NICK IVKOVIC from ELM STREET Talks Perth STORMRIDER Return and New Album
Nick Ivkovic of heavy metal band ELM STREET, recently had a chat with Marco ahead of the band’s upcoming return to Perth for STORMRIDER HEAVY METAL FESTIVAL, along with discussing their new album The Great Tribulation and renaming the Big 4 to the Big 5.
DS: Hey, Nick, cheers for catching up for a chat. How are you doing today?
N: Yeah, good man. It's the weather's finally starting to warm up, so I think we're matching you guys. It's been freezing for ages, so it's nice to sort of fall out and start enjoying the outside again.
DS: Yeah, nice. It's actually been raining a bit this week-
N: No, don’t say that
DS: No, it's been a good sunny weekend this weekend in Perth, which is great.
N: Awesome. Hopefully it holds up for when we're there.
DS: Definitely. Which brings me to my next question. You'll be playing your first show in Perth since 2017 on Night 2 of Stormrider Festival, taking place on August 23 and 24 at Amplifier Bar. Excited to be making your way over to WA again?
N: Yeah, absolutely. Like you said, the last time we were there was in 2017 and we have very fond memories of our time at the Stormrider event. The festival's great, the lineups are always very good and the crowds are excellent. So yeah we've been counting down the days for this one, so yeah, can’t wait.
DS: Hell yeah. How was your previous trip to Perth? I know you kind of answered that there, but if you want to expand on that a little bit more?
N: Yeah. What I remember from our last time there was that it was our last show prior to going to the UK to tour with Ross the Boss over there. So yeah, it was a good time. We were touring our previous album, Knock 'Em Out with a Metal Fist. So yeah, it was all guns blazing. We were right in the thick of the tour, looking forward to some overseas action. But I think playing in Perth and at the Stormrider Festival was a really good launch pad into, I guess, what was our next phase on the touring cycle for that album. So it was at the Badlands, I think, at that time, and that's an amazing venue. So the vibe and the energy in that sort of a room, and it was a big crowd. So it was really good to be involved with that and have that as our last Australian date prior to hitting overseas. Yeah, it was awesome. It was really good.
DS: Yeah, sweet. You have a new album under your belt this time round, The Great Tribulation, released in October last year. How has the response been to the new album?
N: It's been very positive. We haven't really heard too much from the press here down under, and I think that's down to our label. But the European response has been very good. We've been getting a lot of five-star reviews. I think Metal Hammer gave it five, which was a buzz for us. Yeah, it was really, really cool. And we were keeping our eyes on the Apple Music charts and Spotify charts and all that. And we've been hovering around the top 50 metal releases for a while. So that was very encouraging and a good sign that people were actually listening to the album, which is what you kind of want. The overall feedback's been quite good. We've played a few of the songs live now, and they've gone over quite well and fit in quite nicely with our previous releases and songs. So I think, yeah, it's been considered a strong addition to the arsenal, I suppose. So we're really looking forward to bringing that to Perth and getting the response from the crowd over there as well.
DS: Yeah, definitely. Do you have a favorite track off The Great Tribulation? And why?
N: It changes from day to day. So I think there's a top few. So I think Take the Night is a short, sharp, sort of, I guess, power through. So that's a good bite-sized chunk of where we're at, at the moment. But then I also think the album opener, Seven Sirens, is, I think, a really good representation of us and our strengths. And it's a long song, but it sort of covers everything that we kind of represent in various forms throughout the song. So lyrically, musically, I think it's a very strong statement. So I'd say, as of today, those are my two favourites. But then that might change tomorrow if you ask me again.
DS: Of course. It's a bold move, I'm starting an album off with a 10-minute song and yeah, that’s sick.
N: Yeah, yeah, we thought, well, why not? Some people choose the shortest song to kick it off, but we thought, no, it kind of sets the template, both musically but thematically as well in the lyrics. So it really wraps up what's to come further down the track with the album. So, yeah, I'm glad that you think that's pretty cool, too.
DS: Yeah, nah, that's wicked, man. You've toured extensively, both in Australia and internationally. What have been some of the most memorable moments on the road for you?
N: Coming home. No, no. *laughs* I would say the tour that we did with Udo Dirkschneider across the US was an incredible experience. We really had a chance to, I would say, do a real proper tour as far as length is concerned, because that was just over two months. So that's some real hard yards on the road. We did it quite tough. It wasn't very glamorous as some people imagine jumping in a fancy tour bus and hitting the road and doing all that sort of stuff. We were in a van and we were driving ourselves from town to town, night to night. And I think out of those two and a bit months, we had three nights off. So it was really, that was road-dogging it. And it was great. We loved every second of it. And Udo's crew were great to us as well. So we formed some really good friendships there. And the US itself, seeing that country that way, you really learn and appreciate that every single city is completely different from the next or from the one before. So yeah, it was a good learning experience. We really got our road legs on that one after doing two months worth of shows. Like you're a pretty finely oiled machine after that. So I think the benefits of that still carry along now. I feel like we're really gelled as a unit. The shows speak for themselves, so hopefully, yeah, come our set in Perth we’ll really be able to demonstrate that as well.
DS: Yeah definitely. What would be your dream tour lineup for Elm Street?
N: Well, let's just expand the big four and call it a big five. And we're just in the middle of it. Or Slayer have Retired, so maybe pop us in there. I mean, that would be a dream lineup. It's explicitly a dream. But I think, I mean, we don't really want to be pigeonholed in the thrash genre. I feel we offer a lot more than just thrash. So maybe we get Halloween to represent the power metal. And then maybe Iron Maiden as the more traditional medal. And then throw us in there. And I'll be pretty happy with that.
DS: Nice. Now, I completely understand if you can't answer this next question. But will you guys have any involvement in the upcoming Deathgasm sequel?
N: Well, we know as much as you do. Look, I think don't be shocked if we do wind up somewhere involved with that. But yeah, I won't reveal too much.
DS: Yeah, sick. OK, finally, is there anything you'd like to say to your Perth fans before the upcoming show?
N: Yeah, we just want to thank Perth for their hospitality the last time we were there. Like I said, the last Stormrider Festival that we were apart of, we felt very fortunate to be part of it and couldn't wait to come back. So we're looking forward to seeing everybody that was there last time back again. And for those that missed out and are coming for the first time or seeing us for the first time there, bring it on. We can't wait. So we've been rehearsing pretty hard for this particular show. We've actually mixed up the set list a little bit more specifically for Perth. So yeah, we've got something special planned for you guys. Can't wait to see you there. And we'll see you on stage and also at the bar.
DS: Hell yeah. Thanks heaps Nick. Really appreciate you taking the time to chat with me.
N: No worries, Marco. Always a pleasure.
Stormrider Heavy Metal Festival 10 Year Anniversary
2 huge nights of Heavy Metal
Friday August 23 & Saturday August 24
Amplifier - 393 Murray Street Perth
Get your tickets now - https://stormridertouring.com/events
A limited number of discounted Weekend Tickets are on sale now while they last!
Night 1 - August 23 from 7pm
Chaos Divine
Hybrid Nightmares (VIC) - Woeful Inertia album launch
Black Majesty (VIC) - Celebrating over 20 years of Power Metal
Wrath of Fenrir
Undeniable - Debut Performance
Night 2 - August 24 from 6pm
Silent Knight
Orpheus Omega (VIC) - Emberglow album launch
Elm Street (VIC) - The Great Tribulation album launch
Buried Shallow
Woewarden
VANTA