INTERVIEW – Annero

“I live for this band, it’s literally all I have regarding a future, and I don’t wanna do anything else,” states Kyle Mundy, the drummer of rising UK metallers Annero. “Our determination is 1,000,000% towards taking this band all over the fucking world, no matter what. For example, we’ve had an awful lot of interest from America, and we’d love nothing more than to go there and play to them. Unfortunately, as a band we’re broke at the moment, but assuming our hard work holds results, next year could be a goer!”

Annero were first formed in Oxford in 2008, initially conceived as part of their college work, but soon had ambitions of rock ‘n’ roll stardom. Inspired by black and death metal the group began to experiment with a more melodic sound and upon leaving college decided to pursue their love of music, losing their guitarist and bassist in the process. Although the band had ambition they had no money and were forced to practice in the living room of guitarist Tom Mills. “I draw inspiration from almost everything,” explains Millzey, as his bandmates refer to him. “The smallest thing can trigger the greatest idea, and indeed, the heaviest riff.”

As Annero‘s determination grew their bassist, Adam Verney, decided to remain with his own group, Excessum, forcing the band to search for a replacement. “I found myself falling in love with the sexy low rumble of a bass guitar, and I had to get one,” says Samma Charles, who would join the band soon after Verney’s departure. “In doing so I obliterated my sensible dreams of becoming a graphic designer or architect and followed the path of tattooed, dreadlocked musician.”

“I was so glad when they asked me to join the band after them being a four-piece for quite a while. I had already been in a band before with Kyle so I was good friends with him and I just instantly hit it off with Millzey and Samma,” states Tom Hatt, who would join the group as rhythm guitarist. “I’ve been playing the guitar for a few years now and I think being in this band really helps me come out of my shell, being the shy person I am. I can’t wait to see what the future will hold for us because we all have so much passion for it.”

The final piece of the puzzle came with vocalist Craig Chatfield, who replaced original singer Phil Walton, after having also performed in a group with Mundy. Inspired by the likes of Corey Taylor, David Draiman and the late Dave Williams, Chatfield had performed with other metal groups prior to Annero but felt that the dynamic of his new band was exactly what he wanted. “There’s something different about this band and how we make our music. It comes from a collectiveness, rather than an individual standpoint,” adds Chatfield. “There is no bigger adrenaline rush for me than after a gig when we can mix with the people who have come to see us and meet new fans.”

“Recording our album was a lot of work, but so worth it,” says Mundy regarding their mini album that they have produced independently. “We worked our fucking asses off to get it done, and we hope people out there enjoy listening to it as much as we do. We put everything we had into making it, and I hope it shows.” Millzey concludes, “With my metal I aim to make the masses rock out, and rock out hard! I want to do this for the rest of my life, I live to entertain, I was born to entertain.”

Catch Annero in the UK on the following dates:
July:
- 18th. Cheltenham w/Malefice – Cheltenham
- 23rd. Camden Underworld – London
August:
- 26th. Bullingdon Arms – Oxford
- 27th. The Wheatsheaf Banbury – Banbury
September:
- 4th. Port Mahon – Oxford

For more information visit Annero on MySpace.