Steve Grimmett has become a powerful inspiration over the last few years. Despite the unfortunate obstacle the Grim Reaper vocalist had to face back in 2017, he has proven there’s no excuse to give up on your passion. Grimmett’s leg was amputated two years ago due to an incident that took place in Ecuador, where he became ill after suffering from a foot and bone infection. However, that hasn’t stopped the singer from performing, booking a tour, playing on 70000tons of Metal, and working on a new album. Within the last few months, Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper has completed their tour, and their new album, At The Gates, was released on October 11th (order here). We recently caught up with Grimmett to discuss the new record, his return, and what it takes on not giving up.
How long have you guys been working on the new album, At the Gates?
It’s been about 10 years, a good couple of years since we started. I’ve lost track of time, but it’s finally finished.
What was the process like?
We all did our individual bits, then we got together. Ian [Nash] and Martin [Trail] did most of the work. I have issues going on and couldn’t write anymore. So, they stepped in for me and did some of the songs for me. It was a long process but we got there.
After everything that’s happened to you in South America, what pushed you to not give up?
When you’re lying in a hospital bed for seven weeks and you’ve got nothing to do. There’s no entertainment because you can’t talk to anybody because you don’t speak the language and they don’t speak English. Except for one nurse who used to come out there everyday. So, I picked that up in talking to a family in rotations and the other, despite how I could carry on and be a normal bloke, as much as possible just checking out prosthetics and car adaptations and stuff like that. So I could drive. I used to lie in bed and practice driving. I had to keep myself entertained. But it was hard work, But, in fact continuing was basically, the goal. I didn’t want to give up. I wasn’t ready to give up.
It was inspiring that you managed to return to the stage as well as performing during 70000tons of Metal. How was it for you to be back on the road?
It’s what I’ve wanted to do. I’ve got to say it’s a lot harder than I imagined it to be, physically. I have an electric scooter for me to get around. But every club has stairs and that’s difficult with that so it drains me quite a bit. But giving up was not an option.
Now that you guys have two new albums since your initial return, what is the process like creating the set list for the fans?
It’s difficult. Every song that we play is from the original three albums. You know, Ian and Martin have great songs and if they didn’t say, right okay we’ve got to drop this one in as well, that will always be the case.
How has the industry change for you over the years?
It’s changing emphatically actually because obviously there’s not a huge audience for rock anymore. Basically, we now have to record the album for peanuts, and so that’s different. The other thing that’s different is back in the day it was all about the magazines that if your work wasn’t being featured in the magazines then you weren’t getting out there. But now, obviously we’re being taught social media and we use that to bring more people in so I think it’s probably we’re all more accessible than we ever have been.
Is there anything else that you wanted to say or add about the new album?
Yes, go buy it please because I would like to buy a new car. And it wouldn’t hurt to earn some money. And no, if you really want to hear it go buy it. I want to say thanks to the fans who have stuck with us all of these years. Through all the trials and tribulations that we’ve been through, thanks very much. And we’ll see you soon.
Check out the awesome videos from Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper’s recent U.S tour by YouTuber George s Pogacich:
