“The core is thrash metal but it tackles the entire extreme metal spectrum throughout the record” – Interview with Warbringer

American death metal band Warbringer released their seventh album, “Wrath and Ruin”, on last Friday. Chaoszine interviewed the band’s vocalist, John Kevill, about the new album and the evolution of the two-decade-old band.

Greetings, Warbringer! How has your year started and who shall be answering to our questions?

John Kevill: Year has been busy setting up for the release! This is John Kevill, the guy who shouts.

Your seventh album “Wrath and Ruin” will be released March 14th. What can your fans expect from the new album?

John: A vicious and uncompromising metal attack, played with lethal precision and written to encapsulate the bleakness of the modern condition. The core is thrash metal but it tackles the entire extreme metal spectrum throughout the record.

How did the writing and recording processes go? How long did it take to finish the album and did you do anything differently than during the previous album?

John: The writing process was largely done in our studio with Carlos handling the pre production and arrangements. We wrote the record over the span of roughly a year, maybe a little less, though I had begun developing lyrics a year or two before we actually started writing songs.

Your lyrics often deal with warfare, societal collapse, and technological dystopia. How much of this is metaphorical versus direct commentary on current events, and has your lyrical approach changed over time?

John: Most of it is pretty direct, though I think any writer will use metaphor in there (for example, the title of the song “Cage of Air” is a kind of metaphor I guess, though I think the song is pretty directly about its topic). Basically a reflection on the past and a fear of the future has been a steady theme through the last records. I think that the world is indeed heading very rapidly into some oligarchic techno-dystopia and that is a central theme here, more so than weaponry or warfare.

Your sound has evolved while staying true to thrash metal roots. How do you balance maintaining that classic thrash aggression while pushing your technical boundaries?

John: It has happened very naturally. We have reached a point where, with seven records, we can reference our own material when writing new music, which is pretty cool. Part of the “classic thrash aggression” is just my voice and style I think. When the instrumental goes into more black, death, or heavy metal realms, the angry shouted bark that I do definitely keeps it more thrash sounding. Also I think that we are generally playing fast and hitting the gas all the time.

The band has gone through several lineup changes since forming in 2004, but the core sound remains distinctly Warbringer. What do you think are the essential elements that define your band’s identity regardless of member changes? 

John: I think a certain aggression, energy, and sometimes sense of epicness. I think my voice has a unique sound to it as well. There’s also a riff style that verges between classic American and European thrash, and steps into extreme metal genres at times.

You’ll be hitting the road in March once the album has been released, and after North America you’ll be heading to Europe in Summer. What are you looking forward the most on the upcoming tours?

John: Just the opportunity to get out there and play some metal for people! Every show should be cool, and a great chance to show what this band is all about live.

Do you prefer performing indoors or outdoors?

John: Well, doesn’t really matter what I prefer, we play every stage we are booked on like it’s the only stage! Indoor you often have better control over the sound so I suppose that. Outdoor sometimes the scenery is really cool though.

Looking into the future, where do you see Warbringer’s sound evolving next? Are there any unexplored elements or approaches you’re interested in incorporating into future material?

John: Not sure yet, we will have to see going into the next record! Each time we make a record, we ourselves don’t yet know the shape it will take, even if we go in intending something particular, how that actually takes form is something else.

Thank you for your time! Would you like to add something for Chaoszine’s readers?

John: Hope you guys enjoy the new record “Wrath and Ruin,” thanks for supporting our band, keep it heavy, and bang your head!!