Belfast’s Survivalist are reborn. With their blistering new album ‘A Place For Those Who Suffer, Alone’, the groovecore four-piece level up their signature brand of precision-cut brutality, pairing soul-fracturing heaviness with emotional honesty and clarity of vision.
Featuring Gavin Sharp (vocals), Nick Butcher (guitar), Lee Shaw (bass), and Rhys Fraser (drums), Survivalist have steadily carved a name for themselves as one of Ireland’s most commanding heavy acts. Their genre-melding sound (a volatile hybrid of groove, metalcore, and atmosphere) offers something distinctly personal in a world of imitation. This new release, their first full-length in two years, brings that identity into sharper focus than ever before: more deliberate, more wounded, and more dangerous.
So with the new album out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Does Guitar Hero count? Definitely guitar anyways. I remember when I was growing up, I was really into gaming and loved playing Guitar Hero at gaming clubs and back when GameStop had the demos in store.
I would annoy my Dad relentlessly as a child to let me play the real thing and it was the day he left his guitar in my room I never put it back down, it was a white Fender Strat which at this point had gone to a more Cream tone. It was still incredible to play and I truly fell in love with learning how to use it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
It all stems back to my Dad really, he played in some punk bands growing up so when I was growing up and started paying attention to the world, I noticed he always had Kerrang or Scuzz on the tv. Anything around the Rock/Metal/Punk world drew me in, I remember specifically liking Metallica's “I Disappear", Avenged Sevenfold’s “Beast and The Harlot” or even Alien Ant Farm videos.
Also shout out to Tony Hawk’s Underground 2. I still listen to the soundtrack today and I think it helped broaden my tastes into the likes of hip hop for example.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My brother was also into the same music growing up and he was older than me so I thought everything was the coolest thing ever. He was really into younger metalcore bands like Bullet For My Valentine and gave me his CD of their first album, “The Poison”. I still have it in my car in case I need to rely on the disc player!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I’d maybe say my favourite song? If I have to put my finger on it at the moment it would be “Four Walls” by While She Sleeps. I think the way it starts with gang chants, the riff creeping in and then the singalong choruses and massive breakdowns. All together I think it captures energy and emotion in such a raw way, I wish I came up with it!
They are definitely one of the main bands I look up to, not even as songwriters but the culture they represent of doing it yourself and earning it, I think they’re fantastic.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I wouldn’t say so but if you look through my camera reel maybe that says something different! I think when it comes time for songwriting, I get very obsessed with thinking about the song I’m on. Anything from the sound of a car signal to something someone said on TV can give me new ideas.
While I’m actively sitting writing guitar and structuring the order of the song, I also seem to visualise the notes and what needs to come next. It’s hard to explain but the fast riffed section in our song “Radio Bleed” is one I still remember visually seeing the notes swinging on to the next and then pausing for dramatic effect. I think it brings a different way of looking at songwriting and when I show the guys my ideas, they’ll have their own way too. It creates something truly original.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve actually really gotten into hip hop a lot more and I’ve been listening to an artist called Atmosphere a lot. He has an interesting take on the genre and seems to focus more on beats than fitting in as many words as he can.
In the metal world, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Not Enough Space grow. The vocal hooks and riffs on their new album are really cool and I find myself having them on repeat a lot.
I’m also really looking forward to whatever Motionless In White is cooking up. Their latest single captured their sound in such a full and exciting way referencing all their previous releases.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I have to go with my Childhood Favourites, 3 band bill with Survivalist, Avenged Sevenfold and Slipknot.
I’ve been lucky to open for some very big bands so far such as Thy Art Is Murder, Polaris and Kublai Khan but to play amongst my idols would be a dream come true. I don’t think I could even stay backstage, I would probably finish my set and then jump into the pit!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being at shows and meeting everyone. Truly.
I’ve had some awesome comments online and made great friends with other bands but meeting fans at shows keeps me going. I’ve had people tell me how my music has helped them with their own internal struggles and I’ve had people ask me for advice through their own musical journey. It’s hard to own it sometimes and honestly I get impostor syndrome often but I’m so grateful to be someone people can find comfort in.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Probably the travel! Being from Belfast has its unique struggle of being across the water from the rest of the UK so I’m now well versed with what food to order or not order on the ferry. At the level we’re at too, we need to do all the driving ourselves and load in the gear each night.
However, I know I’m lucky to be able to travel so much. I’m excited to see how much we can push it and where else we can see in the world.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Keep pushing, dig deeper and earn it. Being a musician is a passion and if you mean it, you’ll make it.
I’ve seen so many people come and go in the music world, it really inspires me seeing the previous bands I mentioned really make something of themselves and never give up. It’s not going to be an easy journey and I know that but, I’m grateful I have the opportunity and will work hard to earn it.
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Survivalist's new album 'A Place For Those Who Suffer, Alone' is out now. Listen to it in the player below.