Metal Inside(r) Home Quarantine is Metal Insider’s pandemic column during the ongoing uncertainty behind COVID-19. We ask artists five questions on what’s been keeping them busy during these unprecedented times. We caught up with the recently signed with Prosthetic Records group Svneatr vocalist/guitarist Vitharr Monteith as he’s been spending this time writing and recording.
What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?
We spent most of 2020 & 2021 as a band writing and recording. Because we were an independent band, we took our time and spent a lot of time going over the mixes for Chinook. It was interesting not really knowing when it would end or anything like that. There were times when it looked like it was going to end and we stepped up our practicing schedule to get show-ready only to have the rug ripped out and we’d start over.
Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?
Always. I check out at least a few releases every week. Bandcamp is wonderful because I can just open the web page, click metal and find something new that rips. I work at a record store so I tend to listen to a lot of prog and doom metal while I’m working since it’s not too harsh for people in the store. Lots of Uncle Acid, Witchcraft, Hail Spirit Noir, All Them Witches and Hallas are on the work playlist right now. For extreme metal, Undeath just dropped a great one (literally listening as I’m doing this interview) and Izthmi, Wiegedood, Vorga, Falls of Rauros and Zeal & Ardor all had great releases this year.
A lot of people have been spending this time cooking, including making their own bread. What food have you been prepping during this time?
Too much Skip the Dishes haha! We’ve recently been getting one of those food prep services delivered since my wife and I typically work long days, but our favourites generally include some kind of cauliflower taco.
In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?
I loved The Batman, but I haven’t kept up with new movies in general. The last game I played all the way through was God of War, but I really want to get around to playing Elden Ring. The hype surrounding that is something I haven’t seen since Skyrim.
What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?
Mandates might be over, but you have an important choice to make. I keep seeing bands on tour getting sick, canceling shows, canceling tours. If you can wear a mask to a show, do so. If you’re sick, stay home. Tours operate on such slim margins, especially for smaller bands, who really can’t afford to miss shows. We have our Canada tour coming up, and I’ll be wearing a mask inside every venue we play at. If we get sick, we’re screwed.
