Of all the sick bands to have come out of Glasgow over the last few years, Hellbound are surely the most evil.
Where their brethren in the likes of Despize, Demonstration of Power, and Nothin’ But Enemies all bring a little more mosh, the so-called black riders of the Northern Unrest scene have a sound that is far more indebted to the twisted thrash of '90s Clevocore — albeit still with a healthy dose of Glaswegian grit.
Building on their killer 2021 demo and 2023 live tape, their latest EP, Seventh Seal, is more expansive and dynamic than their previous releases, with moments of creeping ambient dread only serving to sharpen the ferocity with which they rip into everything else.
Vocalist Jonnie talked me through it.
Could you tell me a bit about how The Seventh Seal came together?
Yes! It was mostly the result of many nights of me punishing Owen (guitar) into writing demos and bringing it into a practice room with Jev (drummer).
What are the main themes of the EP?
I would like to think dark and a bit more evil than our demos but just building on the Clevocore sound and trying to put a Glasgow accent on it.
Were there any specific influences on the more experimental moments on the EP?
I just wanted to stray from the classic EP structure and build more space between our songs. I’ve always loved when you listen to bands from the '90s and they have just left 40 seconds of feedback on the record just to beef it up [laughs].
What’s your beef with "Playstation metalcore"?
That was written by Ben who runs Northern Unrest but I was pishin maself. I think the target of that was to push back against the Funko Pop Switch-playing 30-year-olds that grab anything that touches the sides of metallic hardcore.
What was it like getting to play in Asia earlier this year? And how did things go with Arkangel and Sorcerer in Europe?
Asia was amazing. The food was the best I’ve ever had. The weather was incredible and the people out there have a love for hardcore and creation that’s unmatched. Europe was a dream — bus tour with the first band my brother showed me, and meeting those guys and realising they’re the same as me just 20 years older was so sick!
Did you ever expect the band to get/go this far?
Definitely not! I think we all just imagined this as a fun demo band to get the ball rolling coming outta COVID, but hardcore again and again has given me everything I could ask for and more.
You guys/the Northern Unrest crew have built something really special in Glasgow over the last few years, do you feel proud of what you have achieved?
I’m definitely proud of the band but the scene is a whole other level. Big up Northern Unrest, GHC, Glasgow punks, the metalheads and everything in between.
What advice would you have for someone looking to do something similar in their own town or city?
Be genuine and passionate. Subculture will always prosper through good intent. Make something with people you care about and make sure the product at the end is pure in nature. Don’t do things for others’ acceptance or money and it will probably be good if you’re not an
idiot.
What Glasgow/Scottish bands should people be looking out for next?
Attest are a DIY punk band doing cool things right now. Malcolm Abbou is not a band but every band he touches sounds better for it and he’s pretty great at mixing and mastering as well!
Check him out. Bathed in Sin and the young team and No Known Weakness repping the old heads with Northern Unrest bang in the middle of them all.
What’s next for Hellbound?
We have just had a Palestine aid show in Sweden thanks to Alive and Well that was amazing and just announced our release show in January that we’re bringing Arkangel over for, can’t wait to see those guys again. Lining up some more shows for next year as well and keeping it moving.
Thanks for the interview!
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Hellbound on social media: Instagram
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