written by Marko Jakob | 19.04.2022 |
Pix666: Hello Rict. Thanks for taking the time for the interview. How are you doing?
Rict: Good! Thank you, too.
Pix666: Please tell the readers how it all started with SABLE HILLS and what kind of music you make.
Rict: Sable Hills was started by Takuya (Vocal) and Rict (Guitar) who are real brothers in 2015. After the band we did together broke up, this band was born. We love metal music, especially melodic and tough ones. Our songs consist mostly of metalcore, melodic death metal and a bit of sweet Japanese melody.
Pix666: You’ve been on the road with SABLE HILLS for about seven years now. What have been the most memorable moments with the band so far?
Rict: 1st album release. A band’s 1st album is an important thing for me. So it was a great pleasure to release what was best in my mind.
Pix666: Some days ago your single ‘Bringer‘ was released. How have the reactions to the song been so far?
Rict: Great. It was different from the last one, especially outside of my country. We’ve announced that we will go to Europe and perform at big festivals. Some people living in Europe pay attention to us because of it. It’s so nice.
Pix666: What is the story behind the song and where did you shoot the video clip? Were there some funny moments during the video shooting?
Rict: This song was made a year ago. I wanted to make vocals stand out more at the time. I think it’s easier to remember the phrases and melodies than before. But there are still tasty riffs and leads. As far as the music video, we shoot it in a studio in Tokyo and an ocean and a mountain located at the edge of Chiba. You will see the synchronized tornado headbanging at first. Everyone in the band has long hair, so we did it. No other options.
Pix666: Your album ‘Duality’ will be released soon. How difficult was the way to a complete album, also in view of the complications and restrictions due to the Covid situation?
Rict: It was difficult to do recordings. I and some of the other members got covid. Then we had to postpone the recording schedule because we cannot go out for 10 days after getting the disease. And this is not only the problem of us but also that of the engineer. We spent a lot of time to complete it.
Pix666: In which versions the album will be released and where can people pre-order the album? Are there also shirts or something from SABLE HILLS?
Rict: Soon to be announced. Keep your eyes on our socials, twitter, instagram and facebook.
Pix666: Is anyone in the band a fan of statistics. Do you know in which countries your music is listened to?
Rict: Japan. This tour is the best chance to spread our music to other countries.
Pix666: You will also be performing live outside of Japan this year. The appearance at one of the most famous festivals in the world is on your schedule. How much are you looking forward to Wacken Open Air? Will you be playing more shows in Europe?
Rict: To perform at Wacken Open Air is one of my life goals. I watched a lot of live videos of metal legends playing at Wacken when I was a child. It’s a great honor to be there with my band. Also we announced to play at two more festivals; Brutal Assault in Czech Republic and Summerblast Festival in Germany. Both of them are very big festivals, and consist of big names such as As I Lay Dying, Cannibal Corpse, Jinjer. I’m so excited to play at the huge stage and to see the crowds of Europe.
Pix666: Was it possible to play shows in Japan in the past two years? How big is the metal scene in Japan and how big are the clubs where you usually play?
Rict: It was possible but in a restricted situation. Half capacity and no mosh, no sing-a-long, sometimes we had partitions between the audience and us. Yeah, Japan is very crazy about covid. Metal scene in Japan is small now but getting bigger in my opinion, especially the metalcore scene. Sable Hills usually play at clubs which can accommodate 200~300 people. But our tour-final-venue has 600 capacity.
Pix666: Tell me a little bit about your dreams…. In which locations or at which festivals would you like to perform and with which band(s) would you like to go on tour in the future?
Rict: I dreamed of performing at Download Festival, Wacken Open Air in my childhood. I will make it at Wacken first. So Download Festival is my dream at this time. And I want to tour with As I Lay Dying because their music is my foundation.
Pix666: As a musician, you are usually busy with music almost without a break. Rict, is there still time for hobbies and if so, with which activities do you relax and distract yourself?
Rict: GOING INTO A SAUNA!!!!
Pix666: Do you have any other news about that you would like to share with the fans?
Rict: We planned to go to other European countries on this tour. Keep your eyes on us and don’t miss the chance to see us in your country.
Pix666: Thanks for the interview, good luck with your upcoming album – and above all, stay healthy.
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