Doomed Confessionary: Simon Bryant (Blunt Knife Castration)
Blunt Knife Castration is a horror sludge metal project based out of Kent, UK.
»Chewed Up And Spat Out« is the obnoxious and misanthropic debut album from Blunt Knife Castration, out on June 26th, 2024. With 8 tracks of sickening vocals and jagged guitars that explore the darkest recesses of mankind with no apologies, the album has a lot of twists and turns from fast demonic death metal to slow grooving stoner and everything in between.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Blunt Knife Castration is a project led by Simon Bryant, inspired heavily from sludge and metal from the 90s and early 00s as well as horror and general video nasties from the 70s and 80s. The music ranges from fast paced death metal, grindcore and punk to doom, stoner and sludge however I think it’s just easier and quicker to call it “horror-inspired sludge metal”.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Doing this debut album solo and completely DIY. Being currently based in a location that is generally quite slow paced and remote, it’s often difficult to get a full line-up together with other like-minded musicians in this genre to jam and rehearse this shit, logistics aside however I’m determined to get this thing on the road in the future for some shows.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I guess I’m pretty proud about the fact that I was even able to do this record to be honest. I have limited mobility currently with my right hand (which is my fret hand on the guitar as I’m left handed) due to nerve damage from a botched surgery on my arm last year. I never thought I would be even able to play an instrument again, or if I did, that I would ever be able to go back to playing stuff I could before, however, even though writing this album has been a major challenge, it has kept my mind focused and has acted as almost physiotherapy for my hand and fingers and I am really proud of how it’s turned out.
What was your biggest regret?
Letting my limited mobility with my right hand and fingers make me think I was beaten and not able to write or play music which then led me into a big depression and inactivity for most of last year. I feel I lost a lot of creative time due to that and if I don’t create or have some kind of outlet then I tend to mentally spiral.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Lingua Ignota, who now goes by Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter. In particular the album »Caligula« that was just an absolute game changer personally for me in the music scene. Incredibly heavy and dense but not just through the use of noise, but particularly the lyrical concepts and themes involving abuse. It’s an incredibly personal album, which you can tell from start to finish, as is all of Kristin’s work.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I have to be honest, I am not as up to date on new releases within the world of heavy music as I would like to be, however Im really enjoying the new Iron Monkey album »Spleen & Goad« that came out earlier this year though, that is a beast of an album. I am also really liking the new Coffins album. I really dig a lot of releases through Thrill Jockey Records also.
It’s not metal, but its heavy as absolute fuck, the album »Fire« by The Bug, that is the most menacing and dangerous electronic album I’ve encountered recently.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Follow your vision and carve your own path! Do not bend to other’s expectations.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Classic UK comedy shows like Only Fools and Horses, The Thin Blue Line, anything like that makes me laugh. Also I’m a sucker for 80s pop music.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Kent / UK?
From where I’m based in Kent there is definitely a vibrant music scene, there are a fair few venues dotted around the county which put on good metal shows and it’s actually really refreshing to see some of the bigger bands from abroad now bringing their live shows further south of London into Kent.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Currently knee deep in a follow up record at the moment which I would like to have completed ideally for release early 2025.
To coincide with that I would really like to get this project out in a live setting as well for people to experience which I hope to achieve next year also.
How can people best support your band?
You can stream and purchase the debut album on Bandcamp at bluntknifecastration.bandcamp.com.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for ALL the support!! I am grateful beyond words that even one person would choose to listen to this of their own free will!
Links:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | SoundCloud
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well