Introduction: Due to time constraints as regular individuals running Witching Buzz and focusing primarily on writing reviews, we are limited to publishing only one (occasionally two) review(s) per day. However, we strongly believe in providing greater exposure to deserving bands and musicians who have put in immense effort. As a result, we have launched a new section called “Witching Riffs: Behind the Sound.” In this section, we have crafted a series of intriguing questions that we pose to every band or musician who wishes to share more about their unique projects. While the questions remain the same for each participant, the diversity among bands ensures that the answers will be fascinating and diverse. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this captivating journey as we delve into the minds and stories of these talented artists.
VAST PYRE / Germany
What drew you to the immersive and hypnotic sounds? How do you aim to captivate your listeners with this genre?
There is this love we both share for this whole doom genre, but more the dark side of it. So it was set clear right at the beginning that we would try something besides the ‘good times trippy stoner’. We started right in the Covid pandemic, so the zeitgeist at the time was pretty fitting for what we had in mind with our music that was to come. A little claustrophobic, depressive and somehow locked in but at the same time releasing in a melancholic way.
Can you share the story behind your band name? How does it reflect the essence of your music?
The Band Name wasn’t quite easy to find for several reasons. First and kinda obvious: Everyone has a band these days which is totally cool but so it happened that some names we came up with already existed – sometimes even more than once. Since we got a little bit under pressure when going to play live for the first time together and finishing the writing for our debut and still got no name for the band, we hardly started brainstorming and didn’t want to play ‘Stoner/Doom-band-name-Bingo’. We troubled back and forth and one day Försti (guitar) came up with VAST PYRE. The idea simply came up by watching old ‘Hammer Films’; seeing witches burn to death. The name, for us, reflects the fatal state of the world wherein we exist. The pyre set ablaze is getting out of control like wildfire and unstoppably burns every single living cell. Intentionally ignited to burn witches, clerics getting burnt as well by their own way of torture. You can easily convert that metaphorically to the situation of the planet. Be it the climate change with all its negative impacts; political situations all over the globe; interpersonal relationships and even the inner microcosm. The mankind is ought to burn. May the VAST PYRE burn forever.
What are some unconventional or unexpected influences that have shaped your unique blend?
We are influenced by many things: Life/death; crisis; anger; movies (weird and obscure stuff); many kind of music genres. For Wally (drums, vocals) especially the slow and hippy-trippy ones; Försti is quite into some Post-Punk/New Wave stuff. His favourite band(unspecific to genres) is The B52’s. No further comment on that.
How do you approach creating expansive and atmospheric soundscapes? What techniques or methods do you employ to achieve that signature vibe?
Build a wall of Amps and start messing around. Most of the time there is an idea or a single riff and then we start jamming around, until we have something pleasant. No real techniques or a signature formula involved. We come together for rehearsals only once or twice a month as we both live about 250km apart. So when we practice, it’s often a whole day and with the strong intention to get something done. So there is a certain working ethos and a little ambition behind it.
Are there specific themes or emotions you seek to convey through your music? How do alternative music help you express those concepts effectively?
As we both work at the social sector, Wally in the youth welfare and Försti at the cancer ward, there is always something you have a (emotional) struggle with. So there is always the old life/death matter, the inevitable demise of humankind, the fight against oneself and sometimes even specific situations where you feel helpless and desperate when getting confronted with things beyond control. It is really important to have something to cope with everyday’s shit. For us, it’s the music that works out the best way possible for this. Especially alternative music, cause it happens in a realm of likewise freaks and lost souls.
Share a remarkable moment or incident from your journey as a band that exemplifies the spirit of your music.
As we are quite new and have played only once, the diary is quite empty. But we splendidly look forward for discussions/fights over the extended backline of our setup, just as at our first show given.
In what ways do you envision your music progressing or evolving in the future? Are there any new elements or experimental approaches you’d like to incorporate?
Basically just get going like we started, always trying to increase the heaviness: Currently we are working on new material and the signs are good, to get the heavy-treatment. Conceivable would be messing around with some synths. Försti has an undeniable obsession for collecting any kind of gear, so we’ll just see where that leads to. But we will always found that on our basic with the downtuned guitars and crushing batteries.
Is there a particular song in your discography that perfectly encapsulates the essence of your music? Please elaborate on its creation and significance.
You can choose one yourself when our debut comes out. But our first single ‘Focus Deceased’ catches the essence quite well.
Are there any emerging or lesser-known artists within your music genre realm that you find inspiring or deserving of more recognition? Feel free to share their names and what you appreciate about their work.
EREMIT: They would be the heaviest band we ever heard and witnessed. And they have an interesting concept behind that, which is far more than the music itself. We highly recommend you to have a listen and to look them up as they do some awesome artwork on their stuff.
BONGBONGBEERWIZARDS: Their approach is to maximse their use in (doomy) amps to deliver a peerless studio- and livesound. Furthermore, the guitarist of the band builds his own cabinets and pedals on his label COSMIC TERROR, which evolved into a significant insider tip in the underground-scene and beyond.
DIE TÖDIN: Newcomer from the Dark-Wave scene, with catchy melodies and beats, depressive lyrics and that all wrapped up in Black Metal aesthetics. She played the most intense show Försti has seen in a long time.
HEXENBRETT: Think of a mix of NWOBHM, Darkthrone and some Giallo soundtrack tunes put into a ’70s Argento movie. Live Shows involve SadoMaso masks, bloodstained mannequins and an overall weird sinister atmosphere.
And not to forget our friends in TØNDA, who beautify the music-scene from our hometown with delicious sludgy treats. Their lead-guitarist Jonny played also with us for a time and recorded the lead-guitar elements for our upcoming debut.
What do you hope listeners experience or feel when they immerse themselves in your compositions? Is there a specific mood or sensation you aim to evoke?
We hope to emerge the same kind of cathartic energy that we get when we are playing and hope that our listeners may loose themselves within the soundscapes and can relate to the expressed emotions. So may they can forget about what lurks them and even release it in a way.
Turbo Regime:
Fuzz or distortion? – Stack your Muff into your RAT!!!
Analog or digital effects? – Analog!
Sabbath or Zeppelin? – Praise Iommi!!!
Heavy riff or mind-bending solo? – Heavy riff!!!
Vinatage gear or modern equipement? – Vintage Gear (Backs must hurt, ears must bleed)!!!
https://www.facebook.com/vast.pyre/
Label: Argonauta Records
PR: Grand Sounds Promotion
