The following interview is a captivating conversation with P.G. (Guitars (2016-2024), Vocals (lead), Orchestrations, Samples (2016-present), Bass (2024-present) ) of GROZA, one of the most promising bands in the international Black Metal scene. On the occasion of the release of their latest album, «Nadir», P.G. shares insights into the creative process behind the record and the challenges the band faced after the loss of Mike. The discussion delves into the band’s influences, their experiences from live performances in Greece, and their future aspirations. P.G. also reveals how GROZA’s music has evolved through their personal struggles and pursuits, offering a more human aspect to modern Black Metal.

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– First of all, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on «Nadir». In what has been an exceptional year for Black Metal, «Nadir» has managed to stand out and quickly find its place among the year’s favorites for many fans! How was the recording process?

P.G: Thanks for the compliment. The recording process was very similar to the previous albums. We have always been very DIY in our approach to everything, so we did most of the recordings by ourselves again on this one. Only exception is the drum recording, which we have done in the studio with the help of our friend David Pilz in the Austrian mountains, this time. The rest was either recorded at my home studio or in the rehearsal space. Mixing was also done by myself and mastering was again taken care of David Pilz.

– Three years have passed since «The Redemptive End», and a lot has happened in the world and for your band since then. I’m of course referring to the tragic loss of Mike in 2023. How has this affected the band, and has any of the atmosphere of losing a friend been captured in «Nadir»?

P.G: It has affected the band in more ways that I could express in words and am comfortable to share here. It goes without saying, that the whole situation has heavily influenced the album, it’s become the main theme. The album also helped me process the whole situation by having an outlet for everything, that I was feeling and also giving me purpose and something to do in these incredibly bleak times. The album is dedicated to him.

– Please accept my heartfelt condolences to you and his loved ones.

P.G: Thank you.

– Moving on to something more positive, your tour with ELLENDE and SERVANT kicks off on October 2nd, covering several cities across Europe. How are you feeling about that?

P.G: Beyond excited to finally be able to present the new songs live to a broad audience. We have played a couple songs live already at festivals, but at this tour we will be playing the album almost in its entirity, except for one song. Also, playing with our friends in ELLENDE and getting to watch them everynight is always a treat. Also curious to see SERVANT play for the first time, their new album is incredible. Very much looking forward to the tour.

– You share a member with ELLENDE for their live performances, Tim, right?

P.G: He has helped out only once, when Paul (their main live drummer, who is also playing the tour) could not make it to a show.

– How challenging can this be in terms of rehearsals and recordings?

P.G: Since he has only stepped in once at that show, where GROZA was also playing, it had no influence on us at all.

– And you’re also part of the live performances of HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY, correct?

P.G: Yes, but not permanently. I help out on bass, whenever their main live bass player Radek can’t make time for a show.

– So, we will see you in Greece this October for the HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY shows?

P.G: No, as far as I know, Radek will be playing these shows.

– In the recent years, we’ve noticed a significant increase in high-quality releases coming out of Germany, particularly from Bavaria, as well as from Austria, especially since we’ve already mentioned ELLENDE and HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY. What do you think has changed in the German and Austrian scenes, leading to releases of such a high caliber, with a distinct sonic identity that goes beyond just the language?

P.G: Good question, actually. Not sure I can answer this one, since I don’t really consider myself part of the scene by any means. I think there has always been great stuff coming out, especially from the bands you mentioned. They have both been going for 10+ years. But maybe, since a lot of it is coming out in a short amount of time right now, it gives that impression.

– Would you like to share the story behind your band’s name?

P.G: It’s an obvious nod to MGLA’s first album, which is also called «Groza». I started GROZA as a worship project basically, since I was so obsessed and struck with their «Exercises In Futility» album, that it sparked the urge to do something in the same vein, musically. I picked the name, when I wrote the first demo for GROZA, because I had a setlist from MGLA’s 2016 Munich show hanging on my wall next to my recording setup. They happened to play a song off that album at that show and I needed to give the demo file some name to export, so I randomly picked what I saw on the setlist first. Only later, I found out about the meaning of the word and I thought, it was really fitting the vibe of the music I was making, so I sticked to it.

– From 2018’s «Unified In Void» to today’s «Nadir», what events and experiences over the past six years have led to this musical maturity?

P.G: I can’t really pick specific events or something like that. My musical output is always shaped by what happens in my life in general. The basis of it all is so complex and has so many facettes, that I really can’t pick out anything specific. Technique-wise, I think we have matured simply by playing a lot of shows and rehearsing a lot and therefore developing our musicianship further. That also applies to production and mixing, the more you do it, the better you get. As with anything, really.

– In 2022, we had the honor of seeing you perform twice in Greece, in Thessaloniki and Athens. What do you remember most about Greece and the Greek audience?

P.G: First thing I vividly remember was the amazing food, that we had in Thessaloniki before the show, best catering we have ever had by far *laughs*. Apart from that, I remember having a great time in Greece and also having great shows there. In Athens we had some people chanting and singing along to whole guitar melodies and parts, like in a fucking football stadium, it was insane.

– What are your influences as GROZA, both as a band and personally? Are there any Greek bands you listen to or that have influenced GROZA’s music?

P.G: For me personally, I still listen to a lot of the same stuff that I listened to, when I started the band, including MGLA’s whole discography, UADA’s first 2 albums, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY and KARG. As a band, over the years I have opened up to letting the other guys have more influence in the songwriting and contribute their ideas to the songs, so there is musical influences coming from a lot of their favorite bands, as well. Regarding Greek bands, I’m a huge fan of SEPTICFLESH and have listened to them since being a teenager. Especially their drummer, KRIMH has had a huge impact on me growing up, so a lot of the drumming ideas I write for GROZA are for sure very much inspired by his style, as he remains my favorite drummer to this day .

– The Black Metal style you play, along with other bands I deeply admire (GAEREA, HFTS, MGLA, KARG, etc.), I often refer to as “human Black Metal” in regard to the lyrical themes. Would you agree with this characterization? And if so, how much more frightening do you find the inner battles that people face daily, within themselves and in the world around them, compared to any ‘goat-headed’ mythical figure?

P.G: I see your point. I feel no need to believe in a fictional hell or the devil or some other bullshit, when you can also look around and see what’s happening in the real world. There’s more than enough stuff to write about.

– We are, after all, a tragic species, aren’t we?

P.G: Very much, always been so.

– Do you have any future plans for GROZA beyond the tour that’s about to begin? Do any of these plans include a return to Greece?

P.G: We are planning to play live as much as we can and focus on the regions and countries, that we have not been to that much yet. Greece for sure being one of them, we would absolutely love to come back and will work on making it happen with this album.

– P.G., thank you very much for this wonderful conversation! Is there a message you’d like to share with your Greek fans and the readers of THE GALLERY?

P.G: Thanks again for having me. Our new album «Nadir» is out September 20th. If you care, give it a spin. Thanks for supporting GROZA, cheers!

Interview: Antonis Braikidis
Cover Artwork: Alexandros Soultatos
Design & Editing: Alexandros Soultatos
Photos: Anne Catherine Swallow | AgonyAbsinthe
Date: September 30th, 2024
External Link: GROZA – Facebook Page
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