Track By Tracks: Kill Everything - Scorched Earth (2018)

1. Kill Everything:

We all agreed early on that this was a strong opening track, it’s a good mix of speed and grooves the band is known for. Pretty punishing, right off the bat. We also wanted an intro, and seemed fitting to use Joseph Kallinger, from the same interview that was used on “Molesting the Decapitated”. Channeling the vibe of that album was a priority of the band from the beginning, as evident by the band logo, which uses the same font as Devourment’s logo. Also this is the first album Brian Wynn was on since he wrote that one, so it makes sense, right? I edited the dialogue with a section of music from “The Shawshank Redemption” soundtrack, I found to be epic and chilling at the same time, and really sets a mood leading into the song. Lyrically, the song is about how insane mankind really is. Essentially, we Kill Everything. Its from the point of view of an insane person, spelling out the horrific things people are capable of. Hence the repetition of the line, what makes you think.. Insane people tend to repeat what they say, that’s the reason for that. I was going for something different, not so much a story but setting a mood, one of depravity.

2. Scorched Earth:

The title track features a happy accident at the beginning. You can hear a beer can click open, a sound you are all familiar with I’m sure. I was getting ready to track the vocals on it and cracked open a beer to lube up my throat before abusing it. Upon playback we agreed it had to stay. The song itself is pretty much what the band is about sonically and lyrically. Going balls out to make the most violent, hateful music we can, no prisoners, scorched earth, no mercy.

3. Intrinsic Vexation: 

In keeping with the theme that people are terrible, this song is about how human beings are inherently angry and willing and capable of hurting others without considering the consequences or suffering of someone else. Musically, crushing, super groovy and aggressive, my personal favorite track on the album. 

4. Bereft of Humanity: 

Also intended to be a Devourment song and album title, this one is about destroying your enemies. Something mankind has done since our inception. Our nature is to destroy what we don’t agree with. Lyrically very angry. Some really cool vocal back and forth between Wes and I. We also recorded a video for this track. A bit autobiographical lyrically, it’s about losing faith in people and how typically they let you down. Losing your humanity, essentially. Musically, probably the overall fastest track on the album. 

5. Thermal Liquidation: 

Another speed oriented track, this was the second single the band released last year. This version does it justice for sure. Lyrically about how human beings need to be wiped out and will eventually destroy ourselves with war and all burn . There is a groove in the middle of the song that could kill an Elephant, awesome!

6. It’s a Wonderful Knife:

Originally intended this to be the title of a Devourment song, when I was with them. A bit of a departure from the other lyrics, this one is a bit more fun. Still crushingly heavy and full of killer grooves, lyrically it’s about an insane person who thinks his knife commands him to kill. So the knife is talking to him. It’s a dual vocal assault between myself, and the guitarist, Wes. I represent the Knife, Wes represents the guys conscience trying to keep him from doing evil shit. The Knife wins.

7: Laid to Waste:

Also intended to be a Devourment song and album title, this one is about destroying your enemies. Something mankind has done since our inception. Our nature is to destroy what we don’t agree with. Lyrically very angry. Some really cool vocal back and forth between Wes and I. We also recorded a video for this track.

8. Carnivorous Lunar Activities:

Our first single as a band, and a scorching end to this album. The groove at 3:16 is one of my favorites on the album, just crushing. This song should be next to slamming death metal in the dictionary! I was on a huge “An American Werewolf in London” kick when I wrote the lyrics for this. Hearing it for the first time, I got the vibe of werewolves, so it seemed like a good fit. The title is a line in that movie and seemed like a rad song title so I went with it. Beware the moon!