Imperial Slave interview with Sam Sheppard (Vocals)

Imperial Slave is a thrashy death metal band from New Zealand, formed in 2020, with two critically acclaimed albums and extensive live experience across their home country, Europe and Japan. The band has steadily built its reputation through both headline and support performances. Formed in Palmerston North, New Zealand in 2020 by
vocalist Sam Sheppard, formerly the drummer for influential New Zealand metal bands Sinate and 8 Foot Sativa. Sheppard stepped into the frontman role and completed the line-up with Anthony Hati (guitar), Isaac JohnstonLundy (guitar), and Achilles Manley (bass).

The band’s second album, “…STILL AT LARGE”, which was released in 2023, marked a shift toward a faster, heavier and more aggressive death metal sound. In support of the release, Imperial Slave toured Japan in 2024 with US death metal band Nile, followed by a return to Europe in 2025 for several festivals and club shows. Having achieved significant international exposure in a short period of time, Imperial Slave has established itself as a formidable presence within the extreme metal scene, both as headliners as well as supporting acts for renowned metal bands. The band is currently working on their third studio
album, scheduled for release in 2026.

I got to sit down and chat with vocalist Sam Shepard where we talked about the bands visit to Ireland in 2025, the recording for their 2023 album, '...Still At Large', and whjat he thought about Metallica's visit to New Zealand.

With great stories, chats and banter this is not one to be missed.

Avalible on all streaming platforms.

Check out Imperial Slave here: https://www.instagram.com/imperialslave/?hl=en
Track played: 'Priestiality', ©️ all rights reserved Imperial Slave.

Edited by Richie Duhig of The Metal Cell Podcast.
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