Highgate Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album? 

G: Mainly we have been gearing up for the release of this new album. Jamie and I plan on working on a noise project together, but right now we’re just in the ideas stage. Other than that, sadly watching the whole world  burn.

J: We are currently working up these songs in our practice space with a new bass player. I’ll leave it at that for now.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of march, musically ho does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

J: I took the lead on the music writing on this one. Greg had to step away from writing for a while so I was happy to take the reins. I tried to stay true to things he and I had written in the past. We weren’t trying to reinvent ourselves… just wanted to lay down good riffs.

3.This is also your first full length since 2013, can you tell us a little bit more about the 13 year wait?

G: Well I moved away shortly after ”Survival” came out. After that, everyone who was in the band at the time got very busy with work for quite a few years. We of course had the Covid epidemic that happened in 2020, and right after that a series of band-related tragedy and hardship occurred. First our drummer Steve had some horrible back troubles that put him down and out for the better part of the year. We then lost our dear friend and bandmate Shawn, who passed away in 2022. An early 2023 I  lost my eyesight. It’s almost felt like there’s been a curse put on the band or something. It’s crazy. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

G: The lyrics on the album address subjects like the genocide of the Palestinian  and Sudanese  people, as well as our government’s corruption and propaganda, and the continuous class warfare that goes on in our society.   

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

This is an original painting by @rotting_reign

I felt like it was a good representation of the lyrical themes of the album. Death etc.

6.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far which one stands out the most?

G: I don’t know if one stands out in particular that was my favorite, but I always prefer the shows that were smaller in nature and especially the ones that weren’t at typical venues like abandoned warehouses or basements, things like that. I just prefer the atmosphere to those types of spaces as opposed to a regular concert hall or something like that.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released/

J: to be determined. No plans as of yet.

8.The new album is going to be released on 'Horror Pain Gore Death Records', how would you compare working with this labels to other labels you have worked with in the past?

We love Mike J and HPGD. We have had a great experience working with them. They are super helpful but also allow bands to handle the entire creative process. All the early stuff was on TotalRust. We really loved Gad and that label too but he stopped putting out bands a long time ago.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, sludge and doom metal?

G: It’s been all over the map. There are some people that are into those genres that do like our music, but there are many who don’t care for it or even honestly might not get it or understand why we do it. I’m a self professed musical snob myself so I do get it ha ha.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

G: well for me at least I’m hoping to get back to playing guitar on our recordings again. When I went blind, I stopped playing any guitar for a while, but now I’m starting to pick it back up again and starting to get used to it.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

G: My personal biggest influences include Black Sabbath, Hellhammer, Saint Vitus, Throbbing Gristle, Swans, Integrity, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Neurosis, and even bands like Crass, Joy Division, and The Cure have been major influences on me. To be perfectly honest, though I think one of the biggest reasons this band has worked out so well for all of us other than us being friends first is that everyone in this band has a very eclectic taste in music. As far as things I’m currently listening to, at the time of this writing Neurosis just dropped a new and surprise album, and I’ve been listening to that on repeat. Other than that i’ve been going back and listening to the classics from some of the other aforementioned bands.    

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

G: I just want to say thank you for taking the time and energy to do this interview, and for everyone reading to stay safe out there, it’s crazy right now. 

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