KILL SCREEN 057: Kenny Grohowski of IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT Prefers The Easy, Sluggish Burn of Function-Enjoying

As a lot as we lovingly check with ourselves as “Decibel’s nerdiest column,” the reality of the matter is that video video games are as mainstream because it will get. There are various levels of enthusiasm that may shade your opinion of the fanbase—simply ask our editor-in-chief the way it feels to be caught in a room with us for any period of time—however speaking gaming in 2025 is as socially disqualifying as speaking in regards to the Tremendous Bowl (go Birds). Hell, one can have a look at Elon Musk’s current and extremely silly Path of Exile II controversy to acknowledge how far the medium has come. Video video games are large enterprise, and one that may really feel more and more overwhelming with every title added to our backlog. Simply shy of 11 months in the past, Imperial Triumphant frontman Zachary Ezrin tread beneath the neon lights of the Kill Display screen arcade to sing (dying growl?) the praises of From Software program’s ARPG masterpieces. Now, drummer Kenny Grohowski stepping as much as characterize NYC’s avant garde masked males—and he finds himself in no rush.

The New-York-by-way-of-Miami percussionist has been dealing with arcade sticks for so long as he has drum sticks, however it’s his mastery of the latter which has earned him the popularity he enjoys right this moment. With a resume like his (Imperial Triumphant is far from Grohowski’s solely gig on the town), it’s straightforward to know why his display screen time has been extra restricted over time. His ardour for the trade, nonetheless, has by no means dimmed. Although unable to maintain up with the deluge of latest releases, the drummer feels no FOMO. “I believe most avid gamers who’ve any form of sense of impulse management are from an period the place you needed to wait some time and also you solely had, like, 5 video games,” he explains. “And also you higher love them since you’re solely going to play these 5 video games for a yr or nonetheless lengthy it was some a long time in the past. I’d wish to assume that most individuals have sufficient self-control.” Forward of the trio lighting up the underground with their upcoming LP Goldstar and their look on the Decibel Journal Tour 2025, the co-nerds couldn’t wait to meet up with Grohowski.

Do you want this interview got here with some DLC? Be sure you decide up the newest situation of Decibel (dB246/April 2025) to get an unique excerpt from this newest textual content journey.

What was your first gaming expertise?
It was once I was a actually small child. Between 3 and 5, my dad had [an Atari] 2600. He was an enormous arcade gamer within the ’70s and ’80s, he cherished going to arcades. So once I was sufficiently old, I’d go to arcades with him. However the first system that I keep in mind we had in the home was a 2600. Commonplace shit—Fight and Joust, shit like that—which I used to be horrible at as a result of I used to be, like, 4 and he was nice. He had Asteroids and Ms. Pac-Man. However we didn’t have something like [former Atari game designer] Howard Scott Warshaw sort of stuff. I by no means bought to expertise these video games on 2600, simply normal Atari arcade crossover stuff. After which finally we had an NES.

Was {that a} good bonding expertise rising up?
Completely! Completely, yeah. As a result of not all the things rising up was superior, however these moments have been actually superb. My dad, earlier than he handed, we have been very shut. We by no means misplaced love or something. I noticed I simply stated one thing perhaps sounded a little excessive—it’s simply it was robust for my of us within the ’80s. It simply was. However enjoying video games, it was superior. On NES, we’d play Contra collectively, in order that was at all times actually enjoyable. He knew the code, however he at all times wished to see, “Can we do that with simply the three lives?” And he, in opposition to his higher judgment, would let me take an additional life. It’s like, “I’m six. We’re on, like, stage 4. I’m going to fuck this up. Simply maintain going, as a result of for those who make it, then perhaps we might take part.” Nope, he would let me take the life each time. In order that was cool.

Did you play fairly a number of two-player video games on the NES collectively then?
Yeah, an honest quantity. However he additionally appreciated [The Legend of] Zelda and stuff like that. That was one thing the place we’d commerce occasions once we would play. Particularly once I was 5, due to the way in which the college system labored, I nonetheless wasn’t truly at school but, so I had a complete yr earlier than kindergarten to simply play video games whereas he was at work. It was not so unhealthy. We had Tremendous Mario Bros. 1 by 3, we had Double Dragon II: [The Revenge]. That was one which we performed quite a bit two-player. The Turtles arcade model, the one which got here after the the Extremely Video games model, that tremendous loopy side-scroller exhausting fucker. He might do the swimming stage; he was tremendous with it. He was an excellent gamer. Finally our online game tastes sort of diverged. He was a combination between tactical shooters and something Nintendo, and I sort of went Sega, PlayStation, extra RPG-oriented, long-form RPG. He was like, “I like that you simply like these video games. I don’t have the bandwidth for that.”

Was there a selected cause that you simply hopped from Nintendo to Sony?
I suppose it was actually numerous the video games that I began enjoying over time; that fork I had talked about with me and my dad, the place he sort of simply caught with Nintendo till he handed. He at all times had Nintendo and he did have some PlayStation programs in his home. He had a PS2, he had a PS3, however these are the one Sony programs he had, the place I truly went from 1 by this present gen and it’s simply the usual one, not the professional as a result of Sony was simply getting grasping. [Laughs] That was actually grasping.

Once I was youthful, too, I additionally nonetheless performed video games on PC as effectively. However then after some time, I transitioned from utilizing PC to utilizing Mac as a result of I used to be beginning to use extra music software program within the early 2000s into late-aught years, utilizing issues like Logic earlier than they have been purchased out by Apple after which grew to become a part of the Apple App Retailer factor. However again when it was Logic and Motive, I used to be utilizing these sort of softwares and applications and simply stepping into music notation due to work, so I used to be then utilizing Apple programs. So at that time, I used to be actually solely enjoying Blizzard video games, like Diablo II and Starcraft and Warcraft III. These are the one video games I had on the pc till I bought World of Warcraft, which… we’ll simply bypass that period of life, as I’m positive numerous recovering WoW addicts might most likely say.

What have you ever been enjoying recently? What are the sorts of video games that you simply usually favor to play?
As of late, it’s normally some form of RPG. I don’t actually sustain with video games like lots of people. If I used to be to maintain up with each sport because it got here out, it could be too intense, particularly the way in which the ecosystem for, let’s say, ingesting video games now works. I wouldn’t be capable to sustain with what I’m doing to do this. So, I are inclined to get a sport and I sit on it for years earlier than I even play it, or I play it over the course of years. Proper now, Cyberpunk 2077 is that sport for me the place I’m simply enjoying it over the course of a few years now. I’ve gone by it a few occasions and tried completely different builds and completely different pathways, attempting to get the completely different endings simply to see how a lot shit they fucking put in that sport. For those who actually are sort of an old-school tabletop sort of RPGer the place it’s like, “No, I’m not attempting to 100% this fucking factor, I wish to expertise a story and see the place my luck and probability takes me,” that sport actually means that you can do this in a really mild sort of manner, a straightforward sort of manner.

For those who’re not used to, say, one thing like—which I even have a replica of and nonetheless actually haven’t performed—Baldur’s Gate 3, simply figuring out what I do know in regards to the sport with out having actually dived in, these decisions are far more consequential than they’re in Cyberpunk. However nonetheless, the narrative that you simply stroll away [with], the story that you simply’re in a position to weave, taking numerous liberties with the unique Cyberpunk lore, they wove an unimaginable story that’s actually heartfelt. I get pleasure from that. It makes the expertise just a little bit extra tactile for me at this level.

Did you decide it up at launch or did you do the sensible factor?
Oh, no. That’s what I imply. A lot of the video games that I’ve been enjoying for the final decade or two, they’ve already been out for perhaps a few years earlier than I even picked them up. Or I’ll seize a replica after which I’ll simply get to it will definitely. I’ve had a replica of Bloodborne now for 3 years, 4 years. I nonetheless haven’t performed it. I don’t know once I’ll get to that, however finally I’ll. As soon as I lastly get sick and uninterested in Cyberpunk, I’ll most likely decide that up. There’s numerous video games to get caught up on.

It’s sort of good having that persistence and that you simply’re not getting that fixed $60, $70 hit for the model new factor.
Yeah. Once more, that’s very a lot this expression of the trendy ecosystem for ingesting video games. There’s at all times this battle that I’ll have with sure builders—particularly in the event that they’re smaller builders—the place it’s like, I do wish to assist this firm as a result of within the myriad of what’s occurring in form of extra macro, globalized economies, there’s numerous these sport studios or builders, these artists, these writers, these administrators, the place their work truly impressed me in numerous methods, [even if] not essentially immediately musically.

Once I got here up with video games, it wasn’t cool. You’d must defend your self in some circumstances as a result of individuals would simply wish to rag on you or beat on you simply because it’s a factor they hate you on. Individuals I work with, once they discover out I play video video games are like, “However how do you study all this music and the way do you play with all these completely different bands?” It’s like, “As a result of I can do each. It’s my passion. My mind works nonetheless simply because I play a online game.” However there’s a sure technology of individuals that actually assume anyone who performs a online game is a fucking moron. And it’s like, effectively, guess what—all of the online game gamers from the ’80s now personal each tech firm that you simply fucking purchase all their merchandise from. Individuals overlook that fucking Steve Jobs labored as a developer at Atari. His begin is in video games. They rule the world now. And now it’s very cool to be a gamer. You may make a residing being into video video games. In a span of a few a long time—30, 40 years—that grew to become a factor.

You talked about indie builders. Imperial Triumphant clearly has a really experimental streak to it. Are you extra personally within the experimental titles or are you searching for a really refined AAA expertise figuring out that you simply’re solely going to be enjoying one sport for an prolonged period of time?
Cyberpunk, that’s excessive what’s going on there. You may see, that is my TV again right here [looks back at TV]. It’s a a lot older TV, it doesn’t do 4K, it doesn’t do ray tracing or something. I’ve had this TV some time. I’m going to run it into the bottom. So there’s numerous parts of video games like Cyberpunk that I’m not even seeing whereas I’m enjoying. For me, it’s simply in regards to the expertise and the escapism of it.

However it’s bizarre, as a result of there’s that have and I get pleasure from that. However then I do like numerous smaller indie-er productions, and it’s been sort of good seeing that there’s this form of mattress that’s starting to develop with all these completely different builders who’re experimenting with the medium. The corporate that does the sport Scorn [Ebb Software], now they seemingly have impressed a sort of subset of this exploratory sort of eldritch horror factor that I’m very fascinated by. [Necrophosis], they only demoed, like, every week or two in the past. It’s all primarily based off of [Zdzisław] Beksiński’s work, so it’s all panorama and all the things and you need to resolve this logic puzzle to determine, “The place the fuck am I? The place am I going? What do I do?” I’m sort of fascinated by video games which might be exploring this extra, particularly now that gaming will not be excessive strung for me anymore.

I do know I play Cyberpunk nonetheless, however for me, it’s very enjoyable, even on very exhausting. It’s not like enjoying a Soulslike the place it’s like, I can’t get previous the primary fucking hallway in any of those goddamn video games. I’m not adequate for this expertise, however it’s superb. Cyberpunk for me, I simply roll with it. You’re going to be tremendous. Simply get a few ranges out, you’re going to be tremendous. There’s at all times a pathway ahead. It’s fairly enjoyable in that regard. However these different indie video games, I believe they’re taking extra dangers with narrative and presenting, “What’s gameplay? What’s a heads up show? What are controls? How do you are feeling about this character that has no persona in any respect, apart from your personal paradigm that you simply’re superimposing on the expertise?” Understanding how a few of these builders will create a complete world that you simply’re by no means going to ever have entry to except you’re on a PC and you may truly go into the coding and noclip by issues to see simply how a lot shit is there, I’m fascinated by that sort of shit.

I suppose perhaps as a lay one who doesn’t perceive something about computer systems and creating video games, however loving the medium, I’m at all times fascinated with how individuals who you wouldn’t readily consider as being artistic within the tactile sense of a painter or an actor or musician—your normal institutionalized variations of creativity. This medium, it’s technological creativity. It’s a unique iteration of the place creativity exists now. Whenever you break free from the AAA mannequin, once you don’t have a collection of buyers or an funding agency that you need to give a fucking return on funding, what danger are you prepared to take? What issues are you prepared to strive? What sort of tales are you prepared to weave? What sort of gameplay would you like individuals to stroll away with? Would you like the participant to stroll away with crippling carpal tunnel as a result of they will’t put the factor down? Or crippling carpal tunnel as a result of the quantity of strikes you need to make per second to outlive the mission?

You talked about, together with Cyberpunk 2077, the thought of the tabletop mentality versus a online game RPG mentality. What are a number of the standout RPGs to you? Why does that tabletop inspiration matter to you?
After we began shifting into the rise of JRPGs being in style within the Western Hemisphere, after which afterwards into your heyday Bethesda, BioWare years, your [Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic] years, Mass Impact, that sort of period. I suppose that might be proper after Morrowind, so say going into Oblivion. Tabletop RPG sort of by its very nature requires you to decide to your destiny. I’m gonna say it, I’m very responsible of it, too, particularly if I’m attempting to goal for a sure factor, however most individuals now are so used to [save scumming] once they play an RPG as an alternative of simply going starting to finish. And never essentially to be in a survival mode, like in Fallout or one thing like that, or a hardcore mode in Diablo. One thing the place it’s like, “No, I’m not going to renege on any resolution that I make. I’m going to commit.” Not go, “Ah, fuck, I meant to decide on this feature,” or, “I didn’t react quick sufficient.” None of that stuff. A extremely good RPG will make these decisions the place you simply decide to that form of linearity of expertise, not in execution of the gameplay, however in what occurs. These video games, they find yourself being extra rewarding and so they’re stuffed with all this element so that each time you replay it, it is completely different.

At a sure level, it felt like numerous occasions gaming—particularly on this rise of the huge AAA, now we’re hitting a whole bunch of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} being earned in video games—it form of grew to become this, “gotta 100%, gotta catch all of them, gotta discover each secret, discover each little factor,” and the narrative begins to interrupt down. The private story that you simply’re weaving begins to interrupt down. I do know some of us, at the least YouTubers I comply with on-line, they’ll critique, say, Elder Scrolls, the Skyrim system the place it’s like, “At a sure level, you could possibly simply choose each ability and max all the things out and also you’re a god.” Yeah, you could possibly select that. You additionally don’t must spend any of these factors ever. Ever! You may undergo as a lot of the sport as you may, investing not a single ability level in something, and also you’re only a common schmuck doing this shit. However the selection is yours! And with that have, with the dialogue that you simply’re listening to or studying on display screen, you additionally in your thoughts must be filling within the gaps, having a wealthy lore to tug from to permit your creativity and creativeness to create a narrative in your head together with the story you’re being introduced. You’re going to have these 4 fucking issues to select from at this a part of the sport each time. So, what makes it completely different? You do. Your interpretation, your expertise, the narrative you weave in your head like once you’re enjoying a tabletop sport.

I believe numerous avid gamers at a sure level bought so conditioned by how superb video games look and sound and really feel and play that numerous the narrative is on you to create in your thoughts. Your thoughts must be engaged together with your hand and your eyes, and so they’ve gotten so used to, “Properly, that is the story on this sport. It’s sort of mediocre, it sort of sucks.” It’s like, effectively, are you aware the lore of this world? As a result of there’s stuff that they’re hinting at that you simply’re most likely lacking. However for those who’re not going to learn each little fucking guide that you simply discover on the facet of the street, otherwise you’re not going to take a look at any form of outdoors materials, you’re going to overlook numerous what the sport is hinting at and as an alternative, it can simply seem to be a weak, open-ended story with no actual weight to it.

One thing like Cyberpunk did that effectively, however they’re not the one ones I believe that do this effectively. Of the Witcher video games, I performed The Witcher 3 and like with any medium, they’re going to take liberties with the narrative, proper? We see it in films with comedian books; it’s solely honest that’s going to occur with books and video video games. However it does seem to be they tried to make a story that you could possibly get misplaced in, after which afterward go to the books or discuss to individuals who’ve learn the books and go, “Oh, that’s what this factor is referencing.” And once you go and play that once more, it carries extra weight. One thing with Triss Merigold, the primary time I performed the sport, it didn’t actually daybreak on me that she would possibly truly be this different girl who’s infatuated with Geralt and has sort of been stalking him all this time, and he or she’s not truly this individual and is sort of pretending to be her. It’s like, Properly, I’d have by no means recognized that the primary time enjoying by the sport, however studying up on some lore outdoors of the sport? Wow, OK, cool! I believe a superb RPG does that.

You might be in a fuckload of bands. You could have performed numerous work.
Somewhat bit.

Being such a prolific, gifted musician and likewise being a lifelong gamer, has studying the drums at such a excessive stage—with it being such a dexterous exercise—modified your strategy or appreciation of a dexterous exercise like enjoying video video games? Or, vice versa, do you assume that enjoying video video games at an early age after which going into drums, with it being so hand-to-eye coordination centered, had any impact in your appreciation of drums?
I believe each these issues are, in numerous methods, sort of true. In my case, my dad was a drummer and he did it professionally for a lot of years. However over time he sort of retired from music and simply stayed working and in enterprise. Basically, he was in printing. Drums have been at all times round. I at all times had this component in the home, however we at all times had video video games in the home. And he and I each performed sports activities. So I believe it was a mix of these three issues. There was numerous hand/eye/physique issues occurring. And I believe, in some methods, it permits me to have the ability to truly watch actually good avid gamers play and revel in that. I used to be by no means a lot of a let’s play watcher essentially. I did watch [the Angry Video Game Nerd] when it first began, however I didn’t watch precise nice avid gamers essentially on a stay stream. I by no means actually did that. However these days, I’ll see individuals who will demo issues, and that shit I’ll watch.

Or skilled gaming, like all of those pace runners and the wild shit that folks have been doing recently with Tremendous Mario World and GoldenEye and shit. I’m at all times amazed at how, for those who do that, you’re going to avoid wasting these microseconds, however then they’re doing these loopy button configurations with good timing and ideal goal. I’m at all times very impressed by that. Yeah, you’re not “doing it” in actual life, however for any individual who’s been enjoying video games for 30-something years, I can’t do any of this shit. I’m nonetheless, in spite of everything this time, a really common gamer, [laughs] a grimy informal. Simply having that sort of dexterity in your fingers undoubtedly helps with how I play drums. I exploit numerous completely different methods, it’s not only one factor. With the ability to do various things with completely different fingers at any given second, whether or not it’s a keyboard and mouse or a controller, it truly does assist.

You could have a variety of types during which you play. Have online game OSTs or something from the online game world ever impacted your strategy to music, appreciation of music in any capability or has it at all times simply been an informal factor for you?
Oh, no, there’s undoubtedly composers, eras, music that sinks into my head. It lives with me. It’s stuff that I truly get pleasure from listening to. The late ’80s, early ’90s Konami period and Capcom video games, like all of the Mega Mans, the Contras. Hudson Mushy additionally had numerous actually nice music that was actually applicable for regardless of the sport was, even when it was their weirder [games], like Milon’s Secret Citadel. The music is quirky, however it works.

Additionally, I do like numerous the Oblivion and Skyrim soundtracks, that composer [Jeremy Soule]. Really, my spouse has each these OSTs on her cellphone and Apple iPad so she will take heed to them when she works. She’s not a gamer in any respect. She’s old-school, like Nintendo, Tremendous Mario, , that sort of stuff, that’s what she performed. However we don’t play video games collectively or something like that. They’re too complicated for her now, that ship has sailed. However she does love these soundtracks. Loads of the Bioware soundtracks I’ve at all times actually loved, Dragon Age: Origins particularly. The Mass Impact collection, I like that soundtrack quite a bit. I imply, it’s some recurring themes all through.

I don’t know if it’s stuff that essentially finds its manner into music that I write per se, however I believe the strategy that numerous these early composers used, how they needed to translate what they have been writing after which placing it right into a MIDI format in which you’ll be able to then put it right into a cartridge in order that it might exist in a sport or on a disc, numerous that stuff affected how I began engaged on music for lots of my grownup life. Proper now, we’re form of residing in an period the place numerous musicians who’re writing for bands or writing for artists—not simply steel, however outdoors of steel generally—that form of modus operandi grew to become sort of vital for the way individuals compose music now. Most individuals compose music in a DAW, they’re working in MIDI. They’re in a position to then generate charts or tablature that they will then ship out to different musicians with demos. Loads of music is written this manner now and that was form of one thing that you simply solely actually noticed within the gaming world for some time. It’s sort of fascinating how that tech, as soon as it grew to become extra [accessible], we’re in an age now the place individuals which might be writing hit songs bought their begin in issues like GarageBand or Ableton or Reaper. They downloaded a free software program. There’s individuals which might be studying the way to write music, write scores as a result of they’re utilizing MuseScore 3. It’s open supply software program particularly for writing music. There’s individuals now who’re going to be studying to write down music, to compose music on this conventional sense with open supply software program. They’re not sitting there with a chunk of paper. That is the period we’re in now. We’re on this twenty first [century] digital age, this web age, and we’ve slid proper into the AI age, proper? This stuff are actually a part of the method.

Would you ever think about lending your abilities to online game composing?
Completely. It could be enjoyable. And I do know Imperial desperately needs to. [Bassist] Steve [Blanco], who doesn’t even actually play video games, he’s simply fascinated by the method of doing one thing like that. And truly, it could be sort of fascinating having a man like that concerned as a result of he’s a really macro sort of thinker. You may see it in numerous the movies he makes for all of the music video stuff. Those that he’s form of directing or conceptualizing, he has this very large, directorial, macro sense of how a factor needs to be and figures out the small print. However then you could have guys like me and [guitarist/vocalist] Zach [Ezrin]. He’s just a little bit youthful than me, but additionally been enjoying video games for many of his life. And once you’re composing for a sport, you do have to remember, like, What sort of sport is it? What sort of motion is it going to be? After they’re enjoying this sport, how lengthy are they going to be in an space? How a lot time ought to there be between the music cues between a change within the motion or route of the story, making these themes seamless with minimize scenes? Something like that. It’s such a unique manner of conceptualizing music that you simply wouldn’t essentially consider for a movie rating the place you’re setting it to scene, however the scene will not be going to vary each time you play.

There’s a form of innocuousness with, say, the Skyrim soundtrack, too, the place you could possibly pause, you could possibly simply cease enjoying the sport and let it sit there—which we’ve performed in the home. Earlier than we downloaded the soundtrack, we simply let the sport run and I’d go do different stuff. There’s this magnificence to it that’s additionally very haunting that I personally loved, however it stimulates you with out getting in the way in which. It helps inform the narrative that the visuals must sort of invoke within the viewer extra so than, say, one thing for a movie the place it has to be that factor for that second at that point and it’s by no means going to vary. And neither is the movie. The motion on the display screen can change at any time. Does the music nonetheless go well with it or does it adapt? It’s so many extra variables to think about. The man who did the early Silent Hill video games [Akira Yamaoka], these early soundtracks, man, they gave you the proper sense of what that sport wanted with out being overbearing.

Zach has talked about to us that the one factor that he ever likes to play anymore is FromSoft video games.
Oh, that’s all he fucking performs.

You’ve already hinted at the truth that you’re probably not the most important fan, however you could have Bloodborne within the pipeline to play after Cyberpunk 2077.
It has stiff competitors with Baldur’s Gate 3 although, as a result of I actually do wish to get into it. What’s been holding me again is I have to do it with a keyboard and a mouse. I attempted with the controller and I couldn’t assume. It’s very bizarre. These sorts of CRPGs, this [positions hands like he would on a keyboard] feels extra pure.

I’ve [James] heard the interface on Baldur’s Gate on a controller is maybe not precisely essentially the most optimum. The keyboard is best.
Larian deserves numerous reward. There was an instinct there and it is sensible, however you must play this on a keyboard and mouse. You actually shouldn’t be enjoying this on a PS5 controller like I attempted to do. It simply feels too sluggish. It’s simply a lot simpler to memorize a macro than a bizarre, OK, I gotta half click on this factor after which it’s like… No. I simply wish to take note of what’s occurring. I’m not like a grasp CRPG gamer. I play issues on regular to straightforward. Even exhausting for me on numerous these video games, like Divinity: Unique Sin 2, I used to be like, Oh, effectively, , I might do this on the more durable problem… No. No. Nooo. I put that fucker proper again on straightforward. I do know my place. I simply wish to benefit from the story.

There’s so many video games on the market and never almost sufficient time in life to be banging your head in opposition to the wall, attempting to get previous the identical boss for years when you could possibly bump that problem down. You show nothing to nobody. Spending 500 hours on one thing that you could possibly get by in 20? Who did I show something to apart from losing a ton of my time?
Completely. I do applaud individuals once they go full hardcore. I’ve mates that, a few of them don’t play anymore, however they have been the sort of individuals that might play one thing like a From Software program sport and simply plow by it. There’s a neighborhood of drummers that I do know in NYC who’re doing all of the From Software program video games, however crushing them. Like, legit crushing them. Guys like Ari Hoenig, [former Imperial Triumphant/Pyrrhon drummer] Alex Cohen was enjoying by all these video games, I believe one of many Darkish Souls video games, they have been all enjoying. However I used to be like, “No, guys.” I’ve a tough copy of Demon’s Souls and I’ve a digital copy of Darkish Souls that’s sitting in a drive. I like a problem, however my life is difficult sufficient. Being in steel bands is difficult sufficient. There’s numerous issues I nonetheless gotta discover ways to do as a steel drummer that it’s like, I gotta work. Once I’m enjoying video games, I even have a observe pad right here. I’ve different shit that I do whereas I’m enjoying the sport. If there’s some extent the place I might pause, I’ll truly work on issues. I don’t at all times take heed to the sport music. I’ll take heed to music I’m studying and dealing on. So, I can’t additionally simply be getting my ass handed for me for the few hours I’ve to play this sport. I already yell sufficient once I play straightforward video games, [laughs] I don’t want that further aggravation. However I do wish to strive Armored Core VI: [Fires of Rubicon] as effectively. I do wish to strive that as a result of Zach was enjoying it on a Steam Deck and it seemed enjoyable. From Software program video games, I gotta brace myself for that shit, man.

Man, when you beat Elden Ring, you then’re an official steel drummer.
[Laughs] I believe I’m going to be a non-metal drummer now for a very long time. I imply, perhaps. Let me not say that as a result of it does additionally does look enjoyable. The Elden Ring world appears to be like extra my sort of pace, in a manner.

Some time in the past, there was a photograph posted to the web of Zach in his full stage gear enjoying Mario Kart: Double Sprint!! on the Rickshaw in Vancouver. We requested Zach who gained. He stated not him. We requested Manuel [Gagneux] from Zeal & Ardor who gained and he stated it was his drummer. Do you keep in mind this sport? What’s your reminiscence of this sport?
I wish to say that the Mario Kart bouts started shortly after dinner, in order that was throughout doorways. All through the complete present, that was happening. Zach undoubtedly didn’t win. He sort of took over for any individual and with the masks, you see like this [curls fingers into small circles in front of eyes] and he hasn’t performed that sport in numerous years, so he’s looking for his manner on the buttons. However, , contemplating that he’s in his full regalia and he has a guitar strapped to him, he did alright. However it was very humorous. Zach is a sucker for picture alternatives like that. He loves kitschy pictures. For him, it’s virtually like a sort of bizarre, obtuse pop artwork sort of factor.

However for positive, the entire night, we have been all taking rounds with the sound engineer and Manuel. Everybody was going round. I even bought a few rounds in, which was enjoyable. A few of these older controllers, they really feel a lot nicer to carry. The PS5 controller, it’s big, it’s clunky, it’s not very ergonomic. The shoulder button factor is so not intuitive to how a hand is formed. It’s superb nobody’s figured this out but. Nintendo has a nunchuck and it really works tremendous. I imply, even the VR controller makes extra sense, however that’s only a private gripe. Holding these controllers once more, it was that bizarre nostalgia surge.

So who’s the highest Mario Kart participant within the band? Are you wanting ahead to a rematch on the Decibel Tour?
I imply… it’s most likely not Steve. [Laughs]

[Laughs] Let’s get the simple one out of the way in which first.
Yeah, I don’t know. The fucked up factor is that [Zach] thinks that I’m and he doesn’t perceive I’m not. For me, it’s escapism, it’s leisure, it’s inspiration. It’s how I chill out once I can. However that doesn’t imply I’m that good at it. I’m good at sure video games. Perhaps I may need extra expertise enjoying Mario Kart than he does simply from being older and rising up with that system. When that sport was new and enjoying it with my dad, who was a brilliant Nintendo head and likewise he and I each like racing video games. Tremendous Mario Kart, F-Zero, when Wipeout got here out, when Destruction Derby got here out, when the Turismo collection began, we performed these video games, so I perhaps have an edge on him in that. However I believe Zach actually likes extra your action-adventure sort of RPG. The dude likes a motherfucker with armor and a fucking greatsword. Zach crushes these video games. When he was doing Elden Ring, he’s good. Is he, like, prime 100 in fucking the nation? In all probability not. However he’s good. He performs by these video games, he will get all of the fucking shit, he finds all of the issues. For his mind, the way in which it really works, these video games are good for him. And for me, I’d fairly sit within the van and meditate than be coping with that. [Laughs]

The final run I did on Cyberpunk, I did a extremely fucked up construct and it wasn’t sensible. God rattling what’s-his-face [Adam Smasher] was far more of a ache within the ass than it ought to have been. That was as near From Software program as I wish to get, like, Wow, it took me, like, 10 tries to kill this man. I can’t do greater than that or I’m simply shutting the sport off perpetually. However yeah, I don’t know. I believe it’s a tie for Mario Kart. I believe it could be a good time.

Goldstar is out March 21 by way of Century Media and will be pre-ordered right here.
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