What’s up Metalers!! The Metal industry is known for a variety of kick ass Metal bands. I had the pleasure of interviewing Iris who is the new vocalist for Spoil Engine from the Netherlands. The members of Spoil Engine were intrigued when Iris released her vocal cover of As The Pages Burn by Arch Enemy as an audition video. Currently Spoil Engine is working on their upcoming EP, Metalers in the Belgium area will be able to see Iris with Spoil Engine on their release show for their upcoming EP in December.
Metalhead Spotted: Can you tell a brief history of yourself such as when at what age did you start unclean vocals and when you started to explore more with your talent?
Iris: When I was 14/15 years old I discovered the whole metal music scene. It was around that age that I also started to do unclean vocal style. It took me a while before I found people who wanted and were able to play metal with me. In the mean time I played in bands, but “softer” kinds of music. Pop, rock, jazz.. I just tried a lot of different stuff. I think I was 17 when I started to perform with my first metal band.
Metalhead Spotted: What made you realize you wanted to pursue a music career?
Iris: Like a lot of kids, I was dreaming of playing big venues and festivals since I first started a band. Through the years it became clear to me that this is really what I want and what I love to do. Since I’ve joined Spoil Engine I’m even more sure about it.
Metalhead Spotted: What is the metal scene like in your area?
Iris: There are a lot of talented young people in the area. Also, there are a few nice venues who support the local scene. But it’s hard for a young band to get out of that small circle. If you want to get out of that, the real work begins. And that’s a point where a lot of local bands get stuck. Being in a band in 2015 is more than be able to play your songs and record them. You have to spend time working on your network and your promotion.. online AND offline. The reason why Spoil Engine found me in the first place is because of my online visibility. I love spending time taking care of that aspect too, but a lot of young artist don’t know how to start. At the moment I’m helping out a few of them.
Metalhead Spotted: Describe your shows, visually and musically.
Iris: For me a good metal show needs a lot of energy. Good riffs, vocal lines and all the musical aspects are one thing, but you need to get the energy out there. The audience has to FEEL your music. That’s what I want to try to do on stage.
Metalhead Spotted: What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Iris: Keep doing what you want to do and support each other.
Metalhead Spotted: If you had to categorize your music, what genre would it best fit?
Iris: Just heavy fucking metal. I don’t know if there are more subgenres or discussions about subgenres in the metal scene.
Metalhead Spotted: Before joining Spoil Engine were you in other bands previous?
Iris: Yes I was. In 2014 I had a great year with Drunken Dreams. I’ll still be doing some shows in Germany with them this month.
Metalhead Spotted: There are so many great bands in the Metal industry, what band would you like to open for and why?
Iris: That’s a hard question, there are so many. I think I have to say Slipknot. Their live shows are my favorite ones.
Metalhead Spotted: Does your band have any upcoming concerts coming up?
Iris: At the moment we are very busy writing and recording the upcoming Spoil Engine EP. It will be mixed and mastered at Fredman studio in October. He did albums for bands like Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Arch Enemy, At the Gates and many more. The release show will be December 12 in Belgium.
Metalhead Spotted: Will you tour the U.S in the near future?
Iris: For now there are no plans, but I really want to play the U.S. I’ll cross the ocean as soon as possible!
Metalhead Spotted: Is there anything you would like to add?
Iris: Horns up, stay metal and thank you for the wonderful interview \m/
Interviewed by - Rose F.
Iris: When I was 14/15 years old I discovered the whole metal music scene. It was around that age that I also started to do unclean vocal style. It took me a while before I found people who wanted and were able to play metal with me. In the mean time I played in bands, but “softer” kinds of music. Pop, rock, jazz.. I just tried a lot of different stuff. I think I was 17 when I started to perform with my first metal band.
Metalhead Spotted: What made you realize you wanted to pursue a music career?
Iris: Like a lot of kids, I was dreaming of playing big venues and festivals since I first started a band. Through the years it became clear to me that this is really what I want and what I love to do. Since I’ve joined Spoil Engine I’m even more sure about it.
Metalhead Spotted: What is the metal scene like in your area?
Iris: There are a lot of talented young people in the area. Also, there are a few nice venues who support the local scene. But it’s hard for a young band to get out of that small circle. If you want to get out of that, the real work begins. And that’s a point where a lot of local bands get stuck. Being in a band in 2015 is more than be able to play your songs and record them. You have to spend time working on your network and your promotion.. online AND offline. The reason why Spoil Engine found me in the first place is because of my online visibility. I love spending time taking care of that aspect too, but a lot of young artist don’t know how to start. At the moment I’m helping out a few of them.
Metalhead Spotted: Describe your shows, visually and musically.
Iris: For me a good metal show needs a lot of energy. Good riffs, vocal lines and all the musical aspects are one thing, but you need to get the energy out there. The audience has to FEEL your music. That’s what I want to try to do on stage.
Metalhead Spotted: What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Iris: Keep doing what you want to do and support each other.
Metalhead Spotted: If you had to categorize your music, what genre would it best fit?
Iris: Just heavy fucking metal. I don’t know if there are more subgenres or discussions about subgenres in the metal scene.
Metalhead Spotted: Before joining Spoil Engine were you in other bands previous?
Iris: Yes I was. In 2014 I had a great year with Drunken Dreams. I’ll still be doing some shows in Germany with them this month.
Metalhead Spotted: There are so many great bands in the Metal industry, what band would you like to open for and why?
Iris: That’s a hard question, there are so many. I think I have to say Slipknot. Their live shows are my favorite ones.
Metalhead Spotted: Does your band have any upcoming concerts coming up?
Iris: At the moment we are very busy writing and recording the upcoming Spoil Engine EP. It will be mixed and mastered at Fredman studio in October. He did albums for bands like Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Arch Enemy, At the Gates and many more. The release show will be December 12 in Belgium.
Metalhead Spotted: Will you tour the U.S in the near future?
Iris: For now there are no plans, but I really want to play the U.S. I’ll cross the ocean as soon as possible!
Metalhead Spotted: Is there anything you would like to add?
Iris: Horns up, stay metal and thank you for the wonderful interview \m/
Interviewed by - Rose F.
