Bloodstock Bound: Surya
As Bloodstock gets closer, we delve deep into the line up to find out more about some of the bands playing the New Blood and EMP stages at this years event.
Today we chat with Surya
The Razor's Edge: Please introduce yourself and your band mates.
Surya: Hey, I’m Tom, guitarist for Leeds based Metal band Surya. I joined the lads around 7 years ago now. Which both feels like yesterday and an eternity ago!
The rest of the band’s made up of:
Mark - Vocals: He joined back in 2020 and was really the final piece to the puzzle. This guys live vocal really packs a punch! don’t believe me? You’ll have to come see for yourself… just don’t blame me when your face hurts afterward.
Joey - guitar/backing vocals: One of the original Surya members who’s very much at the core of our songwriting and sound. Plus he has some damn impressive hair. If you’re in the front row, look out!
Nik - drums: Another Surya original member. He’s the engine that drives us both on and off stage, and is quite frankly a bit of a beast behind a drum kit. What can I say, South Americans are just built different!
The Razor's Edge: How would you describe your sound?
Surya: Believe it or not we all listen to fairly different types of music! Albeit with a Metal common ground, so our sound has become a bit of a melting pot between us. I would say our sound is closer to modern deathcore, however the way we blend the ambient, groove and tech elements into that overall sound gives us something, well, unique i would say!
It also keeps every release we put out interesting. All of our songs have their own personal feel but very much with 'Surya' at the core of it.
The Razor's Edge: How did you land your spot on the Bloodstock bill?
Surya: We fought our way through the prestigious Metal 2 The Masses system of course! However not where you might expect... Being a Leeds based band you'd assume we competed there, But no! We decided to invade Burnley instead. Obviously.
The Razor's Edge: How tough was the competition this year?
Surya: Insane... like genuinley insane, and we're not just saying that! The quality of the bands that enter this competition just get's better and better, and we're confident that any one of them could do the Newblood stage justice.
As tough as this 'competition' is though, one really refreshing thing is that the bands don't really treat it like one. The bands support each other, form connections and lift eachother up regardless of the result. And clearly they keep coming back even stronger!
Speaking of strong we'd like to also give a quick shoutout to the bands we shared the final with, what a show that was! Go show some love to the guys (& gal) in 'Shadow Company', 'FMA+12Gage' & 'Th3orist'.
The Razor's Edge: What does playing at Bloodstock mean to you?
Surya: Playing at Bloodstock is not just a milestone, it's a statement to ourselves and those around us. We've poured in years of hard work, late nights and time away from loved ones to get here. To step out onto that stage — one of the most respected in the UK metal scene — is both an honour and a challenge we're ready to meet head-on.
And as music lovers and festival goers ourselves, it'll be nice to be on the right side of the barrier for a change!
The Razor's Edge: For people who’ve never seen you live, what can they expect at Bloodstock?
Surya: Energy Energy Energy!
We really enjoy what we do and believe that clearly translates to the crowd. We thrive on the crowds response, hopefully they thrive from ours and so on and so on until we form a vicious thriving loop.. some might call it a circle pit?
We've previously been approached by fans claiming it's great to see a band who enjoys themselves so much on stage. However, Walls of death and mosh pits are compulsory regardless of our mood.
The Razor's Edge: What day are you performing?
Surya: We take to the stage on SOLD OUT Sunday! Does this mean we're technically supporting Gojira? We like to think so and you can't convince us otherwise.
The Razor's Edge: What other bands are you looking forward to watching at Bloodstock this year?
Surya: The headliners this year are immence, who isn't looking forward to Trivium, Machine Head and Gojira?!
But aside from the main stage headliners there are just so many to name. Bands currently sitting on our 'Do not miss' list include the likes of Fear Factory, Mastodon, Black Daliah Murder, August Burns Red, Rivers of Nihil, Breed 77, Thrown, 3 inches of Blood... and growing...
Apart from the names we all grew up listening to, there are also a few friends of ours on the line-up. It's incredibly important to us that we also show our support to those them!
Big up The Cartographer who are joining us on the New Blood stage, and Waterlines who take to the Sophie Lancaster stage!
The Razor's Edge: Playing the New Blood Stage is just the first stepping stone in a band's journey. What’s next in your plans for world domination?
Surya: We have definitely approached this opportunity with the idea that getting to Bloodstock is not the end, it's the beginning of hopefully what comes next!
We are working almost around the clock behind the scenes to get ready to unleash upon the masses shortly after Bloodstock. We intend to capture the attention of our fans old and new as soon as possible with new music, new imagery and of course, new shows!
The Razor's Edge: Are you camping with the fans? Which campsite are you heading for?
Surya: Unfortunately as the festival is pretty much SOLD OUT! (just reminding ourselves how amazing that is...) , we are unable to camp with the fans and will instead be in artist camping. However rest assured will be on a mission to mingle with the lovely Bloodstock folk! We fully intend to experience BOA to its fullest.
The Razor's Edge: You’ve gotta keep hydrated at Bloodstock, what is your drink of choice for the weekend?
Surya: The blood, sweat and tears of those who enter our pits... seriously though i suppose a good amount of Timothy Taylors is inevitable given the stage we're playing!
I would say the general rule of thumb is a bit of Guinness for Mark, Coors for Joey and a nice selection of ales for Nik and myself make camp Surya very happy indeed.
Oh, and water... because we're responsible adults...right?
The Razor's Edge: See you at Bloodstock in a few days!
Surya: See you soon and bring it on!
