1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
We played a few dates in mid April, One in Portland and two in California. Ventura and Fullerton Specifically. Those were really fun and we needed that after 8 months of being in town. When we got home we had made the decision to self-release and got on that. Editing the album cover/layout and what not. Our free time has been spent writing songs and we almost have a completed song for the next album. Which is nice, because with Under the Spell we did the touring thing for 2 years and didn’t write, which stretched the process out longer than we would have liked. Other than that we just did some filming over Memorial Day for our first music video.
2.You have a new album coming out in July, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
This album is a lot more melody and song driven. The speed/thrash influences that were prominent in our first album are still there, just toned down a bit. Our favorite bands have always been the ones with the best hooks. That’s what we were going for. This album is about the song as a whole, instead of ‘the riff’.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The lyrics are dark, Everything is darker.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spellcaster'?
The band used to be called Leatherwitch. We were writing the song “Spellcaster” and someone suggested we used it as the band name. Everyone agreed and it just stuck. we all thought it sounded very powerful.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
In terms of crowd attendance, Portland and Fullerton always blow us away. As for ‘best’ honestly some of the greatest shows we have played were in front of ten people. Its all about the energy and attitude of the band and crowd. As for stage performance like big production stage shows so we try to mimic that as best we can with our resources. Fog, lights, strobes, ect.. we have fun.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
The dates are almost done being booked but yes we have some large U.S. plans for summer and possible overseas dates after that.
7.Your albums have been released on Heavy Artillery Records and Lone Fir Records, can you tell us a little bit more about those labels?
Heavy Artillery was based out of New York. They put out our Demo and first album back in 2011. They were later bought out by Earache records, who didn’t show interest in us and are now a hard rock label. To Quote their website “Indie Rock/Metal label noted for the earliest extreme metal recordings during the 90s nowadays releasing kick-ass Blues-Rock bands”.. so yeah they kinda went in a different direction. As for Lone Fir, That is just our band label we print our vinyl under. It’s a Cemetery some of us like to drink at in SE Portland.
8.According to the metal archives page the page is signed to Earache, is that a recent singing or did someone just add that on there, I have seen some incorrect things on there in the past?
Yeah, that’s outdated. We are currently independent but are working with a European PR company called ‘Against PR’ and are in talks with a Japanese label to help get our stuff out to the further off places in the world.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of heavy and speed metal?
You know, it’s been great. We haven’t released anything in 3 years so obviously there’s only so far you can go with one album, but the future is looking bright and we are just stoked to have a stable line-up and anxious to see what people think of the new tracks.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
The goal has always been to sound like Spellcaster. I cannot tell you what we may come up with because I don’t know. There’s no marketing plan, no ‘heavier’ or ‘softer’. Its all gonna be what we think sounds good at the time. The only thing I can say is we are working hard every day at becoming better songwriters.
11.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
While we were writing we listened to a lot of Sisters of mercy, Journey, Queensryche, In Solitude, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, B.O.C., Black Sabbath, Dio ect.. I don’t know how much of an effect it had on our writing process but a lot of members have been listening to different kinds of rock/metal. The first one was straight forward Speed/thrash only. This one is a bit more dynamic
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
A few of us are into bicycling, cooking, camping, stuff like that but honestly being in a band eats up so much of our time and resources that it really is a full time job.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
New Album is out July 1st. All tour announcements and anything Spellcaster related will always be announced first on our Facebook. Thanks for the interview. \m/
Facebook.com/spellcasterpdx
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