TWENTY BIG ONES with ADAM CHAPMAN, HYBRID NIGHTMARES

TWENTY BIG ONES with ADAM CHAPMAN, HYBRID NIGHTMARES
By Shane Pinnegar

According to a recent press release, “Hybrid Nightmares is a ferocious Black Metal force emerging from the shadows of Melbourne. With a soundscape that fuses the unrelenting ferocity of Black Metal with intricate progressive elements, they have established themselves as harbingers of dark, atmospheric intensity.

“Their latest opus, ‘Woeful Inertia’ plunges listeners into a maelstrom of blistering riffs, haunting melodies and malevolent lyrical themes. Renowned for their theatrical live performances and unwavering dedication to their craft, Hybrid Nightmares continue to reign supreme in the Black Metal underworld, invoking the very essence of chaos and despair.”

Hybrid Nightmares are appearing at STORMRIDER FESTIVAL’s TENTH ANNIVERSARY Double day extravaganza of metal, playing Night 1 – Friday, August 23 – alongside Chaos Divine, Black Majesty, Wrath of Fenrir and Undeniable.

Drummer Adam Chapman faced TWENTY BIG ONES with 100% ROCK MAGAZINE.

1. You’re playing Stormrider Festival in Perth! Is it a rare opportunity to get across to WA and play for fans you don’t normally get the chance to be in front of, and how do you best capitalise on a chance like that?

We plan on bringing The Ritual of the Obelisk to Perth. It’s our first time coming over since 2019 when we were there with Cradle of Filth. Since then we have revamped our live show, and released a new album. So anyone who has seen us before is in for a completely new show.

2. Tell us a little about your latest release. Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material that only diehard fans might pick up on?

We always have stories and lore to do with the Obelisk. Some right in front of you, some hidden. We let the cult of the Obelisk delve into the tracks to find these.

3. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?

I was 13, and I met this kid who liked heavy metal. He showed me four bands: Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, Marilyn Manson and Dimmu Borgir. And it just hit me that music is what I wanted to do.
It was like a light switch. Watching video clips, I knew that I wanted to start growing my hair and wearing make up.

4. What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

It’s the passion of everyone in the scene, all working hard to bring a dream to life.

5. Who would be your main five musical influences?

They often change depending on what I’m writing. Time of year. Mood. But I’d say…
Satyricon
The Misfits
Cradle of Filth
Dissection
Immortal

6. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

I would love to have Dani Filth, Abbath do a guest vocal on a song.

7. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We are definitely for fans of Satyricon, Immortal and Cradle of Filth. Sci fi inspired black/death.
Great question, I just can’t remember a lot of reviews. We were hailed as “Croydon’s kids of darkness” Which is the suburb the band started in. That was cool.

8. What is your favourite activity or hobby outside of music – what do you like to do to unwind?

Video games mostly. I’m an avid Halo and DOOM fan. I also love horror movies.

9. Do you have a best and/or worst performance anecdote you’d like to share, and if things do go awry during a show, how do you try to turn things around?

We, like most bands, have had our fair share of bad shows. Bad moods, load in problems, technical problems etc. The best thing I’ve experienced is Dani Filth thanking us on stage before they went into Saffron’s Curse. It was a dream come true moment for me.

10. What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Hmm, one I got was to try and live in the moment. Take in each show like it’s your last. And do it from the start. You never know how long your run on stage will be.

11. Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance to get rid of nerves or performance anxiety?

Not to get rid of nerves. But we do have a pre-show ritual to summon power to the performance. But that’s just for us.

12. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

When we opened for Abbath. After the show he came and spoke to us and asked for a CD. It’s crazy meeting these people you look up to. And when they actually turn out to be good people. It’s even better.

13. What’s the best thing about being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best thing is being on stage. Hearing people roar at the end of a song or seeing the mosh pit going fucking crazy. If I wasn’t doing this my dream job I would be creating video games.

14. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We normally eat take away so no one cooks haha. I would say Loki is first on the beers and if there’s a piano, Lily is on it.

15. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep, or you would like to be able to “do over” even if it didn’t change your current situation??

That’s a hard one to answer. Yes, I believe there is things I’d change. But it would all be to get to where we are now quicker.

16. If you were made ruler of the world, what would your first orders be?

Jeez… Make it easier for everyone to live. And enjoy their passions.

17. What is your favourite rock n’ roll movie, and why?

Airheads. Great movie about a punk rock band that takes a radio station hostage so they’ll play their tape. Just a funny movie. And Lemmy is in it.

18. Talking about songwriting, where do you think the magic comes from?

Trial and error. I normally write 15-20 songs. [Then] widdle down to 5-6. I get all my ideas down and then listen again with fresh ears.

19. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Cradle of Filth’s Damnation and a Day. It’s the album that truly got me into metal. It’s the album I listen to when there is bad turbulence on a plane and I need to relax.

20. What, for you, is the meaning of life??

To live.

STORMRIDER HEAVY METAL FESTIVAL TENTH ANNIVERSARY TICKETS:
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/f5d1dff9-5e2f-48e1-bc91-54f163d7cbe3

https://linktr.ee/HYBRIDNIGHTMARES

Category: Interviews