Interviews : Truth Corroded (Gregory Shaw)

With only a few days to go until Adelaide thrashers Truth Corroded kick off their huge tour alongside French experimental metal band Hypno5e, we catch up with bassist Gregory Shaw to discuss the brand new album, the tour, and their recent lineup changes.

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So the big news at the moment is that you guys have your brand new album ‘Worship the Bled’ out now. For those who haven’t heard any of the new tracks yet, how does it compare to your past material and in what areas do you think it’s an improvement?

The new album is taking the sound to a new extreme but within the context of the TC sound. I think it is more extreme in that there is a borderline modern death metal edge to some songs, but not without losing our identity as a thrash metal band. The new album also offers some large grooves, particularly with songs such as “The Great Waste of Flesh”  and “Remnants”. We wanted the album to be a complete piece from start to finish – using the more extreme songs such as “Nothing Left Alive” and “Scavengers” in contrast to the groove of the songs previously mentioned. Adding to the contrasts are passages of violin and the construction of an intro and outro a sense of completion. In terms of improvement – I think it is more the band taking our sound to its next level – I am already thinking of what we will do next.

Do you have a favourite track?

A couple – “Knives of the Betrayed” which opens the album, and “The Great Waste of Flesh”. I think “Knives…” is like “Crown of the Apocalypse”, the first song on the last album – its in your face, but unlike “Crown…” this has a build to it. “Great Waste…” is a big groove song with an epic death metal edge – its a different song for us and Kevin Talley ( DAATH ) really added to the feel of the song.

Looking back on it, is there anything you would change if you had the chance?

There always is – maybe if we had tried composing a riff or a beat differently here and there – but overall, I think it is solid.

The album has a couple of high profile guests on it, namely Kevin Talley of Daath and Jonas Kjellgren of Scar Symmetry. Had you worked with them before or did you approach them out of the blue?

We had worked with Jonas on the Warlords album – so we already had a great experience working together. We have kept in contact since 07 when we recorded the album, and he understands our sound, so we contacted him to work together once again. Jonas also contributed a solo to the opening song on the album which was killer.

Kevin Talley was a first. We contacted Kevin following the departure of our last drummer to see if he was available to do the album. He had a period available before completing the new DAATH album, and really liked our previous work and new songs. To work with one of your favourite drummers who has performed with a number of bands we respect, and to also have the drummer that nearly joined Slayer on our album – well – fuck, how metal haha !

You’re also hitting the road very soon to tour for the new album with French experimental metal band Hypno5e. It’s a bit of an unexpected pairing, how did the tour come about?

We are very different bands – but I think that will offer more to those attending the shows. They are incredible in what they do – it is a band that offers more than just the song – they create beyond that and really want to paint the canvas completely. Really look foward to working together. Originally the tour was going to cover Australia, Japan and Europe – but due to schedules clashing for some of the band members it could not happen. But we will likely tour in Europe together later this year.

Both HYPNO5E and TC have the same publicist in the U.S. He manages HYPNO5E and we have been working together to arrange the tours for some time. The line ups for the tour are diverse to both compliment the diversity between each bands sound and also offer a cool range of heavy sounds for the audience.

I gather you’ll be performing a big chunk of new material live?

It is about half the new album and half from Warlords. The songs sit well together – but it has been hard to work out a set because we have a number of songs we want to thrash out from each album. We do not play any songs from Weapon anymore – so we now have around 12 songs to work with, but the sets are between 8 – 10 songs. Its cool because we can now mix up the set each show more so than before.

Are there any bands on the tour that you’re particularly looking forward to playing alongside?

Definitely – The Amenta, Lynchmada, Silver Ocean Storm, Ruins – but also a number of new bands in S.A such as Exethur and Sever Hill, and Icons of Deceit in Sydney who are playing their first ever show. There are a number of bands on the Gold Coast show – so look foward to checking out some new music at Release The Wolves Festival. Just going to enjoy seeing such a range of heavy music on offer in Australia.

Overseas we are playing with some incredible bands also – our good friends and drinking demons Lamentazione from Osaka, YouthQuake, Ogre from Tokyo – the fucking I will kill you sounds of In Vein from Thailand – and our brothers in Singapore from former band Bhelliom ( who we have toured with in China, Thailand and Australia ) who are now called The Corruptor. Lots of metal – lots of beer, sake and Thai whiskey – lots of fun – and lots of hangovers ! Bring it on !!

You guys are also supposed to be heading over to Japan soon. Is that tour still going ahead despite the recent disasters? 

Yes. It has been the most difficult decision I have faced with the band. Each band and crew member were given the oppurtunity to make a choice and that was going to determine our decision – if the decision had any member not wanting to go then we would postpone or reschedule. However, all the band members decided to go ahead with the tour. Each of us understand that there is some risk, and we have faced some opposition to our decision, which we respect and appreciate.

We want to go and show our respect through going ahead and offering our music as a moment apart from the distress people have faced since March 11. When we toured Japan for the first time in 2009, we were shown great respect and friendship, and we would like to extend that in return at this difficult time. It is all we can offer – but to those few that go to one of the shows – we are there to share that bond heavy music provides.

I have done as much as I can to understand the situation – but in doing so – you realise there is also much speculation and misinformation as well. The Japanese promoters and bands never considered cancelling the tour – but also appreciated any concerns expressed about whether it was right to go ahead with the tour. I think the view from within Japan is very different to the view from outside. However, right until we leave the situation will be reviewed.

There have been quite a few band member changes over the past few months, can you run us through the new additions to the band and how they’re fitting in.

There has been – it was a challenging year before, during and after the recording – but it has led to a great new line up. Our last drummer left prior to entering the studio – we did not find a replacement until October last year. The new drummer is Luke Peak – he played his first show with us supporting Mortal Sin in November. We also have two new guitarists – Wayne Batters on rythmn and Chris Walden on lead. Both Luke and Wayne were in a band called A Red Dawn, and Chris was in Closed Casket – both bands were signed to a label I run with Jason ( vocals ) – Truth Inc Records – so we knew that each guitarist were great players. The dynamic with the new members is awesome – a good fit.

The line up change with the guitarists occured late last year. Darren our lead player has had to step away from music to attend to personal matters and rythmn player Mark ( who founded the band ) has had to undergo carpal tunnel surgery on his hands – which has been a long time coming. Mark will be not playing for a good part of the year – and it is still uncertain whether he will be able to play at a level neccesary to play in a working band. But if he recovers and rehabilitates and can return to the band then we will become a six piece – which will be brutal !!

What are the band’s plans once the tour finishes?

Working on the late part of the year now. We have a few shows scheduled in S.A and along the east coast up until August. Plans are being put in place for a tour in Europe some time in Sept / Oct. if all goes well. There will also be some announcements made just prior to the tour or once we return which will see the band go to a new level of exposure. I have been writing some new songs that I look foward to working on with the band when we get back from Touring The Bled Australia / Asia – so quite alot is coming up for us.

Any final words for your fans?

Cheers for your support – please spread the word on what the band is doing – and I hope you embrace Worship The Bled and get thrashing ! See you on tour !

You can catch the band live on the following dates: