BODYSNACHER: Interview with drummer Chris
01.09.2024 | 21:01
Somewhere between death metal and metalcore, the Sunshine State band BODYSNACHER have been raging for a few years now. With three albums under their belt, they have already celebrated dark, aggressive and angry successes and, in keeping with the band's 10th anniversary, Kyle Carter and co. are now thrashing their EP “Vile Conduct” into the ears of their fans. We spoke to drummer Chris Whited, who made our mouths water, especially because of his plans for the future.
Chris, how are you? What's the mood like at BODYSNACHER?
We are full of gratitude at the moment. We are simply excited and very grateful for all the opportunities that are currently being presented to us.
It's our first interview – so first of all, where does the name BODYSNACHER come from and where did you get the inspiration for the band name?
When the band was formed, the intention was never to be a full-time band. The band just wanted to play hard, mosh-style music for our friends to enjoy at their concerts. We were looking for serial killers to name the band after and then we saw that Ed Gein's nickname was “The Bodysnatcher” and thought that would be a good band name.
You released your third album, “Bleed-Abide,” two years ago. It is said that album number three can often be groundbreaking for a band’s career. What was the response to the record? To what extent was the importance of a third album in your minds?
We try not to think that things are more or less important. We honestly just say music that we would like to hear and see at a live show. We don't do this to be bigger or better than anyone else, we just write and play what we like in the hope that other people will like it too.
For me, your music has become even more atmospheric, heavier and more brutal – you're somewhere between brutal metal and dynamic hardcore. In your opinion, how much has BODYSNACHER's music developed since your debut to the new EP “Vile Conduct”?
Our minds and writing skills have definitely matured. Knowing how a heavy part should feel when it hits is so important to us now, and then having real lyrics that people can relate to makes those parts feel even heavier. I think with “Vile Conduct” and working with Will Putney (producer – ed. note) we finally found ourselves as a band.
Infested
That brings us to the topic – the new EP. It tells personal stories of loss through addiction and drugs. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Everyone in the band writes lyrics, so there are themes from all of our lives, be it betrayal, loss, depression, addiction, and sometimes even the good parts of overcoming those things. “Murder8” on this EP is a song I wrote. The song is about the pharmaceutical industry and how over-prescribed drugs have created so many addicts. I lost my older brother in April 2022 to a fentanyl overdose, and in May 2023 I lost my younger sister to the same thing.
I'm very sorry to hear that. These are hard blows of fate that need to be digested. Unfortunately, a hard cut: You were able to get Jamey Jasta from HATEBREED to appear on the EP. Cool stuff! How did the collaboration come about?
We were on tour with HATEBREED on the “20 Years Of Perseverance” tour. We have always been huge fans of HATEBREED, we also got in touch after the tour and Jamey was there! We were and still are so excited to have him with us!
You mentioned Will Putney earlier – does he know how to best showcase the BODYSNACHER sound, especially given his work with FIT FOR AN AUTOPSIE and the productions for BODY COUNT, AFTER THE BURIAL and THY ART IS MURDER?
Will Putney is so amazing at what he does. He really listens to you and knows what you're imagining and he knows how to convey those feelings. I think he does it even better because he comes from a pretty tough home like a lot of us. He also knows that we don't want to sound like the new deathcore bands. We want to sound like BODYSNACHER, we want the heaviest feeling from all the heavy genres with no filler. We really loved working with him.
You have a very interesting clip for “Severed”. To what extent does this song represent the overall BODYSNACHER sound in 2024?
This is just a little taste, hehe.
Separated
Okay. The song is about resentment, hatred, anger and betrayal and how best to get rid of them. What does it take? What is the most effective way to get rid of negative thoughts?
You have to feel it, accept that sometimes the best thing is to cut someone out of your life, to block out the bad and to let yourself heal.
You'll soon be active in both the US and Europe, right? Do you have a special relationship with Germany? How do you think metal fans in your home country differ from those in Europe?
We love Germany! We've played some great shows there. We'll even be there in August. As for the difference, we've toured so much in the States that we've built up our popularity here, so it's less stressful. But we've only been to Europe twice, so we still have a lot of work and touring to do to make a name for ourselves.
What else will 2024 bring for BODYSNACHER? What else is planned besides the EP release and the gigs?
We have more tours that are not yet announced, but will be coming soon! A very, very sick fall tour! Then the year 2025 will also be full!
The mixture of metal and hardcore finds a very fertile breeding ground, especially in your American homeland. Why do you think so many good, extreme metal bands come from the States?
The scene here is thriving right now and a lot of people watch shows and want to fit in and be part of a community that is, for the most part, very welcoming.
Chris, what else did you want to say?
We'll be in Europe all August playing some great festivals and a few headline shows. We're also announcing a proper BANGER tour this month! And our EP is coming out everywhere on September 3rd.
Photo credits: Toddi Babbu
Murder8, feat. Jamey Jasta
- Editor:
- Marcel Rapp
