INTERVIEW: Spinecrusher Talks New Lineup, Ferocious Tracks, and Gearing Up for Spears of Wallachia

Hailing from the heart of Romania’s metal underground, Spinecrusher is back in full force. With a new lineup and a fresh set of songs, the band’s reunion brings renewed energy to their raw and relentless sound. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the band members to discuss their journey back to the stage, their creative process, and what fans can expect from upcoming performances, including their set at the Spears of Wallachia Festival. As Spinecrusher delves into the meaning behind tracks like “Bringer of Souls” and “666”, they also reveal their inspirations, challenges, and the bond that keeps them pushing forward in Romania’s evolving metal scene.

The official logo of the band
© Spinecrusher

Spinecrusher
© The band’s photo archive

DinÎntunerec: Hails! It’s great to have you here. To kick things off, what’s the story behind the name “Spinecrusher”, and what does it mean to you as a band?
Dan: Hi and thanks for this interview! Well, there is no spectacular story behind it to be honest. I thought about this name a few months after we started the project and the guys loved it. It encompasses what we aimed to achieve musically.

Daniel Gheorghiu on stage
© The band’s photo archive

DinÎntunerec: After a hiatus between 2017 and 2023, what motivated you to reunite and continue making music?
Dan: The band was never really over, we were just missing a drummer. We tried a few people during that time, but things didn’t click. Once we found the right person we returned to the stage.

DinÎntunerec: Can you tell us about any challenges you faced in reuniting as a band after your break and how you overcame them?
Dan: Fortunately, there were no major challenges. Mikael just needed a bit of time to get acquainted with the songs and our style, but overall, it was smooth sailing. We couldn’t be happier.

DinÎntunerec: Are there any particular bands or artists that inspire you in your current music-making process?
Dan: Honestly, our influences haven’t really changed over the years. For me, it’s still bands like Judas Priest, Obituary, Bolt Thrower, Slayer, Immortal, Belphegor, stuff like that.
Fane : Slayer, Behemoth, Kataklysm.

DinÎntunerec:  Your track “Bringer of Souls” is a personal favorite of mine. Can you share the story behind this song and its themes?
Dan: Haha, happy to hear that. At first, we were just playing around with a few riffs, nothing too serious. But after a few rehearsals, the instrumental started coming together, and then Andrei, our former vocalist, wrote the lyrics.

DinÎntunerec: The lyrics are quite vivid. What inspired you to explore themes related to the underworld and the myth of Charon?
Dan: To be honest, Andrei was the main lyricist on this one, so he’d be the best to explain. But I can say it ties into the story of our recurring character—he’s deeply connected to themes of the underworld, death, and resurrection.

DinÎntunerec: Onwards to “666”. Can you share the creative process behind this track; were there any particular influences or experiences that shaped its development?
Dan: Lyrically, “666” is the last part of the trilogy that starts with “Bringer of Souls” and continues with “Incantation“. Musically, we had a few versions of the song, but the current one came together when Bony joined the band. My idea was to make it very aggressive, as it’s the high point of our guy’s story (where he conquers both heaven and hell). After that, all the pieces fell into place. It’s definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album.

DinÎntunerec: What is the significance of the number 666 in your music, and how does it relate to the overall themes you explore?
Dan: We didn’t explore 666 in the classic sense, let’s say. We used it more as a symbol of total opposition, not just something one-sided. It’s about rebellion, facing impossible odds, and coming out on top in the end.

DinÎntunerec: If you had to recommend one of your songs to a new listener to introduce them to Spinecrusher, which one would it be?
Dan: I’d go with “Crypts of Slaughter” or “Beyond the Gates“. They both really capture our style.
Fane: “Beyond the Gates” or “666“.
Marius: “Beyond the Gates“.

Marius Lepădatu on stage
© The band’s photo archive

DinÎntunerec: You performed in Hidden on June 1, 2024. What was that experience like for you, and how did it feel to return to the stage with a new lineup?
Dan: Oh, it was long overdue. After such a long break, it felt amazing to be back on stage. The new lineup clicked right away, and the crowd’s energy just reminded us why we love doing this.

DinÎntunerec: What do you think was the most important takeaway for you as a band from your performance at Hidden?
Dan: The biggest thing was reconnecting with the audience. Seeing people respond to the music, that’s what it’s all about. Makes all the work totally worth it.

Spinecrusher on stage, Hidden – The Social Space, June 1, 2024
© Ștefan Lupașcu

DinÎntunerec:  You’re also set to perform at Spears of Wallachia Festival. What does it mean for you to be part of such event?
Dan: We’re very happy to be present at this festival. We go way back with the organizers, and it’s awesome to be included in something that’s all about the metal community here. For me Spears feels like the spiritual successor of Underground Metal Resistance.

Spears of Wallachia Festival
© Cavalleria Events

DinÎntunerec: How do you prepare for a festival gig compared to a concert like the one from Hidden?
Dan: We don’t really do anything different—we approach every show with the same intensity. The only real difference is venue size. Small club or big stage, we give it our all.

DinÎntunerec: What tracks are you particularly excited to showcase at Spears of Wallachia Festival, and why?
Dan: We’re excited to play two songs from our upcoming album, “Shadows of Ypres” and “Martyr (For the Devil)“. They’re fresh, and we can’t wait to see how the crowd reacts to them.

DinÎntunerec: What’s your favorite part of being on stage, and how does it feel to connect with your audience during live performances?
Dan: Honestly, the best part is just the raw energy. When the crowd moves with us, it feels like we’re all part of something bigger. Nothing beats that connection.

DinÎntunerec: And… what’s the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended as fans before becoming musicians yourself?
Dan: It must be Megadeth in 2005. Back in the day I never thought they would reach this part of the world. It was crazy.

DinÎntunerec: Definitely. Moving on to our local scene… How do you see the Romanian metal scene evolving in the next few years, and what role do you hope to play in that evolution?
Dan: The scene here is definitely growing, and more bands are getting noticed. We just want to keep doing our thing, and pushing the sound forward.

DinÎntunerec: As you reflect on your journey as a band, what has been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned along the way?
Dan: Good question! I’d say the biggest lesson is that, no matter how well you plan, something unexpected always pops up.

DinÎntunerec: What’s next for Spinecrusher in terms of music, tours, or projects?
Dan: Right now, our main focus is getting a new album out, and then we’re hoping to put together a promo tour to support it.

DinÎntunerec: What message do you want to convey to your fans as you gear up for your upcoming shows, including Spears of Wallachia Festival?
Dan: Just a huge thank you for the support! See ya in the pit! 666.