Robin Mazen is one of those rare women in metal who’ve spent most of their life on the road. A touring machine — she’s done it all: tour manager, merch seller, and bassist for GRUESOME, CASTRATOR, and DERKETA. She’s also worked as a roadie for bands like DETHKLOK, DARK TRANQUILLITY, FEAR FACTORY, and KING DIAMOND, traveling across countless countries. And with new releases coming from both GRUESOME and CASTRATOR this year, the pace clearly isn’t slowing down.
“I’m on tour for the next four months,” Robin replied when asked for this interview — but she still found time to share a few thoughts about life on the road, music, and everything in between.
When did you first pick up the bass guitar, and who inspired you the most to start playing?
I actually started with guitar and played it for quite a few years. My first electric guitar was a Kramer Striker because of Eddie Van Halen, but I chose the blue one because of Steve Harris. Although I love playing guitar, I hate using a pick, so a few people suggested that I should just switch to bass.
How did your parents react to your decision to pursue a music career—especially one that involves being constantly on the road and sometimes not seeing family for months?
My mom eventually embraced my job. My parents always supported my passion for music. Life on the road? It’s my job.
Do you miss home?
Of course, I miss home. But to be honest, I missed home even when I worked a regular job five minutes down the street, ha!
What’s the hardest part of endless touring from a day-to-day perspective? Is it the lack of home-cooked meals? The struggle to find a decent place to sleep or shower?
I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m totally used to it. Every day feels like both a Monday and a Friday. The hardest part? Finding a toilet when the venue isn’t open yet.
Have you ever had a job that wasn’t connected to metal or touring life?
Yes, several. My “normal” job is in pharmacy.
You once experimented with vocals—what made you step away from that? Have you ever considered becoming a frontwoman?
Yes, I “sang” in DEMONOMACY. I didn’t really want to, but there wasn’t anyone else who was good enough. Then Dana decided she really wanted to do it—and honestly, she should’ve been the vocalist from the start.
Many artists say this is the most difficult and expensive era for touring. With all your experience on the road, would you say it’s gotten harder over the last five years? Ten? What’s changed the most?
Everything is more expensive. There are lots of reasons. One of them is that during COVID, everyone was just trying to survive. When things started back up, people blamed the price increases on COVID—but that was years ago, and it’s like everyone just went, “Hmm, this works now, let’s just keep it.” Other than that, not much has changed. Except technology — it’s changed how we track expenses, handle merch, tour logistics, stuff like that.
You’re known to be a huge METALLICA fan. Which album is your all-time favorite—and do you ever revisit their last three releases?
Yes, I’m a huge Metallica fan. I love James Hetfield!! I don’t really have one all-time favorite. Of course, I prefer the older stuff, but I like all their records—and I really love the new one.
GRUESOME began as a tribute to DEATH and Chuck Schuldiner. Did you ever have the chance to meet Chuck in person?
Yes, several times.
What was the very first DEATH song you learned to play?
I think it was ‘Evil Dead’.
What’s your take on CONTROL DENIED’s music? Do you think the long-lost second album will ever be released?
I like it. It’s a bit more technical than I usually prefer, but it would be really cool if they were able to release something new.
Which band feels more personal to you — CASTRATOR or GRUESOME — and why? It’s interesting that this year you’re supporting new albums from both. Which group draws bigger crowds on tour?
GRUESOME draws bigger crowds. It kind of started out as an “established” band, especially with Relapse backing it. I love the band and I love the guys in it—it’s fun, and I love that we get to pay tribute to DEATH.
CASTRATOR, though, is more of a personal project for me and Carolina. We write all the songs, and everything about it is more intimate.
In all-female bands like NERVOSA or CASTRATOR, lineups seem to change frequently. Is it just bad luck—or is there something uniquely challenging about all-female metal bands? Do you feel any difference working with women versus men?
I think it’s just harder to find women who are willing to go on tour. It’s not about talent or ambition—there’s plenty of that. But leaving home life seems to be harder for women than for men. Also in bands with guys, people argue or fight, and then it’s like, “Okay, this is business, let’s move on.” With girls, it tends to get more personal. It’s like, “Let’s move on”—but… not really.
CASTRATOR has a very anti-glam image. You don’t wear flashy outfits or heavy makeup, unlike many other women in metal—think NERVOSA or ARCH ENEMY. Is that a conscious, rebellious decision, or something that just naturally evolved?
We wear a little makeup, but we don’t dress up. We just wear black. Even in the beginning, we didn’t use our photos or even our names. We wanted people to focus on the music—not the fact that we’re women, or “oh wow, it’s a girl band.” People tend to say stuff like that in this genre—even if they don’t mean anything by it—it just slips out.
What’s one thing you’d really love to achieve this year?
Go on tour with METALLICA, haha. I’d love for people to enjoy the new music, and to follow GRUESOME, СASTRATOR, DERKETA — and go on some great tours.
Your personal Top-5 metal albums of 2025 so far?
I can’t answer that. I’d incriminate myself, haha!
