Melodic death metal act THE SILENCE have just released their new single made video release called "Within". The band caught up to disclose the matters about the single turned video along with what else they have got planned.
1. Give a brief history of your band, and the members.
Initially The Silencer was thought up by me to be a side project with the original aim to incorporate other musicians in the underground heavy metal community. The goal was to release original music in my spare time in between my other active bands. In 2012 I released my debut single "Discovery of The Lost Cause.” Over the years since then I have released a new single just about a year apart from one another. I wrote and recorded all instruments and vocals on the singles “In Waiting,” “Solitarius Lupus,” and “Atonement.” In 2017 after the release of my single “Atonement” I wanted to make The Silencer a full time band. I enlisted bassist Dave Goyette, Drummer Zaki Ali, and guitarist Steve Toth. Their job at the time was to learn my track and perform it in a music video directed by Eric Dicarlo and SquareUp Studios. Soon after I wanted to take the band to the live stage. I then enlisted the talents of my long time friend Greg Giler to round out the live band. While we would rehearse gearing up for shows, Greg and I found ourselves jamming and writing a lot. This process soon became the catalyst for what would become our latest single “Within.” It’s the first single where I’ve incorporated the writing efforts of another guitarist. I also let Drummer Zaki Ali and Bassist Dave Goyette do their things respectively. Right now The Silencer’s line is
Myself (Charlie Corletta) on Vocals, Guitars, Arrangements, Greg Giler(Guitars) Dave Goyette(Bass), Zaki Ali(Drums) and my former Will Killmore/Julius Seizure bandmate Steve Toth as our live lead guitarist. This allows me to focus on solely being the frontman and lead singer live. It’s a great dynamic.
2. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?
The Silencer was a name I had on the back burner for many years. I have always been a huge fan of The Gothenburg Sound scene in Sweden. Back in the early 2000’s I got into The band The Haunted. They were a product of former Gothenburg Melodic Death pioneers At The Gates. They had a track on a live record “Live Rounds In Tokyo” called “Silencer.” I thought that would make a fantastic band name. I loved the double meaning. Silencers are quick and deadly, Metal is loud, quick and the mosh pits could be violent. I liked the idea that a band could be quick, aggressive and have the mentality that we are out to destroy all naysayers, or “Silence” the critics.
3. What genre does the band play and why did you want to play this particular genre?
I guess you could categorize The Silencer as a blend of Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore and Post Hardcore. Although as musicians we are all very well versed in multiple styles of music. I personally pride myself as a musician first and foremost, not just a metal musician. I just have always been drawn to the melodic death metal sound of the late 90’s and early 2000’s that paved the way for American bands to adopt the more Metalcore element in the mid 2000’s. I’ve been doing this a long time and was part of the first wave of those NWOAHM bands. However due to a break up in 2002 my original band Arbitrary never gained the commercial recognition like bands such as Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, God Forbid, Lamb Of God or Unearth. That didn’t change me though. My taste in metal has always fallen in line with those bands. At least in terms of my writing style. To me there’s nothing like hearing a band that sounds like Iron Maiden on speed and steroids lol.
4. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
I am lucky enough to have known all my bandmates before The Silencer. Greg Giler and I were childhood friends who played in a band for a brief period in 2005 called The Sequel. My live guitarist Steve Toth was also my guitarist in our last two bands Will Killmore and Julius Seizure. We were a successful underground NJ band with success on Sirius XM Liquid Metal and selling out local shows. It’s a shame we couldn’t continue but at the same time I’m so proud to have him still as my mate. He’s truly a remarkable talent and great musical mind. Bassist Dave Goyette, I’ve know for a very long time and was a hometown buddy of mine. Our old bands used to share bills together, our inner circles were closely connected, I always loved that we shared a very similar eclectic taste in bands outside of the underground metal scene and that he played bass without a pick! A true Steve Harris! Zaki Ali has been the man in and around NJ for sometime! Not only has he made himself as one of he most sought after drummers in the underground scene but he’s made a great name as a killer audio engineer! His old band Darkness Descends used to play regularly with my old bands and our two bands used to share the same rehearsal studio.
5. Do you write your own songs?
I am the primary writer, arranger and producer of all The Silencer’s material with Greg, Dave and Zaki contributing on the latest song "Within."
6. What are the songs about?
My songs deal with the balance and sometimes crippling counter balance of strength and weakness. I examine the human spirit. I take from my past experiences and struggles including issues from my childhood, failed relationships and personal shortcomings. I try not to dwell in those thoughts that have at times plagued me in a negative capacity but to instead find the strength within my words to crawl out of whatever feelings, thoughts or emotions that have festered previously. Once I create a positive message and have a song that I can perform live, I feel better knowing I’ve transferred the negative energy into something more powerful and up lifting. Our latest single “Within” examines the idea that we have a inner light that burns Within us but it’s often burdened by a contrasting darkness. The only way we are able to live a life of promise is to find that inner light and let it guide us. It can be something as simple as a memory we cherish, a line in a song, looking to a hero for inspiration, or the love from another person. Everyone has that one thing inside them that can tell them life is worth living. Sometimes people lose sight of that. It’s my hope that my words and the message of our video can remind people that they are worth it and that despite all of life’s challenges, there is a reason to live and love.
7. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
My musical influences include Jesper Strömblad, Björn Gelotte, Layne Stanley, Jerry Cantrell, Amos Lee, Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl, Jesse Leach, Brian Fair, Slash, Axl Rose, Tom Petty, Lemmy, Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, James Hetfield, Life Of Agony, and my mother(RIP).
As far as non musical influences, I really look up and am inspired by Gary Vee, Bruce Lee, Chris Jericho, Dwayne “Rock” Johnson, George Carlin, Dave Chapelle, Lemmy(again), Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Johnny Depp, Michael Alago, Ronda Rousey, And Michael Jordan.
8. What can be said about your latest single turned video titled "Within"?
"Within" offers a deeper understanding of the multifaceted sound and direction that I always envisioned. I was able to focus on the guitars, arrangement and believe I was able to develop a more mature vocal styling. The video was shot and completed by Eric Dicarlo and SquareUp Studios. This time I wrote and produced an intricate story line regarding the resounding interpersonal and positive nature of the lyrical content. I wanted to dive into the issues that I feel are plaguing today's youth, including suicide, bullying, mental health, social media exploitation, and sexual harassment, which are all examined in the music video.9. Do you have any new music in the works at this time?
Right now we plan on releasing a brand new single and music video for a song I wrote called "Die Trying." I was hired by WNN Evolve pro wrestling superstar Josh Briggs to create an entrance theme for him. I was so stoked to do this because I also work in the world of professional wrestling as a color commentator. I had told him that if I were to write a theme I didn’t want to do the typical chunky riff tough guy thing and that I wanted to write another single for The Silencer that was inspired by him. He had shown me that his current song was by Australia’s own Parkway Drive. This was a good sign seeing as how I love that band. He wanted me to capture a similar energy and vibe. I believe with “Die Trying” I did just that. We will once again be working with Eric and SquareUp Studios on the music video and expect a September release courtesy of our extend family at Catalyst.
10. What other plans do you have for this year?
From now til the end of the year my plan is for The Silencer to continue breaking new ground, gaining new opportunities to bring the band to the eyes and ears of new people, and to get on some bigger stages to play live. I’m hoping we can win some bids to tour and act as support for some bigger nationals. I plan on us writing and recording at least one more single and a cover song. I would also like to begin the process of putting together a limited release vinyl record called The Silencer “Collection” which would chronologically offer every single The Silencer has recorded to date in their original recorded formats. That way People can hear the progression and evolution of the project.
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