Doomed Confessionary: Nick (Dead Cosmonauts)
Photo by Dean Ayotte
Dead Cosmonauts are an instrumental progressive post-sludge metal quintet from Sheffield, UK. The band chart epic sonic soundscapes in an uninterrupted, captivating performance. They present a rich blend of soaring post-rock, meditative post-metal and brooding doom exploring the full emotional spectrum these genres have to offer.
Their debut album »Parasomnia« came out in November 2023 just gone, and has been praised for ambition, challenging compositions, erratic tempo changes and atmospheric, textured production.
Dead Cosmonauts are Alexei (bass, synths), Krist (baritone guitar, synths, double bass), Neil (synths), Nick (drums) and Phil (guitar).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are Dead Cosmonauts. We come from Sheffield in the UK, and we make big, cinematic, metallic noise.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
Keeping everything afloat. Being in a band our size is financially draining. We don’t even begin to balance the books each month, and yet even then we’re constantly having to keep a check on our ambitions because of a lack of revenue. But being in this band is our escape, it’s our chance to build and create together, it’s a vehicle for our expression. And when everything comes together, it makes it all worthwhile.
What can you be most proud of last year?
We released our debut album »Parasomnia« in November this year on Trepanation Recordings and Do It Thissen Records, and we’re thrilled to have it out in the world! The response so far has been great – it’s just getting it in front of people that is the challenge. We’re so grateful to Dan from Trepanation and Jon from Do It Thissen for backing our band, and for everything they’ve done to get the record over the line.
What was your biggest regret?
We have no regrets – we just keep on pushing forward.
What was the best concert/tour last year and why?
We’ve played some great shows this year, including with our label mates Gozer and the mighty Hundred Year Old Man. We also got through to the final of a national competition to play Bloodstock Festival. But the best show we’ve played this year was in a converted chapel at Sheffield Cemetery. Since it is essentially a big stone box, acoustically it perhaps wasn’t the best, but the atmosphere was incredible. Plus, we had 20 foot projections all up the wall. It looked amazing.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
2023 was the year when venues taking big merch cuts from bands became news. Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising; unscrupulous operators will always do whatever they can to squeeze that extra revenue from bands. But it’s a disgrace – artists need to stand together and stamp it out.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We’re playing with the brilliant UK black metal band Underdark (definitely check out their new record) in January, and we’re in the process of booking a run for spring.
What are your plans for this year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
There’s a festival in the UK called ArcTanGent. Every year it’s basically a who’s who of our favourite bands, and we want to be up there with them. We also want to get an EP written and ready to record by the end of the year.
How can people best support you?
If you have the means, please head to our Bandcamp and pick up our album »Parasomnia« on vinyl, CD, cassette or even digital release.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping to make 2023 the best year in the short history of our band.
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well