Death Collector

Kieran Scott

Newcomers to the scene, DEATHCOLLECTOR, are one of the most eagerly anticipated and exciting prospects of the UK underground. The brutal death metal band may well be the 'new kid on the block', but don't let this fool you; the band comprises some of the most bruising talent going and the collective expertise of seasoned musicians in the metal world. With Kieran Scott (Ashen Crown, Grimorte) melting flesh from bone with his boisterous gutturals, none other than Andy Whale ("We're not worthy!") (Darkened, ex-Bolt Thrower, ex-Memoriam), Mick Carey (Zealot Cult) and Lee Cummings (Severe Lacerations), completing the punishing line-up, you're guaranteed a slab of hulking metal goodliness.

Leanne "Metal Maiden" Evans, Editor for Metal Temple, took the opportunity to speak with the maestros of metal to pick at their grey matter over the whys and wherefores of the roots of the band, chew over some of their previous music experiences, and salivate over the weird and wonderful memories of band life. Read on for a taster of DeathCollector – a metal aperitif if you will – for a touch of the profound, a fistful of top surface and a smattering of the inane; how in the hell does Scott Fairfax and a ham and cheese platter make its way into this interview?!

By Leanne

• March 2, 2022

DEATH COLLECTOR's Kieran Scott: "There are two reasons to be in this industry as a performer; you either do it for yourself

Well, a big fat welcome to the hottest property in the underground right now! How are you all doing?

Andy: Very well at the moment and looking forward to seeing what happens with this band!

Kieran: Amazing, as usual!

Mick: Great!

Lee: All good, cheers!

Asides from working hard on the new band, what have you all been up to?

Andy: Apart from DeathCollector, I've just released a single with Darkened, we've also got the 2nd album all finished, which'll hopefully be out mid '22.

Kieran: If it's not graphics, it's working on new material for Ashen Crown and Grimorte! More news on that soon…

Mick: Getting ready for pre-production on the new Zealot Cult album.

Lee: Breathing new air into a Severe Lacerations rebuild following recent line-up changes.

Wow! You guys sure are busy metal bees, it's a wonder you've had any time to incept DeathCollector into the realms of the underground! Now, let's get down to business and talk about the nitty gritty of DeathCollector; you guys have some serious heavy artillery behind your name! When did the idea of this underground death metal supergroup come about?

Andy: Myself and Mick worked on a series of three covers over lockdown, we sort of both came to the conclusion that it would be better to put our time and effort into original material. Simple as that really!

Mick: Yes, after working on the cover songs with Andy, we decided that it would be a good idea to start writing original music and see what comes out of it.

How did the physical formation of the group manifest, as in, was each member personally hand-selected, or was this more of an organic formation?

Andy: Each member of the band had helped me other the last year or so. Mick with the Covers, Kieran with artwork…Lee I've helped him with a few things, and we just got on, so I thought it would be nice to have him helping out

I know that one of the most irritating questions that can be asked in interview is about your own personal influences, however, I think it's especially relevant given you guys are new to the underground, yet you're all veterans to the scene. So how have your influences from say ten years ago developed to now?

Kieran: The internet evolved music and my taste, new styles, education, different approaches and online bands became far more accessible etc, DeathCollector are a good example of that, but it still remains that DIY, underground feel.

Mick: My listening tastes have changed compared to ten years ago, listening to more Doom Metal, Heavy Metal, Rock etc… these days compared to what I was listening to ten years ago. It made me appreciate good song writing as opposed to going 100mph all the time.

How important are the influences from the other bands you're all in placed on the sound of DeathCollector, or is DeathCollector's identity completely separate in its own right and unlike the other acts you appear in?

Andy: I've tried to use influences from the early days when the whole scene was a mix of punk/hardcore/metal, and get that blend which I personally always loved, but any band I've been involved in gets compared to earlier bands; I'd like to think DeathCollector is completely different.

Kieran: This is my first straight death metal band so for me I'm pulling all my experiences so far and things I always wanted to do to the table.

Mick: DeathCollector is much different to my other bands, I like to keep the songwriting simple, straight to the point. It's not as technical as what I'd usually play, but it's just as enjoyable.

Lee: I play guitar in Severe Lacerations; playing bass for DeathCollector is an exciting and refreshing challenge of which I simply cannot compare.

And given that you all have such established metal careers (some vaster than others), how do you all feel you've developed as musicians since first starting out?

Andy: The last few years, especially being involved with the guys from Darkened, I've learnt so much and improved as a musician. The great thing is nowadays I don't really worry about people's views, I just enjoy what I do.

Kieran: I only started doing this 7 years ago so a lot of it is still new to me, I absorb and adapt all information I can to help me grow and be able to do my best.

Mick: My playing has gotten a lot tighter I feel, but it's still as much fun as when I first started and I'm learning something new all the time.

Lee: I've made some advancements in my current bass guitar ability after Andy asked me if I could record these three tracks, trust me!

It sounds like there's been organic growth amongst each of you in very individual ways. What are you most looking forward to achieving with DeathCollector?

Andy: I'm happy to roll the dice and let fate take its course…I suppose I'm nearing the end of my time playing extreme music; I'm happy to still be involved after the last few years.

Kieran: I'd be happy to just continue as we are and for us to enjoy what we are doing and whatever comes from it is great.

Mick: Doing an album and playing a few gigs is what I want to achieve, keep the momentum going and see what comes of it.

Lee: For now, keep balance, learn the new tracks, meet the lads for a good weekend of jamming, plenty of drink afterwards, that in itself would be huge! Gigs and an album one day maybe? Yes, up for it all!

Again, you all seem to just want to enjoy the new band and live for the moment, that's awesome! So, your new EP, "Times Up" is now available for pre-order. I actually personally reviewed the EP and sincerely fell in love with it! I felt a very raw OSDM vibe, injected with contemporary death metal tones, extremely likeable and very fresh feeling. In your own words, what can listeners expect from the release?

Andy: Definitely a good old slice of raw OSDM!

Mick: Some straight up headbanging tunes full of riffs.

And what's the concept behind the EP?

Kieran: It's based on the fragility of life and no matter how far and hard we fight it when ours times up. It's up.

That's a concept that we've all become too aware of over the 18 months or so, a thematic that will inevitably resonate with a lot of listeners. And how long do you anticipate it being until an album will be released?

Andy: Mick and I have been working on a few tunes…but honestly let's see. The next step is getting some interest from a record label…

That's certainly something that a lot of bands aspire to work towards, I love that you're hungry for it already! And tell me, what gigs and festivals do you have lined up for us all to enjoy and savour?

Andy: Let's see…if people like the music, shows will follow, there's no plan…

Personally, I think you guys will be planning shows a lot sooner than you realise; you're going to go down a storm! And can we expect support from your other bands at future DeathCollector gigs

Andy: That would be fun!

Kieran: We're definitely open to the idea.

Mick: Yeah, sounds good to me.

Lee: I'm sure they (fans) would love that!

It definitely seems to work with a lot of the other underground bands where the members crossover and you're right, Lee, the fans would love it! Now, how far do you think you can take DeathCollector? Is the sky the limit?

Andy: Anything's possible really and nothing's expected, as long as it's fun!

Kieran: I think it has great potential to stand out in a saturated scene.

Mick: We're gonna run with this and see where it takes us, anything is possible.

Lee: Yeah, the tank is full, plenty of energy, no doubt about that at all.

I think a fluid attitude helps to enjoy being in a band more and the "whatever will be, will be" take is a good one! So, given all the collective years of experience between you, what's the most insightful and/or invaluable piece of advice you could impart to any musician?

Andy: Don't take yourself too seriously, enjoy it, because easily lost and have faith in your own judgement.

Kieran: There are two reasons to be in this industry as a performer; you either do it for yourself or for the approval of others. Make sure your ego doesn't blind you to just enjoying the music.

Mick: If it stops been fun and becomes a chore, hang it up!

Lee: Family and loved ones should always come first.

That's very sound advice and certainly worth any musician - new to the game or not – heeding. We can't keep this serious vibe going, though… Kieran knows me well enough (and I think Mick has also started to realise I'm 'unique'), so we're going to move to the 'unapologetically Leanne' section, where it's a little wild and a lot more personable! Let's break you in gently. If DeathCollector were a smell, what would it be?

Kieran: A fresh carcass with a flower on it.

Nice…floral abattoir is what I'd probably go with as well… What's the funniest or weirdest moment of your careers to date?

Andy: The Grindcrusher tour; it was chaos nearly every night, lots of funny memories from that! The Australian tour was weird, I remember standing on a beach with Karl just thinking, "How did we manage to make it here?!", a working-class lad from a poor family from Brum!

Kieran: I have TOO many, but off the top of my head, watching Scott Fairfax drunkenly throw a platter of ham and cheese around everywhere in an Evile pit at Manorfest in Bradford!

Man alive! The very mention of the death metal god Karl Willetts just gets me hot under the collar! And I've now also got an image of plastic cheese slices being lobbed and sticking to people's heads, mid-windmill! Ha ha! To be honest, I'm sending thoughts and prayers to Memoriam right now… don't be wanging platters at Karl, Scott! Right, now we're going to play a new game; DeathCollector will be my first player! It's based on the concept of "Snog, Marry, Avoid", except there's a 'Leanne' twist, so it's "Ear Fuck, Mate for Life, Get in the Fucking Sea". So, give me three albums, one for each option, mainstream or underground, old or new, any genre, that you'd choose and why.

Kieran: Right, 'Ear Fuck', we'll go with Gojira, "Terra Incognita", ear fuck central and an underrated death metal record that inspired me heavily in the genre. My 'Mate for Life' would be Boards of Canada, "Tomorrows Harvest", it's not metal, but it's my favourite thing ever and I absolutely love this record and everything about it. 'Get in the Fucking Sea'…hmm… I don't really hate any album to be honest!

Spoken like a true musician and a man who clearly respects all music… however, I'm nonetheless disappointed I couldn't squeeze a dislike out of you to sink an album… maybe in the future! Now, your life depends on this one… you're being held at gun-point, your captor wants to know the most interesting fact about you and they'll spare your life if it's solid enough. Tell me, what would this be…or would you die?

Kieran: I'm a partially blind self-taught graphic designer/music video creator and self-made metal vocalist/music producer and a great chef! Nothing stops me.

Lee: A couple of years ago I held a weight class world record in competitive grip strength for the fastest competition time to snap 5 steel nails in half with my hands.

"BANG"… dead!

Clearly, you're both metal as fuck… remind me never to get on the wrong side of you, Lee! And finally, the all-important "Metal Maiden metal tea party" question… who would you invite to your own fantasy celebrity metal tea party? You need to choose someone to cook, someone to chat with, someone to entertain you and someone to party with…

Kieran - Bill Bailey, hands down.
*Everyone else* HAVE YOU SEEN KIERAN'S FOOD?!!!!

Ha ha! That's an emphatic "hell yes" to Kieran sorting grub out then, although my personal observation from his recent creations is that I'm disappointed not to have seen as many 'phallic' looking creations. Thank you so much to all of you! You've been good sports and I'm genuinely VERY excited at the prospect of DeathCollector, and positively creaming at the thought of seeing you guys in action! We'll be keeping our eyes peeled. "Times Up" is the new EP from DeathCollector, of which Metal Temple gave a VERY easy 10/10 for, and is available to order from the band's Bandcamp now