Brock Lindow

36 Crazyfists

The music world can be a cold and harrowing frontier; a place that can show you the five magics or turn your dreams to smoke. Yet one thing remains a constant in this wilderness of melody and grit, and that is perseverance. Regardless of the changing times bands continue to grip and claw in order to have their voices heard and get that golden nugget of recognition. That is why when you see a group who have just released their 8th studio album you know that they are here for a reason.

The times indeed have changed, and 36 CRAZYFISTS have seen them do so, through thick and thin. Yet the band are still here, and their sound is as true as ever. The group's passion continues to burn and has recently ignited their latest effort "Lanterns" (out now via Spinefarm Records), melting away any doubts regarding the group's validity within the Metal scene. Thus in light of their new record and their upcoming European tour, Metal Temple staffer Anton Sanatov took the opportunity to conduct an interview with the band's vocalist extraordinaire Brock Lindow and ask some questions about the band's creative motivations. So grab a lantern and feast your eyes upon it.

By Anton Sanatov

• December 16, 2017

September saw the release of you most recent album "Lanterns". How would you describe it in your own words?

Musically it's a pretty moody rock album with a lyrical content that consists of a man really analysing his life and telling the stories of paths once walked.

You previous record – "Time and Trauma" - was written following a very difficult time in your life, does "Lanterns" signify a brighter outlook on the future, a way out of the darkness if you may?

I think we all have our dark moments and this record surely reflects on mine. Seeking a way out is definitely also heavily themed.

Music has come to the aid of many during emotionally troubling times - and I believe that you yourself have mentioned that music has always been there for you - what band or what song has always gotten you through such times?

I love the Bay Area thrash bands just as much as I love the darker Seattle 90's bands like ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN, those bands are really a time vault for me and really bring me back to those early days of really discovering music.

What makes better music…joy or pain?

I think it depends on the writer and the style, I love Layne Staley's approach on his struggles and how his voice created such a mood through some pretty dark stuff and then I can really get into people like Hozier, Dermot Kennedy and The White Buffalo who really have a more sensual side to their jams.

How has your approach to making music changed over the years?

Lyrically I tend to write vague poetry that really relates to my life. I'd rather the listener take their feelings through the songs that may not necessarily be the same as mine but equally fulfilling so in that sense it's mostly the same but hopefully the words are used more as a reminder for me to continue to grow and avoid the pitfalls that can truly set you back.

Back when you were starting out did you ever picture yourself releasing your 8th studio record?

I guess I just never looked that far down the road, I love making music with my boys and I have seen so much with them over the years that I'm truly proud of our longevity.

This record – at least in my opinion – features some your strongest vocal work to date – your voice appears to be more powerful and expressive than ever. Is it just a matter of getting better with age or have your put particular emphasis on developing your voice? Or is it the songs themselves that bring out such a performance?

Well thank you and to be honest I'm not sure, I feel like my voice is stronger than before and maybe it's more conditioned than the earlier days , it certainly has gotten lower as I've aged ha. But I just hope that all of us have gotten better as we gotten older.

What is the toughest part of writing a 36 CRAZYFISTS record?

There are challenges here and there and in the past I have tangled with my love/hate relationship w the whole recording process but the last album felt good and we really had a blast writing and recording "Lanterns."

When writing, what is the most important element of a composition for you?

The cleansing of the topic, the creative way to weave through the words and know what I am speaking of but not being too blatant, always staying on that vague side. Those are important elements for me.

It can be said that you have been very consistent with your material throughout the years and that you have stuck strongly to your roots. Were there ever any directions that you wanted to explore but were perhaps hesitant to do so in fear that it might jeopardise the integrity of the band's sound?

Not really, since we aren't exactly one pure genre other than it being emotionally driven aggressive music I've always believed we had a pretty wide view of what we should be allowed to do. I still think an acoustic ep is on the horizon as we really love that stripped down style of music.

What is the biggest misconception about the band?

There have been a few haha but we see a lot of people saying how underrated we are and things of that nature, I'm pretty thankful for all we have done over the years so I consider us pretty blessed with all these opportunities so understanding where our fans are coming from on that statement I also embrace that maybe we aren't for everyone but for our fans we are connected in a way that not all bands can be.

You've previously stated that "Bitterness The Star" shall always remain your favourite record no matter what. Is that still the case?

Well musically it's not my fave but the time piece that it is and the memories of creating that album are Big life changing moments for us so it definitely holds a special place inside me.

There is a lot of talk right now regarding the direction where Metal is headed. What would you say is the biggest problem with Metal music in this day and age - if you think there is one?

I never think about metal as a genre with a problem, for what I can see most of the bands touring consistently are really supportive of one another and I really don't know of another genre that has the friendships that hard rock and metal do.

What does music/being a musician mean for you?

It's a wonderful gig man, I'm grateful for all music has given to me. It means a lot!