Review Zoo Catch Up With Millie, ‘Beryl’ of Basement Torture Killings | Exclusive Interview”

What first pulled you toward the extreme side of music—and specifically into this style of vocals?

So I guess they’re not ‘extreme’ as such but the first time I ever heard a girl scream in music was when I discovered Jack off Jill when I was about 13 years old. From that moment on, I was absolutely hooked and me and my friends started writing songs in our music classes at school, much to our teacher’s dismay. After leaving school, I went to college to study music, all the while discovering heavier bands as time went on. And over time I developed my voice while listening to more and more death metal bands such as Suffocation, who are one of my all time favourites.

Your band’s name and imagery are very horror-driven—how much of your sound and identity is inspired by horror films?

We all love horror movies and they are something we have all watched since we were kids. I wouldn't say that they directly influence our sound as such but visually and tonally they play a huge part. Each of us play a character in the band and they are all based in some way on slasher movies from the 70s and 80s, I guess the overall aesthetic we have is very much a grimy dirty horror movie. True crime is obviously another huge influence that has been added to the melting pot. But as I said, musically not so much, that's much more about old school death/grind.

Your stage persona is intense—where does that character come from, and how different is she from you offstage?

So Beryl is a little girl who has a whole back story which is described in the song ‘There’s Something About Beryl’. In short, Bertrand (original singer and guitar player) chose to murder her parents. So Beryl’s parents used to abuse and torture her so she joins in and becomes his protégé.

I developed the look and the stage performance for Beryl over time. Initially, I had this very ugly brown dress with a with pinny covered in blood. Later I went with the now famous white dress with blood on it, which is heavily inspired by the film Carrie. And I think one day I just decided to bring a teddy bear for the stage, and the bear and guts etc became a staple part of the performance.

I would probably describe myself as kinda shy, so she’s quite different from me in a lot of ways. I find being on stage is where I can express myself in a way I can’t in normal, run of the mill life.

A lot of people would find your themes disturbing—do you aim to shock, or is there something deeper behind it?

I wouldn’t say there’s a deeper message behind it as such. It’s supposed to be disturbing, just like a horror film. But I suppose we definitely challenge standardised gender roles; we’re all for equal opportunities murder.

For someone completely new to the band, which track would you tell them to start with—and why does it represent you best?

Personally, I would say go and listen to Erotophonophilia. Mostly because it’s one of my favourites to play live, but also because it’s fast as fuck, catchy as hell and has a super creepy intro which is from a real interview.

What’s it like being a female vocalist in such an extreme, male-dominated scene—has it shaped your experience in any way?

It’s definitely shaped my experience. When I first started, there were definitely men, or should I say boys since we were so young, out there doubting my sincerity and ability. And it still happens now. Especially some of our videos that get a fair amount of attention online get littered with misogynistic comments here and there. It’s sad to say, but I just expect it now. That being said, for every asshole there’s so many that appreciate it and think it’s sick. I think there’s still a way to go, but it’s getting there. I do worry how far back the red pill ideology that’s being peddled online will push us back, especially when you’re thinking about impressionable kids accessing that stuff.

If I can inspire even one girl or woman to get into playing extreme music, then I am super happy with that.

How do audiences usually react when they see you live for the first time? Any reactions that have really stuck with you?

A lot of people that see us for the first time and aren’t expecting what we’re about to do usually have their eyes firmly glued open. We’ve also been told off several times by people who think I am chucking real animal guts into the audience. I always take that as a compliment that I have perfected the manufacturing process when I make them.

When you’re writing new material, what usually comes first—the concept, the riffs, or the vocal ideas?

So it usually starts with Paul (Tarquin) writing the riffs and then working things out with Ewan (The Faceless Killer, drums) in rehearsals. Paul is the only original member of the band but somehow always manages to come up with new serial killer related concepts, which I think is really cool. Then Paul and I will start writing lyrics around the concept. With the vocals, we’ll write a song each separately. In previous albums I wrote less than him due to my schedule when I was studying nursing, but for new releases I intend for it to be more 50/50.

What do you think sets Basement Torture Killings apart from other bands in the extreme metal scene?

It’s gotta be the stage show. It’s unique and crafted and created by our love for all things creepy. Plus I like to think we play pretty damn tight live too, but any band that plays this kind of music needs to be tight live or it just doesn’t work.

For people discovering you through this interview, what can they expect from you as a band?

We merge horror film aesthetics with relentless death grind. So I would say, if you want be creeped the fuck out by a death grind band then come watch us live. Also go check out our new EP ‘Gallery of Monsters Part 1’ which is available on all streaming platforms which was recorded, mixed and mastered by Sam Turbitt at Ritual Studios.

Do you have to get a new teddy bear for every show, or is there some kind of teddy bear tech you take on tour with you?

Yes I buy a new teddy bear for every show. I pretty much drain the charity shops of Bristol for them so I get them fairly cheaply. But funny you mention that, I recently got handed a business card at a show in Pentre, North Wales, for a teddy bear restoration nurse. I still haven’t called her, though.

Be honest—are you still allowed anywhere near Build-A-Bear, or have you been banned by now?

I’m gunna take a wild guess and say they probably have posters of me at the Build-A-Bears up and down the country.

Have you got any shows approaching or new releases you’d like to tell us about?

So we’ve got a few over the summer. There’s a secret show coming up that I am forbidden to discuss. But I can tell you about Snuff Fest this weekend in London with our good friends in Brutal Sphincter and a whole host of sick goregrind, death metal and slam bands. We’ve got Munky Pride in Latvia in the summer, a UK tour with our besties and absolute legends Gutalax in September. Then we have Herrie Fest in the Netherlands and Rape the Escape in Vienna at the end of the year.

On top of all that, we’re in the process of writing a new album which we are super excited. I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say about it, but more will be announced soon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21m--lfcInw