Metalheads Closed Casket all got together and talks about "Hell At Capacity" their latest release to date and what they all have got in-store for themselves between now towards the end of this year into the next year!
1. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
The band started in early winter of 2004, when Sam and now ex-guitarist Mario began to work with Dan Pardi on a new band. Since then, the lineup has changed considerably, starting out as a mixture of gothic, punk, and thrash, which could only describe as "horror metal" since the more common genre names didn't quite match our sound. Fans will hear some sounds of our past – some of the gothic influences and hardcore riffs, are more prominent in earlier songs. They originated from the collaboration of the bands ex-keyboardist Nicole Hunter and original guitarist Mario Recupero. At the time of their exit Closed Casket was in the process of recording songs for a now unreleased album “Fall of the Rebel Angles”. The band continued to search for replacement members, eventually Alx joined the band on bass in 2008, bringing black and death metal influences to the writing style. Shortly after Dan McGrath joined on guitar, and he brings a modern power metal influence. You hear this more with newer songs such as Oracle, Shaman, and Imminent Bloom. At this point the band scrapped the previous recordings and started fresh with “Hell At Capacity.” Closed Casket still continued to play shows, but mainly focused on finishing the current recording. Dan, Chico and Sam are all grateful to have the talents of brothers Alex and Dan M in the band to continue bringing fans what is described as a unique style of Metal.
2. How did you guys come up with your band name?
SAM: ...it was so long ago; let me think way back now. Before the band had even been established. The words always stuck with me. Being brought up in a mostly Catholic family I've always heard the phrase "Closed Casket" used around funerals. For me, it meant the end of a chapter and the beginning of something new; as well as it being a mystery to what was inside, LOL! I always held on to it as I have always been intrigued by caskets and coffin shapes so for the thought of creating something dark and naming it just that.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
The band is based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has always been a great place for music since the early days of Rock to great Punk movement in both the 70’s and later 90’s revival. Since then the Hardcore scene locally of the late 90’s and early 2000’s has transitioned with more Metal oriented bands. Some great local bands we recommend checking out both past and present include Barren Oak, Forevers’ Fallen Grace, Ravage, Travel Amygdala, Apollos Resurrection, No Room to Breathe, Wargasm, Only Living Witness.
4. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
CHICO: lyrics are based on hate love confusion determination of winning battles, helping the ones who need help. A vast look at existence. Evil and holy beings which being all and one.
5. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Its hard to say because we are all into a huge range of different style bands, however Maiden rules to world of ruling things.
CHICO: my influence as far as voice sound is Priest Maiden Filth Diamond with a hardcore aggression.
SAM: Type O Negative, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Misfits, Rammstein, along with anything Punk, Goth, Industrial, Black Metal and Classical music.
DAN M.: Blind Gardian, Armon Armoth anything Power Metal.DAN P.: NOFX, MegaDeath.
ALX: Dissection, anything Black and Death Metal.
6. Is there any story or concept behind HELL AT CAPACITY title?
No theme no concept just a bunch of random punches from the gods that punish you!
7. Who produced HELL AT CAPACITY and what was it like working with them?
We produced it ourselves, we'd rather stress ourselves out than pay someone else to commit suicide. It gave us more freedom. We've even recorded while we've had parties going on after practice in our grimy studio we affectionately call home.
8. Who did the cover art for HELL AT CAPACITY and how much input did you have on it?
We all very much liked the work of an Artist from the Ukraine who goes by the name Seeming Watcher. Sam has followed his work over the past few years and contacted SW about featuring his work through-out the Album. We all had input and worked together on the layout and concept. While working and reviewing everything with Seeming Watcher online, we were able to complete our final revision.
9. Do you guys have any new music in the works as far as a follow-up release?
We are writing new Songs as well as working with some back burner material that we would like to feature on the next release.
10. Will you be shooting a video for any of the songs off HELL AT CAPACITY?
Yes, we are working on that, should hopefully be done many moons from now as it shall also be self produced with the help of our friend Jimmy who is a local independent filmmaker.
11. What are your upcoming touring/show plans?
We are currently booking and playing shows as well working on an east coast tour.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
At the moment Bandcamp.com is hosting digital downloads and sales of the hard copy. Expect to see availability anywhere from iTunes to CD-Baby for digital and E-Bay to your local record shop for the hard copy.13. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
The pain of listening to us.
14. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
DAN P.: Blue Chickens
CHICO: Chickens on blue acid
15. Any final words of wisdom?
DAN P.: Don't drink and drive when you can smoke and fly!
CHICO: Rock hard ride free!
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