This issue of Out of Step has been great to write, I've spoken to some of the best metal bands on earth right now, who coincidently are some of the nicest blokes in the scene right now. I've also had the privilege to have a deeper dive into Arctangent Festival with a full review coming next month. On top of all that there's been some great albums out lately and some wonderful shows going on.
Stay Happy
D. GilmoreOut of Step UK
Like their name implies Foetal Juice play a grotesque combination of slamming death metal with lyrics and themes that would make any hardcore Cannibal Corpse fan blush. Despite this the band themselves are one of the most friendly and open groups I’ve interviewed in a while. Vocalist Rob Harris took some time out from penning some of the most disgusting songs ever Conjured up to talk about the band.
What was the inspiration for forming the band?
We started the band because we wanted to write a mixture of Death Metal and Grind which was aggressive with League of Gentlemen type of humour. There wasn’t much of that around at the time, so we wanted to really push in that direction. Taking influences from Death, Deicide, Entombed, Vomitory, Insect Warfare, Napalm Death, Terrorizer etc.
The band keeps up an impressive touring schedule. Do you enjoy being on the road?
Firstly, fantastic name. How did it come about?
Like all the best things in life our name was a drunken mistake. We were very young when we were throwing names around for the band. We basically wanted something that stood out in the mass of generic Death Metal band names at the time. We wanted to show that you don’t have to be serious 100% of the time to write “serious” music. This was also before Slam was really a thing, so we had no idea we would be lumped in with that from time to time.
We love playing live. That’s the best way to show our music off. Any gig/tour opportunities which come along we try our best to be able to get on board. Touring is just a 2 week piss up with some of your best mates where you get to play a show every night. What’s not to love about it. Yeah, it’s tiring and uncomfortable a lot of the time and we aren’t young anymore, but we don’t get to do it as much as we would like so you need to make the most of it.
Do you have any bizarre or interesting touring stories?
There are quite a few to be honest but none I can really go into without getting the permissions off everyone involved haha. Most of the best ones are quite embarrassing for the people involved but amazing for everyone else. All involve too much drink and something stupid happening.
Your will be on tour in Europe when this goes out. What is the difference between UK crowds and the rest of the world?
Most of the European crowds we have played to have been festivals or larger events and loads of people come out over there to support travelling bands. We love going out to Europe, even though it’s a bit more difficult now with the joys of Brexit.
Equally we love playing in the UK, the crowds at our shows are getting bigger by the year and every show is all about the crowds. Good crowds wherever you are make a great show.
Recording wise, the band has been quiet since (2020 album) Gluttony. Are there any plans to hit up the studio again soon?
We have already recorded the drums and guitars for 11 new tracks for our upcoming album on GoreHouse Productions. On June 3rd/4th we are going back to Foel studios to record the bass and vocals. Then we just need to get it mastered and get a couple of videos filmed and the new album will be out. Hopefully we can get it release before the end of the year. I’m really happy with how the recording has been going, this album sounds amazing already. The artwork has already been done by Misanthropic art. We just can wait to show everyone everything we have been working on. Watch this space.
Given the.....progressive nature of your lyrics, is there anything you wouldn’t write a song about?
To be honest, I don’t think there is much we won’t share our pissed off view about in the lyrics. Most of our songs are about subjects which have fucked us off one way or the other. The whole Gluttony album was about the greed of humanity in every sense. From the arseholes who bought up all the big rolls at the beginning of the pandemic, leaving nothing behind for vulnerable people, to songs like Septic Mollusc which is about miserable bastards. We always put our own little comical spin on the lyrics but make sure they are aggressive.
If Foetal Juice where to write a love song how would it go?
It would probably be about our love for kebabs to be honest haha.
Intense, atmospheric sludge. Is the best way I could describe Leeds based band Hundred Year Old Man. The sextet specialise in long, winding tracks that take you on a journey of discovery. The band took some time out to chat about their last record and what influenced them to form the band.
How would you describe the sound of “Hundred year old man”?
Long songs that transition from a raw and intense wall of sound to quiet ambient passages, but with beauty and melody within both.
The band has a great name, how did you come up with it?
The late Harry Leslie Smith gave a speech at one of the Labour Party conferences about the wonders of the NHS in the UK which we sampled in the song Black Fire. During the speech he says “My Memories stretch back almost a hundred years...”, so he was essentially the Hundred Year Old Man. Various members of the band have also relied heavily on the NHS over the years, as well as some of us (and a lot of our friends) working for it. We are massive believers that it is a great thing that we need to hold on to, so that speech holds particular significance.
What were your musical influences when starting the band and have they changed as times gone on?
I think it would be very hard for us to deny that we are massively influenced by bands such as Neurosis, Cult of Luna, Amenra etc. They have stuck with us throughout.
On our self titled EP however, we hadn’t really worked out where we were going yet. There were only three of us at that point, so everything was a lot more stripped down and ambient, plus those tracks were heavily improvised, so it does feel different to our later albums and EP.
Personally, I (Tom) had been listening to a lot of Five Continuum Research Project and Pelican around that time, which definitely influenced what I was doing.
Now there are so many diverse musical tastes within the band that there are influences from everywhere. I think the band has established a ‘sound’, so it’s reasonably easy for us to know whether things will work and fit. Saying that, we have often disagreed over things initially, but later come around to them as an interesting new idea. The next music we write will also be a very different process and experience for us too.
Could you tell me a little about the concept behind your last record, “Sleep In Light”?
Initially we started writing to a concept around the story of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror on the Franklin Expedition the the Canadian Arctic. However, as we went on, that became more just an influence on the general feeling of the music. We have all always been into space and sci-fi in general, so that fit very well when it was suggested. Both themes have ideas of bleakness and loneliness
Your albums drift from intense and visceral passages to softer calmer instrumentals which make your records feel like a journey almost. Was that something that you wanted to convey?
Always. We are all firm believers in listening to records in full, rather than lots of individual tracks, so that has always been our thought process behind people listening to our music. The best albums (for me) almost begin to feel like one single piece of music that ebbs and flows and, like you said, they feel like a journey.
Clocking in at nearly 80mins “Sleep in light” is a very substantial record. Were you concerned at all that people wouldn’t connect with it because of its length?
At the time, no. We always want to go all out on our records, so the idea was to completely fill a CD with music, so 80 minutes was the target. We were also very intent on having more songs on this album than we did on Breaching and went into the studio with plenty of material to do this. Once everything was finished, we laid it all out and realised that it would just fit both on CD and double LP. We were very lucky with the tracks working in an order that would fit on vinyl without having to cut anything up and have half a track on two sides or anything like that though. I don’t actually think we ever considered what it would be like for people to connect with, it was all just about us trying to fill a CD with the best music we could make. If people enjoyed what we produced, then that would be even better.
The only real negative I’ve seen in reviews has been the running time, so in hindsight it could maybe have been shorter, but given what happened we’re very glad we had so much on there in the end. Having all that music completed with Owen on it is a great memory and milestone.
Hundred Year Old Man’s latest record “Sleep in Light” is out now.
Celestial Sanctuary are one of the best bands in modern death metal. Their last record was a brilliant slab of an album and, with their next record out very soon the group could well be poised for the big time. Their vocalist and guitarist Tom spoke to me about the new record and their upcoming slot at Damnation Festival later this year.
The new tracks you have released are absolutely crushing! Would you say they are a good representation of what to expect on the next album?
Yes and no haha! I think the songs we’ve shared so far show how far we’ve come as a song writing unit. Everything is levelled up by 100% so I think that’s a sign of the quality of record you can expect.
How did The band get together, did you know each other before CS?
I was between writing stuff for an old band I was in and I just wanted to write some proper death metal. Something that wasn’t diluted by a committee of others who wanted to bring different influences in. Sounds narrow minded but I think when you’ve got ¾ people trying to pull a band in different directions it’s never gonna work.
I’ve been playing with Jay our bassist for years now. James (drums) I’ve known for a long time from going to shows when we were like teenagers n shit and Matt…I’ve wanted to be in a band with Matt since we were at college together but things never quite lined up. So yeah we all go back a bit!
Sound wise not so much, but only in the sense that the BEST albums out there have a lot of variation, you know…there’s fast songs, slow songs, long songs …. A fair bit of shit we’ve never done before. But yeah it only gets more heavy and intense and when you hear the full thing you’ll know what I mean.
The bands production has always been great but these new tracks are exquisitely produced and mixed. Have you learned anything from previous recordings that have helped this time around?
Very kind of you! We do it all ourselves so that means a lot. Yeah the main thing was to not overcomplicate the guitar tone. 5150/6505 is the best for a reason. It’s best not to fuck with that and try to make something unique. And vocals… I’ve learned a lot from playing shows now (this is the first band I’ve properly done vocals in) so that helped a huge amount. But really the ethos was ‘keep it simple, stupid’
The artwork you use is always impressive. In the digital age album covers seem to be less important than they were. Do you agree? How important is something like artwork to you?
I couldn’t disagree any more haha! Artwork goes hand in hand with the music for me. It’s a whole package. Maybe it gets lost on 80% of people who only see the artwork as a tiny tile on their streaming device but that other % of people who want something to look at, or hold and admire on their 12” record…. I’m one of ‘em so that’ll always be a big part of how we present our music.
You are playing this years Damnation festival in Manchester. Are there any bands you ll be watching out for?
Hell yeah!!!! I’m stoked to see Electric Wizard. I’ve never seen em before so that’ll be a treat. Plus Inhuman Nature who are good friends of ours, Heriot, Undeath of course!
Akercocke, High Command, Khemmis and Anaal Nathrakh are the main ones for me. I don’t listen to much outside of death metal to be honest with you, so I’ve no idea who any of the other bands are or what they sound like. So I’m looking forward to being surprised and hopefully blown away by some of the more arty bands on the bill.
As a whole, Death metal seems arguably healthier than its ever been with bands like CS, Undeath and others. Why do you think this is happening now and where do you see the scene heading in the future?
I can’t speak for the others, but I think for a long-time the genre was kind in the shitter. Don’t get me wrong there was a few good bands kicking about, but not really enough to constantly be excited and always finding something you love. It would be months sometimes years between.
A key moment for me was checking out one of the more hype death metal bands of recent times and just thinking ‘the fuck is this shit!’ – I imagine it was the same for a lot of people like me and there just seems to have been a knee jerk reaction to that over processed ‘death metal’. Which is cool! But yeah that clicky, polished, terminator death metal ain’t for me.
What’s the best part of being in CS?
Doing cool shit and playing cool shows with my best mates honestly. That’s all I wanna do! Of course meeting enthusiastic people like yourself who keep this shit alive!!!!
When can we expect to get our hands on the new record?
The album is out August 25th! If you preordered it or are a church road subscriber you’ll get it earlier!
Pizza Death - Reign of the Anticrust
There are many themed bands around if you look hard enough. Cannabis Corpse, Froglord and Mac Sabbath to name a few. To my knowledge Pizza Death are the first and therefore best, pizza themed thrash crossover band in the world.
Like a stuffed crust with extra cheese the concept and the music go together wonderfully. Thrash probably being the only genre where people wouldn't bat an eyelid at songs like "Napalm cheese" or "Pasta of Muppets".
Yes this may not be the most serious or life changing record ever made but it is fun and has brightened my Spotify playlists up no end.
The Salt Pale Collective - A body that could pass through a stones and Trees
Rising and falling like an erection in a lift the Salt Collective's debut is a journey into the mists of imagination and is as heavy and bleak as a cancer diagnosis at a funeral. The band tick a lot of boxes for me and come across as the lovechild of The Ocean and Meshuggah at their most downtempo. What really shines here though is the elements of jazz and Noise that the band bring into the mix, this doesn’t over shadow the "metal" aspects of the sound and is lightly sprinkled like a hint of syrup in your morning coffee.
Overall this is a great debut from a band that more people should hear. Well done lads.
Kim Dracula – A Gradual Decline in Morale
I could never accuse Kim Dracula's debut of being boring. What I could say is the record is a schizophrenic, everything including the kitchen sink kind of album. Kim is not short on ideas. Throughout the record we get Nu metal style guitars, slap bass, trumpet fills, Ghostmane style raps and Jonathan Davis's manic vocal delivery.
The first listen to this album is like being slapped in the face with an oversized fish by a man you respect wearing your grandmother's clothes. Utterly incomprehensible, confusing and mildly arousing. After awhile though the slap hurts a little less and things begin to fall into place.
Kim's vocal range is impressive and matches the instruments in their variety and uniqueness. The aforementioned Jonathan Davis guests on "Seventy Torns" and the two compliment each other perfectly.
Despite my better judgement I really enjoyed the album and more than once I found myself unconsciously nodding my head. This album will undoubtedly get a lot of hate due to its rather unyielding weirdness but in a world so often filled with beige a little colour is a welcome addition. Nice one Kim.
Better Lovers - God made me an Animal
On paper Better Lovers is Greg Puciato (Dillinger escape plan) fronting Every time I die. This is only half right. Greg has been trying to find his place in the metal scene (arguably) since Dillinger dissolved back in 2017. ETID imploded a little over a year ago and both parties have come together to form an uneasy amalgamation of both groups. Throw guitarist Will Putney (Fit for an Autopsy) in the mix too and Better Lovers should be a real force of nature given the members history. For the most part this is true of their debut EP God Made me an Animal. I enjoyed the journey, short though it was. I couldn't get the thought that I was listening to a Dillinger cover band out of my head. This isn't necessarily a bad thing either just kind of confusing like a seeing a dog wearing yeezys or a camel wearing jorts.
As you can probably tell it is hard to work out if I like Better Lovers or miss the members previous bands. Either way the groups future will be an interesting one.
Each year Arctangent consistently brings us a great line-up that is diverse and surprising. 2023 is no exception. This year we have some awesome headliners to look forward too, hardcore beasts Converge, Druid mystics Heilung and the ever charismatic Devin Townsend. Those bands aside here are six groups that will improve your festival day no end.
CHAT PILE
Last year Chat Pile blew me away with their latest record "God's Country". The band specialise in down tuned riffage coupled with the social commentary of the Dead Kennedy's. Whilst (online at least) the group seem to have their haters a quick look over at their live videos on YouTube will dispel any doubts. The intensity the band bring in a live setting really amplifies the already emotionally charged songs.
Named after towering mounds of toxic waste, Chat Pile are not the most uplifting group out there and nor would they aspire to be. What they are though is a bleak, emotional and powerful band that will bring the heat come August.
RUSSIAN CIRCLES
Instrumental three piece Russian Circles prove just how inventive talented musicians can be using only a guitar a bass and a drum kit. Now seven albums into their career the band have a huge back catalogue of songs to chose from and audiences would be hard pressed to find a bad one among them.
Each record the band puts out hits hard. Whether it be heavy riffs, droning bass or futuristic passages and soundscapes. The band are on par and often surpass their peers and are up there with the best of the genre (namely We Lost the Sea). Their set is sure to be a highlight of the day.
PETBRICK
Formed from an unlikely combination of Big Lad's Wayne Adams and Sepultura founder Igor Cavalera. Petbricks music is like a drug induced fever dream with added blastbeats. The pair use samples and droning effects similar in style to groups like The Algorithm or even Aphex twin. Where Petbrick stands apart however is the caveman esq drumming from Cavalera Conspiracy main man Igor. This added depth makes the group a powerful duo with the ability to insight circle pits as well as raves.
The groups latest single "Singularity 10: Sleepless Eternal" is an 18 minute journey of metal, rave, break beat and noise rock. If you want to visit another dimension give Petbrick a watch.
JAGA JAZZIST
Normally here at Out of Step towers we try and keep things metal or rock at the very least but I have to admit I am quite taken by progressive Jazz big band Jaga Jazzist. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write! The Norwegian group, led by multiinstrumenalist Lars Horntveth travel from a jazz base into prog rock and electronica.
If you feel like an exfoliating palette cleanse of a set check them out.
HEALTH
OK I'm cheating with this one. I bloody love Health! Due to an unfortunate bout of crippling anxiety I missed them on their last UK tour. For me at least this show has been a long time coming I and can't wait.
The band have consistently released brilliant album after brilliant album for years now. The band have a habit of collaborating with some of the best artists (metal or otherwise) on the planet and they have become better musicians and song writers with each record. Just listen to new track HATEFUL if you need more convincing.
COPSE
When I asked the magazines followers which bands I should check out one name cropped up again and again. COPSE. The south west group perform their own flavour of post black metal.
Whilst there is precious little about the band online, what is available is reminiscent of genre leaders Amenra and Down of Gaia. With a new record on the way Copse might just be heading for similar heights. Be sure the catch this band in such intimate surroundings whilst you can.
Skindred
Rough Trade Bristol Sunday 6th August
Tonight is a celebration. Skindred have worked their ass's off cultivating a loyal following and a reputation as being one of the best live bands in the world. With the release of new record "Smile" (at time of writing the album is sitting at number 1 in the UK album charts!) it seems like all that hard work is paying off.
Seeing the band in such a stripped back capacity is odd at first. Tonight its just Mikey on an acoustic guitar and Benji being his charismatic self on vocals. No lights, not Newport helicopter in sight just an intimate showcase with one of the UKs best and most beloved bands.
Each song transfers beautifully in an acoustic setting and a little sprinkle of Bob Marleys "could you be loved" at the end of their set is the perfect end to a wonderfully heart warming evening.
Skindred are and always have been a band of the people and gigs like this one are exactly why. Rarely will you see a more genuine and down to earth group of lads that just so happen to be in one of the best bands we have. See you at Wembley boys!
Iron Maiden
Birmingham Utilita Arena 4th July 2023
Support: Lord.of the Lost
Opening up for Iron Maiden is a famously difficult task. Many bands have fallen foul to fans only waiting for the main attraction over the years. However Lord of the Lost rise to the challenge the erupt onto the stage with songs made to be played in arenas like this. The bands stage show is also impressive featuring fire and theatrics until the final note is played. Given time and a couple more albums under their belt LOTL could very well see themselves headlining venues like this one.
When all is said and done everyone present is only here to see one thing. The Kings of heavy metal Iron Maiden. Tonight the band are playing songs from their newest record Senjutsu and the 80s classic Somewhere back in Time with the odd fan favourite thrown in for good measure. The band, as ever are on fine form and are clearly having a great time. This is particularly evident during new tracks and the band seem revitalised playing each new song. The classics of the set are also played as if the 80s never finished and long time fans are treated to one of the first performances of the epic Alexander the Great.
Needless to say the fans in attendance love every second and the last hour and a half has seemed like ten minutes. Every single person in the packed arena is left happier and more fulfilled than when they went in. When it comes down to it that's why we listen to the music and that's why we go to shows. That, ladies and gentlemen is what really matters.
