The veteran deathcore frontman shares how Cradle of Filth and Korn steered him creatively and how touring post-pandemic has been especially emotional.
Coming up on the release of their eight full length studio album, Graveside Confessions, deathcore stalwarts Carnifex have established themselves among the OGs of the subcategory.
The band’s frontman, Scott Lewis, has become synonymous with the sound and a respected voice among those even casually familiar with the culture. In a recent appearance on the Talks Toomey Podcast, Lewis checked in for an at length exchange that touched on everything from the band’s new material, to Lewis’ broad range of influence, to the kind of emotional impact that has come with being able to tour again.
Beginning with some discussion of the band’s new record, Lewis touched on how revisiting some of their earliest recordings in “Collaborating Like Killers,” “My Heart in Atrophy,” and “Slit Wrist Savior” added an element of fun to the often tedious task of making a new record. The re-recorded tracks from the band’s debut LP, Dead In My Arms, coincidentally coincides with the 15th anniversary of the emphatic debut.
Lewis would further expand on some of the most enduring influences that have steered his. vision for the band creatively. Carnifex recently delivered a deathcore iteration of Korn’s “Dead Bodies Everywhere” as an unexpected, albeit awesome tribute to a band that Lewis cites as a major player in his own personal musical discovery but also as a big influence in deatcore at large. On the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, Lewis also shared how a band like Cradle of Filth also weighed heavy with regards to his personal influence and development of his vocal style.
Lewis would go onto share with host Josh Toomey how the band’s soon to launch Up From the Sewer run with The Black Dahlia Murder promises to be particularly profound. After spending an unprecedented stretch unable to tour due to Covid restrictions, Lewis confided that the return leading up to the tour has been “absolutely amazing” and the fans have responded huge with record merch sales and some of the biggest crowds they have ever had. The frontman even shared how grateful people have been, recalling in particular how a pit boss at a casino show had tears in their eyes while expressing how appreciative they were to have live music back.
Lewis capped off the conversation by reiterating that he understands if people are still apprehensive about going to show so quickly. He encouraged people that are uncertain to stay home. The vocalist also shared how that sentiment of uncertainty and angst was something that fueled his creativity while working on new music. He talked about pouring those emotions into his craft and coming out on the other side with a killer record to show for it.
Stream the latest episode of the Talk Toomey Podcast featuring Scott Ian Lewis of Carnifex below.
Graveside Confessions arrives on September 3rd via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-order the album – HERE
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