Interview with Rebel Wizard

Last Updated on 11:05 PM by Nikos Nakos

Since Rebel Wizard attacked the music industry with five consecutive ‘Eps last year, Metal Invader took the chance and interviewed the mastermind behind the band, NKSV, asking questions about the band’s releases, it’s future plans and the Aussie scene. Take a look!

Hallo there, how’s the mastermind behind Rebel Wizard doing?

It’s very hot here today and I don’t like the heat so I am not faring well. However, I am really happy to hear from a comrade in Greece – this is cheering me up.

Maybe a common question that you get, but what is the new wave of negative wizard metal?

It’s stands for the new wave of negative wizard metal as there is currently no wave of negative metal and there should be.

The musical core of the band is heavy metal, but it’s quite noisy and raw most of the times. Is that your way of serving the underground side of the genre?

This is funny to me as I see RW as a very polished sounding band in my opinion. I actually agonised over it for ages thinking it sounded really ‘sell out’- from my perspective. I listen to lots of crusty old demos and tend to never listen to much newer metal as the sounds are really repulsive. Lots of undergrounds bands are trying to sound mainstream to.

But I guess, for the ‘style’ that Rebel Wizard is – it kind of gives that ‘classic’ metal riff thing a but more of a underground punk feel. I dunno, it sounds slick to me. Haha.

How easily do you fit in the music scene of Australia?

Oh, not at all. Never have really. But that goes for the entire planet really. Haha.

You released no less than five EP releases last year. How come you didn’t gather the songs for a full length album? Are there plans for a full length to come this year or is it out of the question?

No plans. I just tend to record stuff without any plans. These eps come about as I enjoy eps. I grew up on them. They are fun to do and not as demanding as an album. I find that I can do more different things with a few eps than focusing ages on ONE stupid album that 10 people will listen to.

I tend to do stuff then need to move on. I like when eps are short and interesting; addictive.

Do you consider the band humorous and how seriously should a fan approach it?

Up to you/ the listener.

You also have a band called Nekrasov and you released an album with them this year. How difficult is it to maintain two bands?

It’s easier actually. I have total freedom in what I want to do musically. As they do not fit into any rigid scene or style I can take them wherever I bloody well please. Haha.

What is, in your opinion, the best era of metal and why?

’70s – Imagine seeing Black Sabbath for the very first time and never ever hearing anything like it before.

Is staying independent as an artist more comfortable in terms of the freedom you have? Do you imagine Rebel Wizard signed in a big metal label or something?

Ha, no label would sign RW. Yeah, the freedom is far more important than the label. Labels are very commercial now and filled with all the elements of the modern world I feel ill at ease in.

When did you realize you have the inner urge to create music and how much do you think you have improved since your first days?

That all started when I was 4 – I wish I hadn’t as I may have a normal life. I completely remember it. I’m not sure I have improved much since then!

What’s you favorite track so far and why?

I really like them all. I am not ashamed to admit! Haha. I wouldn’t release if I thought it sounded average. There’s lots of unreleased songs that I find a little dull. But I like Rebel Wizard – and when I say that, when I listen to it, it’s not me. I don’t remember making these songs!

Are there any other bands out there in the same mindset as Rebel Wizard? Do you have any suggestions of unknown heavy metal bands to make?

No, it’s important for me to release stuff I feel doesn’t exist. All the sub genres are so clogged up as it is. I only make this stuff as I want to listen to it – as no one else is doing it; at least I haven’t heard it before. Maybe someone else could recommend? I would like to hear it but I would probably quit then!

The last words are yours!

Appreciate so much getting some interest from Greece! I hope to travel there one day.