MAY 5th 2024
GREH EXCLUSIVE
Metal Mom Rita got a chance to sit down and speak with Gjero Krsteski, guitarist of Blackened Death Metal, with a mix of doom from Germany - GREH. What started out as a solo member project back in 2022, now a trio of members here in 2024, with plans to release a full length debut album (releasing an EP in 2023!) Check out our interview below for more on GREH.
MT - How did you come to choose the name GREH for the band ?
Gjero: The name GREH is unique and has a special meaning for us as a band. It's an old word from a forgotten language that means 'deadly sin'. When we started the band, we wanted a name that reflected our music and our message. Blackened death doom metal is a genre that often deals with dark and heavy themes, and we felt the name GREH fit perfectly. It represents the darkness in our music, but also the strength and determination we have as band members. It's a constant reminder to us that even in the darkest of times, there is strength to be found.
MT - There are 3 of you in the band, tell us who they are, and how you each came to GREH ?
Gjero: We are three members in the band GREH, each of us brings our unique perspective and musical influence to the band. Firstly, there is the founder, that's me, and I am the lead guitarist of the band. I have a deep passion for blackened death doom metal and have always dreamed of playing in a band that plays this type of music.
Secondly, we have Martin, our vocalist. He has a rich musical history and has played in various bands before joining GREH. His vocal abilities are second to none and he brings a depth and complexity to our music that makes it truly unique.
Thirdly, we have Monne, our drummer. He is the heart of our band and keeps us all in time. His energy and commitment is infectious and he always puts 100% into every rehearsal and every gig. We all came to GREH through our shared love of music and our desire to create something unique and meaningful. It was a natural progression and we are proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to what the future holds.
MT - What made you form the band in 2022 ?
Gjero: The formation of GREH in 2022 was the result of a series of musical and personal developments. We have all always had a deep passion for blackened death doom metal and we felt it was time to form our own band and express our vision of this music. 2022 was a special year for all of us. It was a year of change, challenges and personal development. We felt it was the perfect time to start something new and channel our creative energies into something we really cared about. The formation of GREH was also a reaction to the musical landscape at the time. We saw a gap in the scene for the kind of music we wanted to make and we felt we had something unique and meaningful to offer. Ultimately, the formation of GREH in 2022 was a natural progression of our musical journey and we are proud of what we have achieved since.
MT - In March of 2023 you came out with digital debut EP "Reversion Of The Repressed" with 5 songs, how did the people react to it ?
Gjero: The response to our debut EP 'Reversion Of The Repressed' has been overwhelmingly positive. Since its release in March 2023, we have received incredible support from our fans and the music community at large. People really seemed to resonate with the themes and musical direction we took in the five songs on the EP. We've gotten a lot of messages from fans telling us how much they enjoy the music and how they feel connected to the songs. It's also been encouraging to see that our music has reached people who don't normally listen to blackened death doom metal. It shows us that we have created something unique and appealing. Of course there has also been constructive criticism, and we appreciate that because it helps us grow and develop as a band. But overall we are very happy with the reaction to 'Reversion Of The Repressed' and look forward to making more music in the future.
MT - Was it an easy process from start to finish ?
Gjero: The process of creating our debut EP 'Reversion Of The Repressed' was a journey of highs and lows. There were moments of inspiration and creativity, but also times of challenge and doubt. From the initial idea to the final recording, we have strived to turn our vision into reality. There were many late nights in the studio, countless hours of writing and reworking songs and intense rehearsals to make sure every note, every beat and every lyric was exactly how we wanted it. It wasn't always easy, but we worked through the challenges and are proud of what we achieved. Every difficulty we've encountered has only made us stronger and helped us grow as a band. Ultimately, it's been a rewarding process and we wouldn't do it any other way. The challenges we've overcome have only motivated us more to share our music and continue doing what we love.
MT - Would you have done anything different ?
Gjero: In hindsight, there are always things you could do differently. But we firmly believe that every decision we've made and every challenge we've overcome has made us the band we are today. Of course there have been learning moments along the way. There were times when we wondered if we should take a different approach or go in a different direction. But ultimately, these experiences have helped us grow and learn. We're proud of what we've accomplished with 'Reversion Of The Repressed', and while there are certainly things we could do differently next time, we wouldn't change anything about our journey. Every step we've taken has brought us to the point we're at now, and we look forward to seeing where the future takes us.
MT - I heard you are coming out your debut album in the winter of 2024 ?
Gjero: Yes, that's right! We are incredibly excited to release our debut album in winter 2024. It is the result of many months of hard work, creative collaboration and musical discovery. We have strived to create an album that reflects our musical influences and unique style. Every song on the album tells a story and we can't wait to share those stories with our fans. We're grateful for the support we've received so far, and we hope our debut album will delight fans old and new. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements!
MT - Who is writing the lyrics ?
Gjero: The lyrics for GREH are a collaborative effort. We all contribute our own ideas and inspirations and work together to write lyrics that reflect our music and our message. It's a creative process that often requires discussion and compromise, but it's also one of the most rewarding aspects of being in a band. Each of us has a unique voice and perspective, and it's amazing to see these different voices come together to create something unique and meaningful. We believe that this collective approach to writing lyrics helps to increase the diversity and depth of our music and ensures that each song tells a story that we all care about.
MT - Where does the inspiration come from ?
Gjero: Our inspiration comes from many different sources. As a band dedicated to blackened death doom metal, we naturally draw a lot of inspiration from the genre. We are influenced by the pioneers of the genre and by the many talented bands active in the scene today. But our inspiration goes beyond the music. We are inspired by our personal experiences, by the world around us and by the issues that are close to our hearts. We write about what we feel, what we see and what we experience. We are also inspired by our hometown of Karlsruhe and the rich culture and history it has to offer. It's a place that has shaped us and has a big influence on our music. Ultimately, our inspiration comes from our passion for music and our desire to create something that is meaningful to both us and our fans.
MT - What can we expect from this new album ?
Gjero: Our upcoming album is an ambitious and passionate representation of what GREH is all about as a band. You can expect a collection of songs that reflect our musical influences and unique style. Each song on the album is carefully crafted and represents a part of our journey as a band. We have endeavored to explore a variety of moods and themes, from the darkness and heaviness typical of blackened death doom metal to moments of hope and light. In addition, we have endeavored to take our musical skills and songwriting to the next level. You can expect more complex arrangements, deeper lyrics and a wider range of musical textures. Ultimately, our goal with this album is to create a musical experience that is meaningful to both us and our fans. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.
MT - Do you have a title for it yet ?
Gjero: Yes, we already have a title for our upcoming album. It will be called 'Dysphoric Devotion'. The title reflects the emotional depths and dark intensity we are exploring in this album. We believe it fits perfectly with the music we've created and we can't wait to share it with you all."
MT - Do you have an idea of how many songs will be on it ?
Gjero: We have planned that our upcoming album 'Dysphoric Devotion' will contain eight songs. Each song is unique and contributes to the overall story and atmosphere of the album. We have endeavored to create a diverse and dynamic collection of songs that will take our fans on a musical journey.
MT - Were any of you in bands before GREH ?
Gjero: I was bass player and manager of the band HELLGREASER, Maurice Monne is still active
as drummer in HARD STRIKE and MILAN, and Martin Kocula is active as singer and guitarist in GRAU.
MT - Did you have any bands that inspired your way of music ?
Gjero: Yes, there are many bands that have inspired our musical journey. As a blackened death doom metal band, we naturally draw a lot of inspiration from bands like Dissection, Behemoth, Celtic Frost and Triptykon. These bands have shaped the genre and shown us what is musically possible. But our inspiration goes beyond the genre. We are also influenced by bands outside of metal that have shown us how to bring emotional depth and musical complexity to our songs. Ultimately, our music is the result of all these influences and our own unique vision. We are proud to follow in the footsteps of these great bands while forging our own path.
MT - What is your favourite band to listen to ?
Gjero: It's hard to pick a single band as a favorite because there are so many incredible bands that have inspired us. But if I had to choose one band that I always enjoy listening to, it would probably be "Vertebra Atlantis" and specifically the album "Lustral Purge In Cerulean Bliss". Their music has a depth and complexity that always fascinates me and they have had a huge influence on my own musical style.
MT - Do you have any that you secretly listen to ?
Gjero: I'm actually a big fan of Roxette. Although their music is very different from the blackened
death doom metal we do with GREH, I find their melodies catchy and their lyrics inspiring. Their
music reminds me that there are no boundaries in music and that you can draw inspiration from
many different sources. It's always good to have a broad musical spectrum and I'm proud that I
don't limit my musical preferences to one genre.
MT - Is there anything I might have missed asking that you want people to know about the band ?
Gjero: There's something else we'd like to share. As a band, we place a high value on connecting with our fans and community. We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together and we are grateful for the support and engagement we have received from our fans. We are also constantly evolving and growing musically. We are always looking for new inspirations and ways to improve our music. So stay tuned, because there is always something new and exciting to expect from GREH. And finally, we want to emphasize that we make our music out of passion and love for the art. Our goal is not only to make great music, but also to have a positive impact on the people who listen to it. We hope that our music brings people joy and inspires them, just as it inspires us.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BandGreh
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