Cattle Decapitation and Dave Otero talk about the making of the new album due out August 7th.
This is great getting to see the behind the scenes making of the upcoming brutal album by Cattle Decapitation. I personally can’t wait for the album to drop.
Check the video out here;
Make sure if you haven’t (there is no good reason if you haven’t) pre-ordered the new album get on that by going to
Check out the video for ” Malaise” gets its premiere over at decibelmagazine.com WRVTH blew the world away with their self titled album that came out about a month ago. I have to say I picked up my copy because this album is great, it has all the elements of brutal metal, deathcore, and progressive metal as well as jazz.. I love this album, I am adamant that this is one of the best releases of 2015 CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT
Some of you may have had a chance to read my interview with Olivier Pinard, the bass player for the legendary Canadian metal band Cryptopsy. Well he just blew me away with the news of a side project he has been working on.
Check this out take Mike Disalvo ( former vocalist for Cryptopsy from the Whisper Supremecy, And then You’ll Beg albums) then you have Tommy Mckinnon ( former drummer for Neuraxis) Rob Milley ( guitarist for Neuraxis) and of course the bass extrordianaire Olivier Pinard ( bassist for Cryptopsy)put them together and you have Akurion!
This news gets me excited, because the first time I had ever heard Cryptopsy was with Disalvo on vocals. Then pair in the fact that the first time I heard Neuraxis they had McKinnon on the drums. This is a super group of members from killer Canadian metal bands. I cannot wait until they put out an album, i will jump on that the moment it is released. This level of excitement you could find me sitting in my car parked. Blasting the music through my speakers. You can speculate that I may end up breathing heavy and fogging up the windows, that is just how killer this news is. Mike Disalvo had this to say ” “We have been hard at work writing the album and we are excited to release the first wave of Akurion video spots. We all feel that this project has something strong to say””
Don’t take my word for it check out what The Guys had to say on their facebook page;
Lamb of God just released another video for their upcoming album, and listening to it, reminds me of Alice in Chains. It is a slower paced song, with clean vocals for the majority of the song. With 6:31 for the song, it has a lot to offer. Its fairly light and refreshing, however if you are looking for the typical heavy as hell metal feel you wont get it until about half way through the song, so stick around don’t just dismiss it. You may be surprised altogether, but the calm beginning, and then to transition into the signature Randy Blythe vocals is cool.
With Randy’s world being turned upside down a few years back, being put in a prison in an unfamiliar area, for the death of a fan. Then to be released, and found not guilty, Randy will most likely be giving every emotion he felt during that time. So if you are willing to dismiss the album in an instant you aren’t really getting the point of this album. Randy has been to a dark place, and now he has risen up again. Through these songs he tells a story, and you will have to listen and pay attention. Only then will you have a fraction of understanding what not only he went through but the entire band. They are a family and did everything they could to get where they needed to be. AS a band, as a family this upcoming album will chronicle their journey, and that my friends is what’s going to make this album explode. So check out the video
I was able to reach out and ask the guys a few questions. I limited the questions to only five for a few reasons, they are busy with their own schedules trying to keep the Cryptopsy machine rolling, they also have other projects they work on, they have families and a home life, and if I ask five questions to all the guys it keeps it simple and straight to the point.
So here is my interview with the man on the mic- Matt McGachy
Badger- since going independent, how difficult has it been for you guys? You’re basically collectively as a band taking on all the responsibilities? With this decision do you find it more rewarding when you guys play out live, or release new music?
Matt- Since we decided to go independent we have been more in control of our band and actively pursuing the goals we want to achieve. It has not been easy. Our self-title was successful thanks to all of us stepping up and stating what we are interested in taking over behind the scenes. Then we had to follow through on what we said which was more difficult. I take care of most of the online presence (Facebook, website, Bandcamp etc) and admit that I fall behind sometimes when we get swamped. But it has been extremely rewarding (creatively and relationship wise within the band) whenever we reach one of our milestones.
Badger- How was your most recent (back to the U.S) tour? Any particular moments or shows that gave you memories or that boost of energy?
Matt- The Back to the US tour was a success. We had an amazing time reconnecting with the fans and meeting new ones. It had been far too long since we played the US and we were very excited to be back. The first show in Worcester was sold-out and set the pace for the entire run, it was a great way to start things off. Also all the bands on the bill were great people as well as musically; I would tour with them again any day.
Badger- How did it feel for you to play not only the older Lord worm songs, but then also the Mike Disalvo, your own songs as well as the new material?
Matt- I really enjoy the mix, it allows me to take my voice into a few different areas throughout a gig. I love the mix of the disgusting Worm songs mixed in with the rapid fire vocals of Disalvo; it is an honour to scream their parts every night. I love crowd reactions so whenever we play the classics and the crowd goes wild those are my favourite songs to play.
Badger- What do you guys have planned for the rest of 2015, more touring, big shows open air festivals, any videos etc?
Matt- This summer we will be in Europe and we have the chance to play Gothoom Fest, Wacken, Brutal Assault and Ieperfest. We are really excited to be back in Europe with some new material! Also we will be officially releasing The Book of Suffering within the next few months and I’m really excited to share this EP with the world. There will be at least one video to come out which we are in the process of organizing now.
Badger- And my last question If you could describe the new Book Of Suffering E.P. in only five words, what would those 5 words be?
Matt-Brutally Dark Diverse Technical Music
So that wraps it up, Matt and the rest of the guys have all said The “Book Of Suffering E.P. will be Brutal, dark, and fresh. Thinking about these words, and have listened to one of the new tracks at their show. It gets me pumped to not only hear the E.P. when I get it, but also knowing this will be only Tome 1. with others to follow, and that brings the excitement level up a few notches.
For as little as $1.00, you can help get this E.P. the funded, with several other perks from a $5.00 digital download of the E.P. to getting drum, or guitar lessons, or having your own band get mixed by Chris Donaldson. No matter what, it will be worthwhile being a part of something cool. Think of it like this, if you are a Cryptopsy fan, and you help by contributing even if it is $1.00, $5.00, $20.00 or $500.00 you will be a part of that E.P. You will have helped out, every perk gets something, and for every perk you can feel good about doing what you can to help out.
As some of you have seen I was able to interview Chris and Flo from Cryptopsy, now for my third interview I was able to ask Oli a few questions. and to talk about their current indiegogo campaign ( http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470 )
When I saw these guys in Syracuse, I got a chance to really talk to all of them, and also get some impressions from all of them. To watch these guys on stage is just a great show. For all the people in the crowd just thrashing and head banging, a pit only broke out a few times, but for the most part there was a group of people myself included just really taking in the whole experience. These guys give it their all, and part of that is because they are an independent band. They do not have a label backing them up and supporting them. They have the fans as their support. When they get the support they need, they want to give back, and that’s what helps with their energy to put on a great show. Oli was in the zone, what I mean is that he was like a different person on stage. After their show when I talked to him, he was just the most down to earth guy. I asked him what one of the first things he would do when he got back home after the tour ended, showered unpacked etc. and he said go to his favorite pub with good friends. After they got back home I ended up reaching out to all of the guys from Cryptopsy, and this is how it went with Oli.
Badger- Did you have fun while you were on the Back to the U.S. tour? Also you had a birthday so what was that like while being on the road touring and promoting the new E.P. and crowd funding campaign.?
Olivier-Lot of fun , old and new friends! The crowd were amazing, I think on that tour we got a bunch of new fans ….And for the birthday , it was an awesome night ,We played Amytiville that night and the guys from Suffocation, Internal Bleeding and Dehumanized show up, good times!!
Badger-I have been both a Cryptopsy fan, and a Neuraxis fan for some time. The technical metal coming from Canada has been just brutal (which is why I like it so much) For you how did it feel going from one killer metal band like Neuraxis, to then playing the bass for the legendary Cryptopsy? And how did you get involved with Cryptopsy?
Olivier- Neuraxis recorded the album ”ASYLON” during the summer of 2010 at Garage Studio with Chris Donaldson . I love to think that he liked working with me , otherwise I don’t think that he would have called me for Cryptopsy haha!
But yeah , the trasition was huge , It was a big challenge for me to play with those guys. I spent a lot of days at Jon Levasseur place’s to learn the old stuff and write the bass line for the Self-Titled as well ….So I didn’t have time to waste!!
Badger- Have you always been a fan of metal? Who are your influences for metal, as well as playing the bass?
Now , I’m still interested in the underground scene , bands like Ulcerate , Dead Congregation , Gigan are constantly in my CD player!
Badger- After the E.P. is released will we be seeing any play through videos from you in the near future?
Olivier-Maybe , maybe not haha. I’m actually not a big fan of play through video . I understand why people like that …but for me, magic happen on stage in front of people , not behind a camera in my basement.
Badger- If you could describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in five words. What would those five words be? Again I want to thank you for your time to answer my questions, I wish you guys the best, I hope you guys make it to your goal, and wish you safe travels for your next trip of touring to promote the new music.
Olivier- Extreme , Dark , Groovy , Fresh , Brutal
Thanks , see ya on the road!
So there you go, words from the bassist extraordinaire himself, Olivier Pinard, The guy is just killer on the bass, and a really cool cat. I personally cannot wait until the E.P. comes out, I have been a Cryptopsy fan for a long time. When other bands were playing typical “death metal ” styles, Cryptopsy was playing a much more technical style of metal.
The pricing is pretty fair, you have to figure the cost of things these days, everything is going up. And these guys are trying to keep the prices competitive as well. The cost of Gasoline, and all other goods out there, everything is expensive these days. However the way I look at it. I am a sucker for a physical CD. for $20.00 I will get my E.P. shipped to me with a digital download, and while some may argue its too expensive. I believe in spending a little more to get a better quality. These guys offer a better quality, and raise the bar every time. Even if you don’t have 20 dollars for the CD. Do some research, a lot of bands are doing digital E.P.’s for $5.00 So Cryptopsy is on point with that, I have never been disappointed by these guys, and i will always be a fan. So whether all you have is $5.00, or not even that, they have a perk for $1.00 contributions. That way you can at least be a part of something cool, and help out one of the pioneering bands of technical death metal.
I got a chance to speak with Flo about Cryptopsy, playing the drums, going independent etc. So allow me to get right down to it.
Badger-So Flo 2015 has been pretty productive for you guys, and with the touring as well as the indiegogo campaign. You guys have been pretty busy and it looks as though 2015 will be a nonstop ride for you guys. So with that said I just have a few questions I would like to ask you.
Badger- You have been with Cryptopsy since 1992. You have seen Cryptopsy evolve into what it is today. What has that been like for you?
Flo: It’s definitely been a trip to be a part of and experience the ups and downs of Cryptopsy for over 20 years. I’ve worked with a lot of different people during this time , in and out of the band, and I’ve learnt a few things on the way ; )
Badger- You are essentially like the father of Cryptopsy, watching it grow, and shaping it for the future. How has that affected you being a part of something this big?
Flo: well I’ve never looked at it as being big or small. I look at Cryptopsy just like my playing, it’s always a work in progress. So I feel very critical about the whole thing. So it’s affect is in a way to try to be better from year to year, tour to tour and album to album.
Badger- You are a phenomenal drummer, and I have been a fan since first listening to “ Emaciate” with that said, what sort of process do you have for writing new music?
Flo: thanks for the kind words! We have used different ways of writing in the past. For the newer stuff we actually sit in studio and go over riff that Chris has recorded. We then try to structure them and piece things together. Some are already a series of riffs that fit, some are alone. So we do a general structure. When we’re happy with that we ll start throwing in traps and different bridges and more tech elements. During this whole process beats and fills come to me. Then I take the riffs home to practice and establish my parts.
Badger-Do you have a game plan for raising the bar every time?
Flo: no real game plan. If the guys and I practice hard enough from one recording to another, you ll be able to tell. In Cryptopsy we concentrate on writing songs first then speed and tech.
Badger-Because as a long time listener I can say the bar gets raised every time without a doubt.
Flo: thanks a lot, well we try and this EP has new stuff that’s pretty sick and so will the next series of EPs promise!!
Badger- Who are some of your influences for the drums?
Flo: I have so many influences it’s not even fair to name just a few but I will. In metal, Sean Reinhert, Gene Hoglan, Kenny Schalk, in other styles, Dennis Chambers, John Bonham, Dave Weckl, Chris Coleman.
Badger-I have heard the jazz in the self-titled album, so you must have some a variety of influences for both jazz and metal.
Flo: I try and enjoy listening to all sorts of different musical styles. It just expands your influential pallet therefore your creativity and ability as well.
Badger- Now that you guys have been independent. Has it made the writing process any different? Trying to deliver only the absolute best and what you want the fans to hear?
Flo: there’s less pressure to deliver something but more pressure on us to make it as good and as marketable (package wise) as possible. We have worked with a lot of different artists in the past and still have yet to find the go to guy, lol
Badger-Is there a lot of songs that you guys end up putting on a back burner as a result?
Flo: I wouldn’t say many songs cause it doesn’t get that far, but many riffs yes have been canned.
Badger-Is it more rewarding, not financially but rather emotionally and mentally putting out new music and playing out, and getting the fans reactions?
Flo: it’s totally cool when we believe in something and are happy about a new creation then see that our fans are just as stocked as we are!! Great feeling!!
Badger-And my last question which I have asked all the guys is;
If you can describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in only five words. What would those five words be?
Flo: brutally fresh and truly catchy!
Badger-Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions if there is anything else you would like to add feel free, because the fans are listening.
Flo: thanks for the years of support, keep it coming we have lots more to offer!!!
Badger-Thanks again Flo look forward to hearing the E.P. when it comes out and seeing what the future holds for Cryptopsy.
There you have it the E.P sounds killer ( they played a song at their show in Syracuse, and it was truly a badass tune. Flo is an incredible drummer, there are tons of videos on you tube of him playing live, or in a studio, he also has his own instructional DVD for extreme metal drumming techniques.
Make sure to check out their indiegogo page to help get this E.P. brought to life by clicking on this link here; http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470
check out a video of Flo and Chris explaining in their words about the campaign
There is only 12 days left on the campaign. So definitely check out the perks, the pricing is very reasonable, and lets say you cant do a campaign shirt option, but you want to help out $1.00 will help out, and you will get a thank you video, $5.00 gets you the E.P. in digital download form. Me i am a sucker for the physical disc, but even that is $20.00 (includes shipping) and still I get the digital download. So all the options are a great deal.
So really what ever option you choose you can at least feel good to be helping out a great band, that is very influential to up and coming musicians.
I recently got a chance to reach out to Chris Donaldson, the skilled guitar shredder for Cryptopsy. With the band being an independent band, they are always busy, this is there 9-5 only its more of a 24-7 job. So they are busy trying to make a living, and have a life. They are back from the most recent tour and i wanted to get a quick interview in while the members had some free time.
This is my interview with Chris,
Alright Chris so I did get a brief chance to talk to you at your last U.S. show but I wanted to ask you a few questions to help the fans get more connected.
Badger- So how has 2015 been for you so far?
Chris- 2015, mmmm it must have been amazing probably, I can’t even figure out what month we are(in), (I should put windows in my studio! Hehe)
Badger- After the Book Of Suffering E.P. is released will we be seeing any more youtube play through videos of you?
Chris – we don’t have any plans for that now, but if the demand is there, I will shred that axe for you!!
Badger-Was the Back to the U.S tour special in the sense that we haven’t seen Cryptopsy in a few years. Was it as special for you, and the rest of the band?
Chris- It was special is a sense that it was a bill that we choose in majority. It was awesome to tour with all our friends. The vibe was just fantastic! He hope all the fans felt that too!
Badger- When the Back to the U.S. tour ended, you guys drove home, unpacked, showered etc. Is there any one thing you like to do first? For example go to your favorite restaurant, listen to a local radio station, catch up on your favorite tv shows, spend time with family etc?
Chris- It really depends on where was that tour, and what time who are back home. Majority of the time, we are dead tired (for example you spent 2 hung-over days in an airport to go back to your house plus the jetlag!) so I would say, sleep! But other than that, me and Oli like to go drink at our favorite pub in Montreal “le saint-elisabeth”!!
Badger-And my last question If you can describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in five words. What would those five words be?
Chris- brutal, fast, dark, melodic, experimental
Thank you very much you guys are some really stand up down to earth cool individuals, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing you guys in Syracuse. And I look forward to hearing the new music when it comes out. I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.
Chris – Peace man !!!
So there you have it, make sure you check out their indiegogo campaign, and make a contribution. They even have an option for $1.00 which they will send you a thank you video for. here’s the link http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470
but seriously if you look at the pricing, for the digital E.P. or even the physical, its a pretty damn good price. Only you can feel better that you are helping the band out.
Streaming now is “Vlad, Son of the Dragon” on metal blade’s site.
check it out here http://www.metalblade.com/tbdm/
Holy crap who is as excited as I am. This is a killer track streaming now, i cannot wait for the album to be released September 18th. And check it out they have a pre order option with bundles for the album and shirts and all sorts of other cool stuff.
The Metal Breakdown 