Answers provided by Alex Rye (Vocalist)
Q. Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
The name of the band was inspired by our song Fall of Earth. We wanted to capture the root of the band’s cause and main theme. Bringing awareness to global issues and making a strong community was the band’s primary goal outside of simply growing the band’s fandom. The song touches on topics of climate change, mass extinction, and human greed. These issues aren’t recent news, people need constant reminders that these issues are dire. We aren’t just guests on this planet. This is our home for many generations to come, and we can’t live on Mars yet. Otherwise, we’d name the band, Rise of Mars. On top of that, we also write about mental health, war, and personal struggles. Each member of the band has a share in the writing of our music. We all like to express ourselves, & our feelings through the words in our songs
Q.A re you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
Brody (guitar), Brendan (drums), & Aaron (bass), all grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I (Alex the singer) grew up 3 hours south in Calgary. I later moved to Edmonton and met Brody. From there we became good friends and for years never thought to start a band. Even though we both played our respective instruments, it wasn’t until after high school Brody introduced me to Brendan. We almost had a full band at our disposal. We started jamming, playing covers like foo fighters, until it was time to write some originals. Obviously, we needed a bassist, and the auditions were lackluster. Pumping some iron at the gym one day we ran into Aaron through a mutual friend. Aaron plays classical guitar, a style that would cross over well enough into the bass guitar fingerpicking. We wrote songs throughout the pandemic and started going hard playing shows afterward.
Q. Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
The band usually agrees that people who enjoy Trivium, Gojira, Dream Theatre, or Between The Buried And Me would also enjoy our music. Gojira is definitely an influence on our guitarist. Pick scrapes, prog, and strange chords are Brody’s go-to. Brendan loves Mike Portnoy, from Dream Theatre. Aaron is more of a deathcore guy. Enjoying bands like White Chapel. As for myself, I’m more into slam metal. Vulvodynia and acrania are a must, However, I didn’t know how to scream until after the band was formed, so I was creating my own unique sound with hints of George Fisher, Chuck Schuldiner, and Michael Akerfeldt.
Q. Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
I can remember when I was a kid I would always put on headphones in the back of the car and whatever music I was listening to I would pretend I was playing it in front of a big audience. I always enjoyed singing and playing guitar so it’s not surprising that I ended up being in a band. However, I didn’t think I was ever going to do it. My obsession with music drove me to destiny.
Q. What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
The album, Nadir by Black Tongue has been on repeat in the gym for a solid 6 months! And Analepsy’s Atrocities From Beyond in the car. I really enjoy super-heavy music like Acranius and the Black Dahlia Murder. I even had an obsessive phase with an infant annihilator. If you couldn’t tell at this point, the heavier the better.
Q. Do you sing in the shower?
As the singer in the band, I must admit I 100% sing in the shower! The steam from a hot shower instantly moistens your vocal cords and can help produce some gnarly screams too.
Q. Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
We have big plans coming up at the end of May 2023. We are going on tour for six weeks across Canada hitting BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. A little over 30 shows. Next up is another Canadian tour in the Fall. Around 3 months long this time. 2024 is for international tours, which will be our first set of tours outside of Canada. Super exciting! Europe and Japan are on the menu!
Q. Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
We just released our second full-length album a month ago (April 2023). We are currently touring, & playing those songs. We’re always ready for new material however so you can expect us to drop something soon in the near future.
Q. If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
I would have to say the whiskey agogo. It’s not a huge venue, but it’s legendary! I’m pretty sure every band wants to play there though.
Q. Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
That’s a really hard question. I would have to say Totalitarian Dystopia by Acrania is up there in the top 3. It’s a brutal slam metal album that never hits the breaks. My other favourite would have to be Nightmares Made Flesh by Blood Bath. This album definitely helped me in the early days of screaming and it just totally rips.
Q. Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
Honestly, the standard music I listen to is so fucked up that it feels like a guilty pleasure. I do really enjoy grunge music though. As a metalhead in the prog realm, I know it doesn’t always get the best rep. It’s simple and dumb sometimes, but I love it.
Q. If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
Easy… Blood Bath, & Dying Fetus headline. Black Dahlia Murder, & cattle decapitation as direct support. Finally Alluvial as the opening act, maybe Fall of Earth too, just to be greedy! All these bands are heavy hitters that would be so much fun to see live. The mosh pits would be insane.
Q. Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
The first album I bought with my own money was Left Hand Path by Entombed on vinyl. That album was so unique to me. It really has that old-school feel, and the guitars have that beautiful heavy buzz tone. I still have it, & cherish that album.
Q. As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
I definitely wanna give a huge shoutout to all the Canadian fans who we’ve met on tour and anyone who’s planning on coming to a show for the May/June dates we’ve posted. I have met the most amazing people on tour and I truly play music for the simple fact that all you people make it so enjoyable. I look forward to seeing some new and old faces in the coming months of touring. To anyone who hasn’t seen us live yet Canadian or not! Keep your eyes peeled for more dates, we’re coming for you! Hit the link tree to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, or find your streaming platform and check out our tunes. Thank you so much.
Q. Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
Tour Dates:
May 21 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room w/ Allegaeon, The Judge The Juror, Ages of Ashes
May 22 – Calgary, AB – Dickens w/ Allegaeon, Whorrify, Wych
May 26 – Cranbrook, BC – The Pub
May 27 – Lethbridge, AB – The Studio
May 28 – High River, AB – High River Brewing Company (Afternoon Show)
May 30 – Regina, SK – The Exchange
June 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Bulldog Event Center
June 6 – Toronto, ON – The El Mocambo (Indie Night In Canada)
June 8 – London, ON – Richmond Tavern
June 9 – Windsor, ON – Chelsea Underground
June 10 – Guelph, ON – Red Papaya
June 11 – Peterborough, ON – Erben
June 14 – Hamilton, ON – Badmaash Gladstone Tavern
June 15 – Oshawa, ON – The Atria
June 16 – Owen Sound, ON – The Harb
June 17 – Newmarket, ON – Jam Spot (Afternoon Show)
June 17 – Kitchener, ON – The Hub
June 18 – Innisfil, ON – Indie Distributor- 400 Market (Afternoon Show)
June 18 – Etobicoke, ON – The Rockpile
June 20 – Trois Riviere, QC – Tavern Royale
June 22 – Fredericton, NB – Broken Record Bar& Music Room
June 23 – Halifax, NS – Radstorm
June 24 – Rimouski, QC – Underground Rimouski
June 25 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
June 26 – Ottawa, ON – Live On Elgin
June 29 – Kenora, ON – Bob’s Burger Bar
June 30 – Brandon, MB – East Side Eatery
July 1 – Medicine Hat, AB – Dee-Jays Pub
Aug 6 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Festival w/ Jungle Rot, The Convalescence, Pound, Wormwitch, W.O.R., Nomad
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum