Vancouver Cosmic Thrashers Crüzer Unleash New EP, Look to the Skies
Unleashing their debut EP, Look to the Skies, this past April, Crüzer is not just a band—they are a cosmic metal assault from the Great White North. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada, their sound is as unstoppable as an alien invasion force, tearing through the atmosphere with electrifying solos and unforgettable hooks.
With their undeniable stage presence (recently performing at this year’s Hyperspace Metal Festival) and the power of the riff, these melodic cosmic thrashers celebrate the bizarre and otherworldly wonders of the universe. Metalheads can expect a raging, thrashing good time, but with a melodic and humorous twist. Crüzer isn’t afraid to turn trash on its head and infuse the flavour with all kinds of spices and secret sauces.
The band shares,
“EARTHLINGS!!! Crank it to 11, and prepare for an out-of-this-world heavy metal experience. Your alien overlords are pleased to unveil our newest slice of interplanetary propaganda, LOOK TO THE SKIES!
Five tracks of raging, rip-roaring, intergalactic speed metal, with a multitude of different flavours catered to the tastes of every thrasher, from the melodic Metallica nerds to the greasy Slaytanic Wehrmacht. Perfect for cruzing down the interstellar highway or around Saturn’s rings.
CONSUME, EARTHLINGS! LISTEN AND REJOICE!!! BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR ALIEN OVERLORDS AND CELEBRATE OUR ARRIVAL!!!”
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
We are CRUZER, an invasion force of interstellar beings poised to dominate the universe by crafting lethal auditory assaults, what you earthlings refer to as “thrash metal muzik.” Our base of operations is the frozen wasteland of Vancouver, Canada. Your alien overlords are as follows:
Eric Willmott – lead vocals
Ben Higgins – guitar
Nico Miraftab – guitar
Esteban Lleuful – bass
Alex Gain – drums
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
Eric – Our new EP, Look to the Skies, five rip-roaring tracks of THRASH, in varying flavours! We love to offer a buffet of cosmic delights for our listeners, whether it be classic melodic speed metal (Pit Vyper), a more hardcore/crossover approach (Born To Rise), or a full-on thrashing assault (I Need Thrash), we’ve got a little something for everyone!
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Eric: Our guitarist, Ben, has a seemingly endless supply of riffs! I’ll come to practice, and he’ll have like 2 or 3 new songs he’s working on. What a beast! We’ll definitely be well stocked on original material for a few albums and EPs; the hard part is choosing which songs to pick and polish to perfection. Once Ben shows us his idea, the rest of us tinker and tweak until it’s ready for showtime!
Ben: Often I’ll come to practise with a riff, a semi-formed song, or sometimes and full song. Then the boys and I work shop it till we get it where we like it and adjust things here and there till we are satisfied. For me, songs come from sitting and riffing, or throughout the day, I’ll be thinking of something, and a cool riff pops into my head.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
Eric: We have a gig coming up at the Astoria in late June, with several more shows pending for July, August, and October. We’re still sorting out the dates, so be sure to follow us and stay tuned for details! We’ve also been rehearsing some new material (and even playing some of it live), and we have about 5 or 6 solid tracks that we’re really digging! A full-length has definitely been in talks, but only time will tell.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
Eric: It was the day I decided to go into business for myself as a musician and voice actor (mid-2023). I’ve met so many amazing, creative people and had the chance to work on a bunch of cool projects. And the journey continues! For the rest of us, getting into the studio to record this EP and hearing how it turned out really blew us away. We are super proud of it and hope you like it as much as we do.
Ben: Honestly, getting the boys into the studio to record our album ‘Look To The Skies’. Just having that out there is something I’ve wanted for a long time and am glad it’s been fulfilled.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Eric: I’m a huge fan of the Australian djent/EDM hybrid band Northlane; their album “Alien” is my favourite record of 2019. I also love Monuments; their last album, “In Stasis,” had some incredible vocal harmonies on it. Their new singer is really knocking it out of the park!
I also have to give a shoutout to a fellow local band, Medevil, for which I became the new lead vocalist in 2022. Their latest album (featuring their former vocalist Liam), “Mirror in the Darkness,” is a great piece of dark, atmospheric prog metal. It’s been a blast playing those songs live! I’m working on a new album with them as well, and it already sounds amazing. Stay tuned for that! Otherwise, we love local bands Truent, Damsel, Terrifer, and Neck of the Woods – definitely check these guys out!
Ben: Bands like Truent, Damsel, and Terrifier for sure. Definitely check those guys out.