Interview Art of Attrition

Art of Attrition returns with their second album, "...And It Will All End Forever." In this interview, they share the creative journey, inspirations, and unique blend of technical deathcore and blackened metal that defines their latest release.

1. Congratulations on the release of your second album, "...And It Will All End Forever"! Can you share the story behind its creation and the inspirations driving it?

Thanks! As our sophomore effort, it was of utmost importance for us to provide the best quality work possible. At this point, we really hit our stride in terms of having good songwriting chemistry. I don't believe we had a specific sound in mind, moreso we wanted ensure we captured a healthy balance of chaos and cohesiveness. Composition is important to us.

2. Your music combines elements of technical deathcore and blackened metal. How do you balance these genres, and what draws you to this unique blend?

I honestly believe that we just play what we want to play. We certainly take some influence from other bands (Archspire, Mental Cruelty, Lorna Shore), but it ultimately boils down to being music that we enjoy playing, as well as listening to. We believe that if we love our music, that translates into a passionate and gripping live performance.

3. The album delves into themes of self-introspection and internal struggle. Can you elaborate on how these themes influenced your songwriting and overall approach?

This is a bit more of a "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" sort of inquiry. Josh typically writes his lyrics based on the melodic motif of the music, or uses something in his lyric backlog that he feels suits the track.

4. Compared to your first release, "The Void Eternal," what new elements or changes can listeners expect in "...And It Will All End Forever"?

Less focus on orchestrations, more focus on well articulated dynamics by way of effective songwriting. There will be less technical parts, and more crushing, groovy riffs. There will however, be no shortage of speedy blast beats.

5. The album features intricate guitar work and epic orchestration. How do you approach composing and arranging these complex musical layers?

We aim to have the layers compliment and accent eachother. Music is conversation, and conversation requires a healthy amount of back and forth, with questions and answers. If everything is loud and "full" all the time, things tend to get muddy. Much like a conversation of two people shouting at eachother. Particularly in the setting of a live performance, which is always on our minds while writing.

6. The track 'Drown in Fog' opens the album with a powerful impact. What was the inspiration behind this song, and how does it set the tone for the rest of the album?

As the opening track, it was very important that we start it off with fierce intensity. From the very start, we want our listeners to be made aware that this EP is designed to make them feel something. It's loud, and it's in your face, but it will also allow for some reprieve and introspection.

7. Your lyrics confront inner struggles and emotions such as anger and anxiety. How do you translate these intense feelings into your music?

A lot of that is reflected in the choice of vocal styles. Shrieks and snarls are for parts that I feel embody the lyrical passages in whicu they are used. You may also notice there are some more hardcore style fry vocals with clear pronunciation. That is by design, as an aid to have aggressive but clearly understandable lyrics that speak the story within the song. 

8. The album includes hauntingly memorable solos and epic choruses. Can you discuss your process for crafting these standout moments?

We believe that much like in pop and other varieties of music, a good chorus and hook aids in making a track far more memorable. Familiarity is one of the most attractive traits in a chorus, and simplicity helps. This is why we elected to have simple, but grand, choruses in tracks such as Vitriol. It also helps the occasional technical part of the songs stand out even more. If everything is fast, nothing is fast.

9. How did the recording and production process for "...And It Will All End Forever" differ from your previous work? Were there any new techniques or challenges?

It was fairly similar to the production of "the Voud Eternal." Guitars and vocals were tracked at home, drums were tracked by Diego Fernandez of Oracle Studios. The only major difference is we elected to hire out the mixing and mastering to Nico Beninato of Kimera Recordings, as we wanted to try someone who was outside of the Canadian scene. We went this route as we wanted to have something that sounded a little bit different than other bands from our region.

10. Art of Attrition is hitting the road for "The Cascadian Carnage Tour" and performing at Loud As Hell Festival. What can fans expect from your live shows during this tour?

They can expect a VERY high energy show. We have put a lot of work in on adding in some new stage moves, and have written some "crowd engagement" sections into our live set. We really believe that we are doing so much more than performing our music, we are putting on a show. We want people to not only go home having their minds blown musically, we also want them to feel like they were part of an engaging and exciting show.

11. You've mentioned that the EP is a metaphorical checkpoint on the journey of self-discovery. How do you hope listeners will connect with this idea through your music?

Yeah, that would be super cool. It is a great feeling when people are interested enough to learn about the lyrics and what they mean. If they can connect with them and it helps them find solace and peace within their personal lives, that is even better.

12. What are your future plans following the release of "...And It Will All End Forever"? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?

As it stands, we are hoping to have a few singles ready for fall/winter. These may feature some different musical ideas, but we arent entirely sure as we are just beginning to write again. Following that, we have a rough idea for a concept album. This would be uncharted territory for us, and we are very excited to see how it turns out!

Art of Attrition