DEMIRICOUS – Interview with Guitarist Scott Wilson

METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, and EXODUS—the pioneers of the thrash metal movement. Those bands’ contribution to heavy metal cannot be quantified. They paved the way for the modern heavy metal sound. Over twenty years has passed since their glorious inception, and their influence on the scene is as powerful as ever. However, for heavy metal to thrive, new blood is imperative. Bands such as UNEARTH, LAMB OF GOD, TRIVIUM, GOD FORBID and ARCH ENEMY are the new generation of thrash. These bands are undeniably influenced by the forefathers of thrash, but breath new life into the movement by incorporating elements from various styles that have sprung forth since thrash’s glorious birth. Another promising young band worth mentioning with this illustrious group is Metal Blade recording artist, DEMIRICOUS. Although not as well known as their peers, it is obvious this group is destined for stardom. Upon returning home from a two-part tour, first with BYZANTINE, then with DISMEMBER, GRAVE, VITAL REMAINS, and WITHERED, guitarist Scott Wilson took a few moments to answer a few questions for MetalCentre. Check out the following interview to find out why these young bloods have such a bright future ahead of them.

MetalCentre: I mentioned in the introduction that Demiricous plays thrash. Can you give our readers a more detailed profile of what your music sounds like?

DEMIRICOUS: Its old school shit. Totally influenced by all the late 80s /early 90s thrash movement. It sounds like a fuckin rager. Make sure to buy it and then pick up a case of PBR.

MetalCentre: What does the word “DEMIRICOUS” mean? Why did you decide to use that as a band name?

DEMIRICOUS: It doesn’t mean shit and that’s exactly why we chose to use it. It’s nothing. It’s us, that’s it. It doesn’t pigeon hole us or fuckin mean anything. So we are free to be whatever the fuck we feel like bein’.

MetalCentre: “One (Hellbound)” is your first full-length studio album. You were fortunate enough to be picked up by Metal Blade Records. How did you hook up with this label? What was your reaction when you found out they were going to sign you?

DEMIRICOUS: I was fuckin’ surprised. Bein’ on Metal Blade is a dream come true. But the real challenge is staying on and writing shit that is good enough to take you that extra step. Basically it has a lot to do with our representation. Our manager just got our shit out there and in people’s faces…and they dug it.

MetalCentre: How have your album sales been? Do these sales meet your expectations or defy them?

DEMIRICOUS: We never had any expectations. We’ve sold a fair amount for a debut CD, I think. But we didn’t get into this thing thinking we were gonna take over the world or anything. We are just doin’ what we do, and if it catches on then that rules.

MetalCentre: Have you noticed a marked increase in sales since airing your video for “Vagrant Idol” on MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball?

DEMIRICOUS: Maybe. I’m not to much of a numbers guy. I don’t watch it too carefully.

MetalCentre: How do you feel about this video? Did it come out the way you planned?

DEMIRICOUS: I like it. The one for “To Serve Is To Destroy” is way better. It’s live and has a lot of our live energy in it.

MetalCentre: Do you have any plans for making another video? If so, will you use the same production team to make it?

DEMIRICOUS: Yeah, we made one for “To Serve…” and it turned out amazing. We used different film teams, but not for any other reason than just convenience. Both film crews were very professional and amazing to work with.

MetalCentre: “One” is your first proper release, but not your first album. You previously recorded two demo albums. How do these albums compare to “One”? Do you foresee re-releasing them in the future?

DEMIRICOUS: The two four song demos we did are good for one thing, and that’s just seein’ where we came from. You can kinda hear us grow up on those things. I still like em, but I’ll never write music like that again, I don’t think. There are a lot of black metal influences on those things, which is cool, but I think what we are doing now is way more fun. We might re-release them but I don’t know why really.

MetalCentre: Right now, you are undertaking a tour with Prosthetic Recording artists, BYZANTINE. How is this tour going? Do you feel both you feel you were matched up well this band?

DEMIRICOUS: BYZANTINE are fuckin’ awesome! It would do me some serious good to sit down with those guitar players too. Tony is fuckin amazing! We had a really good time on that tour. That was one of only a few tours we did this year where we were playing with musicians that were on our same page. The BYZANTINE tour, the SOILENT GREEN tour and the DISMEMBER tour were all amazing things to be a part of. I hope to get on more packages like those next year.

MetalCentre: After this tour, you hook up with DISMEMBER, GRAVE, VITAL REMAINS, and WITHERED. How do you feel about this upcoming tour?

DEMIRICOUS: We’re already are back from that tour and it was fuckin awesome.

Everybody on that tour were amazing, and the shows were off the hook.

MetalCentre: Are you nervous knowing you will be opening for these death metal behemoths, considering the longevity and success VITAL REMAINS, GRAVE, and DISMEMBER have enjoyed?

DEMIRICOUS: Fuck yeah! But I think we did well and held our own. I can’t wait to hopefully go out with them again some time. Maybe over in their neck of the woods.

MetalCentre: Are there any plans to embark on a European tour after this one?

DEMIRICOUS: Not really, but I hope that there will be soon. Last time we went to the UK and was the best thing I’ve ever done. Spoiled the shit out of us.

MetalCentre: When metal heads come down to watch your performance, what are they liable to see?

DEMIRICOUS: Us going the fuck off, and then me drinkin’ one too many beers.

MetalCentre: Now that you’ve released your first album via one of the world’s most prominent labels, have a video getting regular air play on MTV2, and are continuously touring with some of metal’s biggest and best names, what is your next step?

DEMIRICOUS: Now we are at home writing the next album with our new drummer, Dustin Bolgis. We have been working on that shit now for the last few weeks. Hopefully, we can get it out by next summer or something.

www.demiricous.com