By Will Oakeshott
Scottish philosopher and writer Thomas Carlyle may have been a mentor to Melbourne/Queensland’s progressive metal meets hardcore quintet ASecretDeath without the five members actually even realising it. Once quoted as saying “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance but to do what lies clearly at hand”, this inspirational quotation actually sings a very familiar tune for the five-piece, in numerous instances.
Firstly and one that has been already vaguely touched upon is the detail that members of the band reside both in Queensland and Melbourne. Ultimately this creates a vastness challenging basically every facet that is involved with the artistic endeavour of crafting and performing music.
Secondly is a circumstance that some readers may be unfamiliar with. This detail to reveal is that it has been seven long years since ASecretDeath released their critically acclaimed debut album, a record which saw the band establish an international profile including a distribution deal with USA-based label Tribunal Records (He Is Legend, Atreyu). Unfortunately, a hiatus soon followed for ASD; but the time, dare I say distance, between albums has been rather significant.
So where does Mr. Carlyle fit in? The aforementioned quote of his could quite easily fit as ASD’s theme, what lied clearly at hand was completing full-length number two for the outfit and the result entitled Epilogue is absolutely remarkable.
“It’s awesome to finally have it done, dusted and out there. Scott (William Reid, guitarist) has had these songs in his head, at least the skeleton of them anyways since we released our first album in 2008. So understandably there is a feeling of liberation somewhat there from something plaguing both his and my mind for quite some time,” he laughs.
Vocalist Nathan Wyner explains from his Gold Coast home (the only band member residing in Queensland), but this exceptional achievement was not without its obstacles.
“It was more difficult this time around. I live on the Gold Coast while the rest of the guys are based in Melbourne. If I turn back the clock a few years, originally if Scott had an idea, I could quite easily visit him at his home with the rest of the band and work on it without issue. Nowadays though any idea that is created that requires my attention, I will be sent a demo, which Scott generated and recorded through his computer. From there, I will work on it within my head but by the time we get together as a band to fashion out the song, it’s completely different, they have all had their input. So I’m almost back at square one. It can be pretty confounding at times.”
Leading up to the recording of Epilogue, which was handled by producer Mike Deslandes (Robotosaurus, Coerce), the band went into overdrive with writing, arranging and perfecting the eleven tracks, which make up their incredible sophomore record. But like every true artist, perfectionism becomes the voice of the oppressor, the ultimate enemy; for ASD this notion definitely had its impact right until day one in the studio.
“Just a few weeks before we were going to begin recording Epilogue, I travelled down to Victoria and we literally spent three days straight jamming out the final tracks. I recorded everything so I had a reference to learn absolutely everything back to front. But then, sure enough, when we came to actually lay down the tracks, everything had changed again. So I just looked clueless in the studio (laughs). It was much easier in the earlier days.”
With Nathan and Scott having a long history together as songwriters, over 15 years to be precise, their chemistry for writing ASecretDeath’s post-metal meets hardcore hybrid is indisputable. The newest version of the outfit brings in three new members, who to their credit have undertaken the roles bestowed upon them with diligence and dignity. It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, but the results certainly speak for themselves.
“As for writing together, for Scott and myself it is literally like riding a bike. We have been writing music together since we were in high school, so we understand each other’s thought process, what we like or dislike, we almost write for each other. Since the rest of ASecretDeath are relatively new members, we have to factor in their artistry and opinions. It’s hard to undertake in a way but it was also awesome to have fresh blood in there. We tried new things that in the past would have never occurred; it worked out really well.”
Wyner continues, “In a way we were kind of protective of allowing the newer members contribute their ideas, but it was all in good fun too, we would be like ‘nuh shut up guys’ and they would respond with ‘shut up old guys’”, he laughs. I mean there are probably five years between us older guys and the new blokes, they didn’t like all of our ideas, but we got most of them through. We accomplished that by pure stubbornness, so we all had to agree.”
Whilst the new full-length is only available digitally thus far, in September a limited edition vinyl release will be available through Monolith Records for fans worldwide to attain. Some fans, namely on the east coast of our fine nation have been fortunate enough to hear the newer tracks in a live setting after ASecretDeath recently completed a tour with mathcore party animals Totally Unicorn.
“Man I thought I could drink, I really did. At one point during the tour Drew (Gardner) was like: ‘Man, I’m so glad you drink as much as I do’; I was pretty happy with my effort so far. The next day though I was absolutely DEAD and somehow they were still drinking; we were probably only three shows in to be honest, they are machines.”
Unfortunately that taste will be the end point for touring for Wyner and co. for now, as guitarist Scott William Reid has recently moved to Japan with a work opportunity. However, do not let fear be the driving force, as this is not hiatus chapter two for the band. Far from it. Merely it is a speed bump with an awe-inspiring opportunity to follow.
“It does slow us down a bit with Scott moving to another country altogether, but by no means is it going to stop us. We are letting him get settled in his new home, then we will figure out when he can return and we will properly tour Epilogue. Then hopefully straight after we can fly back with him to Japan and do a tour there. I have to admit though it is a little strange releasing an album and then not being able to tour it,” he laughs. “The plan is to have this all underway before the end of the year.”
For the time being, a fragment of ASD’s live show is available to watched repetitively via the film clip for the first single Traffic Dancer. Not only does the video feature the band’s phenomenal live performance, but also an excellent insight into Nathan’s lyrical mindset for the song’s theme.
“I’m not even going to lie; I was really drunk for the Traffic Dancer film clip. The whole point of the song is how unhappy I am with my reliance on booze; so the emotion you are seeing there with me being angry at myself that is completely genuine. I am actually angry and drunk looking in a mirror, it is a little embarrassing but I was drunk and it wasn’t hard to do.”
Wyner recalls further. “I remembered it the next day, the thing is though it was just meant to be a few shots of us talking like that, but there was so many of us there, I actually somewhat forgot we were making a clip so I was very happy to just continue drinking. Wilson (Bambrick, director) had to actually keep reminding me that we were in fact shooting and keep me focussed.”
Wilson is no stranger to the outfit either. In 2013 ASecretDeath undertook a historic journey touring parts of Australia with Japan’s Pal that had never been visited by metal outfits in history. As a result a documentary has been in the works about the experience, which Wilson has been slaving away at to complete. My question to Nathan is, when can the world see this marvellous feat?
“I thought that question might come up. Wilson actually said once he finished Traffic Dancer he was going to finish off that documentary. I think it is mostly done; there are just some translation aspects to work through. Because it is getting a Japanese release and obviously an Australian release, so both languages are being utilised. I think the aim is for a September release.”
It would seem that this new chapter of ASecretDeath’s life is possibly the most exciting yet.
Epilgoue is out now via Monolith Records.
