The War Inside My Head: An Interview With Daggers

If I had a list of the most underrated projects/bands/artists/musicians/people on planet Earth, and even if that was a very short list, say 10-items long, Daggers would be there, every time. Like so many incredible artists, Daggers, who, are, I think, kind of a punk/rock band, excel in precisely stepping on that one pedal, but maybe a bit too hard. What comes out the other end is, then, not really what you started with – punk? rock? – but a transcendence of all things that, at least to my years, sounds a lot like – and I've said this before, so excuse the repetition – black metal before it was black metal. Kind of Motorhead and Celtic Frost's lovechild, except everyone looks like a completely normal person and has a nice t-shirt on for band photos.  

So, the privilege of hosting the wonderful Belgian masters on my wee site is great, a privilege mixed with the great joy of them going to release a new EP next week, a worthy follow up to their already perfect discography, but, most recently the Chaos Magic EP from a couple of years ago. Very happy to able to spread the word on this fantastic band and even happier to present this short interview below. Go out and buy their shit. All of it. Also check out the video for their first single "With Rue" at the bottom of the post.

If you're new to this metal blog of bones you can also check out the various interview projects I have going on as well as the weekly recommendation posts. And if you'd like to keep abreast of the latest, most pressing developments follow us wherever I may roam (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Bluesky, TIKTOK etc), and listen to my, I guess, active? (no) podcast (YouTube, Spotify, Apple), and to check out our amazing compilation albums. You could also possibly support my unholy work here (Patreon), if you feel like it. Early access to our bigger projects, weekly exclusive recommendations and playlists, and that wonderful feeling that you're encouraging a life-consuming habit. It's probably a bad idea, but to each their own. On to Yhtill.

What was the first album you bought with your own money, and where did you buy it?

Thierry: Moonspell – Darkness & Hope. I bought it in a music shop in Arlon (BE) where you could listen to every CD in the store.

Yannick: It was a local band called Heartaches who was selling their demo on a burned cd at a punk show close to my place. I think all Daggers members were there, it's been that long we know each other ahah.

Thomas: My older brother already had a lot of records so if I remember correctly the first one I got for myself was the Give 'Em The Boot II Comp from HellCat Records.

Greg: I don't remember exactly but it was either something from The Beatles or Iron Maiden.

What 2-3 albums did you hear the most growing up?

Thierry: Before my teen years, I would say classical music such as Dvořák. After that it would be Millencolin – Life on a Plate, Voodoo Glow Skulls – Firm, Envy – All the Footprints.

Yannick : Growing up I used to listen to a wide range of music too like Rhapsody – Dawn of Victory, the first Slipknot album and Rancid – Indestructible were non stop spinning for example.

Thomas : I was really into punk rock in my early days. Rancid's 2000 was constantly spinning as well as Nervous Chillin' – The Kid & Liberty and Looking Up – both records – Got Another Answer & The Self-Titled album.

Greg: Helloween – Walls of Jericho, Shape of Despair – Angels of Distress and Cursed II.

What albums taught you the most about the technical aspect of making music?

Thierry: Refused – The Shape of Punk to Come, Poison the Well – You Come Before You.

Yannick: I guess The Shape of Punk to Come was a universally known technical album we – Daggers – used to listen to and got influenced by with all the twists and mix in the production. We’ve worked with Magnus Lindberg many times because of this record weight by the way.

Thomas: Hard one as I'm still learning the technical aspect (laugh). I'd say The Shape of Punk To Come. It's an incredible avant-garde hardcore punk album. They definitely taught us that no one should limit themselves to a specific genre.

Greg : Xasthur – To Violate the Obvious.

What is the last album that absolutely shocked you?

Thierry: Planes Mistaken for Stars – Do You Still Love Me?

Yannick: The latest Cuntroaches album released by Skin Graft Records.

Thomas: SiemReap – Wishin' I Was Fishin'. It's so soft but deeply touching! 

Greg: Klaus Schultze – Deus Arrakis. Amazing record

What album relaxes you or centers you the most?

Thierry: Jeremy Soule – The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Original Soundtrack.

Yannick: Also a soundtrack, Norco Original Soundtrack by Gewgawly I and Thou released on Sacred Bones Records.

Thomas: Mort Garson – Mother Earth’s Plantasia.

Greg: Probably some In Gowan Ring, or Klaus Schultze again. The Witcher 3 Soundtrack when I'm in the bath.

What are the 2-3 albums you’ve listened to the most recently?

Thierry: Total Tommy – Bruises, Envy – Eunoia, Fucked up – Year of the Goat.

Yannick: Vampire – What Seems Forever Can Be Broken, Industry – Self Titled.

Thomas: Spiritual Cramp – Rude, SiemReap – Wishin' I Was Fishin,' and Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire.

Greg: Bambara – Birthmarks, Salem – King Night and Gold Class – It's You.

What album is grossly underrated?

Thierry: Coilguns – Odd Love.

Yannick: MMI – Imminently Perilous to Life.

Thomas: Death of Lovers – The Acrobat.

Greg: Okkultokrati – La Ilden Lyse.

What album would you recommend from your local scene?

Thierry: Dögmën – All Men Must Die.

Yannick: Vaag – Rauw EP.

Thomas: Bezette Stad – F.A.N.O.N.

Greg: Wyatt E – Zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu.

Here's the video for Daggers' brand-new single "With Rue":