1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Since the album came out in late 2018 we've been busy playing shows, promoting the new album, whilst also working on new tracks for our next release. We've played a bunch of shows here in Australia, and we did a string of dates in South East Asia as well. We've been keeping busy. The rock n roll train never stops.
2.In 2018 you had released your recent album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you had released in the past?
Musically we aren't trying to change our style too much, just trying to write better music, which I think we clearly achieved. 'Dawn of Domination' is a lot stronger than our first album. Over the course of the band's career we've been able to hone our songwriting skills, and pick up some new tricks along the way. If anything we're getting a bit more fast and heavier, whilst the songs are more focused.
3.Some of your lyrics deal with satanic, occult and blasphemous themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?
Our interests mostly pertain to real-world issues and we use the dark subject matter to hammer down our point about discontent with society and the fucked up humans we have to share a world with.
4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have
explored over the years with your music?
As mentioned, we have discussed real issues and actual events in our lyrics. We've described the perverted acts of a couple of sinister serial killers, romanticised about Hellish themes, and hey, we have even written a couple of tribute tracks to other people and artists, such as 'Whiskey 'til Death' which is a cheers to Lemmy.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Bastardizer'?
The name suits us well as we consider ourselves a bastardisation of various musical genres, i.e. thrash, black metal, hard rock, whatever. How we thought up the name was a bit of a fluke; I was looking at my CD collection hovering over the Motorhead section and basically put two album names together, 'Bastards' and 'Motorizer'. The name was perfect, and here we are today.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented
on the album cover?
The imagery depicts some of the lyrics from one of our tracks 'Demons Unleashed' mostly. Plus we have paid homage to a classic film with the setting. Only one person I have talked to has picked up on that reference so I'll let the fans have a think about it. Here's a hint though: 'Kali Ma Shakti de'.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our best shows are always when the crowd is going wild. That's always the key, when they won't let us stop and they're up on stage jumping back into the pit etc. We had a gig like that recently in Melbourne, Australia. We've had a few in our hometown of Sydney, and internationally, gigs in Moscow, Bangkok, and Manila spring to mind which had crazy punters in the audience. As for our performance, we just get up there and play at 1000 miles an hour. We're loud, fast, and raw. What you want from a rock gig I would hope.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We always want to get out on the road, but it's tricky being based in Australia as it's logistically difficult to get to many places in the world. That being said, that won't stop us. We will play anywhere we're the fans want to see us. Some places that are priorities are North/South America and more of Europe, as well as going back to Asia. But it's about promoters being willing to get us over, so the more fans we pick up the more likely we are able to tour. We generally keep busy playing shows here in Australia too.
9.In April 'Undercover' and 'Evil Spell Records' are re-issuing your 2018 album on psychical format, can you tell us a little bit more about the newer version?
We (and a lot of our fans) have been dying to get our hands on the vinyl version of the album so it looks like it's finally arriving this month which is exciting.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black and thrash metal?
Overall the reaction to the album has been overwhelmingly positive. People seem to love it, which is cool. We've picked up some new fans along the way as well which has been positive. We're happy with the response from the fans. We hope people dig our tunes.
11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Bastardizer is Numero Uno for us all. Some band members are part of other bands but Bastardizer remains the priority with our musical endevours.
12.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Well we already have several new tracks written for our next LP and I can say that we aren't changing our style a great deal; just getting tighter and writing some more heavy material. One of our new songs is definitely the toughest and heaviest we've written. It will be exciting to hear that one recorded. So I think you can expect basically more of the same in terms of style, but a more consistent and quality output. Faster tracks, heavier material, better songs. If it ain't broke, don't fix it as they say.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We all listen to different stuff personally, but the influences tend to remain in what specifically energises Bastardizer's style, i.e. Old School thrash and black metal, and other black/thrash bands etc. I may listen to a band that doesn't sound like Bastardizer, for example, like Shining who I'm a big fan of. I like playing their songs on guitar at home but their style hasn't creeped into our songwriting yet. Not to say that that may not happen in future. We still have a lot of riffs and lyrics up our sleeve before we're going to go changing what it is we do best.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for taking the time to check out Bastardizer. We really appreciate all the support we've received, especially in regards to 'Dawn of Domination'. If you're someone that hasn't heard it, it's been described as Bathory and Motorhead on steroids so if that sounds like your cup of tea I suggest you give it a listen. Plus, also look out for the new vinyl version of the album released through Evil Spell/Undercover Records. Hopefully we can tour in your part of the world. Keep it heavy, and keep dominating! Cheers!
Regards,
Bill Morgan (guitars)
Bastardizer
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