Beastwars successful on their own terms

What started as a hobby has spawned one of the country's most exciting metal acts - though you won't see Beastwars band members quitting their day jobs any time soon.

"We have got two albums out now, but what I enjoy about it is that it's so different from what I do on a daily basis - I don't ever want to feel like it's a chore, in order to be successful in other people's terms," drummer Nathan Hickey says.

"We have got great fans, we have sold a lot of records on vinyl, which is a medium we love - that to us is success."

Comprising Hickey, bassist James Woods, lead singer Matt Hyde and guitarist Clayton Anderson, Beastwars burst on the scene in 2011 - their debut self-titled album garnering critical acclaim and inviting comparisons with the likes of Soundgarden, Mastodon and Unsane.

Nick Keller's cover design took out Best Album Artwork or Packaging at the 2011 New Zealand Music Awards, where the band was also nominated for best New Zealand Rock Album. All four members of Beastwars have been around music for many years, playing in a variety of bands, but the sound they create together is entirely unique.

A second offering titled, Blood Becomes Fire hit shelves in April, and went on to peak at No2 on the New Zealand album charts, behind modern day crooner Michael Buble. "We thought that was hysterical, media around the world picked up on that and thought it was quite amusing as well."

Career highlights include opening for High on Fire, Fu Manchu and Kyuss and taking the stage alongside Soundgarden, Royksopp, and Kasabian at last year's Big Day Out in Auckland. Though one of Hickey's fondest memories was of a sold-out gig in Wellington at an out of the way bar, down a dark alley. "People turned up and played $5 each to be there, it was a full house - they really liked the music we had written which was cool."

Their latest Blood Becomes Fire tour launched in Christchurch, before heading to Wellington and Auckland then returning to the Tattoo and Art Festival in New Plymouth and finally on to Masterton and Hawke's Bay. "We have never been to Napier but we have had a lot of fans asking us to play there. Beastwars will perform at The Cabana in Napier on Saturday. Tickets available from www.utr.co.nz/beastwars