1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
[Riot] We're a 4-piece who play a mixture of black metal and crust. Letting our political anger and depression out in our music
[Logan] We stand on three tenants: Anti-Fascist, Anti-State, and Anti-Human. We started as a 2-piece in 2014 and after releasing our demo, we took a hiatus. We started back with our current line up around November of 2015.
[Danny] Misanthropic blackened-crust four-piece from Chicago, IL with strong anti-fascist beliefs.
[Sasha] Ditto
2.So far you have put out 2 releases, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
[L] For the most part we've retained a fairly unique and raw sound between each release. I think we take it a lot faster and heavier on this newest release though.
[R] Our self titled demo was a lot more raw. The new release still maintains that raw feel but sounds a lot more full and technical. There's also been an expand in influence, hugely attributed to gaining two more members.
[D] We come together well as a four piece. Our vocalist is wonderful, our guitarist is wonderful, our drummer is wonderful, our bassist is...alright (although he burns his pierogies).
[S] We definitely sound like the same band, just more ferocious
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
[L] We've pretty much got the lyrics of a DSBM band. But some songs like "No Flowers', our anti-fascist track, are a bit more political.
[S] We're all very political individually, and that bleeds into the music, but the band itself isnt really a vehicle for that most of the time.
[R] The lyrics are mostly about personal struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Also touching on political anger and the way it adds to said depression.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Arid'?
[R] Arid is a representation for feeling uncomfortable. A world sucked dry of vital necessity's. Originally influenced from a Krallice song Aridity in terms of the word itself.
[L] A lot of people equate our name to just meaning 'dry' but a truly arid climate is barren, empty, and devoid of sustainable human life. It's right up our alley.
[S] I didnt come up with the name, but i feel pretty empty most of the time
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
[L] My favorite show is probably our very first show. All of our nerves culminated into probably the most fun, energetic show we've ever played. It was nice being received so well right out the gates as well.
[R] Really any shows we've played at a D.I.Y space. It's more our element. Performance wise we all just bring our own energy to the table and project it.
[D] My personal favorite show that we played was at Situations up on the north side of Chicago. We had played with Bolthorn, an amazing black metal band from Chicago.
[S] Playing with Soothsayer was great. Our show with Old Lines and Prisoner was also sick, it was terrifying having to follow them. As for our performance The songs are very personal to us, so when i'm on stage i just like to embody those feelings. I want the people to feel what i feel. Plus, I just pace a lot anyways.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
[R] To expand as far as our empty pockets and connections take us. Hopefully touring next year.
[L] We're trying to hop on as many shows as we can before things slow down for the winter. Our next show is a Breaking the Borders fest, a benefit for an anarchist library in Mexico City, on August 20th. As for tours, we've recently been dancing around setting up an east coast tour one of these days.
[S] I just want to play anywhere and everywhere. Hopefully with Mantianak from Chicago or Wildspeaker from Texas one of these day
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about 'Dystopian Cult Records'?
[L] Dystopian Cult Records is new distro started by our buddy Yanni from Red Moon Rising. They've really taken care of us and have been paramount in getting us on as many shows as we've been on.
[D] Yanni is a great friend of ours and has been completely supportive in our endevours and he's a great pleasure to be around
[R] He has certainly treated us well and helped with a lot.
[S] They're building an empire of crust
[L] They also have a nice collection of merch from other bands not featured on the label. Check em out on facebook!
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal and crust?
[R] Can't say we've really touched world wide yet, but we've gotten pretty good feed back from peeps. It's certainly surprising and all the support means a lot.
[L] Trvefrykt-Zine from Germany recently hit us up about doing a review, so we're starting to get a little attention from outside the country. We'll see where it goes!
[S] I don't know about worldwide, but Dustin from Teen Cthulu likes so, so that's good enough for me
9.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
[L] With every new song we write we are noticably growing as musicians, and with that our tracks are becoming more and more diverse and technical. That being said, we're hoping that we can have a full release ready by this time next year that shows that growth.
[R] Don't have a specific date but in the near future no doubt. Who knows really anything could happen. We tend to experiment and push hard when writing new stuff.
[S] I'm always down to try and get darker and more evil while maintaing our speed and ferocity. I wan't our music to leave people feeling unstable.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
[L] One of my all time favorite bands, and probably my largest influence, is Vektor; I take a lot of notes from them, both in drumming and in compsoition. Lately though i've been listing to a lot of math-rock, like Clever Girl, Totorro, and Tricot.
[R] Strongly influenced by old crust and black metal. Bands like Deviated Instinct, Iskra, Mayhem, and Ramlord stand out the most to me. These days mainly crust bands as always.
[S] Cannibal Corpse and Cattle Decapataion influenced me from a very young age. I've always been a big fan of second-wave black metal. As for shit i'm listening to nowadays, some Lonesome Wyatt, Rachel Brooke, Cheslea Wolfe, Human Body, and Yonder
[D] Sea of Deprivation, Bathory, Marduk. I really dig Nuclear Hellfrost. Lately i've been listening to Iskra, Vattnet Viskar, and Old school 80's metal like Candlemass and Ancient. I also "worship" vaporwave supposedly
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
[R] Counter cultural communities and partying. (Antifascism, animal rights etc.)
[L] I'm actually a huge anime and video game nerd, haha. When i'm not spending money on the band, i'm blowing it on anime blu-rays and shit.
[D] I'm a bit of a history buff, I try to learn as much as I can about the past.
[S] Anti-fascism, the occult, and psycology. Ia! Cthhulu
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
[L] I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has been showing us all of their support. We have an EP titled "Offerings" dropping in late September 2016 in both digital and tape format. The title track is currently available for streaming and download on our bandcamp.
[S] Expect us.
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