Hardcore metalheads SACRIFICAL BETRAYAL have a debut album out, with all new music in the works as well! The band has plans to play shows, a whole lot more shows, new music, and much more is in-store. The band discussed all of this below.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?
Sacrificial Betrayal was selected by myself Tom Fuller (vocals). Sacrificial betrayal isn’t about malice. It’s a deeply conflicted act where someone intentionally causes harm to a relationship or person they care about, believing it's necessary to protect something they value even more. The key is the perceived necessity and the strong internal justification. The general idea was that it can be taken multiple ways with multiple meanings but that how I describe it. The overall intent I want people to take from it, is that what you've sacrificed yesterday don't mean nothing for today. You have to continue but always be aware that this world will chew you up and spit you out.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
The genre of hardcore influenced metal is an all encompassing lifestyle of myself and the entire band. It is just all of us in music form. Intense, honest, hard working and looking out for our brothers. I served in the Marine Corps infantry for 22 years. This is something I am. The things we do and say are authentic and true. We are the same individuals on and off the stage.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
I came from a small scene in North Carolina while I was serving in the Marines. I grew up on Long Island, NY. I met Aaron (Guitarist) by happenstance. However, it turned in to be fate. We instantly became friends. We've been friends for nearly 8 years and been playing music for roughly 4 years hard and heavy. The band has had its share of members in its history. Myself and Aaron met our drummer Brian while we were on a tour. To sum it up, days before another tour we had, our drummer cancelled and we knew Brian was a talented drummer and just like us so we asked him to join. He played the tour and hes been with us for over a year and a half. I met Brandon (Bass) while Sacrificial was on tour as well. We ended up just hanging out talking and then stayed in touch. During a short tour run, we met again and at the time our bassist was not medically clear, I asked Brandon to join. He has been with us for over a year as well. So to answer that, yes but the band was already in motion.
4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We are based out of Richmond, Virgina. Our scene is full, there is alot of bands out here and there is alot of history and legendary people in this area. We have had members of Municipal Waste, Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, GWAR, At War in audience while we've preformed. I recommend Sacrificial Betrayal!
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
I am inspired to empower and help myself through my writing. I am captivated by good writing. I'm a big fan of Hunter S. Thompson. I don't write like that however, when something is put in such a way, that all you can do is just reply, yes. I am a cheesy 80s kid, i like a good movie montague, I like positive quotes and heartfelt speeches. Perhaps the tv show Scrubs is a good example cause at the end of each episode, there is a message. Reading the first appearance of Swamp Thing comic, was like word candy to me. Just amazing. There is no specific person that i am inspired by and music is just something that's in my DNA. When i was 5, i discovered cassette tapes and my history is nothing but music, talent shows, bass guitar, singing, guitar and all that. I found my purpose and place and i hold my lyrics close to my heart.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
The overall theme is, overcoming, loss, preserverance, inner struggles and life lessons. My own mother read my lyrics and was emotional with my song "Shadows", as it tells me and my brother Russ growing up in struggling life situation and protecting each other from our fathers abusive behavior. Internal Decapitation is a song about not forgetting the ones you've lost and to keep them alive in your memories to honor them. Pathbreaker is about making your own path and your own stories and don't live through someone else's. In death, we unite is about keeping your head high and look the world in the eye and overcome till the heart stops. Our songs are very direct and very clear with there message. This album Doubt Kills Dreams - was written to say things to myself, to give me strength. I also, wrote songs that I want my children to listen to and hear my words as advice. They are young dudes now at age 8 and 6 but, i wanted to put my heart in my lyrics to inspire them. When I'm gone, there will be those songs there daddy spoke to them on.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Yes. I write all the lyrics and Aaron writes all the riffs. Everything comes out in our full band jam sessions though and just messing around. I'm the singer so, I'm the cheerleader but if i hear something, i'll stop and make comments or adjustments so, i can find a good vocal cadence. We use phones to remember what we are working on. For us, its everyone writing, not just one person. A riff can drive sometimes and a drum beat can drive and a bass riff. I have ideas based off of what i heard writing so, i can add to the process. There is not a true formal process, its different all the time. Brian called Aaron at 10pm one night and started to hum a guitar riff so, he wouldn't forget it. I have recordings of me making guitar riff sounds during my toilet time so, i wouldn't forget.
8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
At the moment, we have an album called Doubt Kills Dreams. It was released in mid 2024. You can expect Doubt Kills Dreams to have an unpolished sound. We are not interested in computers, samples, bass drops, trigger drums or any backing tracks. This album was recorded raw just like the way were are live. I personally did the entire album vocally in about 2 takes on some songs and some just one take. I'm sure you can image that a lot of bands can have studio sessions can be in the hundreds of takes and then tweaked. This not the case with us. So, your not hearing a polished sound, your hearing a live sound with a good sound guy adding beef. We are a live band and we want people to see us and what we are about. We have 2 music videos on YouTube and I'm sure there is a lot of fan filmed clips when searched.
9. Do you have any new music in the works?
I'm sitting on 8 songs that I've written lyrically. We have one full new song not recorded that we been seeing how crowd reaction is. For which, its been a banger. It takes music takes time however, we get together twice a week and writing a new album is our plan. But, i support of Doubt Kills Dreams, there is a follow up music video on the horizon very soon. The new song I'm referring to, may or may not get a single track release. We will adjust, if an albums worth of music isn't ready to enter a studio by this summer. So, if all is not prepped by summer, then we will just record the one song or focus on an EP.
10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
2023-2024 we played in 17 states and we learned a lot. Learned a lot about this industry and this year we have made adjustments. Right now, we have about 12 shows on the books for the east coast, some have been released and some have not been released for promotion yet. We dropped some management services and signed with a new one this year so, we are excited about that. We will be playing at a festival in Las Vegas this year! We have a lot of hometown shows of course. There will be a big announcement this year for a tour package but, I can't release more information until contracts are signed - but we will be on the road this year for sure.
11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
To get to the next level. Every show we play, we make fans. Every time we come back to certain venues, there is more people to see us. The last show we played last week - I had 4 people up front who knew my lyrics and that was amazing. Our future is to tour with the right bands who want to help us level up. New album, New music video and all the normal band things to evolve. We are only as popular as people make us and that includes booking placement, scene, style, timing, crowd all that. Without support, there is no growth. Every band was local at some point unless its a new band with already successful known members.
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
We are on just about everything. YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and iTunes. We have merch on Bandcamp. We would also take a direct message on Facebook and mail out t-shirts. All questions answer by: Tom Fuller Vocals (Sacrificial Betrayal LLC)
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