Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Joining us today are the titans of Ohio’s metalcore scene: The Crimson Armada. Known for their explosive blend of technical deathcore and symphonic elements, the band has left an indelible mark on the genre with their high-speed riffs and spiritual lyrical themes. We sat down with lead vocalist Saud Ahmed to discuss the evolution of their sound and what the future holds for the project.
Hi guys! It is a huge pleasure to have such a legendary band with us today, a band that helped define an entire era in the past! For letting the fans know; Who is The Crimson Armada and what members make it up now?
Saud Ahmed: The band so now Michael Newman and Stefan Orozco on guitars, Jaxson Tackett on drums and me (Saud Ahmed) on vocals.
What made you bring The Crimson Armada to the decision to return to the scene?
Saud Ahmed: In September 2025 I lost my corporate job and prior to that had been making some music again but was avoiding making new TCA because of the commitment and time investment required to do so. It also seemed like our sound was beginning to receive appreciation so it felt like a good time to test the waters with a single.
Going back to the beginning, how influential do you think The Crimson Armada was in the old days? Is there a clear legacy in the new generations that carry your DNA?
Saud Ahmed: I don’t believe TCA influenced many bands back in the MySpace days. I have met a small handful of bands nowadays that cite TCA as an influence on their guitars or vocals.
Is there anything from the late 2000s and early 2010s that you miss about the current scene?
Saud Ahmed: I miss the simplicity of the release cycle of records. I also miss how cherished records were before streaming. There was so much value in buying a record and listening to it front to back.
So, one of the questions I’m most excited to ask; Will we have a new album this 2026?
Saud Ahmed: We have a new EP that is part one of a trilogy that releases May 20th. It’s 3 songs and each song is about 5 minutes long and each song bleeds into the next and the EP loops back into itself. It will also bleed into the next EP. It’s potentially a risk to do this in the current music economy that does not seem to reward longer songs but I believe it’s the right move for the band and our scene in general to be more intentional with our art instead of catering to the tiktokifcation of attention spans and culture.
Since you’ve made a name for yourself throughout your career, you’ve built a massive community in Europe that would love to see The Crimson Armada on stage here on the old continent. Is there any chance of this happening?
Saud Ahmed: Though we have no Europe dates on the books, I would say it is inevitable we end up over there. One band I would love to tour with in Europe is Heriot. One of the few newer metal bands I believe is doing something innovative
Could you name three bands that were references for you both in your early days and now?
Saud Ahmed: In the early days the big three were as Blood Runs Black, The Black Dahlia Murder, and As I Lay Dying. Nowadays, I don’t listen to much newer metal as too much of it has become homogenized and doesn’t capture my attention. I got into hardcore when I started making music again about 3/4 years ago and in turn got into thrash as well. Some big influences for me now are I AM (the best metal band of the last decade in my opinion) and Mindforce. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Lamb of God lately.
Well guys, that would be all, thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me!
Saud Ahmed: Thank you very much for inviting us, it is a great pleasure! Take care of yourselves!
