Getting to Know… Sacrificial Slabs | Interview 🎤

For the colorful 73^rd interview on The Musical Hype, UK grindcore band Sacrificial Slabs provide some awesome insight into their craft.

“Well, we have a Yozii to start off with, and we’re the only ones that got him. When you see and hear him, you’ll understand.” Definitely ranks among the most unique responses received in the Getting to Know… series.  What was the question you ask? Simply What would you say makes your band distinct or unique. Simon, who serves as the drummer for Sacrificial Slabs, certainly distinguished the grindcore/death metal band, that’s for sure! In addition to Simon, Sacrificial Slabs is comprised of Sarunas (guitars), Edward (vocals), Yozii (vocals), Nick (bass).

In this colorful interview (with some f-bombs for good measure), we get some awesome insight from the London collective, specifically Simon as well as Sarunas – “The goal for this band from day one is to be heavy, extreme, groovy as fuck and to get out and play on every stage we can…” Now that’s the spirit of rock-n-roll! Without further ado, here is Getting to Know… Sacrificial Slabs: Interview #73.

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with Sacrificial Slabs, what would you say makes your band distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Simon: Well, we have a Yozii to start off with, and we’re the only ones that got him. When you see and hear him, you’ll understand. When we hit the stage, we give everything, and I mean everything. We don’t fuck about; it’s a freight train coming at you. It’s heavy, chaotic, and with a Yozii. Plus, a lot of beers will be drunk and a lot of fun times to be had. Grindcore/death metal are alive and well.

So, it would be safe to say that Yozii is pretty distinct himself, ha-ha! How did Sacrificial Slabs form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

Sarunas: Myself and Simon started with the idea of making a modern extreme band. So, each of us brought a singer on our second rehearsal-Ludwig had strong growls, pig squeals and other nasty noises whilst the other, Yozii, was full on deafening screams. So, we combined both vocal elements and then used old school grindcore with modern death, groove metal bits.

Simon: Yeah, the whole idea was to get a band together to take old school grindcore style and put it in this day and age. Plus, to have fun and enjoy it. That’s what it’s all about.

Full on deafening screams, huh? Rock On! Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?  

Simon: Not really no, they’ve become more real to be honest, but definitely haven’t changed, the goal for this band from day one is to be heavy, extreme, groovy as fuck and to get out and play on every stage we can, which is what we’re doing, for us to be able to get out and play festivals in Europe this summer is amazing, and means we can bring our genre to a much wider audience, all of these things were the goal when we started. Plus, the main goal is to enjoy the ride, which we’re all doing.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Sarunas: Our band consists of five members, and each one of us have very different influences to one another, so to round it up: Napalm Death, Cattle Decapitation, Tool, Dir En Grey, Forgotten Tomb. These bands all have unique styles, so some of the bits like riffing, song arrangements are reflected in songs that we write.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Sarunas: We can start with the fact that our drunk singer Yozii jumped out of a moving train and got stranded in a middle of nowhere for a whole night, the question why remains. During the performance many crazy, savage things happens, like singers falling down and continues rockin’ out or jumping out in the crowd. It’s become part of our show.

Simon: Myself and Sarunas have a story from Pachuca in Mexico on tour, which includes a Mexico brothel motel, and 3 bands stuck for a place to sleep. Let’s just say it was funny as fuck. And you’ll have to ask us in person for more details.

Totally speechless! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Sarunas: We all love “We Come from Below” – it’s our hit song as it has so much groove, heavy riffs that people straight away get into and go mental! Our special one would be, “Till the Last Man Standing,” I guess the name says it all, the rest is up to your imagination what is going on in the crowd during live performances.

Simon: I know for a fact that Edward loves “Head Cage.” That’s his baby – it’s a fucking banger.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Simon: Like I said before we have a Yozii. Nothing secret or surprising about us to be honest, what you see is what you get, now if that’s a good thing fuck knows. But it is what it is. 🤘.  The main thing people need to know about us is, we’re coming, and we won’t stop. Once you’ve seen us, you won’t forget us.

Closing this thing out, what is you/your band currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Sarunas: Unfortunately, due to the current Corona virus situation we have to work from home, but we are preparing some tasty songs for upcoming festivals in Romania. As for promo bit- we invite you all to check our video for, “We Come From Bellow” on YouTube – enjoy!

Simon: We are trying to be as busy as possible and are in talks already with potential festivals and shows for next year. And who knows, there might, just might be a couple of studio releases, like I say might, as it’s a secret. Take care and be safe, make sure you check us out and keep listening to extreme music.

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Sacrificial Slabs Links: Facebook • YouTube • Spotify

Photo Credits: Sacrificial Slabs, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype