Thy Art Is Murder‘s crusade continues.
Formed in Australia in 2006, the band led by Sean Delander (guitar), Chris « CJ » McMahon (vocals), Andy Marsh (guitar), Kevin Butler (bass) and Jesse Beahler (drums) announce the release of Godlike, their sixth album, produced by Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy).
Destroyer Of Dreams, the first track, immediately reassures us of the riffs’ heaviness and the screams’ power, but also of the airy tones developed by the melodies in the background. Whether the introduction is rather temperate, the rest of the track will definitely be more aggressive, as evidenced by the explosion and jerky riffs nuanced by haunting sounds, but melancholy will be wiped out when Blood Throne hits full speed, accompanied by its modern samples. The band keeps a raw groove underneath its ultra-violent approach complemented by wild screams sometimes accompanied by backing vocals, and the aggression doesn’t subside with Join Me In Armageddon, which still features some heady leads before letting the musicians unveil a real steamroller built for the stage. Keres doesn’t slow things down at all, combining speed and heaviness with a sharp solo at the end, before giving way to the final chorus and Everything Unwanted, which opens with a gentle melody and vocal parts in the background. This brief moment of tranquility is of course swept away by blast and massive riffs, but also by much darker than pure violent parts, and which are also found on Lesson In Pain, whose atmosphere is definitely heavier without ever denying its brutality and savage Deathcore roots. The devastating break makes an impact, as does the permanently catchy groove of Godlike, the eponymous track, which doesn’t spare its listeners with a succession of abrupt riffs with no downtime. The album continues with Corrosion, an equally violent track letting guitars become much heavier between two assaults, but which also takes a gentle pause before resurfacing at full power, before Anathema comes in to cruelly molest us with a merciless rhythm, doubled by a few plaintive harmonics. There’s a brutal performance from the vocals, just as on Bermuda, the final composition, which contrasts with an initially gentle solemn rhythmic pattern that eventually leads to the final surge.
It’s no secret that Thy Art Is Murder is one of the most appreciated Deathcore bands thanks to the quality of their tracks, but Godlike once again strengthens this reputation by offering rhythmic and brutal tracks in all circumstances.
95/100
Few questions to Andy Marsh, guitarist of the Australian Deathcore band Thy Art Is Murder.
Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! Could you please introduce yourself and the band Thy Art Is Murder without using the word “Deathcore”?
Andy Marsh (guitar): Hi, my name is Andy Marsh and I am the guitar player in the Australian Metal band Thy Art Is Murder.
How do you personally link the name Thy Art Is Murder to the band’s music identity?
Andy: I don’t. At this point the band name has become associated to the music in a similar way to a brand identity might but much like many band names, there is no further meaning.
The band’s sixth full-length, Godlike, is nearly out, how do you feel about it? Do you already have some feedback?
Andy: I feel terrific about the new album. As many would know this is the longest break we have taken between albums, and it was this time that allowed fresh ideas to come forward. It is by far my favorite album we have put together.
How would you sum Godlike’s identity up in only three words?
Andy: Past, present, future
How did the composition process happen for Godlike? Did you notice some changes or evolutions compared to the previous album, Human Target?
Andy: The composition happened over a much longer period and was far more integrated than previous efforts. For one, this time Jesse had an electronic drum kit in the room with Sean and I so we could get his immediate rhythmic feedback while we were messing around with riffs.
What about the artwork, what were the guidelines and how do they fit with the music you created?
Andy: This idea of Godlike came from the past, the present and the future. I knew we wanted something old, but done in a very modern or futuristic style. We employed a different artist (Bill Elis) for the first time in many years who uses some very modern techniques to digitally sculpture this dated entity. I suppose you could say the album itself serves as the present.
Where do you find inspiration to create your music?
Andy: Inspiration is everywhere if you pay enough attention. Mostly in each other as a band, in our daily lives with our friends and families, and sometimes even in the sounds you hear on the street.
Thy Art Is Murder’s music is made of an impressive violence and heaviness, but we sometimes also notice groovy breaks and dissonant leads, how do you find the right balance for your songs?
Andy: The songs will tell you where to take them. We like to think in terms of filling out the sonic landscape in any particular section the way it seems to need. Our producer Will Putney is an excellent songwriter and knows what we are going for so his supervision and input is super helpful.
Maybe you have a favorite song on this album? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album?
Andy: It is too difficult to narrow this down to only one as we like to also think of the bigger picture of the album as a whole. I think the most exciting thing for me on this record is Sean incorporating some of his inspiration from his MPC culminating in the newest sound for us on the song Bermuda.
The band stated “the songs confront how cycles of violence continue over time and feelings of separation”. How do you find the right way to talk about those experiences?
Andy: I don’t think we could have tackled an album such as Godlike ten years ago, we were simply too young and too ego driven in the music and lyric writing to discuss such complicated topics. I think with time comes wisdom and we were able to convey these ideas without narrowing the song down too much.
You worked with Will Putney as producer, how was this experience?
Andy: Much the same as in previous records although this time we came to the studio more times but for shorter stints. We would come and write for a few weeks at a time, and he would give us some loose feedback and guidelines while we were working on the bare bones of the material. We all know each other much better after working together so long so it was nice to see him give us space when we were trying to work on some wackier ideas but also get more involved when he knew we needed more help and guidance.
Do you think you improved yourself as a musician and songwriter with this new record?
Andy: I am not sure, such revelations do not usually make themselves apparent until some time after the album has been completed and toured on. I like to think Sean, Jesse and I became a more cohesive creative team on this record and I cannot wait to make another one with them.
This album will be out via Human Warfare, your own label. How is this experience, instead of working with someone else?
Andy: It is a super fun experience but not without its challenges. The biggest ones obviously come from attempting to replace an entire team of colleagues at our previous label Nuclear Blast followed by the finances of the project. Outside of the challenges it is incredibly rewarding and allows us total creative freedom and flexibility with the marketing and scheduling of the project.
I was lucky enough to catch the band on stage several times in France, how do you feel when you’re on stage? What about playing in France?
Andy: When we’re on stage it’s a pretty amazing experience, something one might know as a flow state. Sometimes it can be tricky if there are external factors such as problems with equipment, venues or illness within the team but otherwise it’s an amazing feeling to perform the music and see the reaction on faces right there. Very different to putting out an album and people enjoying it in the privacy of their own homes. I love playing in France, the food, wine and culture of the country has inspired me for many years and the people of France obviously extend their passion to music as well.
You also have a European tour planned for October, how do you prepare for this tour?
Andy: With a LOT of work. This tour is by far the largest headlining tour of our career and with it comes exciting opportunity but also more places for mistakes and miscalculations to occur. We have been preparing our equipment, ourselves and planning for this tour for a very long time so I am hopeful it will stand as our greatest touring achievement to date.
Are there any musicians or artists you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for one song, or maybe more.
Andy: Within the confines of heavy metal, I am happy collaborating with Sean, Will and Jesse for as long as we can keep doing it together. We make the music we enjoy and have influenced each other through that time, I cannot imagine doing it with anyone else.
If you had to organize a concert for Godlike’s release show, which bands would you love to play with? I let you create a poster with Thy Art Is Murder and three other bands!
Andy: You are seeing it across Europe this fall, Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel, Fit For An Autopsy and Spite. There is no more exciting line up for me.