Aethea were formed in 2005. They split in 2009 but have since played numerous reunion shows and are therefore not to be trusted...
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
Sam: Jed and I have been writing and jamming for years prior to Aethea. We both moved to Wellington at the same time so we thought. we're both in the same town so lets get a band started. We first met Hayes our first drummer in 2005, he was around maybe for a year until he had to move away, then Jay became our drummer. Quinn had also joined by that stage. We wanted to play something heavier, and so our sound evolved into death metal/sega metal.
How did you come up with the name Aethea?
Quinn: I wanted to call it Atheist back in 2005 after we decided the name Adversary wasn't original enough, but then I heard the band Atheist and really liked their album Piece Of Time, so we just made up a word that sounded similar.
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Sam: Pixelated Stripper - definite song of choice for it being the most technical and challenging song, best sounding overall.
Jared: I like Helmet, it was named after the band Helmet because I thought a riff in the song sounded a bit like them, but it doesn't in fact at all!
Quinn: No matter what we write I think we'll always be remembered for our version of Alex Kidd in Miracle World. It's our most requested song anyway.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
Sam: Ulcerate - Vermis, Carnal - Morbid Desires EP and Backyard Burial - Repeat Offender.
Jared: The new All Seeing Hand album Mechatronics. Got to have a sneak listen before it came out.
Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?
Sam: Hawkes Bay of course!
Who are your role models in the NZ music industry?
Sam: Odiusembowel definitely, they've got the promotion and business side down, from local New Zealand shows to full on US death festivals. Listen to them and you'll see why. Likewise in regards to Ulcerate, Dawn of Azazel... also Exordium Mors and Carnal, both great bands. They know the business too.
Quinn: Aphelon and Falciform probably.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Quinn: Cracking a high really badly in a song mid-set once...
Jared: I remember a gig in Wanganui where I was setting up my cymbals before we were going on. I picked up a boom stand from the middle of the stand with a big heavy crash on the end of it and the cymbal fell forward and smacked me right across the bridge of my nose! Spent the set with blood all down my face. Would have been embarassing if anyone saw it, think most people were outside having a smoke break.
What has been your most memorable show to date?
Sam: When we played support for The Amenta, that was pretty much an outer body experience. The whole show was crushing.
Jared: That was a cool show, opening for Dismember was awesome too.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Sam: Persevere, don't be afraid to try new things and be aggressive. Keep the music alive and real!
What can we expect to see from Aethea over the next year?
Sam: One more gig.
Quinn: Final gig ever, for real this time!
What rumour would you like to start about Aethea?
Sam: Can't quite put my finger on it but I have my suspicions that Fallen Order has abducted our bass player due to their similar appearances. Hope we can get him back in time for the gig!
Failed New Zealand Idol entrants who decided to form a death metal band. Hailing from the mean streets of Waipukurau, Napier & Lower Hutt, Aethea was formed in 2005 and before long were playing a brutal blend of sega influenced grind/death etc sounding somewhere between Napalm Death and early Nasum with lower vocals.
The music stretches your ring but you'll feel better afterwards...