DEATHDOOM

Here is the first enstallment on our look into the British UndergrounD Scene, and we we kick things off with Stoke Metallers AMENTI ...

1. I understand that you have changed band names in the past. Can you tell my readers why the name change and what you were called before?

The name was changed from Hecatomb to Amenti because of an old Greek Metal band called Hecatomb had it copy righted. As the band became more serious it became clear that the band name had to be changed. The name was changed to Amenti after the song Hecatomb wrote. Amenti then wrote a song called 'Hecatomb'. One could say the song names are a little lazy!

2. How easy or hard do you find it making yourself heard by the masses?

We have a very good promotional agent who works very hard getting us in magazines and interviews, and our booking agent is also very hard working and gets us a tours and festivals so we can play to as many people as possible. In the early days we done this stuff our selfs (and we still do to a certain extent) but it's nice having extra help.

3. Whats the Stoke metal scene like?

Only 1 band member is actually from Stoke (the rest of us moved here for the band) but my personal experience of the local Metal scene is very good. Not just in Stoke but the whole area has a great metal scene. Lots of great venues and Metal fans means Metal bands can play local shows and sell out large venues.

4. Who are your favorite bands to play live with?

For me personally I loved touring with Onslaught. Me and the Onslaught drummer Steve Grice got along very well and he let me use hit whole kit every night (including pedals, snare, cymbals) which was very nice of him. Great guy and a great inspiration. But for the whole band I think our favorite bands to tour with were Rotting Christ, Krisiun and Incantion because all of those guys were great. There was one episode where Jon our bassist was sleeping on a chair next to Sakis the Rotting Christ lead man when Sakis woke up and punched Jon in the face after having a bad dream. That was hilarious!

5. What are Amenti's long term goals?

To take this as far as we can do I guess. What is ANY bands long term goal? To get as many people as possible to hear the music.

6. Who are your collective influences?

The Haunted, Exodus, Slayer, Metallica being the obvious cliche ones. But everything from Saul Williams and Nine Inch Nails to Anaal Nathrakh and Nile on the wider scale.

7. Do you find it a struggle coming from the UK scene which is so awash with> bands?

Occasionally, but then again it seems like so many bands are overlooked for continental or American bands, theres a great scene in the UK it just seems no media are willing to cover it.

8. Finally, whats the fnniest thing to ever happen to you on tour?

Well other then the previously mentioned Sakis punching Jon in the face there was a time where we went to a venue with no toilets so Max from Krisiun took a shit on a newspaper on the floor in the dressing room. Also Craig Smilowski who was drumming for Incantation on the tour with them (and also performed drumming duties in Immolation) was an all round crazy funny guy. I went onto the tour bus to get my bag and he was getting head off some Russian chick. My bag was right above where he was sitting on a shelf so it was a bit awkward getting my bag. Later he told me on the bus 'So this Russian chick comes up to me and says; Russian chicks are crazy, and so I got my dick out and said; lets see how crazy you are'. I'm pretty sure he didn't have a shower for about 5 days and had been performing sweaty shows every night. Now that's fuckin crazy.