![Gévaudan 2 [Dill Tasker Photography]](https://www.ztmag.com/extra-features/files/2017/01/Gévaudan-2-Dill-Tasker-Photography.jpg)
The band name may be familiar to some, and likely more so if you’ve picked up the latest edition of Zero Tolerance Magazine since this UK doom outfit have a track included on the covermount CD (and an impressive one it is too). Which is why we decided to catch up with bassist Andy Salt to learn more from the Gévaudan camp.
“The name Gévaudan was inspired from the legend of the Beast of Gévaudan. The now defunct province of Gévaudan, France, was terrorised in the 18th century by a number of man-eating beasts that would kill villagers at will. It being the 18th century, rumours of werewolves and supernatural happenings surround the legend. It has been estimated there had been 210 attacks with 98 of the victims killed being partly eaten… It seemed to fit the genre and sound we were going for,” comes bassist Andy Salt’s reply – one part of the four-piece doom metal band from Hertfordshire featured on issue 076’s covermount CD with the track ‘Wastes Eternal’ – when we ask him about the band’s moniker. And as you approach track 15 on said covermount CD, Andy reckons that you might want to reach for the volume control: “ultimately, we’re always best listened to at loud volumes, served ice cold. Delicious,” he jokes, and continues more seriously: “With the majority of our writing currently, we aim for a dark, dread-filled atmosphere driven by crushing riffs and soaring vocals. The aim is always to try and tell a story; the words conjuring a strong visual image, mainly centred around some sort of despair.” And the choice of track for the covermount? “It’s the first track on our latest release and showcases what we’re about: riffs and stories,” comes his straightforward reply.
While the band draws inspiration from “all the normal inspirational bands in the genre; Black Sabbath, Goatsnake, Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Pallbearer and Sleep, to name but a few” they do see themselves differently, as Andy explains: “We sit reasonably firmly in the trad doom camp, but draw on varied influences including stoner, sludge, NWOBHM and psychedelic – we pull on all of these areas in one way or another and out of that comes something a little different.”
Whilst Gévaudan’s music is currently self-released, the bassist is keen to point out that they’re “not really a full-on DIY band,” and he continues, “To date we’ve recorded and released two EPs where we write and rehearse; SoundArc studios. The latest, Litost, we’re really pleased with the outcome and are on a continuous journey learning about the engineering and production process. Outside of that we have some great friends that give us art and design support in Aiden GD Moore at Monster Teacup and Andy Overton Design.”
The just-mentioned Litost EP was released in November 2016, so it’s only natural that the band are planning some live shows to air the new (and no doubt their older) material: “The first [live] one of the year is at the Unicorn (21st Jan), [and there are] some cracking bands on the bill, including Famyne and Desolate Pathway. Beyond that we have a few local shows scheduled in Hertfordshire before we appear at this year’s Hammerfest – and we join Alunah on the 9th April for the London date of their upcoming tour.” And when they’re not busy live, what else will they be doing in 2017? “The ultimate aim is to continue to write, release and play live music. Now our sophomore release is out we’re starting the process towards our first full-length. Very early days yet but expect something in 2018. Doom On!”
Band name: Gévaudan
Formed: 2013
Origin: Herts, UK
Current release/demo: Litost (Mini album/EP)
Track featured on issue 076‘s covermount CD: ‘Wastes Eternal’
Catch Gévaudan live:
21 Jan 17 – The Unicorn, London
17 Feb 17 – Club 85, Hitchin
2 Mar 17 – Stevenage
22 Mar 17 – Welwyn Garden City
24 Mar 17 – Hammerfest/ HRH Festival
9 Apr 17 – The Lounge, London
Gévaudan is:
Adam Pirmohamed: vocals
Bruce Hamilton: Guitar
Andy Salt: Bass
Dave Himbury: drums
[Photograph by Dill Tasker Photography]
Connect with Gévaudan:
gevaudan.bandcamp.com
gevaudandoom.co.uk
facebook.com/gevaudandoom
