Karl Hartwig (Hope Drone)
SPB: What is the feeling of the current Australian black metal climate? It seems that Brisbane is shaping up to be a kind of epicentre for the genre, and it would be interesting to hear thoughts from a band of that area.
Hartwig: I can’t really comment on the Australian black metal climate, as I don’t believe Hope Drone are a part of it or any particular scene. While our influences include black metal, I personally do not feel that Hope Drone is a black metal band, or even a metal band at all, but I am sure the many people who hear us may think differently. We really just exist in our own space playing the few shows we can commit to with bands we like or know. I definitely believe Brisbane/Australia has been proven capable of producing world-class bands though.