Immortalizer: 'I grew up in a house full of music.'

What do you cut out of your life?

'Well, I cut out negativity and toxic people (as much as I can). When life gets stressful, music becomes the sanctuary of my soul. Playing, writing and recording music absorbs me so much that everything else just melts away and disappears. I've actually written a song on this very subject called "My Mental Sanctum". This song will be on Immortalizer's second album Immortalizer!’

Gone To Hell. What is hell to you!

'In this case Hell was simply a metaphor for the state of things and how things stand in our society. Gone To Hell was written as an observation of the modern world and its inescapable effect on us.

It touched on many topics such as American and global politics, Orwellian-style surveillance in places like the United Kingdom, our addiction/obsession with the internet, tyrants who start wars with other nations, and the destruction of the environment by ourselves. Finally, it wonders whether or not we can change for the better before things become irreversible. I want to believe that we can.'

What do you think drives an artist to music?

'That's a good question. Music has always been an integral part of my life. But I think most people (myself included) find a unique form of self-expression through music. (Whether there are vocals/lyrics or not). A song or even just a melody can touch us in a really deep way. Music truly is the international language. When you think that artists have connected with the whole world, that's really something magical!

Music can help us heal, it can motivate us, give us energy or calm us down, it can make us feel more connected to other people, and much more. I think that people in the Arts who deal with Music enjoy the fact that they're part of something so powerful and important.'

What was it that pushed you to start your journey in music?

'I grew up in a very musical household. Music was always playing and many members of my family are musicians too. Some were even professional musicians, like my uncle Paul, who I always adored. He played a huge part in my early musical development, but also in later years. I have a beautiful drum kit now thanks to him!! So all of that definitely had a big impact. But my journey really started when I was 7 years old.

I picked up a vinyl from my dad's record collection (the album was Paranoid by Black Sabbath), and it blew my mind! It was one of the most pivotal moments of my life! That record, along with others like it, had a huge impact on me. I knew from that moment that music would be my path. Another really big moment was my first live appearance when I was just 10 years old. My best friend Jay and I played a few covers in front of the whole school! (I was on drums back then and he played guitar). It was a blast!

Another pivotal moment was what I consider my first real live show, when I was 13. (Also with Jay and our friend Mitch). At that show I was singer and guitarist. We played our own music live for the first time at a local community centre. We won over the adults in the audience, and I truly got "hooked" on live performances after that night. I had found my purpose in life and never looked back!'

What are your musical influences?

'I have so many, but among the top ones would definitely be Judas Priest, Motörhead, Black Sabbath / Ozzy, Primal Fear, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Helloween, Zakk Wylde, Eddie Van Halen, Megadeth, Metallica, Accept, Michael Schenker and Kiss. All of this shows through in the music of Immortalizer.’

How easy was it for you to express your thoughts through music?

'It's always come very naturally to me. Over the last 25 years it's become second nature. Music is such a big part of who I am that I simply wouldn't be myself without it. Like all artists, sometimes I get stuck on some part of a song or on lyrics, but eventually that moment comes when I shout "eureka" and everything falls into place. If anything, I find it easier to express myself through music and lyrics than through words alone!'