After 25 years of relentless evolution, Psycroptic enters a bold new chapter with Metal Blade Records. Todd Stern shares insights into their latest era, upcoming album, and unshakable drive.
1. First
off, congratulations on signing with Metal Blade Records! How does it feel to
join such an iconic label, especially after 25 years in the game?
It feels
surreal!! The reality is that the longer a band is at it, the more apparent it
becomes that nothing is guaranteed. We’re the type of band that consider
ourselves extremely lucky to be able to travel around the globe and demonstrate
our style for our beloved fans. Teaming up with Metal Blade makes us feel like
we have support amongst the industry itself. Tis an honor and a privilege.
2. Joe,
you mentioned that Metal Blade helped shape you as musicians early on. Can you
recall any particular records or bands from the label that had a lasting
influence on PSYCROPTIC’s sound or ethos?
I probably
had more Metal Blade releases than I even realized, to be honest. Because I’d
been collecting from a young age but didn’t really think in terms of labels
until I was already playing in bands of my own. But the early years of Slayer
(Show No Mercy, Haunting the Chapel, Hell Awaits) were absolutely paramount to
the development of ALL of our playing styles. Failures for Gods and the
Bleeding were also MONUMENTAL to both us. I also really got into going fast
when I first heard both Crowned in Terror and Deathrace King. There’s so
many!!
3.
“Architects Of Extinction” is a blistering new single. Can you walk us through
the concept behind the song, both lyrically and musically?
Architects
of Extinction is a tune that visits the classic “duality of man” concept. As an
intelligent species, we constantly create new & improved tools in order to
make our day to day lives more efficient and less brutal. However we inevitably
destroy the natural environment we live in as a result. It feels triumphant in
the short term to manipulate our surroundings in the name of a better life.
However our lust for conquest will always inevitably end with the obliteration
of our selves and likely all other things as well. Until the new beginning, of
course. Endlessly fascinating subject matter… We like to give you an outline
that’s a bit obtuse, and then it’s up to you to deep dive into the nooks and
crannies.
4. Todd,
you called this new era “the golden age of Tasmania’s most prolific metal
band.” What makes this moment in PSYCROPTIC’s career feel so significant?
We are all
better versions of ourselves now, and I believe that the maturation and growth
both as dudes and as a unit is very apparent in the newer material. If you
listen to the early years of Psycroptic’s career, the musical direction
seems a bit more spastic and distracted. The new songs feel significant to me
because this version of the band has evolved into the most efficient killer,
even in terms of sonic prowess. Bottom line, this band kicks more ass than
ever. Between the way the new record came out, the support we’re receiving from
Metal Blade, plus joining forces with TKO Booking in North America; I can’t
help but feel like the golden age is upon us!! Very excited for what lies
ahead.
5.
You’ve mentioned that the new album is in its final stages. What can fans
expect from it in terms of progression, themes, or surprises compared to Divine
Council?
The
songwriting on the new one has a similar vibe to Divine, for sure. They both
are chock full of tasty, memorable riffs & runs, drowning in sick ass
grooves that have a booty-shaking bounce to them. The biggest difference to me
is both in the attitude and the heaviness. This new record hits harder than DC.
The making of Divine Council all took place during Covid lockdowns. We hadn’t
seen one another in years, and despite the record itself being what I think was
our best effort to date, there were certain restrictions in place that sucked
the momentum out of the whole endeavor. Well, now the fucking gloves are off
and you’ll know what I mean when you hear the rest of the album.
6. Over
the years, PSYCROPTIC’s sound has evolved from hyper-technical chaos to a
more groove-laden, atmospheric brutality. How do you balance innovation while
staying true to your core identity?
Well, we
have Joseph Haley as our primary songwriter. That’s the shortest answer I can
give. He is the Ol’ Dirty Bastard of technical death metal, and there is no
father to his style. We’re always going to sound
like Psycroptic whether we want to or not. The innovation part just
comes about naturally as we challenge ourselves to make better quality records
in comparison to what we’ve already put out.
7. With
your summer tour kicking off soon across Australia and Europe — and stops at
festivals like Brutal Assault and Alcatraz — how are you preparing to bring
this new material to the stage?
We live
pretty far apart. So the way I like to think of it is that if we have to forgo
rehearsals (which is common), all we can do individually is show up prepared
for class. We never let each other down, just as a matter of mutual respect and
professional courtesy. There have even been times where we all agree to add a
new song to the set, and then meet up in Germany or whatever and play it
together live on stage for the first time ever as a band. Train at home,
show up on game day ready for peak-performance!
8. Jason
Keyser has become an important part of your extended family. How does working
with multiple vocalists like Jason Peppiatt and Keyser shape the creative
process or live dynamic?
Both Jasons
bring some sort of hype to the table that is unique to them. It’s pretty
remarkable, actually. They are both so experienced, it seems that the live
dynamics and creative processes adjust themselves accordingly in real time
depending on who’s got the mic. In the studio, Jason & Jason work out the
creative process amongst each other and the best idea wins, so to speak. On
stage, I think all parties involved have learned to appreciate the distinction.
Keyser likes to be a bit more interactive with the crowd, which everyone seems
to love. Peppo is about as Tasmanian as it gets, which in turns presents the
band itself as extremely Australian. Which people also seem to love, regardless
of where we’re playing.
9. With
a career that spans over four continents and 40 countries, what have been some
of the most defining moments for you as a band on the road?
Oh there’s
heaps!! I have only been in the the band for 10 years. In my time, defining
moments would include the 70,000 Tons cruise, Download Fest in Melbourne,
Obscene Extreme, Hellfest, etc. We’ve had so many moments that often times
something really extraordinary can slip your memory because it has such fierce
competition for hard drive space. One time we did 6 shows in India in 2017 and
we were told that no metal bands have ever done that long of a “tour” there.
Between the band’s inception in 1999 and when I joined, the band had already
earned the title of the most toured artist in the history of Tasmanian artists.
Isn’t that the sickest thing you’ve ever heard?
10.
Looking ahead, what’s the bigger vision for PSYCROPTIC now that
you’ve joined forces with Metal Blade? What keeps the fire burning after all
these years?
GRATITUDE!!!
We all feel so thankful to still have a seat at the table in this business of
touring. So as long as people enjoy what we’ve got to offer, I’d say gratitude
is the main ingredient that keeps the fire burning. On the subject of bigger
vision… Psycroptic has what it takes to be a legacy band. Hopefully
we can join the ranks of the founding fathers that put this genre on the map.
I’d love it if we had solid touring careers for decades to come, and go down in
history along side bands like Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, etc. Bands that always
have a home on sick festivals, and that people will talk about seeing live in
the early years as a badge of honor or a certificate of authenticity.
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