Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
Newcastle Upon Tyne thrash metal outfit Kilonova were described by Kerrang! Magazine as “…hair windmilling, neck snapping Thrash nirvana”. Here, vocalist Ellen Hill talks about the birth of the band, playing Bloodstock Open Air Festival, and new single ‘Immortal’, as well as proving yet again that Dolly Parton should be mandatory listening.
New single ‘Immortal’ is a bit tasty isn’t it! You must be pleased with the way it came out? Had the song been brewing for a while, or is it brand new?
EH – Thanks! We recorded ‘Immortal’ in November at Tru Studios, so it was a little wait to get it out for everyone to hear. However, in that time we recorded the music video for it which also turned out amazingly. The song itself had been written for about 3-4 months and had been played live a few times as well.
It seems quite a personal song, as well as very timely. What’s the theme behind the lyrics?
EH – ‘Immortal’ is all about rising above whatever life throws at you and becoming stronger from the experiences. When writing the lyrics for this song I was starting to change my outlook on a few things, and realising that I was worth more than I was giving myself credit for. It really is quite a personal song for me and I’m glad people are receiving it well.
In what ways do your surroundings inspire your song writing – not at the minute, obviously, as you’ll be sitting looking at four walls! Or has the lock down proved to be a good excuse to write more?
EH – As a band we generally have small ideas, like a riff or something, put it on the dropbox and send it in the groupchat for everyone to rip apart and put back together. We also have writing sessions, which are basically just excuses for us all to hang out and ignore real life problems; we bounce off each other a lot. Lyrically, I draw from a lot of issues that I’m facing, so whatever’s surrounding me becomes a muse for a song. I don’t generally write songs about my house though, maybe I should give that a go. Lock down has given us more time to work on the second EP, which we cannot wait to start recording once this is all over.
How has the band grown since the release of debut EP, Omnicide?
EH – As friends we have become so much closer. The EP allowed us to start touring which meant we would be together 24 hours a day for 3-4 days at a time. They really are like family to me now. Our fan base has grown which is awesome, someone even got the Omnicide artwork tattooed on their leg! Still doesn’t feel real. I think our sound has matured as well, we are really tearing apart every track bit by bit. As much as it could suck for someone to say they don’t like a certain riff or lyric, we are close enough that we can be brutally honest.
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
EH – The band started when Jonny and Joe got drunk on a university night and decided they wanted to play music together. They put some ads up online and found Steve and I. We’ve been together about two years now.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourselves?
EH – High energy modern thrash metal, we aren’t afraid to get in your face to make sure you’re having a good time.
As every band should! Now, how did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
EH – Our first show was a strange one; we played an all-day festival called ‘Rockstock’ in 2018, but we were in between two acoustic acts at like 5:30 in the afternoon. People still came to watch and had great fun though!
From ‘Rockstock’ to Bloodstock, what was it like performing at Bloodstock?! What did you take from the experience?
EH – It was unreal, sometimes I still can’t believe it happened! Bloodstock was only our sixth show as a band and most of the other shows were Metal to the Masses. Bloodstock gave us a drive; we want to push ourselves as a band, to keep beating our previous accomplishment.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent. In what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
EH – I think as long as you are making music you care about and enjoy doing then it will speak for itself. Never try and build a name you don’t believe in.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that KILONOVA would be best suited to open for?
EH – Alien Weaponry, thrash metal from New Zealand, or we would all love to open for Lamb of God, but who wouldn’t?
Both incredible bands, and from what they’ve put out already, the new Lamb Of God album is intense. Who do you feel is the next band to break out of the UK?
EH – Both Arkdown and VEXED are great. They’re the ones to watch!
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that?”
EH – My first musical memory is from when I was about seven and my class at school was given the opportunity to learn the violin. My parents weren’t very happy when I first started because the noise was awful! The ‘lightbulb moment’ was when I was about 13 and heard ‘In this Moment’ for the first time. Maria Brink was the first female ‘screamer’ I heard and that really gave me a drive to be like her.
What was the last gig you attended as a fan?
EH – I went to see my friend’s band ‘Rituals’, and ‘Nephilim’ a few months ago in Newcastle.
The album that you have in your album collection/spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
EH – I really have a soft spot for Country music, so that would probably have to go to Dolly Parton ‘9 To 5 And Odd Jobs’.
You can’t beat a bit of Dolly! Now, what about the rest of the year, what are your plans for 2020?
EH – Write music while we can’t leave our house, play shows, record the next EP, world domination.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
EH – We are active on all forms of social media; the best way of contact would be via Facebook or by sending us an email at kilonovainfo@gmail.com We also have our Instagram account which is @Kilonovauk
‘Immortal’ is available now and you can purchase it, as well as the ‘Omnicide’ EP on the Kilonova bandcamp page here.
Interview – Dave
