1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the new since the recording of the new ep?
Since we finished recording in September 24, we've been pretty busy. We took part in the first ever UK Deathcore Showcase Tour, which was essentially a mates-fest of UK bands who have all been helping each other grow over the last 4 years or so, headlined by Osiah. After that we spent the remaining months filming the music videos and sorting out all the artwork, merch and other admin that goes on with releasing music. In February we were out on the road with Drown In Sulphur, who are OG deathcore legends, and then March saw our EP showcase performance at The Arts Centre (Colchester). This has definitely been a highlight show for us as that venue has hosted some huge names over the years.
2. In June you have a new ep coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
I'd like to think it's an advancement. After we looked back at our previous albums we realized we have 3 different "types" of track. The more black metal ones, the more brutal deathcore-ish ones, and the epic symphonic ones. We've essentially written one of each, but whereas we'd previously spend maybe a few months on each track, we spent nearly a whole year across the 3. We were far more critical with ourselves and put a lot more detail into the little bits you don't normally notice on the surface as well as really going to town on the lead parts, which over all we hope has enriched the sound. We wanted each track to be a journey...I guess it's up to everyone else to decide if we achieved that or not.
3. The lyrics on the new recording are a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the story you cover with this release?
It is a concept, but it's also a lot more personal than what we've previously written about, and it is dark. The EP follows the decay of mental health as it's chipped away by outside influences. Death Before Death is watching a loved one become a prisoner in their own body as they age and succumb to disease, slowly forget their identity and place in the world. Wretchedness ov Existence is watching a friend fall victim to their own mental-health battle, violently self mutilating to the point of taking their own life. And Wraithchild is the uncomfortable serenity of deciding to end your own life, looking at the world as if you're already gone, and how you justify that choice to yourself through the expectation that death is a peaceful freedom where all your troubles are solved.
4. What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with the music?
We've dabbled in a few areas. Prophet of Ignorance was a sort of fantasy/social-political hybrid, an external god-like entity looking at the world as it is today, and casting judgement upon the planet. The Heretic, as you can imagine was a much more blasphemous, anti-religious album. This told the story of a fanatic who became disillusioned by the church after fully realizing the heinous acts people do in the name of God, and embarked on a journey to murder the deity they previously worshiped. The last track (The Abyssal Embrace) is where the protagonist realizes that in their anti-religious fanaticism, they've become just as hate-filled and murderous as the religion they sought to destroy...It's a very existential discussion. But in writing these albums, we discovered the more relatable tracks were the ones which eluded to personal feelings rather than fanatical stories. And that's what's driven the direction on our new EP.
5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?
The artwork for this release has all been done by Jorge our lead guitarist. We had early discussions about artwork we liked, but realized that all death metal/deathcore artwork looks very similar these days. Monsters and graphic scenes etc. It's all cool, but we wanted something a little more unique, and something that you dont approach with any preconceptions of what it will sound like. Other than the fact it clearly looks "metal", it could be anything from industrial to black metal, to the next J-rock release, and we like that. We hope it will mean some new listeners give it a chance without just seeing the cover and assuming it's not their thing.
6. Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far, which one stands out the most?
I think it has to be our Terminal Showcase we played in March at The Arts Centre. It was pure chaos. Our biggest headline show to date in an old church and the room was packed out. We played for an hour and there were constant pits, stage dives, and a full scale stage-invasion during the last song which completely over-ran the security. I don't think any of us expected that kind of response.
7. Do you have any touring or show plans once the new ep is released?
The rest of this year is actually a little quiet for us. Two of the guys are having kids in September, so rather than try to cram tours in before/after and risk being a 3-piece, we thought we'd instead continue writing off the back of Terminal. Our main plan is that next year we have an arsenal of new material in post-production, and while that's bubbling away we can hit up as many venues as possible.
8. The new ep is going to be released on Seek & Strike, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Seek & Strike have a pretty large roster these days. When we joined them at the end of 2022 they were expanding rapidly. They've been a great label so far for helping us to grow. We get a lot of freedom over our release schedules, style and visuals, and there is no obligation for touring or over commitment when people have day-jobs and families too. Essentially their role for us is to increase our streaming numbers and online presence as much as possible. For us, that leads to playing bigger and better shows which is what we love.
9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
I hope people like it. We've posted merch and CDs all over the world, and even had a knock-off T-shirt spotted on a stall in Indonesia. When we play live, we always get an immense reception. It's often quite humbling, especially when we get reviews like "band of the weekend" popping up and we're on at like, 3:20 in the afternoon. Our goal for 2026 is to get out of the UK, (if any promoters are reading this and want to help with that, please message us). So hopefully next time you ask this I'll be able to give a more informed response.
10. When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It's hard to say at the moment. Every time we make plans for a release and start hinting at it, it takes way longer than expected. So for now I hope you guys all enjoy Terminal and keep racking those streams up.
11. What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
This is a massive question to answer as we all listen to a pretty wide range. Here's a list of some names, if anyone knows us personally you can probably work out who's listening to what.
A Wake In Providence, Abigail Williams, All Shall Perish, Anaal Nathrakh, Animals As Leaders, Bonecarver, Carnifex, Cytotoxin, Every Time I Die, Funeral For A Friend, Gojira, Imminence, Karnivool, Lamb of God, Lingua Ignota, Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, Ne Obliviscaris, Nevermore, Senses Fall, Shining, Symphony X, Taking Back Sunday, The Faceless, Tool, Vitalism, Whitechapel.
12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for your time, and thanks to everyone who's read this too. We hope it was...insightful? I hope Terminal does something for you all. Streaming tends to push people away from listening to albums as intended and just mixes it all up with a bunch of similar artists, so I'd just urge people to listen to the full EP in order to get the full experience. I'd also like to say thanks in advance to anyone who follows or reaches out to us off the back of this interview. We always love talking to people about our music, or just music in general and hearing what others think.
Thanks again, and see you on the road.
Olly
[Existentialist]
https://youtu.be/FHLhFaUIIVI
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