When I came across the two Hearse demos in my never-ending search for new obscure music in the early 00’s, they left a lasting impression. To my youthful ears, those sluggish and eerie riffs on those raw recordings connected both the heaviness and darkness of Death Metal in an unprecedented way. Funeral Doom or extreme Death/Doom Metal were terms that were not yet very much in vogue, but although the band never got beyond those demos, Hearse did contribute to the development of that scene. At least under the American Extreme Metal constellation, and yes, those early recordings proved to be a major influence for me as well. So I was delighted to learn that the band had cobbled together a debut album out of nowhere apparently and almost a quarter of a century after those demos. About that album, I spoke to multi-instrumentalist and founder Cazz Grant…
Hi Cazz, I bid you welcome. Personally, the ‘Plague & Disease… Holocaust & Armageddon’ and ‘So Shines a Good Deed In A Weary World’ demos are very special to me. They played a major role in my appreciation of Extreme (Doom) Metal, I have played them a lot on my old cassette deck and later also the vinyl version as a part of the Suicidal Doom Series on Painiac Records. If we keep it within the Extreme Doom territories, what were your major influences? Any records or demos that you played endlessly?
Hails, and thank you for those wonderful words! I was always into Candlemass and Trouble for the most part. I think those are my main doom influences, with a little old school death metal thrown in. In the eighties and nineties, I managed to play every demo, over and over again. I used to have a large collection from old Goreaphobia stuff to early Paradise Lost and Incantation, Crematory, Unleashed, Old Funeral, and the list goes on and on. Wish I never did lose that collection. Miss those old days!
When you started Hearse back in 1997 you released two demos but ended without recording a proper full-length. What do you recall from those early years? What prevented you from securing a debut album back then?
Co-founder Jeff Anderson just acquired a whole slew of recording and mixing equipment, so we just used those to get the songs recorded to tape. I don’t think we ever even considered doing a record. I mean, of course that was the plan eventually but I think we just wanted to keep it all raw, and maybe just release some demos for our small circle. Time might have been the enemy because we did eventually move on from doing Hearse. That is why we disappeared for a while with it. We all had growing up to do and I was doing other projects, so Hearse sadly took a back burner.
Hearse folded in 2001 and resurfaced almost two decades later, what eventually made you realise that you had some unfinished business to deal with?
We were semi-coaxed by Alex of Arghoslent to revitalize the band. He even showed interest in releasing new stuff for us on his label, and in time, when Jeff showed no interest, joining the band too. I think there was always Hearse inside us over all the stagnant years, it just needed a boost to get us rolling again.
Seemingly Jeff “Drottin Bane” Anderson is not a part of Hearse’s second coming, instead Gelal Necrosodomy stepped in on guitars. Anderson wasn’t interested in resurrecting the band?
I believe Jeff had just moved on from that style of playing. I know he was always a big metal guy, but I know he branched out into blue grass and playing the mandolin. So, although it was a downer that he didn’t want to play again, I know he’s doing what he loves, so it’s all good.
Having a different guitarist in the ranks can change the dynamics and chemistry in a band. Although you have been working with Alex “Gelal Necrosodomy” Halac for years in various bands, do you think he captures the right Hearse Spirit too? And what would you mention as the biggest difference between Drottin Bane and Gelal Necrosodomy?
Yes, the differences are great, and unique. It does add some flair with a new guy, especially a talented one like Gelal. I think the riffs and songs that he had to offer put into my hands to handle and arrange really made the emotions take off! I think with Gelal’s songs you see his Hearse spirit. So, we are happy. Jeff’s style was rawer, and Gelal’s polished. I think that is the only real difference. Both musicians know what I needed in Hearse’s songs, and I have never been happier.
Both Hearse demos were released at the end of the 90’s, so ‘Traipse Across The Empty Graves’ appeared some 25 years later. Do you feel the band as a whole, in this new incarnation, has the same feeling and values that you started with so many years ago?
We are a stubborn bunch and keep that aesthetic that we originated. I only think that doing Hearse these many years later aided in putting out a more talented and thought-out release. I know that so many years of growth and experience in my real life only added to the emotion and clarity of the new Hearse music and lyrics.
The Extreme Death/Doom (or Funeral Doom) genre is not quite the most dynamic, nor is it very suitable for much experimenting. The result is a genre in which bands start to play as heavy and slow as possible, but in the process forget to write actual riffs and proper songs. To me Hearse has always been a riff-driven band, mostly based on the heritage of early Paradise Lost. What is your perception on this and how do you position Hearse in this musical constellation?
I never put Hearse into the group really. I always thought we’d just go in our own direction. I mean there are/were so many heavy bands out there that were already killing it in the scene. We just wanted to add the experience that we had and put across some songs that would be a welcomed change. I hear some old PL in our newest album, but it was only a coincidence. We always wanted to challenge ourselves to be unique with all the music we were writing. I think we have achieved that!
What I particularly loved about ‘Traipse Across The Empty Graves’ is the contrast of the contrast between the heavy riffs and the bleak leads. The guitars are not overly down tuned, the riffs are just heavy and the lead guitars do have a melancholic signature as well. Definitely a huge step up in terms of musical maturity when compared with those ancient demos. Do you feel this album is exactly what you always envisioned with Hearse?
In fact I think we were very surprised we got this sound with the new stuff. I didn’t really try to create something that different from the demo music. However, with the help I had with new recording technology, I could stay at home and just layer and layer more riffs, and create a funeral like poetry. I was totally happy with the demo songs that I made for the new album, but once we went into the studio and crafted that magical album, I was floored, as were the other guys!
If we continue the spirit of the previous two questions and look back at those two old demos. After the self-released CD and the vinyl edition on Painiac Records from the early 00’s, the demos have been reissued a few more times, seemingly there is still demand for them. How do you look back on those recordings yourself?
I love them. I do see where it might help to finalize them with a little more well-produced atmosphere. But I don’t think we should focus on the old stuff so much, and maybe move forward, especially with the success of ‘Traipse…’. I would not rule out putting them out again though, in some form or another, for the collectors.
Judging from the song titles, not much has changed in terms of the things that inspired you to write songs. It is basically still death, hopelessness and overall darkness. Can you take us through what specifically inspired you when you wrote this new album? Is there anything in particular that you need to put you in a certain mood to write a Hearse song?
Finding the lyrical content for the new Hearse wasn’t too hard. I think I spent time on thinking up just simple ghostly ideas to get the ball rolling. I thought that since we called Hearse Funeral Metal so many years ago that perhaps keeping an eerie graveyard feeling with the lyrics would help. Since I have so much to focus on, both in life and in music, I feel that when the mood strikes, that’s when I pick up the guitar and start writing. I am actually due for more Hearse songs now, but I haven’t felt the mood yet, so I’m biding my time. Because in the end, I know that I will get that Hearse bug any day now, and the songs will flow. Luckily I’ve been fortunate that way lately with composing.
Perhaps a somewhat obvious question, but having been absent for some 20 years, it is a question on everyone’s lips of course whether Hearse is here to stay now. Are there any plans for a follow-up to ‘Traipse Across The Empty Graves’?
A resounding YES!!! As I mentioned above, I am in need to get some new songs on tape now!! There was many requests to see Hearse live too, overseas as well as domestically! So, we are batting around the idea of playing live too.
I appreciate the time and effort you shared with me through this interview, Cazz. I would like to give you the humble honor of concluding it with your own words…
Thank you as always for your support and wonderful words. I hope all is well with you and yours and talk with you very soon!!!
