“We were having a flippant conversation about how we like Pantera and Slayer, and Ryan was like, ‘They use a pedal similar to this you guys want to try it?’ We already had the solo at the end that A.J. We wanted to have new music out, but we also didn’t want to put out an LP and not be able to tour Releasing this EP was a pandemic-related decision. It was definitely an octave/fuzz type pedal. I think that was a Foxrox Octron, but I’m not fully sure. We recorded with Ryan Bram at Homewrecker Recording Studio in Tucson, Arizona – he’s recorded Gatecreeper and some other bands. “That was honestly just a spur of the moment decision. Was that coming out of one of the boutique pedals at the studio? On this latest EP’s re-recorded version of Skinned Alive, there’s an octaver-type flair to the lead section that hadn’t been there on the original recording.

uses an Epiphone Explorer with a Valhalla Predator in the bridge, and a Gibson SGX with the stock Gibson pickup in the bridge.” In the studio, I used a Snow White LTD EX-401 with the same pickup. “Live I use an LTD EX-401FR with no neck pickup and an EMG-81 in the bridge. They blend nicely, especially with Eric ’s bass tone.” Our gear is a little different – he brings that low-end crunch mine is more on the high end. I’m pretty sure he has a DS-1 as well he has a different overdrive. “On A.J.’s side, he has an ENGL Fireball.

I also have a Boss Dimension C chorus and an MXR digital delay on my 'board for various effects. For my pedals, I have a regular Boss DS-1 an TS9 Tube Screamer a Boss Noise Suppressor… my tuner broke, so I’m using one of A.J.’s. He’s able to piece it together a little more. is more thoughtful he knows more about chords. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there – whatever euphemism you want to use. “I fly by the seat of my pants! I figure it out as I go. How would you describe your respective lead styles? has arguably a more classical approach to his sweeps. On that point, you each have your own solo sections on The Edge of Existence – you’ve got that series of dives and hammer-ons A.J. brings that low end crunch mine is more on the high end It was our first time writing with A.J., that’s brought a new flavor to it.” “We don’t think about it too deeply it’s just a progression. The Edge of Existence ’s title track has got this different kind of a roiling groove up front, a bit more down-low and brutal than the high-speed Wretched Illusions … We blended a lot of things I think it turned out sick.” “We really like to tinker and play around with things, honestly, we never really go into any recording like, ‘This is exactly what it should sound like.’ We got in there with the gear we have – our Peavey 6505s and regular pedals – and we were able to use more boutique, expensive gear that the studio had.

Were you consciously seeking out a different kind of sound? In general, your tones seem to be warmer and more off the bone on this EP than the mid-heavy crush of Wretched Illusions.

Metal gear rising ost vocals only