Every year new music comes out, sometimes you get excited and anticipate the release. Other times you discover a band new to you because of their newly released full length or E.P. 2015 was a great year for metal, we had plenty of albums, E.P.’s singles and tours that happened.
Why make a list of the “best” or the “worst” albums of the year? This is a list of our favorite albums of 2015, here you will find E.P.’s, full lengths, deathcore, black metal, death metal grind and everything in between that graced our playlist.
In no particular order these are the top albums, our favorites, and the albums we simply cant get enough of.
Cattle Decapitation- The Anthropocene Extinction
Vehemence- Forward Without Motion
Cryptopsy – The Book Of Suffering Tome 1
The Black Dahlia Murder – Abysmal
Pronostic – An Atomic Decision
WRVTH – Self Titled
Iron Maiden- The Book Of Souls
Napalm Death- Apex Predator
Skinless- Only The Ruthless Remain
High on Fire- Luminiferous
Baroness- Purple
Antlion-The Prescient
Alterius- Voyager
Fulgora- Stratagem
Hate Eternal- Infernus
Jungle Rot- Order Shall Prevail
Lamb Of God- VII Sturm Und Drang
Fit For An Autopsy- Absolute Hope, Absolute Hell
Born of Osiris- Soul Sphere
Vattnet Viskar- Settler
Horrendous- Anareta
Solium Fatalis- The Undying Season
Unleashed- Dawn of the Nine
Parius- Saturnine
Punching Moses- Humanity Pandemic
While 2015 has given us so many more albums, we like to keep it short and to the point. If we went beyond and tackled the 100+ releases many of you would not stick around for the other notable releases on the list.
Feel free to comment with other albums you feel deserve to have made the list, and also it looks as though 2016 will have plenty of great metal coming also. Big releases coming from bands like Pig Destroyer, Alterius, Sevenday Curse, Solium Fatalis and many others. \m/
Thank you for following us on Facebook, Twitter and by subscribing to our emails. 2015 was a great year for us, and we couldn’t have done it without, the metal heads out there, the fans, the bands, the P.R. agencies and all the people who helped the bands release their music, and play local shows as well as tour.
Here’s to 2015 and all of its greatness, on to 2016, NOW LETS SEE THOSE HORNS \m/
I recently had the chance to review Solium Fatalis’s sophomore album, and was pleasantly surprised with not only the lineup, but the songs were great. I wanted to reach out and talk to Jim Gregory guitarist and song writer for Solium Fatalis, and Neuronic Saw. I managed to get him on the phone and talk to him about Solium and find out where they are right now.
So I am on the phone with Jim Gregory from Solium Fatalis, What was your inspiration for the last album “The Undying season”?
Jim-Well mostly my military career, some of it touches on politics and stuff like that but a lot of it had to do with the things I saw while I was deployed in the desert and various places. Real life shit.
So that album got released about 9 months ago, are there still any physical copies left.
Jim-Yea actually there are about fifty out of the five hundred that we pressed. I still have more of the first album.
So you have both of them up on Bandcamp, has that been a great resource for you to be selling the albums in digital format?
Jim-So we have a full outlets, we don’t actually sell a lot on bandcamp, I don’t really even know why. I know other bands sell on bandcamp and it works out very well, but we haven’t had a lot of success. It’s being sold on our website, Amazon, iTunes, Google play, CD baby and the record label site. I mean you can go on your Xbox and get it.
So who does the writing for the albums?
Jim-I do all of it, the thing is I write all the songs by myself, and I have already written a few songs for this new album. I wrote 20 songs for the last album. And don’t get me wrong, I can go to Oli or Flo and get their input but for the most part I do all the writing.
So for the most part it sounds like the melody and rhythm are there, and you can go to Flo or Oli and get their opinion.
Jim- Yeah, I mean we know where Flo comes from but Oli was also in Neuraxis, and they were a killer band. Underrated in my opinion but a great metal band.
How did you end up getting involved with Jeff on vocals?
Jim-So I will do my best to give you the short version of the story, haha I’m not great with brevity. I could talk metal with you all night
Hahaha and we have,
Jim-Yea I could totally bullshit with you and talk metal for hours, you’re a cool dude and I love the website and your format for reviews. So I had four vocalists for the first album, and I had them all from one point to another and they would not get back to me, or stop talking. But Jeff would come in to the studio, because he and Ehren have been friends since I think they were kids so I said I think my vocalist is going to quit and I think I might need to ask you to do it. And he said ok I’ll do it. So when we did the second album, I knew exactly how he was going to sound, and what I had to work with, and I knew Flo and Oli can really do whatever they want. These guys could do this stuff in their sleep ha-ha so that’s why Seasons comes off far more focused.
So it was the right place and the right time
Jim-Yea he is a wicked cool guy all the guys are great, they don’t have any egos, they are really cool and great
So you are working on new material, are we going to see the same line up as on The Undying Season?
Jim-Yea totally they are all doing it, ha-ha I just talked to Oli the other day and he asked if he was slated to be doing the 3rd album and I was like uh yea dude. You know I am a fan of this music, and I hate seeing lineup change. So yea we are going to stick with the original line up, well the lineup for the second album. The first was based on necessity, and then the second basically came together. Especially when I was at the grid and Christian Donaldson said” hey would you like to use Flo?” and I was like uhhh yea!” and I asked about bass players, and Chris said “well you can use Forest from Beyond Creation, or you can use Oli” and I felt Forest is a great player, but I just dint think he would fit perfectly, and Oli was a fan of extreme metal so I felt he was the one.
So you are working on new material,
Jim-We have three songs written so far, I wrote a new song every one to two days
So the rumor is that this is going to be a concept album, is this is true that you are doing a tribute album to the proclaimers?
Jim-Hahahahaha WTF, hahahahahahahaha no, I mean yea it is a concept album, I have eleven tracks slated, and I do have a working title, but it is about mankind. It’s not going to be like the first and second album, I mean you will hear it and know its Solium Fatalis. So when I came up with the concept of the third album, I wanted to tell a story. I think empires die, you know I think somebody could hit the big red button and blow the whole world population up, wiped out. The world will continue, but it won’t be the world that you and I know. A lot of this is based on the world that I have seen, and being in a combat zone, and what people are really like as humans.
So is there anything you want the people to know about the undying season, or the new material
Jim-Well when it comes to The Undying Season, there is more to it than you realize, but the new music is going to be conceptual, complex esoteric, poetic, artistic and heavy!
So there you have it, Solium Fatalis is working on new material, and the line up will be the same. For those of you who don’t know much about this band let me give you the run down.
Jim Gregory is an experienced guitar player, who has served in the U.S armed forces, and loves metal.
Ehren Hill is the other guitarist for Solium Fatalis. He comes from Excrecor where he plays guitars and keyboards, and he runs things over at Iron Hill studios in New Hampshire.
Jeff Demarco does the vocals for Solium as well as for Excrecor.
Flo Mounier is a (legendary) name you should be familiar with, he is an original member of a pioneering extreme/technical metal band Cryptopsy, he has been blowing peoples minds with his percussion skills for the past twenty years, and has been in various other projects including Digital Doomzday.
Olivier Pinard is the bassist for a few metal bands including Cryptopsy, he has played with Neuraxis, and Akurion.
SO when you look at that line up its a no brainer that Solium Fatalis is a band you should familiarize yourself with.
To give you a taste of what each member brings to the table here are videos of each member in action.
Jeff DeMarco-Vocals
Jim Gregory-Guitars
Ehren Hill-Guitars
Olivier Pinard-Bass
Flo Mounier-Drums
To Deliver Us All
The album begins with this great inaugural track, the sound sample that eerily starts things off is like something out of an old horror movie. The band fades in right to an explosion of drums guitars and growling vocals. The song has a great rhythm, some mean verses, and the guitar solo around the halfway point is impressive. The song is blunt, no fluff, just straight up metal.
Salient
This song has a cool perpetual guitar riff that begins the track, and a rhythm that delivers a indisputable groove. It has a bit of a slower feel for the majority of the song, but sinks its hooks right in you almost immediately. It just rocks the shit out of that groove for so long and then gifts we with some fast paced blasting towards the end of the song and one last line from the vocals.
Monolith Of Internecion
A quick drum introduction opens the doors for a really cool rhythm and malevolent melody. The first verse begins with a hail of blast beats, and a driving guitar riff. The chorus is captivating and the guitar riff during the chorus builds up to the post chorus solo. This song is so concise and catchy you will find yourself moving, or head banging to the song involuntarily, and hoping for more.
An Asylum For Penitence
At first we hear an admirable melodic guitar intro that sets things up for the door to be kicked in with a heavy hitting rhythm and menacing vocals. I am really digging this song, the beginning was such a harmonious melody, and then the band joins in. My first reaction was to clap and throw up the metal horns. These guys took me by surprise with this one, and it’s only a third of the way through. This song is like walking through several mysterious doors to end up in the same spot you were in before. Each door is a subtle change and then goes right back to the infectious melodic groove. I fight the urge to say this is my album favorite because it’s just too early to say, but damn is this a solid song that will cause listeners to have that “Fuck yeah” moment. I undeniably listened to this song again due to it being such a good tune.
Corporeal Form
Damn they do not waste any time with this song, growls and ripping drums right out of the gate. I like the guitar riff that plays before the first verse, it sets the verse up well. It has a solid tempo and delivers a satisfying groove leading up to a solo around the mid-point of the song. I really like the tail end of the solo and how it comes out and begins the transition for the last verse of the song. The song ends with a cool subtle guitar riff that fades the song out.
Contagion
Heavy buzz saw distortion and a mean riff begin this song for a few bars and then we get hit with some blast beats from Flo setting things up for the first verse. It has a great tempo, and I can’t stress enough this group really lays down a groove for the listener. There are plenty of bands not just metal that do not build the song structure with a groove. I find these guys make sure to give the listener something to get locked into, something to head bang to, to move to. This song in particular easily encourages the listener to break out the air drums, or air guitar. True to the name of this song, it is contagious from the very first note.
Paths To Obliteration
This song rips right into you with its beginning rhythm, the first verse is solid and straight to the point going back into that killer rhythm again. The song is exactly what you would expect from the title of it. There is nothing more enjoyable than a metal song that seems to get right down to a perfect execution and is unwavering in its brutality. This song is 3:09 minutes of precision melodic death metal.
Corruptor
This song begins with a pleasant melody and a grand rhythm, short and simple verses, and I must say the changes that we see throughout this song leave the listener looking forward to what’s next. This song has a solid groove and has absolutely no fillers. It is straight to the point death metal that leaves you wanting more.
The Undying Season
The title track is here and leaves nothing to chance with this one. Great guitar riff right from the beginning really lays down that groove I have been talking about. The first verse is solid and comes out of it with some really menacing blast beats and guitar shredding. The song just keeps raising the bar after every section, not to mention the whirlwind of a guitar solo around the 2:15 minute mark. This song has so much to offer, and really does a great job maintaining that groove you can follow and enjoy.
All in all this is one of those moments when you hear something for the first time and it blows you away your expectations. The sound quality is great, and there wasn’t one single song that I felt like I wanted to skip and see what’s next. This is a solid melodic death metal album that I can see many enjoying and moving to that contagious groove Solium Fatalis delivered in pretty much every song. By the sounds of it this album was written for most every metal fan looking for something heavy and melodic to enjoy any time and anywhere. I found myself really enjoying every song and every transition. I give this album an 9/10, and highly suggest readers to check this band out and buy the album. The good news is by the looks of things, if you are like me and are wanting some more, they not only have an earlier album on their bandcamp page. But they are rumored to be working on new material.
To give you a little taste of Solium Fatalis here is a playthrough video of Jim Gregory playing the guitar for ” Monolith of Internecion”
The song begins with a sound clip that is precisely appropriate for the E.P. The band joins in with Matt delivering a hauntingly long growl, then sheer brutal technicality ensues with Flo’s precision drumming, and the guitar and bass hitting us with riffs that will leave your head spinning. They first verse begins and you cannot just sit still and listen to this playing, you are head banging, you are moving around. The music takes over and engulfs you, taking you for a 4:33 minute long ride of extreme speeds with changes from not only Matt vocals of his low guttural growls to his highs, but the rest of the band going through the rhythm changes. Right around the 2:15 minute mark the band gives you a little bit of a drawn out transition going into a brutal breakdown of sorts. If bodies are not already flailing around and mashing into each other, this is where absolute chaos erupts in the pit. Such a great song, showcasing the talents of all the members and what they are capable of.
The Knife, The Head and What Remains
This song like some of Cryptopsy’s older songs are written about a true occurrence the name conjures up images of unthinkable horrors, and is based on a true story about a man who beheaded and ingested parts of his victim on a Greyhound bus. His only claim was that God had warned him that this victim was sent to kill him and that he must protect himself and the passengers. The guitar riff that starts the song off is a creepy sounding erratic riff for a bar and then the band joins in with extreme force. This song has a solid groove, this song sounds like it was engineered, every aspect scrutinized so that the final product would be flawless. This song is great, an absolutely raw and aggressive song that decimates the listener with its intensity.
Halothane Glow
I love this introductory guitar riff, the first few bars that set the song in motion with the guitars and drums are great. When Matt joins in with the vocals he is delivering some highs with quick transmission. The beginning of this song is mind blowing, I could listen to this song on endless repeat. The vocals around the: 26 second mark are great. Then the guitar strumming at the: 50 second mark. I mean this song is killing it from the very first second. It has a groove that is incomparable to anything you are hearing anywhere else. This is definitely a solid song that I could see being a fan favorite.
Framed By Blood
This song has a slower punchy feel to the beginning with Matt giving us some soulless growls and then spitting some high vocals in quick intervals. This song also possess a groove that is emphasized with Olivier’s bass that really rings out in this song. This song will without a doubt be another crowd detonator for live shows. Then you have this little bridge around the 1:40 mark just showcasing Flo’s ability to deliver an elite blend of percussion. This song also gives the listener a guitar solo that is short and straight to the point. I really enjoyed this track and can see why they end the album with a song like this one especially with the sound clip at the end.
This E.P. I don’t know how I can give this anything other than a 10/10 rating. The sound quality is undeniably sharp, and crisp, being able to Hear Oli’s bass, every string on Chris’s guitar and every drum stroke and the cymbal strike. Matt’s vocal range from the lowest of lows to high banshee like screams, the sound quality captures all of that. None of the songs had anything disappointing about them, never for a moment did I feel like I wanted to skip, in fact I have listened to this E.P. on endless repeat every time I have turned to listen to music, sometimes listening to it for the first 30 seconds and hitting the back button because the beginning of the song is just that great I have to listen to it again, and again, being impressed every time almost as if I am hearing it for the first time. If you were not one of the few like myself who pre ordered this E.P. Do yourself a favor and get it now. This E.P. really displays the talents of the entire band, and also details their ability to raise the bar every time, and to adapt to all the current standards and still outperform.
Today we get the chance to hear Akurion for the first time. Think of Cryptopsy vocals from “Whisper Supremecy” as well as ” and then you’ll beg” Mike Disalvo who has a great voice for metal. The style he has is like a low and heavy but rapid response decimating everything that is in his path. I can see from the early days of Cryptopsy the style he had, and then ten years later you can hear the newer bands trying to get those vocals.
Add in some killer technical death metal drumming like Tommy McKinnon
who I heard for the first time when listening to the Neuraxis album Trilateral Progression (killer album) I couldn’t resist to listen to that album while writing this. Tommy is a great drummer, and follows the changes well. I am excited to see what Tommy sounds like with Akurion. It definitely will not disapoint as you also have a bad ass bass player, that has played with both Neuraxis, and Cryptopsy (currently playing in Cryptopsy). Olivier Pinard is like a cool calm guy until he gets into the music. To see this guy live is like watching a transformation take place. He is a mean machine tearing it up on the bass. I am excited to hear Akurion ‘s single, listening to all the different elements fused into this project.
To top this project off you have Rob Milley who has been with Neuraxis since the early days, basically pop any Neuraxis album you can find into your player, and you will be listening to Rob shredding and playing the guitars in the most brutal, technical, yet his solo’s have a melodic feel to them as well.
What you have here is the make up of a Candian technical metal supergroup. They are simultaneously going to obliterate our senses and educate us. Call it “technical metal 101 ” sit back, listen to “Yet ye see them not” and get ready to be blown away. Hit the play button and hold on to your seat, its going to get interesting in a moment.
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;
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.
The Metal Breakdown 