WEEK 199 – METHANE METAL

 

The definition of Methane:

Methane ( US : / ˈ m ɛ θ eɪ n / or UK : / ˈ m iː θ eɪ n / ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH 4 (one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen ). It is a group-14 hydride and the simplest alkane, and is the main constituent of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an attractive fuel, although capturing and storing it poses challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure.  Methane can burn anywhere at anytime, on water and ice, you all know I love my fire, but Methane, you can’t escape it.  It’s attractive to watch, but hard to contain.  Let’s check it out.

My HeadBangers this is how it all started back on Week 41 when Methane was first on the blog.  I’ve kept an eye on these guys and their music and now I want to bring them back.  They’ve released several new songs and I have some more background on them then I did when I first started the blog.  Yes it comes right from them so let’s get to it.

“Kill It With Fire”

“Shock And Awe”

Let’s look at some bio:

It was late 2012 when bassist / singer Tim Scott of legendary Death Metal band Revenant and Hell Patrol’s Jimi Masterbo put the kindling for Methane to the flame. Now joined by Cryonic Temple axeman Markus Grundstom and Jonathan Fundin torching the drums, the band is set to release a new tempest on to the metal scene .

Through the years since then Methane have fueled the pyre with numerous tours in both Europe and the United States spreading the fire by opening for bands such as Whiplash, Warbringer, The Haunted and Nervosa, building a searingly ferocious following in the underground metal scene.  Now in the smoldering embers of the bands 2017 release of The Devil’s Own album, Methane returns bringing a scorching follow up, engulfed in brimstone, with its original, strong and unapologetic sound in the veins of Slayer , Havok and Pantera, entitled Kill It With Fire.

Kill It With Fire was recorded and produced at Sellnoise Studios by Jonas Arnberg who has stoked the blaze by capturing the bands heavy modern thrash metal sound on this new 7 song inferno.  Adding to the volcanic temperature of the album, is a collaboration with iconic thrash metal legends Blood Feast on the mosh ridden hymn “A Blood Red Sky”.

Now I have a few questions I asked Tim about, as usual mine in blue, his in black.

I had read somewhere that you left home at 16 with your bass and embarked on the road to music, is that true?  If it is what called you?

Yeah, I have a 1983 Ibanez Xseries Destroyer bass.  I bought her new with my allowance a thousand years ago.  We were  living in Northern California in the 80’s.  I never really felt seen, didn’t really have any rules but I had my bass.  Music has always seen me, always know how I felt.  So I got into thrash in its genesis really.  Metallica, Slayer were just coming out and I was a problem child (no way), so I packed up my bass and cassettes at 16 and moved to my grandparents in New Jersey.  That bass have lived with me in Florida, I have played her all of in the US and Europe and I an still banging on her today.  She’s been there for me for 40 years, more than I can say about anyone else.  

What drove you to start Methane?

I had been playing death metal since the late 80’s in Revenant and others.  Touring and recording, and even after I moved here to Sweden it was death metal.  It just got monotonous, I needed a change.  Jimi was in the same place as me with that so we decided we wanted to play something with groove, something we didn’t have to think so much about while playing, we weren’t planning to re-invent the wheel, just play music.  We both have thrash and NYHC as favorites so…Methane.

Well I can say Thrash is a great fit for you guys.  What made you choose Thrash?

Thrash metal is my music roots, growing up in Northern California as a teenager, I saw Slayer and Exodus at small clubs in San Francisco in the very beginning.  I was at Day on the Green, I mean it formed me, it’s natural for me.

And of course I always ask about the band name, how did you come up with Methane?

Methane is a combustible, flammable gas.  It explodes, I guess that’s really the depth of it.  

I put at the beginning the meaning of Methane gas, it was on Week 41, and it matches you guys perfectly.  

Now let’s meet these Thrash guys:

First I just want to say I LOVE THIS FKING PICTURE OF YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Markus Grundström – Guitar

Tim Scott – Vocals-Bass

Jimi Masterbo- Guitar

Jonathan Fundin – Drummer

My thoughts:

There you have it my HeadBangers.  This band shows you that no matter where you come from or how long it took you, not to mention the things you have been through, you can do anything you want, anywhere on this planet.  That is one thing I really love about this band.  Not to mention the dedication and drive to start the band and keep going no matter the obstacles.  These guys are on all social media check them out, they have some great merch and I need another patch for my jacket lol.

That’s it for this week.  Join me next week for another band and another song.  In the meantime don’t stand to close to the fire if you can’t handle the burn….