GUILT TRIP

Q1. Can you give our readers a little background on yourself and the band: where you’re from, your sound, your mission, any other context for those perhaps unfamiliar with you?

I’m Tom, Guilt Trip’s drummer. I’m from a town just outside of Manchester called Macclesfield, the rest of the band are from areas scattered around Manchester and  north of England.

Our sound is technically Crossover/Metallic Hardcore but we believe our sound ranges from a lot of different areas of Metal music , we just try and create music we enjoy listening to. When writing, we aim to experience the same excitement we felt hearing our favourite bands for the first time when we were younger.

Q2. What would you say are some of the primary influences on Guilt Trip’s sound and aesthetic?

Our sound is influenced by a large amount of different types of music but our main influences in metal/hardcore would be bands like Metallica (of course), Machine Head, Linkin Park, Hatebreed, Merauder.

As far as aesthetic goes, we just try and be ourselves. Authenticity is key for us, we have to just be who we are.

Q3. What made you want to start a band and just “go for it” (live the life of touring, recording, investing yourself in Guilt Trip and taking it to the next level)?

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it’s the only thing we’ve ever wanted to do in life. For as far as I can remember it’s the only thing I’ve ever aspired for is to be in a band and tour etc, it’s the same for all of us. When you have a group of people that have those real aspirations it feels a lot more realistic to reach those heights.

Q4. Your latest full-length Severance dropped at the end of September. For those who haven’t listened yet—what are you waiting for!?—what can they expect to encounter?

It’s heavy.

Q5. Is there an over-arching theme you wanted to communicate on the record or a vision or direction you wanted to take it as you were writing and recording? What was the recording process like? The album sounds really good—it’s crisp and punchy but it’s still got that “sandpaper” (roughness).

We never really went to a deep thought about what we wanted it to sound like as a whole. It was a case of just writing the best 12 track record we could but staying true to the band’s sound. There were a few new sounds thrown in there but nothing that didn’t feel like Guilt trip.

The recording process was great. Our producer Robin Adams has always been a pleasure to work with. He’s always incredibly helpful throughout the process of recording.

Q6. I’m really intrigued by the album art. Who did it and what is the significance behind it?

Andrei Bouzikov, we just thought some form of physical battle between good and evil. He killed it.

Q7. What makes a good breakdown?

The Lead up to it and deliverance. Make sure the tempo is right for the riff.

Q8. “Sanctified” features Mike from Lower Than Atlantis. How did that come about? For those readers who don’t know, Lower Than Atlantis actually started out playing heavy music on the phenomenal Bretton. That was the era of bands like Don Broco doing their metalcore-ish thing, too, with “Thug Workout.” Is Mike/are they still plugged in to the hardcore/heavy music scene?

I think he rated us so we dropped him a message and he said yeah.

Q9. There are other great features on the record, too. How did those come about?

Same thing as the last answer really, the track with our mates from Malevolence and Rough Justice was especially easy as everyone is from the same area and label etc.

Q10. What are some of the best/most memorable shows you’ve played or tours you’ve been on?

Bloodstock Festival, Hellfest, our first European Headline tour, Malevolence tour we’ve just come back from were all were very memorable.

The London show on the Malev tour a couple of months ago was definitely a contender for our best show in my opinion.

Q11. What does the near future hold for Guilt Trip (tours, festivals, etc)?

We’re going to be busy this year with touring along with festivals in the summer but we plan to try and spend any spare time in-between to continue writing, we’re very excited to get started on the next project.

EBONIE (METAL & COFFEE)

Q1. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions! For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you talk about what you do and what kind of content you create?

Hey! It’s nice to meet you! I’m Ebonie (aka Metal & Coffee) and I openly share my opinions of new metal music whether it be through posting a picture of a new vinyl record or making a short video about it. I also like to share my interesting experiences of being both a minority and a metalhead. I’m active on Instagram, Tiktok & Twitch. And it’s been a great way to connect with other metalheads.

Q2. Can you share a little of your backstory and how you got into content creation? What made you decide to take the brave step forward and put yourself out there in the public eye?

My interest in music and being really vocal about it has always been a part of my core. Ever since I was a teenager, my immediate family knew me as “the music nerd”. They would tell me about a new band that I might like and I’d already know who they were. But I didn’t start putting myself out into the world until I became a radio DJ at my college radio station. I started posting my playlists online in 2007. Interviewed a few bands here and there. But I didn’t find my stride until 2015 where I created Metal & Coffee. It was at that point where I let myself just be my whole self and really enjoy the content that I was putting out there.

Q3. What would you say is most exciting and/or gratifying about doing Metal and Coffee?

The most gratifying part about it is forming connections you wouldn’t expect to. Openly sharing my love for music has attracted others who are just as passionate as I am. I can honestly say that I have genuine connections all over the metal world at this point and it’s so refreshing!

Q4. Which artists were most influential for you in shaping your taste or even who you are today?

During my main discovery phase where I was exploring the depths of heavy music, there were a set of core bands that truly ignited my passion for specific genres.
Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and Kyuss are the reason I love all things grunge and stoner.
Sleep and Earthless are the reason for my love of dangerously long psychedelic compositions.
Cave In, Glassjaw, These Arms are Snakes and Refused are why I consistently dabble in hardcore.
And Cult of Luna, Opeth and Porcupine Tree are why I favor progressive and post metal.
Those tend to be the genres I focus on when I’m reviewing music.

Q5. Ignoring the obvious logistical issues with how you’d actually listen to them, for the sake of the exercise, if you were stranded on a desert island and could only have five albums with you, what would they be and why?

Opeth “Damnation” for the times where I need to contemplate my future.

Refused “The Shape of Punk To Come” for my moshing needs.

The Ocean “Pelagial” as a general soundtrack for my desert island escapades.

Roosevelt “S/T” for my solo dance parties.

Sufjan Stevens “Illinois” for all the conversations I’ll be having with the first inanimate object I find interesting. And I’ll probably name it “Rain”.

Q6. What kinds of things do you have on the horizon for the Metal and Coffee project, or for yourself—if you distinguish between the two—in the music space?

One of my goals in the new year is to improve the overall quality of my short form reviews which will include improving my filming setup and video editing skills. But I’ll also be putting a lot of focus into my YouTube channel and doing metal music reactions on my currently stagnant channel.

Q7. Are there some new directions you are eager to take or foresee yourself taking in this space?

Well I previously mentioned diving into creating reactions to new metal releases. So I’m really excited about that. But I also hope to explore interviewing bands though I haven’t fully brainstormed how I would execute that in a unique way.

Q8. Lastly, as we look back on 2023, can you close us out with some songs, albums, and/or artists that stood out to you as real highlights of the year that was?

I actually just did a recap of my Top 10 albums of 2023! And some of the bands included were Entheos, Horrendous, Witching and Empire State Bastard. You can check out my Instagram or Tiktok for the complete list but all of those releases are some of the best of 2023.

BODYWEB

Answered by Louis Hardy

Q1. For our readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you please provide some background on the band: where you’re from, when and how you formed, etc.

Bodyweb is a Leeds based band of 4 people. None of us are actually from Leeds but we've all been here for some years now playing in various bands for the past decade. The idea of the band was sparked from a combination of some unusual factors - Me leaving Higher Power for a while and having a thirst for something new, the desire to tell a story with words more than strings, and a lot of personal experiences. Primarily - it was me unravelling mentally and trying to document a lot of it through sound. I didn't realise at the time but I was essentially writing songs to help me make sense of what I was going through in my own life. 

Ben and I developed and created the record together and then my close friend Pete Jones from Nihiloxica came in at the end to lay down some more electronic stuff. We jammed with a few different bass players and I'd tried to find a guitar player I trusted for ages but ultimately decided to play guitar myself. Ethan joined at the end. We play in Higher Power together so it was easy to bring him in as the chemistry was already there.

Q2. What are some of the influences on Bodyweb?

There's a lot to unpack I guess. A lot of heavy 2000's stuff obviously. Some Jungle and DNB: Source Direct, Metalheadz etc... I played guitar for Vein.FM on a tour the year prior and they introduced me to a lot of sick music that really inspired me but I'll keep that concealed. I listened to shit like xxxtentacion and Yung Lean even. Just anything that made me feel sad. I would listen to Diamanda Galas - 'Wild Women With Steak Knives' on repeat in a dark room over and over just to put myself in a fucked up headspace. I was just tryna consume sad and dark media of all forms. Anime, movies, opera, plays, anything really. It was less of a sonic thing and more of an emotional thing. Building a collage of feelings.

Q3. train_wreck_simulation was released by Northern Unrest—how did that relationship come about?

There's been a real tight link with Leeds and Scotland for tiiime. Those 2 scenes are like a big family. I love all the releases that they've put out already and I trust their creative vision. Ben Brodie is a mad man and we have a real similar work ethic and mentality so I felt quite understood by him. When the record was nearly finished I approached them and they were super down. I couldn't be more grateful that they liked it. It felt like asking someone out on a date and wondering if they were gonna say yes or not.

Q4. What can the listener who hasn’t listened to the EP expect, not just sonically but the themes you explore?

I think it would do the songs an injustice give the listener a list of potential side effects. Instead I would prescribe an open mind. Empty your head of any pre-conceived ideas. Open your spirit. Walk through the park or sit in your room, meditate if you have to. Make sure your mind is truly open then put it on and reeeally listen to it. Decide for yourself what you think it means and how it makes you feel. Hate it, love it, do whatever. Just decide for yourself.

Q5. Dream lineup: what artists would you most want to share the stage with that you have not had the opportunity to?

City Morgue, Loathe, Fleshwater, Show Me The Body, Yung Lean, even Bjork if she's down haha.

Q6. What are some of the best/most memorable shows and/or tours you’ve been a part of?

We just got off the back of a tour with Static Dress and World of Pleasure that was sick. Bristol was fucked, we'd just been to the Christmas market and eaten so much crazy shit and then got to stage just before we played all bloated and fucked up without warming up or anything and then jumped on stage and the whole room was going crazy. We'd never played there before so it was insane to get that kind of reaction. Shout out Bristol!

Q7. Who else in the scene should we be paying attention to?

I guess it depends which scene!

Hardcore - every single band that Northern Unrest is putting out

Metalcore - Killing Me Softly

Other - Carecharmer

All our other projects - Higher Power, Pest Control, Nihiloxica, Louis XO, Fate, Big Cheese, PQ etc...

Q8. What does the future hold for Bodyweb—shows/tours, new music, etc.?

Only the future knows what the future holds. If I could interview the future and ask it myself I would my brother. Hopefully something sick.

COLOURBURN

 Answered by Josh McIntosh

Q1. Can you give our readers who are unfamiliar with you a little background on the band—where you’re from, when you formed, that kind of thing?

We’re based out of Melbourne, Australia. Though we’re all from regional Victoria originally, about 2-4 hours drive from Melbourne. I (Josh) started writing back in 2020/2021 during covid lockdowns, Jack first joined and then Jordyn a bit after. We’d been working on what is now Colourburn since early 2022 so it’s a been a slow and steady process.

Q2. What are the band’s primary influences?

It’s honestly so all over the place! I really enjoy bands like Movements, Basement, Citizen but then I also love bands like Narrow Head and Fleshwater. Though I think all of the stuff we’ve listened to throughout our entire lives has really shone through our sound.

Q3. What made you want to pursue making music?

For me (Josh) It just feels natural, I feel like it’s where I’m meant to be. From enjoying heaps of different music to having the eagerness to want to play and write all the time and for the most part not get bored or sick of it. It’s just such a fun and therapeutic process, and seeing people enjoy what I’m creating makes it even better.

Q4. You’ve just released your debut EP Compromise in Colour; what was the writing and recording process like? 

Thanks! It was very long and drawn out haha. One of the songs I wrote like 5 years before I finally sat down in the studio to record it properly. I wrote most of the tracks during lockdown, then Jack and Jordyn came into the band shortly after lockdown, Jordyn wrote like half of the lyrics in the first 2 weeks of her joining it was crazy haha. Jack touched up the bass bits I’d originally written prior to going in prior to recording as well. Before the recording we all sat down with the songs and gave them a bit of touching up. Then once we hit the studio Chris (our engineer) helped us refine the tracks just a little more before recording them.

Q5. Can you walk us through the EP track by track and give us a sense of the sound and the meaning?

Blue Flame

-Alt rock vibes with some post hardcore and djent influences

-Blue flame challenges the idea of being understood. The lyrics convey an air of rebellion and defiance; a clear refusal to conform to the expectations imposed by others.

Folded Letter

-One of our more rock focused tracks with a massive build up to the breakdown at the end

-Folded Letter depicts a struggle with self-identity, isolation and the ever-longing desire for a deeper connection with those around you.

SinkHole

-Probably our most interesting song riff wise, took a lot of influence from metalcore and djent and fused it with alt rock and grunge

-SinkHole illustrates the overwhelming feeling of being consumed by one's thoughts and emotions. The recurring imagery of sinking and dissolution underscores the experience of being consumed by these internal battles.

Star

-Alt rock vibes with some post hardcore vibes sprinkled in along with some shoegaziness in the verse with light fluffy chords

-Star captures the complex emotions that surround the process of a break up. Struggling to find one's place in a changing relationship and the difficulty of letting go of something that once meant so much. The lyrics are portrayed in a form of storytelling, each verse detailing the conflicting desires one wants.

Feel Me

-Another rock focused sound with post hardcore and metalcore influences

-Feel Me offers a reflective and introspective look at the emptiness and disillusionment that can come with trying to fit into a society that often prioritizes appearances over authenticity. It captures a sense of yearning for meaning and a desire to break free from the mundane and artificial aspects of life.

Q6. Is there one track that you would identify as “quintessential Colourburn”?

Ah that’s a tough one! I’ll probably go with Star as it has all the elements that really makes up the core Colourburn’s sound.

Q7. What are some things Colourburn has on the near horizon?

We can’t say too much but there is definitely a lot on our hard drives which the world will see at some point haha. There’s definitely some shows in the works too which we can’t wait for.

SPACE MEMORY EFFECT

Q1. Could you please provide some background information about yourself, including your origins, musical style, and influences?

Since my early years growing up in Silicon Valley, I've always had a deep passion for music and songwriting. I wrote my first song at the tender age of six, and it happened to be about a ladybug. An interesting turning point came when I was 10 and had a gymnastics accident that left me with a broken arm and an extended hospital stay in traction. I had a lot of downtime, so I decided to teach myself how to play the piano with just one hand. This initial musical exploration eventually led me to pick up the clarinet as my main instrument.

As I entered high school, I found myself getting lost for hours, immersing myself in the music of R.E.M., The Replacements, 10,000 Maniacs, and Elvis Costello.

When I reached college age, my desire to delve into songwriting grew even stronger. However, classical music was the primary focus at the time, and I found myself returning to the piano. My undergraduate and graduate studies in classical music introduced me to new musical companions like Frédéric Chopin and Erik Satie. I was always eager to write songs, but it wasn't encouraged during this period.

In 2019, I began a songwriting mentorship with Trevor Lewington (Enter the Haggis), whose exceptional talent played a pivotal role in shaping the SME sound. Throughout this journey, Trevor has served as my remarkable producer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and co-songwriter. He has assisted me in crafting a sound that draws from our shared pop, rock, and folk influences while remaining faithful to the romantically chaotic sensibilities of our own moment.

Q2. What is the significance behind the name Space Memory Effect, and how did you come up with this name for your project?

The name Space Memory Effect can be traced back to a conversation I had with my colleague Chris Doces. We both worked as senior visual designers in a marketing department, and we were on a mission to decode the acronym SME, which our new boss had used to designate me as a “subject matter expert” on a particular matter.

During our exploration of various acronym possibilities, we stumbled upon definitions like shopping made easy, strange Martian entity, sloppy meat eater, and shape memory effect. It was during this brainstorming session that I mentioned to Doces, "Shape Memory Effect—that would be a great name for a band.” Among these choices, my brain mixed up “shape" with "space" and the cosmic resonance was irresistible. Thus, Space Memory Effect was born.

Q3. You've recently released your debut album, One Thing More. Could you please provide an overview of the album's contents, its message, and the themes it explores?

My debut album, One Thing More, is a collection of deeply personal stories that delve into my own experiences and the resilience needed to navigate both everyday challenges and significant life events. Through this music, I strive to create songs that are heartfelt and relatable, exploring themes that resonate universally, such as love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

Q4. Is there a specific song that you believe best represents the core sound and essence of Space Memory Effect?

Choosing just one song is a challenge because I love all my songs.

Space Memory Effect is all about embracing the transformation of chaos into beauty and exploring a diverse range of musical styles. I have a deep appreciation for heartfelt ballads enriched with strings, especially the soulful cello, as well as a love for fun and upbeat dance tunes, often with influences from the '80s and '90s. So, it's difficult to pinpoint a single song that encapsulates the core sound.

“Spacey” stands out as a track that brings a vibrant sense of fun and energy. On the other hand, “One Thing More” truly embodies the quintessential SME sound Trevor created.

Q5. What inspired you to take the courageous step of sharing your art with the world? Many people struggle with the fear of judgment, and it takes real bravery to put yourself and your work out there for everyone to see.

That's a great question, and my journey has indeed been quite the rollercoaster. There were moments of overwhelming fear that made me consider giving up along the way. This journey unfolded gradually, from my initial meeting with Trevor in May 2019, to the release of “One Thing More” in May 2023. It was a period of significant personal growth.

Throughout this process, I had to confront layers of fear, self-doubt, self-criticism, and even the notorious imposter syndrome. However, what kept me going was my unwavering belief in the music we were creating, fueled by love and passion. On the toughest days, I held onto that belief. I also believe in the healing power of music, resonating at a profound frequency. If my songs can connect with even one person and make them feel less alone, that means the world to me.

Q6. I noticed on your website that all your collaborations are conducted remotely. Can you share some of the unique challenges and advantages of working together in this manner?

Certainly! It's worth noting that all our recording sessions have been done from a distance, and I've never set foot in a traditional studio. I'm based in the greater Seattle area, while Trevor resides a couple of hours outside Toronto. Dealing with a significant time zone difference meant that I often had to wake up quite early to kick off our sessions at 6:30 a.m. Singing and playing the piano that early can be a bit challenging, but I got used to it.

Our remote collaboration process relies on various tools like Logic Pro X, Zoom, Cleanfeed, Trello, and SonoBus. This setup allows Trevor to access my computer through Zoom, serving as the studio engineer/producer while I'm recording. These tools have also facilitated collaborations with talented musicians contributing from various locations over the years.

One of the benefits of remote collaboration is that it allows us to take our time with things. If something doesn't feel right, we can always revisit and make adjustments without much hassle. However, one of the challenges is knowing when to stop working on a song, as we could potentially keep refining them forever.

Q7. What can we expect from Space Memory Effect in the future? What exciting developments should we keep an eye out for?

In 2024, I'm gearing up for a year-long musical adventure called Lullaby Fortune: Sweet Dreams. This release will unfold over twelve months, featuring a total of 12–16 songs. Our intention is to release 3–4 songs each quarter, and what's particularly intriguing is that the artwork from each quarter will converge like puzzle pieces to reveal a cohesive album cover upon completion.  It's a project that I'm thrilled to share with everyone, and I hope you'll join me on this musical journey.

THE LAST MARTYR

Answered by Monica Strut (vocals)

Q1. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for the site! If our readers are unfamiliar with you, what can they expect to hear when they listen to The Last Martyr? What are some of the primary influences the band draws from?

Some pretty chaotic, dark and electronic-fused metal!  We’re influenced by a lot of different genres from metalcore to nu metal and EDM but we think fans of bands like Spiritbox, Wargasm, Poppy and Bring Me The Horizon usually vibe it.

Q2. Can you provide a little more context on your “origin story”—where you’re from, when you formed, what made you want to pursue making music?

I’ve always wanted to pursue music to help people in the way that music has helped me in my life.  I’ve been writing lyrics since I was in primary school and performing from a young age and I just never imagined doing anything else with my life than performing.  I studied music in uni and was in various bands.

In 2017 I relocated from Sydney to Melbourne. Lockout laws had decimated Sydney’s music scene and I felt there was nothing left there for me anymore. I met Ben (guitar) on Melband but he ghosted me soon after haha. He was focused on a different project but later hit me up out of the blue right when I was starting to give up on ever finding a project here.  We realised pretty quickly how similar our goals and ideas on how to grow were so things clicked pretty easily.  I think within a week of forming we had a band name, several demos and a solid plan for the launch of the project.

Vin started as a fill-in drummer for our first ever video, Into The Black, and we somehow convinced him to stay and when our original bassist left to move to Japan, Ricky was a natural fit already being in our circle of friends a highly experienced bass player and vocalist. 

Q3. You just released the single “Burn It Down.” Can you tell us what the song is about and what you were going for sonically?

Burn It Down is about wishing humanity could start again with what we know now.  It focuses mainly on inequality, specifically when it comes to women, but I know many people will be able to relate to the anger and weighty-ness I tried to express through this track.  It’s meant to be a powerful rally cry but also has some darker vulnerable moments.

Q4. Last year you released “Sugar.” Can you tell us about that song lyrically and sonically?

Aside from Burn It Down, Sugar, was the most vulnerable song I’ve written.  It speaks to the numbing experience I had on anti-depressants which no one warned me about. It was a really confusing time as I felt like I had to choose between being unhappy or being emotionless.  Sonically, it was one of the first tracks we really got quite experimental in terms of electronics and using as many different vocal tones as I could to convey the story.  I am still so in love with the sweetness (no pun intended) of how the chorus sounds.

Q5. How would you say your sound and perhaps the band in general have evolved since you started?

We started off in a very metalcore bubble. We never had rules for this band, we just liked music that was heavy and melodic.  I was learning to scream as the band started so personally, the harsher vocal elements really have evolved over our discography in quite a noticeable way - one that I’m super proud of!  But musically, we’ve not been afraid to draw more on electronic and off-kilter influences as the band has progressed. We want to push boundaries and never do the same thing as we’ve done before so writing is always a scary but exciting time.

Q6. What are some of the most fun/coolest shows or tours you’ve been a part of?

There are so many that come to mind but the two standouts would be doing 3 shows in little more than 24 hours with Black Veil Brides last year would be up there as well as the run we did with Sunk Loto who are such legends in the heavy scene - Ben and Ricky were especially beside themselves when it came to those shows. 

Q7. Is there something you’d like to see more of in the scene, whether it’s actions, sounds, anything else?

I think the equality issue in the Australian heavy music scene is still one we need to keep pushing. Some festivals do an acceptable job, others seem oblivious.  It’s a hard sell because most bigger heavy bands are all male.  But without exposure to bigger audiences, like those at festivals, how do we expect younger bands with women in them to grow?  This is not the only solution, but I think it would contribute in a big way.  Bands like Redhook, Yours Truly, Stand Atlantic are absolutely killing it right now and I’m so in awe of everything they’re achieving. I want to also shoutout Reliqa, Vilify, Krave, Aurateque, Torizon, Wicked Envy and Live Like Animals who are some friends of ours that we are really excited about.

Q8. What’s on the horizon for The Last Martyr?

We’re supporting Hanabie on their Good Things side shows in Melbourne and Brisbane then are headlining a local festival called Sanctuary on 9th December in Frankston. Get tickets here - https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1140355

We’ve been working on new music for release next year as well, so we’re really excited for what the next 12 months holds!

VILIFY

Answered by Amy McIntosh

Q1. Could you please give our readers a little backstory on the band in case they’re not familiar with you, such as when you formed, where you’re from, your sound, etc.?

Vilify formed in 2020 ish during the Covid period. We are from Newcastle Australia and all met through our previous bands and projects. The classic.

We try not to pigeon hole ourselves in terms of sound but we try to write heavy but fun Metalcore that we ourselves would love to listen to.

Q2. What made you want to start a band and pursue making music? I am always fascinated by what drives people.

I have always loved music. My grandmother got me into the school band at around 7 years old.

As for this sort of music and band. I sort of just progressed into it. I originally just played guitar at home and didn’t think much of it. I started going to shows, I then ever for a while was booking shows. I filled in for a few bands and one fill in turned into me joining on guitar.

As for what made us want to start Vilify specifically. It was more about expression. Our drummer Kieran and I were in a band together before it and it just wasn’t serving us anymore. We wanted a fresh start but knew we wanted it to be together. We grabbed our friend Deni and away we went! These days it's still about expression but there is a very large focus on putting on a KILLER live show.

Q3. What are some of the primary influences of Vilify?

The influences for Vilify I feel are ever changing. From the first EP and foundations it would have to be the likes of Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, that sort of thing. These days we are all massive Spiritbox, Sleep Token, Alpha Wolf sweaters just like everyone else haha.

Q4. The single “Dread Addict” was released in October. Can you talk to us about its sound and lyrical content, and also how they are reflected in the music video?

Dread addict sticks with the big riffs, strong beats and electronic elements vibe we have been going with but turns all elements to 11. It’s the most sonically exciting song for us so far as it has so much going on!

Lyrically the song is about feeling overwhelming dread for no reason. So you manifest reasons to feel that way. You feel dread and sadness so you start to act in ways that manifest dread and sadness. It becomes a cycle of feeling bad, so you do bad to justify feeling bad. The video ties in as the dread is that balloon. The actor can’t escape it. It’s always there. Not always at the front of your mind, but always there. The idea is that it's super normal to feel that way. Almost everyone does at some point. It’s just about how you handle it and ridding yourself of that negativity in healthy ways.

Q5. You released two other singles earlier this year. Tell us about them.

We also released “Take the Pill” and “From the Inside”.

“Take the Pill” follows a pretty common theme of mental health and adversity that we explore a lot in Vilify and flips it on its head. It’s about feeling better. It’s not about sadness, it's about the process of recovery. One of my personal favorites purely because every time we play it I get a reminder of where I have been and where I am not and it makes me super happy.

“From the Inside” is a bit different compared to our normal subject matter. Being very direct it's about homophobia. It’s about people you think you know and how internalized homophobia might still haunt them.

All tracks from 2023 have a similar vibe and feel about them. The elements used tie in super nicely. In retrospect we should have made them an EP haha.

Q6. You mentioned recovery; one of the central themes of this site is that of recovery and self-empowerment and -improvement, of making the courageous and difficult choice to face our "monsters" in spite of fear or doubt. Can you go into a little more detail about what that process was like for you and how you were able to get to a better place in life?

Seeking help is always the hardest part but in my experience it helps almost the most.

Eating well, moving more, not being afraid of medication.

The basics do wonders.

I still find myself biting off more than I can chew and stressing myself half to death about things I can't control. But for me, now, if I know I've had a good sleep, a good meal and have done something physical in the day, everything else will work out.

I needed to learn: I may not always feel great and things may not ever turn out how I was expecting but if I have done everything to be the best me that day. I will be sweet.

It wasn't always that simple. I've had my share of time with Drs and in hospitals. At those super low periods in my life the idea of eating well and sleeping was the last thing on my mind. That's when asking for help and building a support network around me was the most important.

I don't think anyone fully has it worked out but I know I am in a better place now than I have been, even if it's not perfect but I am proud of my journey and proud of my willingness to keep trying. 🙂

Q7. If you had to highlight one song as “quintessential Vilify,” what would it be and why?

I know it's lame but I think the Quintessential Vilify song would have to be “Dread Addict” our most recent single. It’s the perfect mix of the big riffs we love but with all the experimentation we are becoming very familiar with. It has some groove and some fun parts just how we like it but then as many break your neck riffs that will fit into 3 and a half minutes.

Q8. How has your sound evolved from the beginning of the band to now? Are there any directions you foresee yourselves exploring or think you might want to explore as you move forward?

Like I said I think our earlier sound was rawer similar to that ETID influence we were listening to. More guitar heavy dominant and a bit dirtier. We wanted it to sound organic as that’s how it felt. The last few tracks have been more polished with more electronic elements. We just liked the idea of exploring and developing and that’s what came out. However, the music we are writing tracking now steps back a little from the electronic elements and focus on super heavy, strong riffing and banger tone. We are very excited to show you all.

Q9. What are Vilify’s plans for the near future?

So much writing it makes my brain hurt and so much performing it makes my body hurt.

We just want to write more, perform more until we fall apart. It’s what we love.

DIAMOND CONSTRUCT

Answered by Kynan Groundwater

Q1. First off, thank you for being the first band to interview with The Angels’ Share! Can you give the readers who might not be familiar with you a little background on the band and its sound, when you formed, where you’re from, that kind of thing?

Thanks for having us! For anyone who hasn’t heard of us before - we like to blend genres and make music that we love to hear. Our music consists mostly of metal, rap and edm. We formed right at the end of 2014 as kids in high school in a small town called Taree which is on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

Q2. I first became aware of you guys when YouTube recommended the video for “Hit It Back” not long after it was released. I was like “What is this!?” I couldn’t decide how I felt about it at first to be honest, and yet I kept coming back to it. By the third listen I was all in—the song goes so hard and the music video is really interesting and fits the song perfectly. I appreciated how the vibe wasn’t all doom-and-gloom and showed that this kind of music can be fun, something I think a lot of bands have forgotten. What went into making the video and how did you arrive at the concept?

Even though we were just babies when Nu-metal was a thing, our parents played a lot of those bands in the car on CD so we were brought up on those bands. Bands like Korn, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit etc. For the most part they are heavy but every now and then they do something fun and out there. Especially Limp Bizkit. It was during covid lockdown so we were essentially down to 2 members and a music video director in the same town. So we came up with this super fun out there music video that kind of ended up being iconic in its own way from people either loving or hating it. It’s definitely the song that goes off hardest live.

Q3. What was your headspace when you wrote the actual song “Hit It Back”? I don’t actually see it as that radical a departure from your earlier material, but it seems to lean into the nu metal more. It really feels like a true single, which is to say that it’s super catchy and has high re-playability. In fact, it’s a staple on my gym playlists.

My brother Braden who is the guitarist in the band actually wrote this song way way back in 2017 and had it in the archives. He came to me and showed me the song years later and I flipped over on the intro riff. It was something I’ve never heard before so we just rolled with it. And before long we had this unique song that still had elements of the band that we wanted to include at the time. The rest is history with it.

Q4. Can you talk a little more about your influences in terms of both sound and aesthetic?

With the fact that we grew up on the 90’s bands way after they’d been popular and then not popular we were always kind of segregated from what was popping. In a small town with little to no scene there’s not a lot that becomes fashionable. It’s just what you like that determines who you are.

We listened to a lot of mathcore and heavier stuff too like Danza, Dillinger etc so we had a taste for the heavier stuff. But aesthetically we loved the uniqueness of the 90’s scene so we push to have a throwback to that but also draw from the aesthetic you’d see at a Ghostemane or Scarlxrd show.

Q5. What’s the scene like in Australia? From the outside, it looks pretty vibrant!

Yeah we are all aware here in Australia that a lot of other countries and scenes hold the Aussie scene in pretty high regard which is awesome. We have so many great up and coming bands along with a handful of mega bands that have made it big time so the scene is doing well for the population and the fact our touring route is usually only 5-6 shows compared to 30 or so.

Q6. Talk to us a little about the new single “Jynx”—the song itself but also the music video, which is really interesting with its animation and cyberpunk elements.

With Jynx being one of our heaviest written songs to date, we wanted the music video to be fast paced and have a narrative that matches the song. We went with a sci-fi anime crossover that we are all fans of and have been growing up. That style of video also goes well with the sound of the analogue pedal work in the guitar riffs and the hard hitting lyrical content. The story explores themes of dissociation from reality that stems from childhood trauma. The lead character in the music video (played by Bri Cassin) has recurring dreams of becoming an Angel but the dreams always take a dark turn. In her waking life she seeks out help in the not so distant future by a digitally run AI psychic.

Q7. You have a new label home, is that correct? How did that come about?

Yeah! We’ve freshly signed with Pale Chord who have Spiritbox, Thousand Below etc on their roster.

We are so stoked to be a part of the team along with our long term label Greyscale Records.   When we were finished recording the album and we were just chatting on the phone to Josh from Greyscale, he mentioned the label to us knowing that we wanted to expand to the US market. He said that they were keen to work with them and I guess they liked our single Jynx so it all unfolded from there.

Q8. So, what does the immediate future look like for Diamond Construct? Tours, festivals, a full-length?

 We’ll push this single hard for a while considering it’s going so well and the fact it’s the first song since ‘21 for us. Roll it over into the next phase of things which will be hopefully more touring and more music which is what we love doing.

Q9. How about longer-term?

For us we try not to think about getting ahead of ourselves too much. It’s always good to have goals and aspirations but you can find yourself chasing smoke if you don’t take in the wins after each game so to speak. So we’ll keep pushing like always and trying to be the best version of ourselves for now.