Possessor: Plague Doctors

While the global Coronavirus pandemic has led to some strangely apocalyptic scenes around the world, they haven’t quite been the zombie-apocalypse level of anarchy that Graham Bywater, frontman of horror-obsessed metallers POSSESSOR, would have preferred; “It’s not been fun at all, and sadly nothing like all those Italian undead films promised!”

With the live music and events scene suffering heavily under ongoing social distancing and lock down restrictions, were POSSESSOR affected as other bands have been? “As with everyone, the pandemic has come along like a massive steamroller-like buzz kill. All our festival appearances have been cancelled. It’s been a really unpredictable and frustrating year,” Graham explains. However, the momentum the trio built up after the release of last year’s fourth full length Gravelands has only been slightly slowed by the pandemic; the band has channelled their frustrations into a new record; Damn The Light.

“I definitely didn’t want to have any sort of hiatus. Gravelands went down well so it seemed silly just taking a break. I also had a concept very early on, and although the pandemic has been a dreadful curse for everyone, the negative vibes it has created helped give the new music a more universally reaching purpose,” says Graham. “I think we had a good feeling from the start and worked really hard on this album under slightly unusual conditions. However, having time at home also meant we weren’t pushed for time at all.” Helping to add speed to the process was the fact that a couple of tracks that ended up on Damn The Light were the result of writing efforts for the band’s previous record. “A couple of the songs were leftover from Gravelands. Razorback didn’t make it into that album for one reason or another and Coffin Fit was written not long after Gravelands was released.”

Though the pandemic meant the band were forced into writing the album by sharing ideas and practising remotely through videos and voice notes, this wasn’t a huge change to POSSESSOR’s usual writing process. “I always write the songs and using a drum machine, send the demos to the others to add to as they wish,” says Graham. “The only difficult element was perhaps going into the studio having not physically played the songs together and in the same room until that point but hey, you can’t stop the rock.”

The experience of recording Damn The Light was also something made more challenging by COVID-19. Working with Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studios in London (as they had for Gravelands), Graham explains that there were some definite differences in the process. “Sadly due to COVID only two of us were allowed in the studio at once, resulting in me having to play both the bass and guitar parts. I guess at least it got things done quicker,” he laughs.

While new writing and recording challenges might be enough new things to tackle for most bands, Damn The Light is also the first POSSESSOR record to feature new drummer Nathan Perrier [11PARANOIAS, ex-CAPRICORNS]. Were the other POSSESSOR members fans of Nathan’s previous work, and was this part of the reason they reached out to recruit him? “I was a fan of CAPRICORNS back in the day for sure! I’ve been aware of Nathan for years but only over the last couple of years realised he lived in the same part of London as me,” Graham explains. Did the new sticksman bring something new to the writing and recording process? “He’s definitely added something rather splendid as you can tell from listening to the album,” Graham says. “He’s got a lot of experience with tour management and being on the road too. I needed someone with his dedication and knowledge of his kit. He lives for his drums. And beer.”

Although an album born from a very different set of circumstances to POSSESSOR’s previous work, fans of the band can expect the core of the album experience to be classic POSSESSOR – horror themes and inspirations borne on the back of pure metal riffery. When it comes to influences, Graham confirms that it’s “The usual old horror films and books. The poster for The Gate was a big inspiration. The unknown beast lurking beneath the ground, only coming out at night. I think it represents the struggles we have all faced this year, demolished mental health and a hope for something better.” Though channelling these classic POSSESSOR themes, Damn The Light is still an evolution of sound (or in their case, perhaps a mutation). “It’s a different beast. Less punk and more old school metal attack!” Graham explains. “The themes remain the same though. It’s a longer and more emotional record for sure and I think it’s played with a more focused and malevolent passion.”

With Damn The Light set to drop, perfectly on brand, in time for Halloween fans will be able to ring in spooky season in style with furious riffs. Is this how the band themselves will be celebrating Samhain? “My wife and I plan to get the kids to sleep, crack open and beer and do a double bill of Halloween and perhaps the original Friday the 13th as bewilderingly my wife Lisa has never seen it!”

While most bands would be more than content to take a break after releasing two records more or less back to back, POSSESSOR aren’t most bands. Graham already has his eyes set firmly on the future – COVID or no COVID. “I’ve started writing the next release which will likely be an EP. It would be cool to do a 10” vinyl as barely anyone does those. Other than that, plan is to wait for all this to blow over and hope business returns to normal in 2021.”

Damn The Light is out now via APF Records. 

Like POSSESSOR on Facebook.