Gutted Alive – Human Taxidermy

By starrymag | November 12, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Raw, brutal, and fast, with some slams thrown in.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Bands like Cannibal Corpse, Gorerotted, Cradle of Filth and Dying Fetus

 

Q) What made “Severed Head Ritual” the perfect first single from your new album Human Taxidermy?

 

A) It was the only song where our Go Pro didn’t cut out during recording. [laughs] And we really dig the Mortician kind of vibe.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) People like slams and samples about cannibalism.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) To be honest, it doesn’t! [laughs] We just happened to have that particular session all on video.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) The writing process tends to differ per album. This time around Brandon and Rick wrote a lot of the music. Joe and Jason added their ideas here and there. Ryan usually comes up with vocal patterns before any lyrics are written. And that’s how we usually attack any lyrics. And those were written by Ryan, Brandon, and Jason.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) We are there for the entire mixing and mastering process. We recorded at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, NY.

Doug White runs the studio and is a great guy to work with. Doug gives us free reign when it comes to creative input. And Doug has also given us some helpful pointers and even performed on the last track “Necropervert.”

Q) With Human Taxidermy being your fourth album, what are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) Well, this is a concept album about American psychopath Ed Gein. With themes exploring his many deranged crimes.

 

Q) What song(s) on the album are your personal favorites and why?

 

Jason: “Butchered in the Woodshed”

 

Ryan: “Hoarder of the Dead” or “Flesh Stretched Leather”

 

Joe: “Severed Head Ritual”

 

Rick: “Flesh Stretched Leather”

 

Brandon: “Butchered in the Woodshed”

Q) Which of the tracks maybe challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) “Flesh Stretched Leather” all day. That song is tough.

 

Q) With this new album out, are there plans to tour or have you already started working on new music?

 

A) We would like to tour sometime next year (2024). Also working on relearning the first album with Joe and Rick for a 10yr anniversary blow out! And slowly but surely getting back to writing.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Currently Photo City Music Hall and Montage Music Hall in our hometown of Rochester, NY. They are great venues to perform at. Always have a blast!

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Well, September was a busy month. So, currently digging the new Dying Fetus, Cannibal Corpse and Cryptopsy. Also, Abstract Void, Harakiri for The Sky, Unto Others, Blackbraid and Ghost.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) We wanna thank everyone that’s checked out the new album. We also are grateful for all the continued support from both old and new fans. We wouldn’t be doing this without it!