Dope Default interview: "...we don’t like to limit ourselves to a certain style."

1) Welcome guys! How are things going about Dope Default?

Things are going great! We’re in the middle of promoting our new album and also rehearsing and writing new stuff. Hopefully, lockdowns are over and we can go back at it again!

2) Are you satisfied about the first feedback for your new album "Division'?

So far, so good! Yes, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback. To be honest, we sort of expected it because we know this is our best work to date, so we knew that people were going to like ‘Division’!

3) After releasing your new album, it seems that you are a really promising heavy band! Are there any plans for another full album in the future?

Thanks a lot! Yes, definitely, we’re just now starting to work on new stuff. We’ll definitely be releasing a full new album in the future, and this time we’ll be working hopefully full time on it!

4) How can you describe your sound?

We’re an overall modern heavy metal band. Plain as that, since we don’t like to limit ourselves to a certain style. We’re pretty close to groove metal, to bands like Pantera and Lamb of God, but we’re also close to doom and stoner. And you can even find some grunge elements in our songs.

5) What are your musical idols?

The big bands of the 80’s and 90’s, bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns n’ Roses, Judas Priest, that kind of stuff. And also bands like Pantera, Lamb of God, Machine Head, these kinds of groups.

6) Tell us a few words and special moments of the recordings of your stuff.

Since this was a record that was written between lockdowns, it was basically written in two phases. The first phase had the songs ‘Down to Pieces’, ‘Divided’, ‘One More Time’ and ‘Duplicity’. The rest of the songs were written in the second phase, while of course ‘The Saint of Killers’ is a reworked version of the track from our debut album ‘Ofrenda’.

‘One More Time’ was initially going to be dismissed, since we didn’t feel like it fit in the album. Fortunately, we decided to work on it a bit more and it’s now one of our favorite songs, as well as getting big support from the fans!

7) What is your opinion about the use of internet? Is this helpful about the bands or they are just being lost into a sea of information?

It’s the most powerful tool that a modern band has. Sure, it gives access to pretty much everyone, but that’s the whole point. If it weren’t for platforms such as YouTube and Spotify, you’d never have the chance to be heard in the first place. It’s up to you to put out stuff that will get people’s attention and try to win them over!

8) Any live plans for the band?

Right now we’re in the planning stage for our live shows. We want to put together the best live shows possible, so we’re working on preparing that thing exactly. So stay tuned and follow us on social media to get notified about future tour dates!

9) What is your biggest dream about Dope Default?

We’d like to play the big European festivals, in front of as many people as possible, and get to tour the world! Also, being signed to a decent label would be great. There are only so many things a band can do by themselves! A good music label can really help a lot!

10) How did you get started with music? Any special musical studies?

We got into playing music in our late teens, like most people do in rock music. The bands that we listened to and admired were of course our greatest inspiration. Most of us have a background in playing in various bands, in various styles. And most of us have some kind of background in musical studies, while others are completely self-taught.

11) What do you think about the Greek metal scene? Are there any new bands that you love?

The Greek metal scene is absolutely teeming with great bands! There’s never a shortage of cool new metal and rock music. There are hidden gems everywhere, bands like Khirki, Night Resident, 10 Code and Raw in Sect pop to mind. And of course fellow Thessaloniki-based bands like Paranoir and Paranoid Reverb.

12) Congrats and good luck about your work, guys! The last words are yours.

Thanks a bunch for the interview, we hope you all listen and like our new album ‘Division’. And be sure to follow us on social media, to get notified about new releases and tour dates!