Formed in 2019, it has been quite a journey for modern metal band STELLVRIS. From tiny gigs to playing festivals with giants such as Megadeth, Jinjer and The Black Dahlia Murder, this quartet have risen to the top of the Czech Republic’s metal scene. With their latest EP Shatter & Bloom releasing soon, the band are on the cusp of greatness and is surely a matter of time until the rest of the world catches on. The restless energy that powers their music is carried over into everyday life, but vocalist Nicol Hofman found time in a busy schedule to speak to Peter Dennis for an exclusive chat about the new EP and everything STELLVRIS.
How did you all meet?
We met through the local music scene, shared shows, and mutual friends, and quickly realised we had a similar vision for the kind of music we wanted to create.
What challenges does being an international band create?
Even though we’re all Czech, each of us now lives in a different city, so getting everyone together for rehearsals isn’t always easy. It takes planning and coordination, but we manage it pretty well. Those challenges have actually made our practice sessions more focused and productive when we do get together.
What musical influences bind you all together? Is there one band who you all love?
What binds us together musically is a shared love for modern metal as a whole. Right now, some of the bands we’re all really into include The Pretty Wild, I Prevail, and Wage War. Their energy, riffs, and melodic approach inspire us collectively and influence how we write and perform our own music.
Does each band member bring a different influence to STELLVRIS? If so, what?
Yes, each member brings their own touch to STELLVRIS, even though the main songwriting is done by me and our guitarist [Andreas Polášek]. Our bassist [Libor H?ebík] and drummer [Hanz Polášek] contribute ideas here and there, adding depth and technical precision that really makes the songs work. Our bassist, in particular, is incredibly technical and also loves learning new things, which helps not just musically but also with things like handling our social media and promotion. Those different strengths and perspectives help keep our music dynamic and well-rounded.
How do your influences shape your songwriting? What is your songwriting process?
When it comes to songwriting, I usually start by deciding what I want the song to be about, the mood it should convey, and the exact direction we’re going in. From there, we either create an instrumental demo or, like we did with ‘Silence After Violence’, we sometimes start from the vocals and build the instruments around them. Our influences definitely shape the process — the bands and sounds we love inspire the energy, dynamics, and layering we aim for in each track, while still letting our own style come through.
Congratulations on your new EP Shatter & Bloom. As an independent band, what challenges did you face in bringing it into the world?
Thank you! As an independent band, we handle and finance everything ourselves, which isn’t always easy. Luckily, with the help of Tomáš Bob Fleck and Andrea Toler-Wade, a lot of the logistics have been much smoother — they’ve supported us with PR contacts, vinyl production, and merchandise creation. We’re incredibly grateful for their guidance, because it allows us to focus more on the music while still managing the release ourselves.
How do you feel now it’s completed? Anything you’d like to go back and change?
We’re really proud of how Shatter & Bloom turned out. Every release teaches you something new, and of course, there are always little details you might tweak in hindsight — that’s just part of being an artist. But overall, we’re very happy with the final result. It captures where we are creatively right now, and that’s exactly what we wanted.
The EP has an interesting cover that’s full of symbolism. What message were you trying to convey with the cover?
Thank you. The sunflower symbolises growth, hope, and beauty, while the barbed wire represents struggle, pain, and the obstacles we face along the way. Together, these elements capture the balance of breaking and blooming that runs through the music and lyrics, giving the artwork a meaning that ties directly to the heart of the EP.
How do you plan to promote Shatter & Bloom?
We‘re working with Jon Asher and Tom Brumpton on PR to make sure Shatter & Bloom reaches as many people as possible. Alongside actively posting on our social media, we‘re running targeted ads and collaborating with a radio promotion agency in the U.S. to get the EP airplay. It‘s a mix of organic engagement, strategic promotion, and international outreach to ensure the music reaches the right audience.
Have you had a chance to perform these songs live? If so, how were they received? If not, how do you think they’ll transfer to the live environment?
We’ve had the chance to perform all of our recent songs live except for those from the song ‘Shatter & Bloom’ itself. The audience has really appreciated the new material so far — they get into it, sing along, and have a great time. We’re confident that the Shatter & Bloom tracks will translate just as well to the stage, bringing both energy and emotion to our live shows.
Do you plan to go on tour anytime soon? Can we expect to see you in the UK?
This spring, we’ll be joining Disillusion on their tour, which we’re super excited about. We’re also hoping to make it to the U.S. and the U.K. soon — that would be incredible. Touring internationally is always a highlight for us, and we can’t wait to connect with fans in new places.
What are you hopes and dreams for STELLVRIS?
Our biggest hope for STELLVRIS is to take the band as far and as high as we possibly can. Ultimately, we want to be able to **make a living from our music**, share it with as many people as possible, and keep growing both creatively and professionally along the way.
How do you plan to attain more attention for STELLVRIS?
We plan to gain more attention for STELLVRIS through a combination of everything we’re already doing: PR, creating engaging content, running targeted ads, and touring as much as possible. It’s all about staying active, connecting with fans, and making sure our music reaches new audiences around the world.
Finally, if I could make one wish come true for STELLVRIS, what would it be?
If I could make one wish come true for STELLVRIS, it would be to focus entirely on our music and have the opportunity to play shows all over the world. That’s the dream — living and breathing music every day, sharing it with fans everywhere, and seeing how far we can take the band.
Interview by Peter Dennis
Photo by Julia Struecker