Video Nasties: Killer Riffs

Perhaps more so than all other forms of music, metal is factional. Elitists, gatekeepers, snobs and trve kvltists bicker in comments sections around the world declaring which bands are/aren’t metal, who has the best riffs, and who are pretenders and posers. It’s rare that a band surfaces that seems to unite metallers and draw nothing but positivity and praise. Even established and legendary bands like METALLICA and BLACK SABBATH heave their share of detractors who love nothing more than telling others why they’re wrong to like them. But not so VIDEO NASTIES. Since emerging onto the scene, like an undead hand bursting from a shallow grave, they’ve generated a fearsome buzz, becoming known for their no-nonsense riffing, John Carpenter worship and impressive live show.

With debut full-length Dominion set for release on Friday 13th (naturally), now is the perfect time for the uninitiated to learn more about this North-Western supergroup. Comprised of members from acts such as IRON WITCH, SSS and THE BENTAL INTERLUDE, how did VIDEO NASTIES come to cross paths? In suitably spooky fashion, of course.

“I knew Rick [Owen, bass] from our old bands playing the odd all-dayer together, but only really met the other fellas at a fancy dress party at Stu’s house,” explains Damian Von Talbot, vocals. “Stu [Taylor, Guitars] was a sexy nun, I was Jack the Ripper and we all hit it off. I wasn’t really doing much band wise and they’d been jamming together and asked me if I fancied coming along to do a scream.” It was definitely a slightly incestuous beginning, a case of ‘degrees of separation’, as Stu explains. “I’ve known Dave [Archer, drums] since school; we’ve always been in bands together. We were doing SSS and THE BENDAL INTERLUDE with Tommy [Lloyd, guitar] who we’ve known for years. We shared our practice room with IRON WITCH who Rick played bass for. We all became good mates and started jamming together. When our other bands folded, we decided to form VIDEO NASTIES.”

Those familiar with a certain era of good old fashioned British censorship will learn all they need to from VIDEO NASTIES‘ name, but for others, the band’s obsession with 80s era horror and slasher flicks are sure to hop on board. Are the band all big horror film fans as their moniker would suggest? “We all grew up on horror films and a lot of our favourite artists wrote about horror,” Damian says. “So it seemed like a no brainer to carry on in that tradition. I even managed to sneak in a few bits around water sports and BDSM for everyone’s listening pleasure.” Stu agrees, explaining that “we grew up at a time when horror films were still good and discovered these as kids. From then on we’ve all been hooked.”

While the work of John Carpenter is a consistent influence, what other films would the band highlight as being influential? “My favourite horror film is and always will be Fright Night,” says Damien. “I watched it when it first came out and was just everything I could ever want as a young shit. It has horror, comedy, nudity, and an absolutely banging 80s soundtrack from.” It’s not just the classics that Damien reveres – he’s into more recent films too. “More recently, I’d say Hereditary. It’s a real slow burner with an ending that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.” Stu’s list is a lot more succinct; “I’d have to say Maniac, Excorcist and Halloween.”

Dominion, the band’s much anticipated debut, is a perfect microcosm of what VIDEO NASTIES are about; a solid slab of snarling vocals, non-nonsense riffing, and a sharp undercurrent of slasher flic fandom. Unsurprisingly, classic horror was a key influence on the album, and so too were big name thrash and death metal acts, as Stu explains. “John Carpenter‘s Prince of Darkness, Hammer Films, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, Dario Argento, WHITE ZOMBIE, KHOLD, SEPULTURA and ENTOMBED.” As Damian further explains, the band were aiming to evoke a very particular era in metal’s history. “We just wanted to go for that classic late 80s/early 90s Roadrunner sound,” he says. ‘All that great stuff we grew up on. If you put SEPULTURA’s Arise with any Carpenter soundtrack, you’re pretty close to what we’re trying to do.”

Something that comes through hard throughout Dominion is a sheer, hedonistic thrill. VIDEO NASTIES‘ music doesn’t deal with introspection, soul searching or weighty issues – in the best traditions of heavy music, it’s a guilt-free, gory and glorious riff-fest. It’s an album built to be cranked up as loudly as possible, and perhaps enjoyed while under the influences of various substances. Is this rejection of the leaden seriousness some heavy music displays a conscious choice by the band?

“When we started the band, we made a decision to keep things (relatively) light hearted. No big politics, no big love songs,” Damian explains. “At the end of the day we wanted to write a good, strong, catchy album that will hopefully stay with you after it’s over”. Stu agrees; “Metal music can be taken far too seriously and it attracts posers. We’ve found that side of it to be excruciatingly uncomfortable. We take what we do seriously but at the end of the day it’s about having a good time with your best mates and enjoying it all.”

Dominion is out now via APF Records.

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