Gravpel: Power to the Filthy Masses
In the shadowy abyss of black metal, few bands have etched their mark as wickedly as Gravpel. This band hasn't just pushed the boundaries—they've skull-smashed them! We braved the frostbitten wilderness to chat with Gravpel, the mysterious maestros causing tremors in the metal multiverse. Strap in, grab your goblet of 'riot juice’, and join us as we venture into the cacophonous chronicles of their music, ideology, and the lore behind those ear-splitting tracks.
Thanks for doing this interview everyone. Appreciate you taking the time! How did Gravpel form, and what is the meaning behind the name (we assume Tombstone)?
Gravpel had many births. But as the Project it is now, it came together after our first show, when we realised its potential. Before that it wasn’t much more than a loose idea. Gravpel means sleet.
Being a larger band (5-piece), can you tell us a little more about each member?
We hope that Gravpel is more than just the sum of its members. Our latest lineup is by far the most grown together though. The only thing to mention here in addition is, that we are, and have been in the past, a very diverse blend of characters with different backgrounds and lives.
We love the first full-length album: Power to the Filthy Masses. What were some of the biggest departures and challenges to recording that vs the demo/split?
Well it was the moment we decided what Gravpel truly should sound like. A lot of decisions had to be taken, that now are canon. The recording itself was pretty unspectacular.
How does the song creation process work within the band? Is it very organic and free flowing or is it like an anarcho militia where everyone knows their parts and when to set off the powder keg of creativity?
It is quiet fluid. Riffs are prepared beforehand, songs are fleshed out together.
Can you explain the story or concept behind the track Dividing Scars/Lines in the Dirt?
We all are based in central Europe and were very impacted by, what they at the time called, the “refugee crisis”. The scale of this humanitarian tragedy which still happens to this day is utterly disgraceful. We strongly call for a world without borders. As we went to tour in Africa, we felt playing and filming with the black Black Metal scene there is another attempt of tearing down our subcultural borders and pissing on all the gatekeepers. For us it made sense to bring these two subjects together.
How do you envision the future sound of Gravpel? Anything new or different you’re thinking of doing for the next album/EP?
We won’t do the same album again, that’d be boring. It will still be Gravpel, you’ll have to wait and decide for yourself. But we’re in the middle of the process and there will be news about it soon.
What are some of the bands or artists that inspire you?
Most of us have their roots in the Punk and DIY Scene. Some of us are Jazz or Classical musicians. If you want to have some recommendations, check out John Zorn, Ultha, Backxwash, Yellow Eyes, Old Nick,…
What are the top 5 historical figures that you can say are a massive inspiration or reflection of the lyrics of Gravpel?
Historical turning points are never the work of individuals. We don’t worship idols but appreciate any effort that aims for equality and dissolvement of Power structures.
What are some of the most memorable live shows or live moments you’ve played?
Playing in the middle of Kalahari Desert at Sunrise was a truly powerful experience. Or on the rough shores of Iceland with an erupting Volcano in the Background. But we genuinly enjoy every time we step on a stage and have people appreciating what were doing. Every show is unique.
We rarely get political in interviews but we have to ask a BUNCH of political and ideological questions! For our readers who have never heard of Gravpel can you explain your ideological stance and how your music contributes to it?
As mentioned previously we are a diverse group of people with very different backgrounds and takes on politics which leads to a lot of
healthy and enlightening discussions. Our common ground is our despise for fascism and every form of discrimination, the Eurocentric post colonial World as well as the abolishment of power structures and the aim for a more inclusive, democratic and equal society.
RABM doesn’t get the same attention as the opposite side of the spectrum (NSBM), why do you think that is? (Lack of bands, black metal’s controversial roots, being controversial is more black metal, etc.)
It is in itself a shit-show that you even have to point out an Antifascist stance within an art form. But it felt thoroughly necessary
to do so. We struggle with the Label RABM as we feel that antifascist or even libertarian stances should be the default mode, not a niche label. Which leads to the answer of the next question. Pulling something under the label of RABM is a bit silly. We want to carry our stance into the heart of this scene and not be part of a little appendix sub-genre for the initiated.
It is way more powerful and influential to exist at the core of this scene than just opening up a counter bubble. As shitty and rotten as NSBM is, the real danger lies within the big grey-zone crypto fash bands that normalise extremely shady positions for a wide audience of people. Also NSBM shows pretty clearly, that just having a world view and underlying it with some shitty riffs is nothing that has much of an impact (except pleasing your few friends).
In contemporary US media outlets (largely on the right) Antifascists are considered a problem, no surprise since the US government embraces fascism at most every turn (from taking in Nazi scientists to start NASA, to helping murder socialist-leaning African freedom leaders like Lumumba), but how are antifascists viewed in Switzerland?
Well every society sees the people bringing up issues as a nuisance and a disturbance of their privileges. That’s no different here. We witness an intense effort by the conservative spectrum of power to frame Antifascism into something criminal. Same problems with Capitalism, Racism and the generally disinterested mass of people in their own little disconnected lives.
One could think that living under the impression of Nazis about 70 years ago should have left an impact, but that’s just wishful thinking. Fascism works because it’s so easy to blame others, and fighting against this will always be a nuisance in the view of these people.
Have you ever had to fight any NSBM douchebags at a gig?
No, we had arguments with people after shows we played, but no fascist or any other attack or similar, directly aimed at us.
Nazis seem to be popping up again (recall the Patriotic Union in Germany) do you think Europe will see another war against fascism?
We’re not able to see the future. But there’s definitely more troubled times up ahead.
Tour, Drink Collab
You have to pick one artist or band to tour with, one to drink with, one to collab with (dead or alive) who do you chose?
Tour
Seeing that the Cavalera brothers just re-recorded the first Sepultura EPs, we‘d definitely love to tour with them.
Drink
There’s no one you can share drinks with in a more beautiful way than Spencer from Overthrust. Any time again.
Collab
None heavier than the Body. We want.
What does Gravpel have lined up for the near future? (album, ep, more live shows, etc.)
New album in the making, and definitely more touring, hopefully also outside Europe.
We want to interview more skull mashing RABM bands. Who do you recommend we talk to next?
As we said, we don’t really believe in this whole RABM label, but if you want to talk to artists we feel have something to say we recommend you get in touch with Backxwash, Trespasser, Overthrust, Witching, GGGOLDDD, Divide and Dissolve or Bono.
How can fans best support Gravpel?
We appreciate you all coming to our shows, booking us and spreading the word that there’s more than just problematic bands in Black Metal.
Thanks again for doing this, everyone, any final words?
Thanks for reaching out, much appreciated.
We’d like to thank Gravpel for coming to The Heavy Metal Citadel, and urge you to support the band and cause by visiting their Bandcamp and purchasing the latest album “Power to the Filthy Masses” or buy one of their sweet long sleeves shirts!
