!!

Death or Possessed---- Even harder !

Slayer or Venom- Venom !!!

Is there anything else that you would like to say about you band or your music?
Not really - we appreciate your interest - please keep an eye on us - and the forthcoming release ....and keep thrashing like MANIACS !!!!! Thanks for the interview - see you in the PIT.



http://www.myspace.com/crucifiergreece