Cryptopsy’s “And Then You'll Beg” was one of the most anticipated releases of the year 2000 and our Canadians with cold blood delivered their most vile album to date which is nothing short of technical perfection, whacked-out guitar riffs and inhumanly fast and complex drum beats. It seemed like Mike DiSalvo’s departure might slow down this fast-speed train but Flo Mounier doesn’t think so. He even thinks that it can only make them stronger, adding another element of distinction to create something a little bit new... but you can read about it yourself below...

Chris


Probably the hottest question right now… What’s the real story behind Mike DiSalvo’s departure?

I can’t really go into details too much... he had some family thing he had to take care of and probably he couldn’t have been the part of the tour coming up in Europe so we all agreed upon him leaving. It’s really a family thing when he made a decision that was family orientated. Family first basically, you know what I mean? It just happened that way and it was conflicting with what our schedule is going to be so he kind of backed out and that’s it.

Is this becoming the Cryptopsy’s rule, a new singer every two albums?

Yeah, that’s what it seems to be. Actually, a different member every album is Cryptopsy motto now. [laughs] Shit happens... it’s always pretty much been John, Eric and I that have been pretty encored within Cryptopsy and I could say that everyone will stay from now on but it seems some people change, times change, this and that but Cryptopsy has always been innovating. I think what it brings that it’s going to bring another color and that’s why people actually like Cryptopsy. Every album is different and maybe a new singer will add another element of distinction and create something a little bit new... we’ll see.

All the vocalist changes have to concern you a little. There were already a lot of fans that had a hard time accepting Mike after Lord Worm. Now, after two albums with a new vocalist, just when people got used to the new voice you are again going for a change...

Sure, but you know what? Change is good. [laughs] I’m not concerned, I’m not concerned at all. I like change and I’m not concerned at all with what people are going to think. People have to keep in mind we are not making millions of dollars here, so for somebody that has to leave, take decisions it’s hard to balance two jobs at this same time and do this and that... They have to understand Mike left for a reason. Shit happens and now we just move on and continue to put up a good music.

Any chance Lord Worm is coming back?

Not likely. He gave all that up a long time ago and I don’t think he would be in shape to start all over again. Personally I don’t think he’d want to. I think he’s comfortable in doing what he’s doing and he gave it up for a reason. He didn’t want to do it, didn’t want to tour that much, so if he wants to come back he has to call us because he made it clear to us a while ago that it wasn’t for him.

By the way, what is he doing right now?

Actually, he’s teaching English as a second language. He’s an English teacher [laughs] It’s perfect for him he knows English very well.

Were you surprised with the final vote on Best Metal Artist award you received at the MIMI's (Montreal International Music Initiative)?

Was I surprised?

...it’s not too often an extreme metal band wins any awards...

Actually two years ago we were a runner up too and we were nominated and did win. It didn’t come to us as a big surprise but you know, the more you go on the more your name gets a little bit bigger, you make this big magazine and people start to hear a little bit more of you and it’s all about proper promotion whether its extreme metal or not. I guess the category being as it was, out of all those bands I guess we toured the most and the most all over the world so it was kind of normal that we would win but it did so good it was as a little bit of a surprise cause you’re right, not everybody has easy time accepting this kind of music. It was good. It was like all the hard work is starting to pay off. It’s not like this award is really a pay off or anything like that I’d rather have more fans and do more touring but we liked it and accepted it. Whatever.

Don’t you think that there is more metal everywhere recently and that is not an underground like it used to be anymore it’s actually hitting the main stream?

Oh for sure. I mean the more the time goes on the more metal is going to be. With all those extreme sports, extreme movies and this and that you’d go for some music that’s more pumped up. You are not going to go for something like party every day or whatever, no, it’s more like in your face. The society is more fast paced, it’s more in your face society, little bit... not violent but aggressive if you wish. So yeah, it’s going to come up front and it is coming up front. All those Korn type bands, Deftones and this and that they are making distortion and a distorted voice if you wish too although a little bit more acceptable.
I don’t think the type of music we play or the boys in death metal and extreme metal world will ever be played in the radio that much but at least it’s getting a little bit closer. Maybe that’s why the media is taking a little bit more interest... It’s hard for a media to accept metal as a serious art form. For some reason it’s always been, it’s been so many clichés around that and it’s always been hard for media to really say “yeah, this is here to stay and it’s acceptable art form and respectable art form”. But there is also a lot of bands that encourage that negativity that media has towards metal by displaying blood and guts everywhere and just talking about raping this raping that. You can’t really get a positive image.

I think most of the time it’s the lyrics that stop heavy metal... regular people don’t want to listen to the music about gore, Satanism or topics like that...

No, it’s not sane. It’s not a reality. What the problem is a lot of bands think it’s real and want to be considered real but it’s a joke. These guys paint blood all over their faces or stuff like that and it’s not real blood... and if it is it’s even more stupid. Why give yourself that image? So you can go home, pop open a can of coke and watch loony toons or something afterwards? It doesn’t make any sense. I understand difference between live performance and reality but a lot of times that is done it’s given a really bad name. Look at Marilyn Manson, you see him on American Music Awards every year and he just gives metal such a shit name, I think he does. And he might do it as a joke too and it might be funny to him but for 14-15 years old kids and their parents it’s not. They don’t understand that humor so they going to interpret this as just a crap...

You just got back from Fuck The Commerce Fest in Germany, how was it? Anything unusual happen there?

No, it was just amazing. [laughs] It was really cool. A lot of cool people, a lot of cool bands and great treatment by a band called Spawn. Just awesome, awesome, super-nice guys. We made a lot of connections and had a really great time, just plain and simple.

So are you enjoying the road? How’s the tour treating you?

Good man, very good. I can’t say there’s really been some catastrophes, knock on the wood, but there hasn’t so far and it’s been really positive, really good, a lot of fans, a lot of pushing... just all around it feels good to go touring and actually see that you are accomplishing something more rather than just pedaling and getting nowhere type of thing.

After all that drum pounding do you have any back spasms?

No. [laughs] Knock on wood again, there you go (he actually did knock on wood - Zgred).
No, nothing. I try to develop techniques that make things a lot smoother for the body. I studied a lot of professional drummers just to get their technique and how they can go on with more like a jazz style where everything is more loose and how they can go really fast with their hands not getting tired, not breaking to a sweat. And that’s the key playing an instrument, is just to become comfortable and relaxed playing it as much as possible so that little energy is spent on the concentration and on the right movements. So, I try to do it that way, if not then for sure by the time that anybody gets like 25-whatever and has been playing for 9-10 years will definitely have some kind of health problems.

You just answered my next question... Do you have any secrets or special techniques on how to become one of the fastest drummers in the world?

There is technique, no secrets. There is no secret to play drums, just practice. They say practice makes perfect... and it’s not bullshit [laughs]

So, who inspired you?

I think music in general inspired me and not one particular drummer. You always have your influences but I never really ever mimic or try to copy any drummer, which could have been a mistake I did when I was young because it’s a good thing to start like that and then branch out. Right now, I don’t have a favorite drummer I just have a whole fucking selection of music that ranges from every genre possible. I just like listening to everything and all these ideas are coming to my head and create the ideas for whatever I drum.

What’s in your CD player right now, then?

Oh shit, you want me to take a look? Hold on it will take just a few seconds, I want to be exact on this question. It might be embarrassing though [laughs] OK, oh my god, my fiancé’s cd Madonna... there is the new Napalm Death and... I’m gonna cheat... I’m listening to a lot of new Dimmu Borgir, which I like a lot, Dave Weckl Band and stuff like that, pop-jazz. I listen to a new band called Coldplay, they always play on the radio, this is like a newer Pink Floyd type of folk-rock type band...

How often do you hear “slow down” from other members of the band?

Well, I usually hear this from new members coming in. [laughs] They say “Oh god, can you slow down this part a little bit?” I tell them “in a live situation you got to get used to it, it’s only going to get worse” [laughs] “Don’t tell me to slow down in a practice cause you got to be ready for live” But, no it’s not that often.

What your most challenging song to play live?

That’s a very good question. Let’s see... from the songs that we don’t play anymore that would be ‘Loathe’ on “Whisper Supremacy”, that was pretty challenging... ‘Cold Hate, Warm Blood’ is pretty challenging... On the new one ‘Screams Go Unheard’ it’s a lot of fun but it’s really challenging. There is a bunch I guess... on "None So Vile" fun but challenging too was ‘Crown of Horns’... They all make me break into sweat and they are all challenging in their own way, it’s hard to pin point, they all got a little bit of something that it’s different... they are all challenging in their own way.

Than on an easer note... what’s your favorite to play live?

Probably ‘We Bleed’, that’s a lot of fun but I like newer stuff, like I said I like change. For live; ‘We Bleed’ and ‘Screams Go Unheard’ are a lot of fun. ‘We Bleed’ shows showcases if you wish, a lot of different stuff on the drums and on the guitars too so it’s a lot of fun to play. There is a whole bunch of stuff in it, it’s a long song...

“And Then You’ll Beg” is Cryptopsy’s the most technical and stunning accomplishment to date, how did you come up with material for this album?

We wanted to make it a little bit simpler as far as riffs, as guitars go. Not to have too much notes that nobody would really pick up, hear anything. So we wanted to make it a little bit simpler that way but we wanted to make it a lot more musical. So what I was doing on drums wasn’t that much simpler it was little bit more technical but it all fit. We tried to give each other breathing room, like the guitar does its part here that crazy I’m not gonna fill it up with something crazy too and vice versa.

How did the recording process go? Did you have any problems?

Studios are always tough because we are big time perfectionists and it’s hard and nerve-wracking. It took us about 2 months to do on and off and you know, there are always a little problems like how to get a better sound and this and that but generally it went really nice and smoothly. I think this is the album we are the proudest off as far as music goes.

The album is visually outstanding as well; to me it perfectly reflects the music inside, speed, chaos and death. Was it your intention during the design process?

Yeah it was. We wanted to have something really fast and heavy, just hit you face on and basically mow you over. [laughs] That was kind of our intentions and we wanted to create some kind of link between the artwork and intro, outro and the flow of the album.

Your web site is also very interesting and unusual. How much do you think Internet helps promoting your music?

Helps a lot. The same guy who does our internet stuff does our covers and our merchandise. He’s just a crazy genius. Yeah, it helps a lot... It’s free advertising, people can go any time and leave their comments... we don’t necessarily answer back cause it would be crazy answering back all the time but we take all the people’s advise and take into consideration. We got merchandise up there, we got news, anything that happens we try to let the people know as soon as it happens. I think it’s a great promotion tool.

Being on the subject, what your opinion on Napster and MP3s?

MP3s I think are positive because they can generate a little bit of income for the bands. Napster, on the other hand, it’s good for those who can afford it, can afford the albums, but it’s mostly the people who can’t afford it, who have computers, who can go on and download all that stuff. I think it’s counterproductive. What’s the point of fighting with the record labels, negotiating, going through this mess and shit if people can just take it from the computer. It makes us work like five times as hard and having absolutely no reward for it. I mean, we can’t kid ourselves it’s gonna be some way to make a little bit of money doing this or else we couldn’t buy instruments, we couldn’t have a better sound on our next album... I don’t like Napster personally, I’ve never been on Napster even though I can get free stuff I always try to support bands. I like to have a cover, original CD, what have you. But MP3s I think are positive. They can give you a little bit of band history and it’s productive. Small bands can put their songs out there and start making a little bit of money, get 3 cents every time it downloads or something like that.

I guess with your busy tour schedule you don’t have time to think about the new material yet or do you?

No, not really. Actually we’re starting to think about it a little bit but not fully. So, no new songs, titles, nothing yet but it will come. It’ll be interesting...

That would be all, anything you’d like to add?

Just thank you. Thanks for the support and keep on doing this, it helps out the bands a lot.

Arizona's Sick Black Automatic is firing off some serious metal by way of Phoenix. The quintet has been moving up the local chain for the last couple of years, leaving devastation and residue in its wake. Finally the release of the band's first album, "Caught in the Black," is upon us, and the body count is piling up with every passing day. I managed to get the band to answer a few questions for us, and the answers are exactly what a real metal fan would expect from a serious metal flag-bearer.

Chris Pratl

Hey guys. Congratulations on the CD; it's really awesome. So what pulled you five guys together? What are your collective influences?

Terry Babicz (Guitar): I joined in 2016, the rest of the band were already playing shows and had songs written. My influences are all over the map. Main ones that I know show through are Metallica, Testament, Slayer, Black Sabbath.

Jason Hobbs (Bass): Norm, Greg and Ollie had been in the local scene so they were already well acquainted with each other, I relocated to Arizona a few years back and found some guys who were looking for a bassist…it was pretty apparent from the first time we met that we gelled.
With regards to influences of course Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer come to mind, but also Kreator, Destruction, Overkill and Testament. Pantera, Death Angel, Motorhead, Sepultura, Maiden, Priest…. I could go on and on, which is nice all of us are music fans with a particular love of metal.

Greg Fleetwood (Drums): We are drawn together to make metal great again! Pantera, Metallica, Black Sabbath

Norm Carrier (Vocals): Greg and I started the band in 2015. It is the third project we have been in together. Tony Polizzi was our first guitar player and was with us until March 2016. Brian was a lead guitar in Greg's last project. I had wanted to work with him after seeing him play with Greg. Jason is our original bass player. After many auditions with others we knew we had our guy. You could tell he loved what we were doing and fit right in. Terry auditioned after Tony left the band, and we liked his attitude and what he brought to the table. We decided to stay a four piece and did not pick Terry up right away. After a couple of shows and meetings we decided we wanted a thicker more rounded sound and we had Terry back for a second audition. At that point it was a no brainer and Terry was welcomed into the SBA camp. It is a decision that I feel has been a deciding factor in our success to date. Personally my influences are Pantera, Queensryche, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Prong, Rob Zombie and Fear Factory to name a few.

Brain "Ollie" Oliphant: Interest levels, musically.

Caught in the Black sort of transcends (for me) any sort of genre tag of general classification. Do you guys consider the band any one genre style, or do you just fall under "metal" and let the sound carry you into whatever area?

Terry: I really think we are a basin of many styles of Metal. We are trying to incorporate what we like best out of our favorite genres.

Jason: Yeah we've discussed this and I think we've accepted the fact that we’re just a metal band… we take the things we like and throw them into the mix. All of us are open to trying new sounds, song structure, etc… the only constant I would say is the groove, that's non-negotiable.

Greg: I never liked to be classified in a genre. To me its all metal. We are an old school brand of metal if you need to call it something.

Norm: We are metal. Original, old school, grooving, heavy metal. I have never been big on the "genre" tag. Caught in the Black is a phrase that I wrote in our song Sick Black Automatic. At a certain point in the song I felt that something needed to be there. The words were inspired by the music. The meaning behind it was, thanks for coming to the show and listening to us, you are caught up in the message we are putting out.

Ollie: I don't believe we fall into any class of metal. Style wise, we try not to be all slow grind or all speed.

Songs from the CD seem to tackle a lot of real social issues (i.e. 'Weapons of War'), which is a severely welcome change in the current climate. Is this a conscious decision to address such topics or does it really just lyrical happenstance?

Jason: Norm is the primary lyricist so that's more his decision… I will throw ideas at him on occasion and he takes them and runs with them. I would say that we're not a political band by any stretch but we're not apolitical either…. I think we write from the perspective we have; working class Americans who have seen what has happened in this nation over the last several decades, what's the NWA line? "Our art is a reflection of our reality"
I like to think we write with a message but we don't beat the listener over the head with it…

Greg: Mostly by happenstance, but it is what we feel that comes out of us.

Norm: Most of our songs have intentional messages. I am a veteran, and fully support the 2nd Amendment. The name of the band is a product of my beliefs. That being said some songs are lyrical happenstance. Sometimes you just gotta write to the music and let it flow. Most of the time there is some basic idea lyrically for the song.

Ollie: Weapons of War was written back around Desert Storm era. It crosses so many familiar lines we see almost on a yearly basis. Some lyrics were adjusted to fit more to the modern days.

Arizona has been a veritable hotbed of metal activity for over 20-years now. What has the reaction been at the shows you guys play?

Terry: I've noticed that we get a great response no matter if it’s a packed house or just wives and the other support bands. Phoenix embraces all music, including Metal, with the same enthusiasm as any other genre.

Jason: Arizona is a great metal state! There are so many absolutely amazing metal bands in this scene right now, and we've been fortunate enough to share the stage with many of them. As far as the reaction we get, I would say it's been extremely positive… we approach every show the same way, in that it doesn't matter if it’s 5 people or 5,000 we're there to give them the best show we can. One of the cool things about this band is our appeal seems to be across the spectrum… we have fans who are more into the traditional old school metal, but we've also got a lot of younger fans who more into the newer metal, which is terrific because I love all of that music!

Greg: Most of the reactions have been positive. "Good but different" as we don't sound like anyone else out there.

Norm: Obviously the music scene has changed over the years, and you are never going to please everyone. The crowds have always been very receptive, interactive and complimentary even if they were hearing us for the first time, or at the show for another band. Arizona has a very good metal scene.

Ollie: Very receptive.

You guys also have a pretty impressive lineage right now: you won AZ Talent Best Heavy Metal song for 'Flat Dark Earth,' a nomination for Best New Artist in the 2017 Appalling Events awards show, not to mention being featured in KUPD Playdio Band contest in '16. You guys are really pounding the proverbial pavement. That has to make a band feel good.

Terry: We've put in some hard work for sure. We do what we can, writing new songs and getting the word out. All of our accomplishments are well earned.

Jason: Thank you. It definitely feels good when people appreciate what you're creating… and as flattering as all of that is, I would say we're just now starting to tap into what we really have to offer.

Greg: We are doing the best we can with what is available to us locally for exposure.

Ollie: The recognition is much appreciated.

Along the same lines, Terry, you're originally from my way, Chicago, now transplanted to Arizona. What have been some differences (and similarities) in the metal scenes between the two cities?

Terry: Phoenix has amazing support for the local music scene. All the bands here really are a brotherhood and we celebrate what we do. In Chicago, the scene has an "Us or Them" mentality that does nothing to help anyone. It's really cutthroat there. No one really looks to help each other. If you are reading this and you're in another city, support other bands. People remember that and will help you too.

Greg: The weather is beautiful 24/7 lol

The blueprint on Caught in the Black is a really solid entry point. Is there new music on the immediate horizon, and will the sound advance into other areas or genres?

Terry: New music is always in the works. We have five new songs that we've played at shows throughout the past year and we have more in the hopper waiting to be finished. The sound on these pull from different styles of metal for sure.

Jason: Again thank you! Caught in the Black is just the opening salvo, like I said I think we're just starting to scratch the surface. We have quite a bit of new material that, while maintaining a lot of elements from this record, is going to take us to another level. Faster, heavier, louder but still holding that wicked groove.

Greg: The new songs already in progress have a different feel. We will not make the same album twice.

Norm: Absolutely. I am constantly writing lyrics and everyone always has at least one thing that they are thinking about or working on. We are four songs into the next CD.

Ollie: New Music yes. Keep it heavy.

With old labels like Combat and new underground labels re-entering the playing field, is there a desire for SBA to seek out some label support or stick with the organic, DIY mode?

Terry: We'll be DIY until we can't handle it anymore. I would love to get signed to any label. I also won't just sign away everything either.

Jason: It's so cool seeing Combat and others coming back to the game. The music industry has changed so much in recent years and it continues to evolve, the DIY approach and metal has always had a huge part there, allows so much freedom for the artist, but it can make it challenging to get your music out there in such a crowded playing field and that's where a label really helps… my answer would be that the point of making music is for people to hear it, whatever furthers that goal is what I'm good with, it would certainly be an honor to have label support.

Greg: We would like support from a label if the terms are right. We have been gaining ground on our own merit, but to have a force behind us would be welcomed!

Norm: I think label support in the future is a strong possibility. Until then we will continue to move forward on our momentum.

Ollie: Label support to me would be like a vindication or validation that we can be taken a lot more seriously.

SBA has played quite a few shows around AZ with some pretty notable names. Are you guys hoping to do a full-on tour of the States (or beyond) in the future?

Terry: We have been very fortunate to get put on some amazing shows here. I would love to tour if we had the chance!

Jason: We've been fortunate to play with bands like Destruction, Warbringer, Jungle Rot and No Raza among others… the thing I want to say first and foremost is that each and every one of them has been extraordinarily gracious and supportive. With regards to taking this show on the road, absolutely! As I said earlier the point of making music is for people to hear it and as much as I want people to hear our records nothing matches the immediacy of live shows so yeah I'm ready to get out on the road.

Greg: We hope to stretch our legs to select places out of Arizona soon.

Norm: I think every musician dreams of doing full on tours of the states and beyond. The reality is that we need to establish ourselves in Arizona and then look at some mini tours. After that we will take it as it comes.

Ollie: That would be fantastic.

Hey, thanks for the interview, guys! We really appreciate it. Any last words or announcements for the future of SBA you'd care to leave the fans?

Terry: Thank you, we really appreciate this chance for people to see who we are. New music is coming soon, keep checking in on our Social Media pages and our YouTube channel. Come see us live, you will not be disappointed.

Jason: Thank you! It's been an honor… just to encourage people to check us out, if you like what you hear then let us know, get out to live shows and support the bands you love, that’s why we do what we do.

Greg: We would like to thank everyone that has supported us the last 2 years to get us where we are today. There will be new music released before the end of 2018!

Ollie: Keep it heavy and support local metal.