DAMON SHAW: Bass
JASON NORTH: Vocals
SVEN HENTSCHEL: Drums
COREY GRIEVE: Guitars
Since the release of 'Begin' in 2001, Truth Corroded have under gone significant line-up changes and difficult challenges. As such, on a personal and political level, the message behind the title of the album is one of survival, declaring war against the war makers, 'Our Enemy is the Weapon' confronts in both sound and message.
From the shredding thrash of 'Kill of Lies' and 'The Cull' to the driving dark low end of 'A Sky Laden with Flies', 'Our Enemy is the Weapon' captures a sound that reflects the bands late eighties / early nineties thrash / death metal influences to the modern sounds of bands such as 'Lamb Of God' and 'The Haunted'.
The new Truth Corroded line-up has changed the sound of the band with the introduction of new elements. The addition of a second guitarist has added more texture and introduced lead guitar breaks to the bands music. Since under going the line-up change, the band has supported 'In Flames', Chimaira' and 'Sepultura'. Building on previous supports alongside Strapping Young Lad and Sick Of It All.
With roots stretching back to the early nineties thrash era (where four of the five members met) and the determination to create raw and shredding thrash in the tradition of bands such as 'Slayer, Chaos Ad / Arise era 'Sepultura' and Dark Angel, Truth Corroded are not here to follow nor lead, 'Our Enemy is the Weapon' is just raw fucking metal played with urgency and delivering an urgent message.
'Our Enemy is the Weapon' is available 1st quarter 2006 in Asia distribution through Truth Inc Records /MourningSound records ( Asia only).
"Truth
Corroded's sound has certainly moved on from their early metallic
hardcore influenced days, and evolved into something far more credible
and vengeful sounding. And given the desperate times we live in today,
their return with Our Enemy Is The Weapon is certainly a welcome one."
-MetalForge
"Our Enemy Is The Weapon is a heavier, more direct release that still captures the musical essence of what the band is all about. Begin itself contained a brooding, atmospheric intensity reminiscent of Neurosis
.-Rip It Up
Truth Corroded formed as a four piece in late 1996 / Early 1997. Three of the four original members continue with the band today - Mark, Damon and Jason. The original line up had previously worked together in a Sepultura cover band. The original line up split in 2002.
Truth Corroded reformed as a five piece in 2003, recruiting a second lead guitarist, Corey, and a new drummer Matt. The band redefined the TC sound, writing faster, heavier music that reflected the roots of the new line up. The new TC would go on to support Sepultura, In-Flames and Chimaira and record 'Our Enemy is the Weapon'.
Our
Enemy the is The Weapon turned has a real old school thrash and Death
elements from bands like Slayer, Sepultura, and more recent band like
Lamb of God. Can those bands been seen as true influences and what other
bands or musicians are TC influences?
The new line up developed a more distinct thrash / death sound, and that
sound is a consequence of returning to our roots. Our influences originate
from late 80's / early 90's thrash and early to mid 90's death metal -
bands such as Dark Angel, Early Sepultura (Arise, Chaos AD), Kreator,
Testament, Forbidden, Malevolent Creation, Obituary and Entombed. This
form of music is what constitutes TC. Bands that have influenced and inspired
us in recent times would include Nevermore, Burst, Mors Principium Est,
Mastodon, Decapitated, Lamb of God, Chimaira and Zyklon. Two important
influences on our sound would be, and will always be, Sepultura and Neurosis.
We tend tube influenced by bands that perform a style well and push the
boundaries of their own music or the style of the music itself.
Tell
us a bit more about this album, When reading the lyrics in the booklet
I thought the album was built up as a concept, is that true?
Lyrically
there is no single overriding concept - The lyrics cover a range of subjects
that sometimes relate, but do not form a concept. The lyrics on the album
deal largely with neo-imperialism and the tools of the neo-imperialists.
The on-going 'war on terror' features prominently in the lyrics on 'weapon'
As with previous TC recordings, the title and artwork convey a message
or theme. On 'Weapon' the message is a warning of the fatal consequence
of nuclear weapons. The message and imagery is intended to evoke a reaction,
to instil fear and raise awareness. I feel if we do not promote thought
on the state of today then we are as dead as the future we build.
How
did the press and fans in Australia react to the album?
The reaction to the album has been very positive from both press and
fans alike. In Australia, 'Weapon' redefined many peoples perception
of TC, as it is heavier and faster than our past material. We are a
new band with a new sound and want to be seen as so, considering the
reaction to the album and live performance so far, I think we have achieved
that. For the original members it is a new period in our collective
experience, and we have seen the bands profile and respect grow with
the new line up and album. I think people hear and see conviction and
belief in the music we play - we are not here to be 'fashionable'. Metal
is not, and should never be, fashionable. Metal is about discontent,
not designer labels. In Australia we are starting to see a younger audience
at our shows who are getting into real metal, and that is a cool sign
for the coming times.
'Weapon' is no big budget production. We paid for the recording through
working day jobs and performing and released the album through our own
label. But all up it is an album that represents the new band and I
feel it provides an introduction to what the band is capable of.
Which
tune from “Our Enemy is the Weapon” has been getting the
best crowd response as of late? Is that your favorite too?
I think our most popular song would be 'A Sky Laden with Flies' as it
is an older song and better known. Since the release of 'Weapon' I think
'Violence came Home' and 'Captives' would be the most popular with 'Ninety
One' close behind. My personal favourite is a song we do not play live,
unless as an intro, 'Resonance of the coming Fire', its dark, introspective
and well fucken heavy. My live favourites would be 'Ninety One' and
'Of the Ten'.
Please
compare the change or the difference between the beginning, the present
and the future of Truth Corroded?
Musically
TC today has a clear view of direction and in what direction the music
is heading. The original TC line up did not have a clear direction or
view of where we were going with our music. The original TC was heavy,
but not as heavy as the band is today. When the band reformed in 2003
it was a new band with a new sound. The songs we created reflect our roots,
and we intend to develop that particular sound even further.
In terms of our future, I think the music will build on the blueprint established with 'Weapon'. We want to explore how we can develop the various aspects of our music - the speed, grooves and contrasts, and take it to the next level. Furthermore we want to display the talents of the newer members, adding more emphasis on how the guitars will interact, the role of lead and also percussion. I think the darkness and aggression of 'Weapon' will be taken further. In terms of the band expanding its reach, the latest album has developed the bands profile in Australia and Asia, and received attention in Europe and the U.S. To extend our reach is our next aim, but at present our focus is on Australia and particularly Asia. We look forward to building new friendships in our own region.
Any
last words to the all the Asia metal maniacs out there?
The last word is see you soon!! The band are looking to tour later in
the year, so please check out 'Our Enemy is the Weapon' as we look forward
to unleashing a fucken neck thrashing on all the Asian maniacs!!!