Episode 115: Imperial Slave interview with Sam Sheppard (Vocals)

The Smashing Skull Sessions · Jan 30, 2026 · 38m

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…