Q and A: Nathan Brunning (Ghostsmoker)

By MATTHEW R. DAVIS

MELBOURNE blackened doom/sludge outfit Ghostsmoker have been building a rep as one of Australia’s most crushing bands, setting out their stall with the EP Grief (Goatsound, 2022) and a series of shows and festival appearances. Hot Metal caught up with the quartet as they hit the studio with producer Jason PC (Blood Duster) to track their debut LP.

Hot Metal: Your music eschews the Sabbath-isms that define many other doom bands, instead bringing to mind (for me, anyway) the blunter and heavier sides of acts like Thou, Electric Wizard, and Paradise Lost. Who would you suggest as influences upon your writing? What are some of the stranger tastes amongst the four of you that get funnelled into the collective Ghostsmoker sound?

Nathan Brunning: “We certainly err towards the heavier side of doom and there are definitely some Thou and Electric Wizard influences in our music. We also gravitate towards bands such as Conan, Primitive Man, High on Fire, to name a few, that also influence our sound to some degree. In terms of stranger tastes that have crept in, there are subtle nods to dark synthwave and eighties horror movie soundtracks in both the EP and the upcoming LP. In some of the lo-fi elements of the new record, our guitarist Ben has written some parts that are inspired by his love of vaporwave, particularly the mallsoft sub-genre. And of course, we’d be remiss not to mention Steve Gadd.”

HM: Given the black metal approach to your vocals and the scant details on the sleeve of Grief, your lyrics are difficult to decipher, though you say they tackle themes of untimely loss and trauma. What other moods and topics can we expect from your new songs? Doom and stoner bands often turn to H.P. Lovecraft and the early 20^th century pulp fiction set for inspiration, along with horror movies and weed – who and what would you say influences your lyrics?

NB: “The lyrics for Grief being a little bit ambiguous is by design. The hope is that if someone has taken the time to look the lyrics up, perhaps they will find their own meaning … or not, that’s up to them! Mainly, the lyrics on both the EP and the upcoming LP are influenced by personal experience. I tend to use the music we create as a vehicle for me to purge some of the more nihilistic ideations I have about life and death. It’s nothing groundbreaking but it’s what I felt the music needed and I’ve found that being able to express myself in that way has helped me deal with feelings of resentment, guilt, and negativity I had towards certain people in my life who are no longer with us.”

https://youtu.be/huQPTbvFM_0?si=dit9KbF5Aw1sZZgj

HM: You’ve recently announced the addition of a new rhythm section. How has this affected the band’s personal and creative dynamics?

NB: “It’s been unreal!  Brayden (drums) and Rhys (bass) bring a huge amount of skill and experience into the band and they’re incredible humans, which makes the creative process a lot easier. We’ve been sitting on ideas for the upcoming album for almost a year, and their contributions have made the songs feel complete. It’s an exciting time for us,and we’re firing on all cylinders!”

HM: Jason PC pulled a massive sound for the Grief EP that successfully captured the band’s devastating live essence, a partnership that continues with your first LP. What is it like working at Goatsound with such a pivotal – and colourful – figure in Australian metal?

NB: “When we recorded the EP, it did feel a little bit surreal as some of us were massive fans of his bands from when we were teenagers. He’s seen and heard it all and it was cool as fuck to hear about some of his experiences in the music industry. As we’ve gotten to work with him more since then, there’s a certain level of comfortability which is especially helpful in a studio environment. He’s not afraid to tell us when we’re getting into our own head about the songs, or how we’re performing. We consider him a bit of a mentor, whether he likes it or not.”

HM: The set of new songs you played at I Am Not A Burden in September suggested that the album is going to be more dynamic and expansive affair than the EP, which you’ve described as “deliberately primitive and sludge-driven”. What can we expect from this LP?

NB: “You can expect a sludgier, more crushing and abrasive, sometimes ethereal, sometimes ominous release this time around. We’ve experimented a bit more with different sounds and tones, while maintaining the riff worship that was prevalent on the EP. We’re excited for people to hear it!”

HM: Given the tones and dynamics, it’s not much of a stretch to imagine your music as a cinematic accompaniment. If Ghostsmoker were asked to soundtrack a film, what kind of movie would you imagine it to be?

NB: “It would have to be some kind of horror or sci-fi film, right? Something apocalyptic, or dread-inducing. Though it would be hilarious to have our music playing in the background of a romantic comedy.”

HM: Australia has always had a rich and vibrant music scene that caters to all existing tastes – and a few that had to be invented! Which bands do you want to give a shout out? What other genres and acts do you dig in the current epoch?

NB: “A few that come to mind are Goat Shaman, Carcinoid, Isua, Whitehorse, Potion, Oar, Soma Plume, Altars, Mammon’s Throne, Slowcut, Astrodeath, Mountain Wizard Death Cult… There are just so many good bands floating about that we couldn’t possibly shout out as many as we’d like to, which is not a bad problem to have!”