With frantic, energetic instrumentation that combines bouncy, progressive metalcore with breakdown-friendly deathcore and catchy nu-metal both, and vocals that grate your ears as their lyrics shred your heartstrings, Soulkeeper is a display in brilliant musicianship and creative poetry.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
I’m Eric Robert’s I sing, Scott Gilmore play guitar and synth, Edwin Melendez plays bass, and Thomas Jefson plays drums in Soulkeeper.
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Soulkeeper? How long has the band been around?
Soulkeeper started out as Tom’s old band Don’t Worry I’m a Doctor, they because Soulkeeper in 2015, signed to We Are Triumphant and released 2 EP’s. Then in 2019 There were some line up changes and Eddy and I joined.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
I think the name is from Kingdom Hearts, but we did have to fight a 00’s house DJ for the Spotify profile.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Scott does 90% of the writing, then tom messes with the drums for the finally song and i write the lyrics over that. I’m really new to writing lyrics so i don’t really have any overarching themes yet, but i mean its still Soulkeeper, so its dark, and edgy i guess haha. just my own take on Soulkeeper.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
The electronic and industrial influence is pretty obvious when you listen to our new music. Artists like Health, Death Grips, Youth Code etc. have been a big influence, but we all grew up listening to hardcore and metalcore so you’re gonna hear some Danza type stuff in there and some Sanction type stuff too.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I don’t know if any artist in particular inspired me to start playing music but, Guitar Hero 1 for PS2 definitely didn’t hurt.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Before a show I drink a little water, do some small stretches, and pray to the lizard gods i don’t choke on my hair and throw up on stage.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Touring with Portals just because they are the best guys.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
There are so many cool artists right now, we’re honestly so luck to live in this time for music, I can’t speak for the other guys but I’d wanna tour with Omertà, King Yosef, The Callous Daoboys, or Frontierer.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Heavy Glow is out now, but it’s just the start. Since we can’t tour much this year we are going to be working on music A LOT, and releasing it in small 1-2 song singles. So keep up with it, the best way to do that is to follow us on twitter on instagram @soulkeepercult, but you can also like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulkeepercult Thanks for your time!