Chromium
From a recent change in band members to headlining at one of South Africa’s biggest heavy metal festivals… From being play-listed on London’s Total Rock Radio to actually planning a UK tour, it is guaranteed that Chromium is one of South Africa’s most unstoppable bands. We’ve kidnapped the members of Chromium (including their new guitar slashing vocalist) and sadistically interrogated them, empowering our metal-hungry minds with the eardrum-popping excellence of Chromium’s musical plans and gigging intentions for 2010!
Interview By: Scream
Chromium are: Justin du Preez – Guitars and Vocals
Jared Gunston – Guitars and Vocals
Hannes Matthysen – Drums
Shaun Pearson – Bass Guitar
Headbang Today: Welcome back to the headbanger’s crib and a special welcome to Justin for having his first interview with Headbang Today as an offifcial member of Chromium! You’ve just had a show with UK metallers, Seven year Kismet! How did that go down?
Chromium: Hey Scream, well its hard to find the words to describe the JHB tour with SYK, but all i can say is it’s one of the most fun things we’ve ever done, and besides just touring with the guys we hung out with them on their off days and really got to know the guys. I dropped the guys off now now at the airport as they are on their way to do Cape Town this weekend, and i’m gonna be sad when they leave.
Headbang Today: Now with your next gig being at MotherFUDD 2010, tell us what headbangers can expect from Chromium – Which one of your songs from your set do you think will get the entire crowd to viciously nod their heads to?
Chromium: Shame we’re really throwing Justin into the deep end huh? J We’re playing a few new tracks off “Confessions Of a Hero”, World Of Lies and I Wait should get them going nicely!
Headbang Today: This is a question for Justin! You’ve just recently joined the band a month or so ago… How have you been fitting in and tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to personally to prepare yourself for Chromium?
Chromium: Well as in my previous interview I was explaining how nerve wrecking it was to hit the stage (not club but out door festival )
with a band as big as Chromium. I am sure there were skeptics out there and there are probably still a lot of them, although as we played each gig I began feeling more and more confident within myself and within the band.
Like I always say, you can’t please everyone and at the moment all I care about is pleasing the band. If they are happy with me I couldn’t care who has what to say. My purpose in the band is to play every song and every gig to the best of my ability and of course blow the living crap out of each fan.
Personally I would say I have been through quite a unique change this past month. I have decided that this is my dream and I am honored playing with the band. I am giving up my life here in PE to do this “band” thing and I am willing to give it a 150% man and there is no turning back now!
Headbang Today: Spill the guts! When can we expect a new release from Chromium?
Chromium: What i can tell you, is we’re doing pre production on the third album, still adding more and more material to our DVD and currently working on a few live clips, etc… so there’s lots coming your way real soon!
Headbang Today: You’re still planning to hit the stages in the UK? How’s all that going and what about the international tour are you looking forward to the most?
Chromium: UK Dates are 98% confirmed, I’ve been shown on a map where we’re going and it’s literally all over UK, the fact that we can do this as a band, and experience a new culture of metal heads excites us. Being in a bus for just over 2 weeks and being on the road and dirty is what i’m looking forward to.
Headbang Today: What do you look forward to the least and why?
Chromium: Carrying the equipment J hehe, we are yet to find people willing to roadie our stuff, the heads and cymbal stands are heavy damnit! Oh and the 14 hour travelling time on the plane!
Headbang Today: Name some of the bands that will be supporting you over there.
Chromium: “Circle Of Rage” not too sure on the rest just yet!
Headbang Today: You’ve also got a live DVD set for release sometime this year. Give us an inside scoop and reveal a little something about it to us… Any special features we can look forward to?
Chromium: Well, its gonna be packed full of live performances, music videos, studio footage, making of the video stuff, LOTS of goodies!
Headbang Today: We can only imagine the hellish schedule ahead for you guys. As with most bands, the members have day jobs to maintain… Is that also the case with members of Chromium? And if so, how do you go about telling your ‘boss’ that you need a month off to go rock the shit out of UK headbangers?
Chromium: its a tough one i’ll admit, but the guys are usually up front with their bosses and things just seem to be working out.
Headbang Today: Back to the MotherFUDD topic. Would you consider Chromium’s music to be moshable? If so, do you think that you can get the crowd to fire up moshpits larger and more vicious than that of Hatebreed’s?
Chromium: hmmmm, our music is defiantly something you can rock out too, and some tracks such as “i wait” get a few circles going. Hatebreed is heavy, i wouldn’t wanna take em on! hehe
Headbang Today: Tell us about each of your individual pre-gig rituals before you hit the stage.
Chromium: Justin: Be nervous as shit (helps with going crazy when you get on stage)
no drinking (ok maybe a shot or two and lots of water)
Vitamin B tablets (Thanx to Chris from Knave)
and just eventually letting everything in your mind go……………….
Hannes: I drink max. 3 beers.
Jared: A good dvd at home such as Unearth or Killswitch Engage, a few casual beverages and a shot or 2 of Sambuka, takes the edge right off!
Headbang Today: We wish you all the best for MotherFUDD 2010 and we hope that the crowd will headbang just as hard to your music as we will! Any last words?
Chromium: Its been great man, this ride has only just begun. I know it’s hard to explain this correctly, but now with the international tour in place our band is only truly beginning right now.
