Here’s an entertaining interview with Tony Jordan of Boston death metal band Scaphism. Their latest album “Unutterable Horrors” is out now on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. Grab yourself a copy:
CD: http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd163.html
Digital: https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/unutterable-horrors
For those unfamiliar with your band, please give a brief one liner about your sound and a quick FFO.
We play [insert random subgenre] death metal. There are thrashy moments but overall it’s just death metal. Some parts sound like Blood Red Throne, some like Deicide, some like Elton John, we’re kind of all over the place.
What was the writing process like for your album?
Evan churns riffs like a riff-churning machine (howmanyriffscouldariffchurner
What do you think sets your band apart from the rest? What does Scaphism bring to the table that no one else does?
We are the music-makers and we all want to know that the music we make is unique, but it’s not always about reinventing the wh(st)eel. We play death metal and while those two words encompass a vast array of sounds, there is a common backbone. In order to not fall into the obscure abyss you have to do something that stands out. We don’t write music with any particular sound or style in mind, we just write what sounds good to us. For me personally, I like writing lyrics that tell a story with a beginning and definitive end. Gore is ever-present but it isn’t the focus of the song, it’s used to emphasize the horror. While pointless gore and Carcass vernacular have their place, I’d rather tell a weird story.
horror, pain, gore, and death, which strangely enough is the label that released our new album. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Movies, stories, true crime, or even a bad day at work. You have to have all channels open as seeking inspiration is a fools errand. It comes in erratic waves at seemingly inopportune times but you have to be willing to take it….all of it….and work with what it hands you.
I don’t even know what quantifies the music “industry” anymore. Once upon a time large record labels were the be-all-to-end-all, the were pretty much the only way you could actually “make it”. There are still the industry conglomerates but the popularity and accessibility of independent music has sent them on a path of continued irrelevance. I love how music has become something just about anyone can do without needing substantial financial backing. Unfortunately global inter-connectivity means pirating is inevitable but I’m not making a living so it doesn’t affect us. For me, I just find it flattering that someone is sharing my music, but I can understand why those who depend on sales to finance their lives would find it worrisome. I just don’t feel like there is a way to stop it. Remember folks I’m just a random uneducated jerk-off so try not to read too far into it.
John Bonham on drums, Dimebag Darrell on guitar, James Jamerson on bass, Dio on vocals.
Which albums are in your top 10 right now?
I’m glad you used the words “right now” because my “recent top 10” is ever-fluctuating but this is what I’ve been enthralled by lately: The Ruins of Beverast – Exuvia, Godflesh – Post Self, Lvcifyre – The Calling Depths, Throneum – Pestilent Death, Cypress Hill – Black Sunday, Bal-Sagoth – A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria, Twin Obscenity – Where Light Touches None, Whatchamacarcass – Grinding the Ugly Off of Your Face, Boarcorpse – Uncured, Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the 36 Chambers
Likely still trying to figure out what in the hell Evan was thinking when he wrote some of his riffs. Each one gets progressively harder and faster so by the time that time comes, we’ll be playing at 1000 bpms. I’ll have to sing like the Micro Machine guy.
Craziest thing you’ve ever done together with the band?
We played the most ruthless, cutthroat, ferocious, unforgiving, savage, sadistic, and rancorous game of Settlers of Cataan imaginable. I truly have never been involved in a more barbaric event. oh and one time we brought 30 foam battle weapons on stage and basically reenacted the battle for Helms Deep. that was a close 2nd.
Thanks for your time, anything else you’d like to add?
No thank you for providing an avenue for us to promote our thanatological exploits. Without you, dear listener, I’d be screaming about Cthulu to my shower head, and that would just be weird.