DOOMSDAY ASTRONAUT Opens Up About Last Year’s Success, Favorite Tour Moments & More

Instrumental progressive rock band Doomsday Astronaut is back on the road this spring, following the massive success of their ‘Djent Djinn’ tour last year. As part of their spring tour, Waqas Ahmed and his band will perform at some of the most popular venues nationwide, providing fans with their signature exhilarating performance that will incorporate music from their latest album as well as some surprises. The 7-date run kicked off on March 2 in their hometown, Sibiu, making stops in Timisoara, Bucharest, Cluj, and more, before wrapping it up in Petrosani on May 25.

Waqas answered some of our questions regarding the ‘Djent Djinn’ tour, their favorite memories, and whether they visited some local attractions during the tour.

How have you guys been lately? You had a successful Romanian tour last year, and now you are heading to a new one? Are you guys all set and ready to go?

All is good! Last year was fantastic for us. The album was received incredibly well and the tour had great attendance. We took a little break and now we are all set for the new tour. We hope it will be bigger and better. We already played the first show in our hometown of Sibiu and it went incredibly well.

What is your favorite memory from the last tour? Did you do any sightseeing while on tour?

The entire tour itself was special for us. It was the first time we actually had a tour. We got to meet a lot of awesome people and it was a wonderful feeling to be able to share our music with so many people. As for sightseeing, we didn’t do much of it but hey … maybe we will next time.

How do you feel visiting more cities this time?

It is always great to be able to play more venues and we are always looking to expand. We are excited to go to new places and can’t wait to share our music with the audiences in all these cities.

Listening to your first album and reflecting on where you were then and now, do you feel that the fans have almost done the same and grown alongside you?

Well, we all grow every day, don’t we? For us, as humans, there is no other way to exist. We learn something new every day and we discover something new every day. So yes, It is a mutual evolution for us and for everyone who follows our work. Also, I don’t see the point of making new music if you are not doing something different from what you did last time. That way you are not making a “NEW” album. You are actually making the “SAME” album again.

Any differences when planning setlists for festivals vs club concerts?

Yes, there is a difference sometimes. However, It is not because of where we play. It is because of the time slot mainly. It is different when you have 45 minutes to play as opposed to playing a full set of more than one hour. The dynamics are very different and the pacing of the show also varies.

What is your best concert personally? And the best band you’ve seen live?

That is a hard question to answer honestly as we try our best to maintain a very high standard every time we get on stage. I believe that the audience deserves the absolute best. I personally don’t stand with the “I had an off night” excuse. The people came to see me at my best and they don’t deserve anything less. The band understands that and we work very hard to maintain a very high standard. Sure, some shows just have a different feel, a different energy. However, we try to eliminate all inconsistencies as much as humanly possible.

As for the best live band I have seen, there are just wayyyyyy too many to name. Naming just a couple would be unfair to the rest.

Looking ahead, what does this year look like for Doomsday Astronaut?

This year, like the last one, looks great. We have a bunch of shows lined up. We just got shortlisted to participate in the Wacken Metal Battle. The jury selected 5 bands out of almost 30 bands that applied and we are honored to be one of them. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep track of our activity.

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. Do you have any last words or a message for our readers?

The pleasure is all mine! As for a message, for those of you know already know us and like what we do, I hope to see you at our shows, and for those of you who don’t know us, I hope you check our music out. Our music is available on all digital platforms such as Spotify, Deezer, iTunes etc, etc.