Interview to STONEWIELDER (USA)

1. Hello my friend, pleasure to have you on Rotten Pages ´zine. How are you doing today? Let us set the scene first. Where do we find you right now? Please describe your surroundings.

I'm great thanks for asking. I am currently sitting at the rehearsal studio in preparation to go back to the studio soon and record two new singles!

2. Stonewielder is a trio — how long have you known each other? Would it be possible to tell us more about your personal musical background?

I have know the drummer, Dalton for maybe six months and we recently had a lineup change on Bass so I have now Kevin, the new bassist for a little over a month. So we are definitely still learning each other and our styles

3. When did you first hear doom metal and what did you like about it? What was the progress of your moving from outside to inside the genre, as first a fan and then a musician?

I first heard doom as a child bands such as Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Trouble and solitude aeturnus. I think I like the slower tempo and how they were able to create a moody atmosphere even though at that same time period I was into thrash, death, punk and classic rock.

I spent quite a few years releasing demos and albums in the melodic thrash/death scene in the late 90s early 00s until I found myself drifting back to the doom I loved with bands like sleep, electric wizard and windhand.

4. First of all I must congratulate you for your debut EP “The Suffering Ritual”. It is a very solid work with a consistent sound! Of course I wonder if you are satisfied with it and if you reached the desired goal?

Thank you! The EP was written and recorded in roughly about four months so we definitely went hard at getting to that point. Overall I am quite satisfied with it but a few tracks we have been tweaking arrangements for the full album we will be doing in 2026. I don't want to just rerelease them. We would rather add to them and create even stronger atmosphere for the album to warrant them being released a second time.

5. What were the goals you had in mind when you started to record it, any elements you definitely wanted to have on these 5 songs?

Originally I had the idea to write an EP that covered all that I love about doom metal. I wanted to have a body of work I could be proud of in case that was as far as we got. Remember at the time when I came up with the idea of creating this band we weren't a band yet so I wasn't sure if this would be a solo project or an actual band and I am happy to say that it became an actual band with members that bring the right level of fire needed for the genre .

6. When you work in the recordings, what kind of process do you go through? Do you come in all prepared or do you improvise?

We came prepared. For a few weeks did love scratch tracks in the studio and a couple I brought final guitar parts with me. There were also a few solos that were done live in the studio as well .

7. What do you consider the strengths of Stonewielder as far as musicians and your doom/sludge metal craft?

The strength of the band lies in the fact we are all first and foremost fans of the genre so we all understand the musical language required. Everyone in the band also does the proper homework to be ready for studio and live situations.

8. With so many bands in this genre coming up these days, how do you manage to keep your material relevant? How challenging is it to come up with newer material? What is the thought process when writing the songs?

I can only hope that our songwriting is quality to keep it relevant. We tend try to add some twists to the riffs as well as ambience at times to keep the ears engaged. Most of the time when I write riffs for Stonewielder the songs come quickly.and if not I scrap it no matter how much I may like a riff. The thought process is done through visualization. The majority of the EP was written in my sleep. I would picture us on stage performing music before going to sleep and when I woke up I would have riffs looking to be released in the morning.

9. Do your music and lyrics have any comprehensive ideological background, or it rather reflects your immediate moods and ideas when it comes to composing music?

In general the lyrics or never going to be about happiness. I don't find that interesting. I guess you could say our lyrics are nihilistic and depressive to a degree. The lyrics are the last part for me after writing the music.

10. And what about inspiration outside of Doom metal and music in general? What else fuels your inspiration? What kind of art do you enjoy in your spare time? Literature, cinematography, theatre?

Occult books when I have time to read is quite an inspiration to me.

11. How much time and effort do you spend on the band to get everything to look and sound the right way?

I wouldn't say we spend a prolonged amount of time on that. Like I mentioned previously the EP was writing and recorded very quickly. Perhaps going forward

Stonewielder

We will slow down and really spend time in it but for some reason these song happened very quickly.

12. With the easy access to internet you can spread your music across the globe just sitting in front of your computer. How much effort to you put into promoting the band world-wide?

Promoting worldwide will actually be the next goal. The first goals were write music, record get some local shows lined up. We completed those goals so now the next logical step.woukd be world-wide promotion and label backing. It would be great to have a team in place to help us complete the next steps

13. It might be too early, but what can we expect from the forthcoming album?

Did I mention it earlier? The album will include songs from the EP that will be reworked. They will all feature our new bassist..there will be another 3-4 original songs and we have discussed the possibility of a cover. That remains to be seen though.

14. We have come to the last question of the interview. What are the last words for people out there?

To all of the doom fanatics and metalheads we respect you all and appreciate the dedication to keeping this style of music we all love alive. Also go to Bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook and follow us to stay tuned for new music, shows and merch! The power of the riff compels me!

https://stonewielder.bandcamp.com/