After meeting years ago on a Beijing stage, Danny and Zach eventually found themselves reunited in Hanoi, and what started as a shared hunger to play heavy music evolved into Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland, a two-piece metal project with a singular, darkly theatrical vision. Fresh off the release of their debut album, the duo sat down with Ethos to talk about their journey from Kazakhstan and Vladivostok to Vietnam, what drew them to the local scene, their DIY recording ethos, creative inspirations, and how they plan to push their sound even further with what comes next.
Ethos:
Before coming to Vietnam, what were your lives like? Where did you grow up and what was the music scene like in your home countries?
Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland:
(Danny) I was born in Kazakhstan, and growing up in a small town, I wasn’t really exposed to—or part of—any kind of music scene. That said, there were definitely some heavy gigs, emo and goth culture, and KoЯn logos sprayed next to other funny words.
(Zack) The music scene in Vladivostok has always leaned more toward hardcore, but back in the day, I was part of it as the black sheep with my own musical projects. Nothing super serious, really, just a kid doing his thing.
E:
How did the environment and culture you grew up in shape your taste for extreme and alternative music? Who introduced you to playing music, and especially to the world of more extreme sounds? Any mentors or key moments?
GITNW:
(Danny) As a kid, I spent most of my time in the countryside, and it was my uncle who first introduced me to Rammstein and Scooter when I was around five. I’d say it all started there—Rammstein has always been a huge inspiration for me. Thanks to them, I got into tapes, CDs, and vinyl, and eventually started exploring heavier music. That path naturally led me to pick up the guitar.
As for other musical influences I’ve had along the way, they include Allan Holdsworth, Dave Brubeck, Depeche Mode, Lady Gaga, and Sky Van Hoff. I’m not sure how directly their impact shows up in our music, but honestly, I rarely get inspired by heavy songs.
(Zack)
When I was in 6th or 7th grade, one of my classmates was the “metal guy,” so I guess he kind of influenced my musical taste. That’s how I got into bands like Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, Behemoth, and so on. A bit later, I discovered black metal, and from there, it’s basically your average 2000s mediocre metalhead origin story.
Genre-wise, I’m currently more into a different musical vibe, something in the vein of old-school death metal and modern bands that stay true to that tradition. I’ve also always had a love for sludge and noise—basically, the totally unhinged underground stuff. Lately, I’ve been into a lot of raw, new wave hardcore punk, too.
Meeting & Coming to Vietnam
E:
You two actually met in China, but what brought you both to Vietnam after that?
GINTW:
(Danny) Zack and I met back in 2018 in Beijing. I was living in Shanghai at the time, but I also had a band in Beijing, so I’d occasionally travel up to play shows. At one of those gigs, we both happened to be on the lineup with our bands. We stayed in touch over the years and eventually reconnected here in Hanoi.
(Zack) Vietnam was the first place I moved to after COVID border restrictions were lifted—it became my first post-lockdown destination. At this point, I really see myself as someone who just can’t live without being in Asia.
E:
What was it about Vietnam, both musically and personally, that made you want to stay and build a project here? How did you first integrate into life here?
GITNW:
(Danny) Settling into life here was surprisingly easy. The people are hospitable, the nature is beautiful, and the food is amazing. Plus, the lifestyle is far less stressful compared to what we were used to, which gives us more time and headspace to focus on making music.
(Zack) From my first days in Vietnam, I was actively seeking out events and spaces connected to heavy music. Over time, I began discovering local artists and getting to know musicians in the scene. No matter where I’ve been geographically, I’ve always ended up getting involved, often as a musician myself.
E:
As foreigners making music for a mostly Vietnamese audience, was there an adaptation period? How did the local scene receive you?
GITNW:
(Danny) I’m not even sure there was much of an adjustment period.
(Zack) Danny arrived a bit after I did, and it just so happened that I already had some experience as a vocalist in a few earlier projects. Danny, on his side, was—and still is—a great composer. So naturally, we ended up starting this project together.
(Danny) We were just hungry to play. By the time we performed for the first time in Hanoi, I hadn’t played a live show in a couple of years. Zack had also been wanting to front a band without playing an instrument, so he could fully focus on vocals—and other Zacktivities—during performances.
We were actually surprised and humbled by the warm welcome a two-piece band without a drummer received, and by all the support we’ve gotten from both local and international metal brethren and sistren. Along the way, we’ve also met plenty of new friends—as well as reconnected with some old ones—across cities throughout Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Scene & Community
E:
How do you see yourselves fitting into Vietnam’s musical tapestry?
GITNW:
(Zack) At this point, it’s hard for me to make any big statements about whether we see ourselves as part of a specific community or listener group, mainly because being involved in a project like this is a completely new experience for me. I’ve never been part of something with this level of production and attention to sound. I think the most honest measure of how well our music connects will be the genuine feedback we receive from listeners.
E:
Have you collaborated with any local bands in any capacity?
GITNW:
(Danny) Yeah, we definitely collaborated with some local metal acts to make sure we had a night to remember—and a morning to forget. But I won’t bore you with the details of that.
Instead, let me tell you about the cover art for our second single, “Pre-Gargoyle Soulkiller.” It’s a handmade psy-code canvas piece created by our good friend Antony, who’s also the vocalist of Horn of Asgard. The longer you look at it, the more you start to see, it’s one of those artworks that pulls you in.
(Zack) Right now, I’m also involved in two other projects that are completely different in genre from what we’re doing in our band. In one, I play electric guitar; in the other, I play bass and do vocals. The first act is Putrid Vomit Christ (Death/Doom), and the second is BIMBIM (Egg Punk/Hardcore).
E:
Are there any Vietnamese acts you’d recommend to people discovering the scene?
GITNW:
(Zack) To anyone curious about Hanoi’s heavy music scene, I can honestly say—regardless of the genre—I’ve always enjoyed the shows here as a listener. I’m a passionate music fan at heart. The local scene has its own unique flavor, and I love it for that. And for any musicians considering Vietnam as a place to perform: just know that here, the crowd will welcome you with open hearts.
(Danny) For band recommendations, there are plenty I wanna name, but I’ll go with Die So Far. By the time this interview is out, they’ll have already dropped their first EP. These guys from Nha Trang Heavy Souls work hard for the community and extreme music, and they absolutely deserve your support.
The Creative Process & DIY Ethos
E:
Let’s talk about your music. Where does the creative process start for you?
GITNW:
(Danny) The creative process started with a weird band name, and it hasn’t stopped ever since. It’s like crafting a soundtrack for a gargoyle-evil-cult multiverse that our distorted minds gave birth to.
E:
Danny, as we understand, you write all the music. Do songs tend to grow from a single riff, a theme, or do you piece together different ideas into a full song?
GITNW:
(Danny) Most of the time, I’d start with a piece of lyrics or even just a short phrase stuck in my head, and then everything builds up from there.
A few ideas on the album were actually written many years ago, and some things we came up with on the fly while tracking the songs. But most of it was this kind of immersive composing—like playing Gargoyles D&D, with all its lore and backstories.
We also drew inspiration from films like Begotten, The Seventh Seal, and The Holy Mountain, as well as from traveling and exploring the world around us.
E:
Zack, how big is your contribution to shaping the material? As we know, you also play several instruments. Do you add to Danny’s parts, bring your original ideas, or just simply add vocals and arrangement suggestions?
GITNW:
(Zack) The core of the music—and really, the whole project—is definitely Danny. Without him, there simply wouldn’t have been that music that instantly resonated with me and moved me when I first heard it. That’s why I was more than happy to join as a vocalist. In the end, the final product is the result of our shared effort—a true synergy of different visions and approaches. And honestly, I really love what we’ve created together.
Technically, I contributed to writing some of the lyrics and, of course, recorded all the vocals.
E:
Your work is very DIY where does that ethic come from? Is it something you brought with you from earlier experiences, or did you pick it up here?
GITNW:
(Zack) We handled the mixing process together, and thanks to Danny’s skills in that area, we didn’t need to bring in anyone from the outside. The whole thing is 100% DIY, and we’re proud of that.
(Danny) Speaking of our DIY ethic, we like the roads unwalked—just as we prefer them when we’re out in nature. Our vision pushes us to make unconventional choices. Both of us have been recording music for over a decade, but our approaches and tastes are completely different. So, production-wise, we ended up doing a lot of things we’d never tried before—chasing the miracle of creating one cohesive thing.
After countless experiments and recording sessions, the music grew in us enough to feel like our own ugly metal bastard child. It might be strange, raw, or even off-putting—but we love it exactly the way it is.
Looking Forward & Dreams
E:
Are there any artists, local or international, you’d love to work with in the future?
GITNW:
(Danny) In the future, I’d love to do a feature with Poppy and/or Lana Del Rey.
E:
With your debut release out, what’s next for Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland? How do you plan to promote the release, and where?
GITNW:
(Danny) As for now, we really want to hit the road again, but there’s still a lot to sort out before we’re back—with an even more intense, and we’d say, theatrical performance.
After the release of our first album, I jumped straight into working on the next one. And at our next show—whenever that may be—you can expect some songs you haven’t heard before and, drum roll… yes, an actual drummer!!!
E:
Lastly, a question we ask all of our interviewees: What would you say to someone who’s discovering underground music today and is contemplating starting a band or a project to show their creative side?
GITNW:
If you’ve just started digging into extreme music, then, as Lemmy said — “The first thing you liked, hold on to that.” You won’t find anything better (I haven’t).
And, if you’re truly passionate about music and want to start a band — practice your instrument regularly (and if you care about the mental well-being of those around you, even just a little, please use a metronome). Learn the modes. Listen to music outside your usual playlist. Write down your riffs and lyric ideas — you never know which piece your next puzzle might need. And lastly, fuck that Insta self-glorifying for picking up your instrument for the first time in a few months. It’s a path of commitment and hard work — not shortcuts and validation.
Savoir, Vouloir, Oser, Se Taire.
In harmony and dissonance
In this candid conversation, Gargoyles in the Night Wasteland reflect on their unconventional paths, the scenes that shaped them, and the welcoming Vietnamese underground community they now call home. From crafting their music entirely DIY to dreaming of future collaborations, the band remains committed to forging their own path — raw, strange, and unpolished. As they gear up to take their debut album to the stage and beyond, Danny and Zach are proof that underground music thrives on passion, persistence, and a willingness to embrace both harmony and dissonance.
