Rise To Remain - Interview

Having made their mark in 2010, in what can only be described as an epic year for the Brit Metallers. Rise To Remain kick-start 2011 with a 16 date tour supporting Welsh heavyweights Funeral For Friend. This band are no strangers to the live circuit, having shared the stage with the likes of Korn and Trivium to playing D.I.Y tours back when they were called Halide. They have toured the UK extensively and tonight's show certainly reflected that.

The response from the crowd was evident that this band have hit the floor running. A strong fan base get behind each and every song, singing along relentlessly whilst sporting various Rise To Remain T-Shirts. The band deliver a tight, in your face, melodic thrash infused set with vocalist Austin commanding the stage with conviction, leaving the crowd undoubtedly warmed up for the main act, and I managed to sneak back stage to have a word with them.

Hows the tour going so far ?
Austen - Yeah Tour's going awesome, really, really good!

Best Crowd ?
Austen - I dunno, I mean, They've all been pretty good, Penrith was awesome, St Edmunds last night was crazy. All the crowds have been great, they all have their own individual charm I guess.

Yes, It sold out tonight..
Austen - Ye, can't wait, really Excited!

2010 was a pretty epic year for you, you played Download, Sonisphere , and won Best Band at The Metal Hammer Awards among other things, How does it feel to be tagged "BEST BAND"?
Austen - It's cool, It's definitely, A label we are pleased with. It's amazing to have, some bands might see it as a burden but we see it as a very positive thing. We took everything into stride and tookthe build up of 2010 and have put all our energy into our new album.

So a highlight of 2010 then?
Joe - All of those things you just said ( Laughs ), the festivals, the touring, everything! This years been Rad to us so far aswell.

What's your plans for the Summer?
Joe - We've got quite a few dates coming up in Europe after this tour with F.F.A.F and have a few fests lined up too.

Download and Sonisphere?
Joe - Certainly.

A Headline tour on the cards?
Austen - Were doing a Headline tour at some point this year, yes.

In support of the new album?
Joe - Yeah, which should be out by the Summer.

You were with Trancsend Records, what was the situation there?
Joe - (laughs) your the 1st person to mention that.
Austen - Its amazing, the 1st time it's come up. I feel like I can Purge now (Laughs). We signed a contract and then the guy disappeared off the face of the earth. We were half way through recording in the studio and it was like. " Dude ..?","Hellooo", where's the other half of the recording budget you promised us, and he just didn't materialise.
Joe - We got the hell outta there basically.

You've Toured with Trivium and played with the likes of Korn. Which is the best Band you've toured with?
Austen - Again That's a hard one. There was a major rush about the Trivium tour, We were "young kids" "new on the scene" and everything was an experience. Then there was Korn, which was ridiculous because were all massive of them. And it's Korn for Christ sake so we were like ..( Gasps )

Do you watch the bands after?
Joe - Definitely, every night.

What can we expect from the new album?
Austen - Errrm, what can we expect...
Joe - Radness
Austen - Radness, Narly dudes playing Metal, Metal for well endowed Men ( Laughs ).

Festival or Individual shows?
Austen - Well headlining shows, thats allways were our heart lies but i guess, but festivals, that opens you up to a whole audience that might not have even known of you, its a firm introduction to a whole new crowd.

To find out more you can check them out on their facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/risetoremain

By Joe