Firey Sides Chat: Lord Dying

Lord Dying may not be a badass new character from Game of Thrones or a new Castlevania villain but they are just as cool! These masters of sludgy doom have risen from their crypt and are preparing to ravage the west coast for three days thanks to Black Arrow Entertainment. This special tour which will kick off July 7 at the Tiki Bar in Costa Mesa, CA, make a stop here in our backyard at The Merrow on July 8 and wrap their limited run on July 9 at the Bootleg Theater in LA.

The Ugh Metal overlords had their personal ASSistants, Jennifer and Santi, chat with guitarist/co-founder Chris Evans before they embark on their tour. After exchanging heartfelt “Thank You’s” and friendship bracelets, the interns asked Chris some burning questions to get to know them a little better.

Chris Evans of Lord Dying
(Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s Facebook page)

Ugh Metal Staff: Is there a particular meaning behind the name “Lord Dying?”

Chris Evans: Maybe a little bit. It was a phrase we came up with or whatever. A long time ago, right before this band, we tossed around a lot of band names. We thought this one sounded pretty cool. Erik (Olsen, vocalist/guitarist of the band) and I grew up in Salt Lake City like amongst a lot of Mormons and stuff and all that so it kinda (he chuckled) it kinda was there. A metal response to that in some way.       

UMS: It’s really cool and its very Game of Throney, so I really like it.

C: (Laughs) Yeah.

UMS: (Laughs) How did you guys meet? I’m pretty sure there’s no Tinder for bands out there so give us the deetz, man.

C: (Laughs) Well the band…the core of the band has always been me and Erik who is the singer and the guitar player. We met in elementary school in 5^th grade. He was wearing like a Metallica shirt or something and we started talking at recess and we’ve been going in bands on and off together since then.  We learned how to play guitar together and stuff. So yeah this is kind of the next thing that we did and you know in the meantime we met…we’ve played with a lot of people in this band we’ve had a lot of bassists and drummers kind of in and out just ‘cause of how much we tour and all that. Not a lot of people can keep up with this.   

Everyone laughs

 C: But currently we’ve got Matt Price (bassist) and Chase Manhattan (drums) on drums and bass they pay in a band called Behold! The Monolith. They’ve been around the group and we’ve already played together It’s been working out really good.

UMS: How was your journey as a band before getting signed to Relapse Records?

C: Like I said, me and Erik have known each other since elementary school so I was trying to start a band here in Portland and I just wasn’t gellin’ with the people I was playing with and Erik was at my house one day and he stepped in and we wrote our first two songs that night. We had a friend who played in a band called Black Elk (ex-bassist Don Capuano) and right around that time they broke up and we asked the bass player to join and he did.  Then we were looking for a good double kick drummer in and in Portland, at the time, there really weren’t any but we put the word out and a friend of ours told us a guy had just moved out here from Memphis, he played double kick and was looking for a band and we all just gelled really well and that’s how we got the band started.

Vocalist/guitarist Erik Olson and Chris Evans jammin’
(Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s FB page)

UMS: This one had us a little curious, out of all the subgenres why exactly did you choose sludge metal?

C: Well honestly we don’t choose the sub genre we’ve always called ourselves a metal band. And I guess all the other descriptors come from other people, maybe that’s how it ends up sounding. We’re fans of sludge for sure and doom and all that but we’re never trying to do any particular subgenre of metal.

UMS: What would you consider your main influences?

C: They change all the time. I’d say originally it was, like one band all of us agree on is Slayer and we were always in to like old thrash like Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer. But you know also things like High On Fire and more riffy stuff like Black Sabbath of course. We’re also in to a lot of calmer things, like me and Erik love Pink Floyd and a lot of progressive stuff… And Opeth maybe?

Everyone laughs.

UMS: What new things can we expect to see from Lord Dying in the future?

C: Well right now, except for the three shows were playing in Southern California, we’re pretty much taking a year off the road and we’ve just been writing every day.  We’re about halfway done writing the new album so we hope to hit the studio by the end of the year and have a new album next year and hit the road.

UMS: WHOA! Is it possible to know what kind of concept you guys are gonna do on this upcoming album?

C: Well there is but we’re kind of messing with it, the content of the album but it’s a little too early to say what we’re doing right now but it’s certainly, so far, quite a bit different than the stuff we’ve been doing.

UMS: So will you guys be experimenting in this album?

C: Yeah a little bit, we just finally decided to take the time to really sit and write and took our time to focus on like making the songs as good as we can. Some of that has taken a sort of different shape than our last couple of albums. Still heavy and hard but there’s also a lot of calmer stuff and maybe more progressive elements to it but we’re kind of just doing whatever we like at the time.

UMS: Man, it all sounds good either way. We can’t wait to hear what you guys are gonna offer.

C: Yeah we’re really excited about it. We love what we’ve come up with so far.

UMS: Is there a particular artist or band you’d like to collaborate and why?

C: Oh man. *sigh* I don’t know.

UMS laugh  

C: I know we’d love to tour with Slayer or Mastodon. Collaboration wise I don’t know, that would be a difficult thing.

Lord Dying and Kirk Windstein from the legendary Crowbar.
(Photo Courtesy of Lord Dying’s FB page)

UMS: What artist or band that is not considered “metal” is your guilty pleasure?

C: I would say the Alan Parsons Project. I think it’s great music I like the idea of that band where Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson wrote all the music and then hired musicians to play it. The concept of the music is all progressive and weird but the concept is super dark and I’ve always been a big fan of them.

UMS: Damn, I was shooting for Kenny G.

Everyone laughs.

UMS: What is the craziest experience you’ve ever had on tour?

C: Hmmm….I’m trying to think.

UMS: Ooooh! Whoa!

C: (Laughs) Oh no! I’m just trying to think there’s been plenty of debauchery. Maybe the craziest that comes to the top of my head is a show we played in LA with Toxic Holocaust it was at an unofficial tire place but they said they hadn’t sold a tire in years. It was in Compton, it got really crazy and the cops were surrounding it and while we played, the ghetto bird with the spotlight on us the whole time, and that was pretty crazy and Erik got to yell “Fuck the police, kill the police!” on stage so that was fun .

UMS laughs

Though Lord Dying has been around for seven years, they have managed to live the dream many bands hope to have one day. Expect to see more of these critically acclaimed doom masters in the future but while we wait, be part of this very special tour and catch them today (July 7) at the Tiki Bar, or for our local peeps catch them tomorrow (July 8) at The Merrow with Eukaryst, Raise The Guns and The Bastard Saints and On July 9 at the Bootleg Theater in the city of demons… I mean angels!

The Vader Empire Struck Back

Vader performing live and in the flesh for the Ugh Metal hooligans and fans,
(L to R: Guitarist Marek “Spider” Pająk, bassist/vocalist Piotr Wiwczarek, drummer James Stewart and bassist Tomasz “Hal” Halicki)

June is the season of graduations and when children avenge themselves and claim back the Earth, but the ravenous squirts and anxious teens weren’t the only ones to graduate. The Ugh Metal hooligans also had a promotion of their own much more valuable than Jenny Oh’s HR degree from Shae D. University or Chuggo’s Jester degree from Klown Kollege. Are you ready for this jelly?! Okay, here it comes. On June 7, these losers finally caught a break and had the opportunity to listen to the mighty Vader live and in the flesh! Gone are the days where they used to blast these death metal titans in the Ugh Mobile Mark 1 and 2! We will neither confirm nor deny whether the Klown and Jenny Oh cried a little but who wouldn’t after that night at the Brick By Brick?

J: AND I will confirm and not deny that this narrator is a liar ‘cause I don’t cry! Though I was feeling all sorts of things because VADER!!! The time had finally arrived and we were there man!

C: No longer did the Klown have to confine himself in his car to listen to these badass gents. But before we continue speaking about the mighty Vader, allow us to give credit where credit is due. As we all know, openers grease the wheels setting the shows in motion.

J: Kicking off the unholy campaign was none other than Warpath, marking their fourth appearance in Ugh Metal.

C: Another name synonymous to the Ugh Metal name but this time, they meant absolute business.

J: These gentlemen rolled out beneath the dark lighting and filled the emptiness around us with their battle cries along with their faithful caravan.

Warpath completing another successful conquest at the Brick.
(L to R: Guitarist/backup vocalist Chance Perez, vocalist Johnny Osuna, bassist Jason Wolfe and lead guitarist Harrison Whitecloud)

C: I’ll say! But that’s not what intrigued the Klown. Warpath promised a new song and they delivered.

J: Warpath unveiled their own anthem called “Warpath.” This vicious song will strike fear into their enemies and naysayers!

C: The real surprise of the night from them was when they busted out the big guns in the form of Pantera’s “Domination.”

J: YOU DON’T MESS WITH WARPATH! Especially after they unleash their empowering anthem “Unbroken” and the first song they composed “Leech.” I love epic endings!

C: Right you are, seester!

J: Things got a bit Micawber after this battle, giving way for some wickedly awesome death metal straight from Wisconsin.

C: The titans from Title Town treated us to some terrific terror titled based death metal.

J: WTF! Way to resurrect my migraine Chuggo! No wonder mother approved for you to go away to Klown Kollege!

C: I didn’t need mother’s approval…

J: Whoa look at you, wild child! AND in first person too! You MUST be sober. But enough about you Pagliacci, Micawber let out not one but TWO new brutal songs called “Funeral March” and “Beyond the Reach of Flames.”

Micawber is THE sharpest cheese.
(L to R: Bassist Marv Gouin, vocalist/guitarist Leighton Thompson, drummer Tyler Lachowicz and guitarist Derek Debruin)

C: Sounds like the Klown’s wake and destination. On a side note guitarist/vox Leighton Thompson’s vocals were bitchin’. His soft spoken nature may throw you off from his demeanor but once he starts growling, all bets are off!  Thompson kept up with the crowd too.

J: Wisconsin gave us their biggest and sharpest cheese yet! This quartet’s brutality will linger in your eardrums long after you’ve had your serving.

C: Okay Chef Wolfgang Suck! Enough of your voice of ruin and it’s time to talk about Voices of Ruin.

J: These SoCal legends have been building steam for the past nine years.

C: AND counting! The Klown has heard the name linger for some time but never had the chance to experience them till that night.

J: It wasn’t hard to see why the quintet is so well known down under in So Cal. They bring a fun and jovial energy to death metal and know how to connect with the crowd. Vocalist Dave Barrett addresses fans like they are old buddies of his.

Voices of Ruin throw the best family reunions!
(Vocalist Dave Barrett, rhythm guitarist Steve Carlton, bassist Wally Myers and guitarist Tom Barrett)

C: He also managed to turn this into a family affair. Aside from guitarist Tom Barrett being his brother, his father was present in the crowd. Barrett senior got an ovation from fans making it one hell of a father’s day moment.

J: Barrett senior was the coolest cat in the crowd and adding to this amazing moment was when Voices of Ruin played a different song in this tour stop and performed “Lost In A Dream.”

C: Which is how the Klown feels when he drinks good beer. I want to slaughter! [Patent pending]

J: The Klown may be referring to his nightly burrito slaughter but…

C: YEAH! ‘CAUSE I’M NO PUSSY!

J: Sure, sure you’re not… The next band to take the control of the stage was what the Klown performs on many defenseless burritos every night, Sacrificial Slaughter!

C: This had no guacamole, but at least they were local…sort of. It’s only a thirty minute drive to Corona so technically yeah.

J: Ummm…hmmmm…like I told my last date NO. These dudes came in ready to crack a few beers and skulls open! Vocalist Steve Worley was so ready; he dropped his pimp shoes at the door and was ready to go!

C: The Klown wants to say that he came at us like our Aunt Candelaria does before whooping our asses with the chancla.

Steve Worley and bassist Jorge Domingues of Sacrificial Slaughter were ready to give us a melodic ass whooping we all asked for.

J: Instead of feeling the reign of the chancla, we felt the “Reign of the Hammer”

C: It’s worth noting that that was one of the Klown’s signature moves when he was in The Railing Bros. Circus. Ultimately the ring leader, who was totally jelly of me, called me “The Inhuman Scourge.”

J: That’s old news you Klown shoe! Something Sacrificial Slaughter is not! Spare us your sad tales of how you soiled our family name.

C: Not much to soil. It feels more like an Internal Bleeding *Looks into the nonexistent camera and winks*

J: What is wrong with you?! What are you looking at?

C: The Klown is speaking to his faithful fans! Their satisfaction is the “Aftermath.” I’M DOING THIS FOR THE FANS! That does count as community service right?

J: Oh…sure, sure it does. I’ve grown tired of hearing about your “Inhuman Suffering” but I couldn’t get enough of the Internal Bleeding song especially if guitarist/hypeman Chris McCarthy

C: If the Klown had a hype man like him, the Klown’s career would have continued… probably. On a very serious note though, in light of the tragedy that occurred within the band, the Klown has to give props to guitarist/founder Chris Pervelis. The Klown can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for him not having his best friend/co-founder/drummer Bill Tolley. *Cracks open his finest beer* It’s a little late but here’s to you, sir. You’re a hero in every form.

J: Right you are Klown. After Pervelis’ heartfelt speech on his fallen brother, Internal Bleeding was oozing with enthusiasm and overwhelming energy. The band did justice to Tolley’s memory and his drum kit which was brought on tour for one last hoorah. The Long Island quintet channeled their pain into a memorable performance and stole the show, they true showmen till the very end.

Internal Bleeding served justice indeed!
(Vocalist Joe Marchese, guitarist/co-founder Chris Pervelis, drummer Kyle Eddy, and guitarist/hype man Chris McCarthy)

C: Speaking of justice and to commemorate Tolley one last time, the group treated us to “Final Justice,” the final song the drummer composed for the band. And justice was served indeed. The Klown will take his nose off for their current drummer, Kyle Eddy, because he only had two weeks to learn the songs and he delivered.

J: Internal Bleeding may have divided us with a wall of death metal but Vader conquered.

C: Our lords from Poland conquered indeed and were the face of The Empire.

J: This empire was far from being a “Silent Empire” and shoved us in a “Vicious Circle.”

C: Talk about a “Triumph of Death!” It’s almost as if it was a “Prayer to the God of War.”

J: No more gin for you and your “Cold Demons.”

C: You can’t make me! That’s like sending me to the “Dark Age” of sobriety! Otherwise I’ll start sounding like those people that are “One Step To Salvation.”

J: I’Ll StArT SoUndINg lIkE THosE Ppl THaT aRe oNe StEp TO sAlvAtIoN! Yeah, yeah!

C: Anyway! The Klown was glad that Vader treated us to some classics such as “Parabellum.”

Vader is cooler than any cucumber AND kielbasa!

J: That’s from the new album dummy! Vader brought some brutality with “Carnal” you know what didn’t make me feel so carnal?

C: The hot Mexican neighbor you keep spying on, you know the one that calls me “carnal” sometimes?

J: …No…And you promised not to speak of…nevermind! No, their shortage of merch! Jenny sad…

C: Yeah! They should have just “Send Me Back To Hell” when I heard that A.K.A. summertime in Las Vegas, stay tuned for that one kids.

J: Oh gaawd y!? It was also drummer James Stewart’s burrrfday! Yay! Vader had us all sing happy birthday to the drummer, though there was no cake in this celebration, but that’s okay!

C: The Klown wanted to give him his Railgun Special, but security tackled the Klown down. However, Vader gave us the true treat of the night.

J: RAINING BLOOD! They surprised us with this timeless classic and all hell broke loose, again. Though Vader is not the type of band that runs around the stage like a rabid beast, their music does all the work along with their strong presence.

C: It was great seeing Piotr and company. AT LONG LAST! And in my own backyard! Most importantly, it was great not being confined in the Ugh Mobile Mark 1 blasting some Vader. Though this inside joke will not stop, especially on Goosebump Saturdays at the Ugh Metal HQ. This one was for the books and had a little bit of everything for everyone, ‘till next time Klown shoes!

Piotr relieved no one got the Klown’s “Rail Gun Special”