INTERVIEW: AMETHYST

Hailing from Switzerland, AMETHYST is a classic Heavy Metal act formed in 2020 out of the ashes of MIDAS TOUCH. If you like the general sound of the era between 1979 y 1981, you should listen to this band. In 2023 they released the “Rock Knight”, and now the debut full-length “Throw Down The Gauntlet” has landed on the metal stage. Freddy, the band’s singer, told us a lot about AMETHYST. And here you go. Enjoy!

 

-First off, let’s go back in time. AMETHYST started in 2020. What’s the story of the band?

Yeah, we started in 2020, but we all have known each other for a long time before and Miguel, Yves and myself played in a band called MIDAS TOUCH before. After the split up of MIDAS TOUCH, Yves and Miguel wanted to continue making music so they decided to form a new band together with guitarist Ramon. They asked me to play the drums and after the rehearsal, I tried to sing because they had no vocalist back then. It worked out pretty well and we went on searching for a new drummer. After some time, Eldo joined, we found a decent rehearsal room and the rest is history.

 

-Ok, the band is based in Switzerland. I think two of you are German. Correct me if I'm wrong. Also, in the band's line-up we can find names like Ramon and Miguel, names of Spanish origin. Is there any kind of connection of these two guys with Spain or Latin America beyond their names?

Yes, that’s true. I’m German and Eldo as well. Miguel has Bolivian and German roots, Yves got some Czech ancestors, and I don’t know about Ramon but as far as I know he is the only REAL Swiss (laughs).

 

-And what about the name of the band? AMETHYST is a name shared by many metal bands around the world, probably more than ten. Why did you decide it was a good idea to name the band AMETHYST?

If you look up the name “Amethyst” on discogs for example, we are listed as number “46”. So, yeah, there are some more bands with the same name even in the metal genre. We came up with the name after some discussions and I can’t remember it hundred percent, but I think Yves came up with the name. Calling your band after a gemstone is a cool and powerful sounding thing. You know, it just fits right. Also, it could also be compared to bands from the NWOBHM when you had bands like SAPPHIRE or to the early Swedish scene with bands like ONYX and also the US Metal movement with EMERALD.

 

-I could say probably your main influences comes from bands like THIN LIZZY and early IRON MAIDEN. Am I right? Anyway, whom else could you say inspired your sound?

That’s right. These two bands had a major impact in how we wanted AMETHYST to sound like. Without MAIDEN or LIZZY, we definitely would sound different. But there are also influences from guitarist and bands like Rory Gallagher, Roky Erickson, Gary Moore and a lot of “smaller” NWOBHM bands.

 

-Now let’s discuss the process as a whole. How long did it take to write and record the “Throw Down The Gauntled”, and what was the atmosphere like during these processes? Did you run into any difficulties?

We already had some songs written for the album, when we started to play live. We played “Running Out Of Time” and “Stand Up And Fight” on our first live gig after the EP had been released and “Embers On The Loose” was one of the first songs we ever wrote together. They just weren’t ready to be recorded… So, we had like a good stock of songs left for the full-length. The rest of the songs just developed within rehearsals, trying out different riffs, rhythms and ideas and arranging them to be proper fitting. We always have fun rehearsing and fooling around but it’s also very disciplined when we work together. We had some moments while writing the album, when we started to question ourselves if the outcome would stand the test to the success of the EP and I sometimes really got a little bit anxious, you know, how will the people like the album after this full-blown hype around the EP…

 

-Who’s the main writer for this band and what were the sources of inspiration for the lyrics?

Most of the time, the guitarist come up with ideas. But Miguel (bass) as well (who can play all instruments in the band) comes up with ideas and songs. First there is an idea, a riff, a melody, some arrangements and structure, then we try to build the song around this basis. My inspiration for the lyrics comes from my own experiences in life but they are not like 100% auto biographic. We, as the human species, all have had some situations in our daily life, and this is what I try to sing and write about so anybody can identify themselves with the lyrics to a certain point and level in their life. The rest of the songs are about science fiction and serial killer stuff (laughs).

 

-Tell me details about the artwork. What’s the meaning behind it?

As you can see, we face the knight, and the gauntlet has been thrown, he’s trying to challenge us. You could also turn around the idea, like we challenge the genre, the knight etc. The idea, or the background story behind it was like “Here we are! Face us!” It has some provocative vibes, but I guess that’s cool. We also had the idea to create an album cover in the style of the 70s, 80s, when they had the band pictured on the front. Most of the cover art nowadays is like digital art or airbrush or whatever strange stuff and this would not have fitted with the idea and the beliefs of AMETHYST.

 

-How did your transition from Swedish Jawbreaker Records to Greek No Remorse Records?

First of all, we are forever grateful for what Jawbreaker has done for us. Eternal Hails to Gustav and Linni for supporting the band from like “day-one” and giving us the opportunity to spread the message of AMETHYST. After the success of the EP, AMETHYST started to grow bigger and bigger. We had some offers from different labels, wanting to sign us and after we compared the different conditions in the contracts we decided to go with No Remorse. The deal was first sealed by handshake at the KIT festival.

 

-Well, your first EP was called “Rock Knights”, and now you have a song titled “Rock Knights” on your full-lenght album. Will there be a track called “Throw Down The Gauntlet” on your next release? I hope I didn't spoil the surprise… (laughs).

Well, that would be kind of a thing, right? Let’s see what the future holds (laughs).

 

-What kind of reception have you gotten in Switzerland comparing with the rest of Europe?

Switzerland has a small but decent metal scene compared to bigger countries. We are one of the few Hard Rock / Heavy Metal bands from the country and when we first played live in Switzerland or after the release of the EP, people went nuts, in and out of Switzerland. People know who we are and recognize us, (well, they also did before, haha) but what’s new is they tell us how much they like the record and the style of AMETHYST. That’s really nice to hear and it makes me a little bit proud. But our like “second homeland” has become Sweden. We played a few gigs there, like Muskelrock and it is unbelievable how the fans react to the sound of AMETHYST… It’s always wonderful to come back to Sweden for it is always a magical time.

 

-Being said that, how are things in Switzerland for Heavy Metal music? Does it get publicity in more mainstream or commercial media?

No, not at all. Pop and Hip-Hop still is the main force in music here. But that’s ok, it keeps the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal scene small but decent. People know each other, play in the same bands, organizing concerts and festivals and being creative within and for the scene. Of course, there are bigger bands like KROKUS and GOTTHARD or for example ELUVEITIE. These bands a know even in the mainstream in Switzerland.

 

-Nowadays, many classic metal bands have moustaches. Why do you think this is so? How important is image for a band like AMETHYST?

Hahaha, well it just looks sexy, no? I think we all have nude posters of Tom Selleck on the ceilings above our beds, haha. For me, image is something important for a band. It’s the complete package. There is the music, the emotions but also the appearance of a band that makes it interesting. I could not imagine myself wearing baggy-pants and stuff or a hoodie on stage while making music that sounds like AMETHYST does. It’s just not in the picture… I mean, there is a reason why some bands have “stage clothes”, it just is an important aspect for a good show to create a memorable image.

 

-You also made videos for “Serenade (Under The Rising Moon)”, “Embers On The Loose” or “Chasing Shadows”. How important is making music videos for AMETHYST?

It’s a fun thing and it took us 1 hour to film it and a lot more time to cut and arrange. These credits belong to Eldo (drums), for he is the mastermind behind producing, recording, mixing and now even cutting movies!!!

 

-You played at Trveheim, Muskelrock,… Some great festivals. Which are your impressions and memories from these festivals?

Very positive! As I mentioned before, Sweden is like “homecoming” for us and that’s also because of so perfect and beautiful festivals like Muskelrock. Always a pleasure to be there, as a fan or a band. It was my first Trveheim this year, and I must say it felt a little like the smaller, more German Muskelrock. Absolutely lovely folks and bands. And they have a great organization and stage sound as well!  Definitely worth going there, again!

 

-Well, I’ve got my ticket so I know you'll be playing at Pounding Metal Fest in March with many “Rock Knights” at the crowd. What can we expect from AMETHYST at that show?

This will be our first time in Spain so we are really looking forward to play in Madrid! You can always expect a full on power show from Amethyst. Hopefully we’ll get enough sleep, because we will fly in from Prague the night before, haha. But I know, the Spanish Metal folks are true to their music and it will be a blast to play for them! VOY A TU CIUDAD!

 

-Apart from that, what plans for the future do you have?

We are writing new songs and try to rehearse as much as possible. Let’s see, what the future holds for AMETHYST…

 

-Is there anyone living or dead that you would want to play onstage with?

Definitely Gary Moore with an Old School set and Phil Lynott on bass, oh, and a duet with Guy Speranza on vocals and Mark Reale on guitar!

 

-Are you a fan of any Spanish metal band?

I F***ING adore Spanish Heavy Metal. I can’t talk Spanish, haha, but I really love the sound of the language, it fits perfectly for metal music! It’s melodic but also aggressive! I really love bands like BANZAI, LEIZE, HADES (“ENTRE EL FUEGO Y LA CRUZ”!!!!), KRULL (forever one of my favorite records forever, Juanma Rodríguez voice is godlike!!!), BRUQUE (HAILS PEDRO R.I.P.!!!), ACRACIA, ASFALTO, OBÚS, ANGELES DEL INFIERNO, EXCALIBUR, BARÓN ROJO, SANTA, and so on and also newer bands like WHISPER (!!!), SINNER RAGE and LEATHER HEART.

 

-Name ten of your favorite albums of all time.
In no particular order and also there is a lot more. So, here’s a small selection:

1. QUEENSRYCHE – “The Warning”
2. IRON MAIDEN – “Killers”
3. JUDAS PRIEST – “Defenders of The Faith”
4. OSSIAN – “Á Rock Katonái”
5. ROKY ERICKSON – “The Evil One”
6. THIN LIZZY – “Chinatown”
7. TRUST – “Marche Ou Crève”
8. EXCESS – “Melting Point”
9. KRULL – “Hasta El Límite”
10. WOLF – “Edge Of The World”

 

-Freddy, thank you very much for your time! Do you have any last words for our readers and your fans here in Spain?

I really had fun to answer all of your questions and I want to say a big GRACIAS! To all of our fans in Spain. We are forever grateful for your eternal support! Hail, hail to España! And don’t forget to listen to FRIGID BICH – “Tyrants Of A Generation!”. See y’all on the road!

 

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