ATOMIC VULTURE - Cosmic Odyssey ! (Inst. Stoner/Rock - Interview with Pascal).
- Please introduce yourself and let me know how it all began with the band ?
Hi there, thanks for having us! We are a 3-piece band from around Bruges, Belgium. Our current line-up consists of myself (Pascal - Guitars) and my mates Jens (Drums) And Kris (Bass).
Jens and I were originally part of a traditional 4-piece stoner rock band, called "Cocaine Rodeo". That was in 2011. After some months, the singer decided to quit. The remaining three members wanted to go on, and instead of searching for a new singer, we downtuned our guitars, rewrote the existing songs to instrumentals, and we chose a new band name. Atomic Vulture was born!
In 2016 our previous bass player left the band, and Kris joined in, forming our current line-up.
- Describe your sound and explain why I should listen to YOUR band at all cost ?
With our sound, we offer the listener a cosmic journey, combining heavy, groovy, bass-driven riffs with spacey vibes and cinematic soundscapes, resulting in an immersive instrumental experience. It's very rewarding to see how many people who are not used to listening to instrumental music get hooked and even sing along with the riffs and melodies!
- Musical inspirations/influences ?
All three of us have our own backgrounds that we bring together in Atomic Vulture.
Jens brings a taste of '70s rock and '90's metal, stoner rock and punk. He listens to bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Kyuss, Deftones... Drummers that inspire him are Dave Grohl, John Bonham, Vinnie Paul, Buddy Rich.
Kris' favourites include Maiden & Priest, Sabbath & Ozzy, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker.
As for myself (Pascal), I have been into classic blues-based heavy rock for decades (early 70’s stuff from Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), as well as the ‘90’s stoner rock scene (Kyuss, Fu Manchu…). Nowadays, I listen to a lot of different instrumental space rock stuff.
Why this 100% instrumental approach ?
As soon as we drew the instrumental card, it felt very good and natural to us. We didn't feel the need to add vocals any longer. Moreover, making instrumental music turned out to be so much more interesting to us. It gives our instruments total freedom and it challenges us to compose spacey trips that fascinate listeners from beginning to end.
- About your latest release ?
Our 4th album "Pilgrims Of The Sun" was released last June. We have meticulously been preparing this album for one year before we went to the studio for recording, in November '23.
Just as the previous album ("Moving Through Silence"), this album has been recorded at Number Nine Studios (Gentbrugge - Belgium). And just like the previous album, the album artwork was done by Polish artist Maciej Kamuda (Kamuda Art).
Unlike previous albums, "Pilgrims Of The Sun" is fully self-released, and it is available on vinyl (both in black and in fancy colours), on CD, and on all online streaming platforms. We sell our vinyls and cd's on live gigs, and online via bandcamp.
- Future plans ?
Our main focus is now playing live shows and if it works out, we want to tour next year. We used to tour every year, but since covid it has become tremendously difficult to get a tour together.
- Your most insane dream with the band would be ?
After being around for more than 13 years, and knowing we are playing a very niche style of music, we are very down to earth, if you ask about dreams. But if you insist (YES I DO haha! Ed.) our most insane dream would be touring somewhere outside Europe, let's say in the US, or in Japan!
- Your BEST & WORST concert - as a band - and why ?
Best concert: this is a hard one: over the years, we have done so many epic shows that it is hard to pick one. Our gigs at Alcatraz festival and Deserfest Antwerp were definitely highlights, and also Pietrasonica festival in Italy, Red smoke festival in Poland. And it is not only the big shows at festivals that were epic, but there are also gigs in small clubs that stay in our memories, because of the infectious vibe of the audience, the intensity and the energy of the performance... clubs such as Tiefgrund in Berlin, Antwerp Music City, Dr Feelgood Les Halles in Paris...
Worst concert was probably in Toulouse during one of our South-European tours : the audience consisted of only one single person, a lady who happened to have seen us before in Paris (F**k - what a nightmare ! Ed.)
- Next live-appearance(s) ?
We have a few more Belgian shows planned this year:
- 23/11 Bruges
- 29/11 Antwerp
- 13/12 Oostend
- 14/12 Ghent
- Some words on your local scene - bands you're friends with and you'd like to name ?
There's a lot of bands producing great music around here. And not only are they great musicians, they are also very chill to hang out with. Some bands you might want to check out: Cowboys And Aliens, Gnome, Psychonaut, Ka'Una, Tangled Horns.
- Last word is yours..
Thank you for supporting us by listening to our music, buying our merch, following us… We feel blessed that we can share our creativity with you and meet so many like-minded music lovers around the world.
More Interviews
