Interviews About Albums: Gorgatron - Agony Reborn (2022)

In this new interview, we sat down with the American Death Metal band Gorgatron to ask some questions about their new album "Agony Reborn". 

1. What can you say about this new EP?

Coop Schuh (Lead Guitar): It's a fun and brutal listen! The title track Agony Reborn is our "Megadeth - Angry Again" except we didn't have our song put in The Last Action Hero movie, which would rule!

2. What is the meaning of the EP name?

Karl Schmidt (Vocalist): Agony Reborn is basically about redefining and rebuilding one’s self. Anyone who has tried to change themselves mentally or physically knows that the process can be long, tedious, difficult, and painful. The title track contains lyrics about being forced to change against one’s will in a vicious and torturous process.

3. Which one is the composer of the EP?

Paul Johnson (Guitar): Guitarist Neal Stein (who played on the EP, but is no longer with the band) and I co-wrote the music for the two new studio tracks for the record. I had the skeletons of the songs and he added some harmonies, the solo on "Agony Reborn" and the epic ending riff on "The Unwilling." Karl handled the lyrics for both. Usually, it’s a bit of a team effort when it comes to structuring and putting the final polish on songs. I’ll jam out the songs with Matt and things get rearranged, play a part more/fewer times to accommodate vocals, etc.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

Matt Johnson (Drums): I would pick Dead Embryonic Cells! I’ve been a huge fan of Sepultura since I was little. Neal and I have been talking about covering something off the Arise album for so many years now.

5. Is there a special message in this EP? If there is what it is?

Cameron Dewald (Bass Guitar): There is a reoccurring theme/mentality amidst the band dynamic, as well as in some of the song meanings; it is to simply make good use of your time. Don’t waste your potential. If that makes sense to those of you reading, hopefully, it sticks…

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

Karl Schmidt (Vocalist): The lyrics on “The Unwilling” are some of my favorite lyrics I have written. The rhythm of this tune was really interesting and hard to decipher initially, but I managed to do some cool things with it. The lyrics are about being vaporized from the inside out. My favorite lines are when I attempt to describe what it would feel like to have your thoughts diminished. “Desires fading as quickly as they are created.”

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Paul Johnson (Guitar): The usual suspects come to mind musically. There are always hints of Morbid Angel, Suffocation, and Cannibal Corpse that comes through in the writing.

Another part of the inspiration was probably being pissed off that the world had shut down, along with a bunch of tour plans we had that dissolved amidst the pandemic. The desire to stay busy and try to have something to release being we weren’t touring weighed heavy. We figured if we can’t deliver live shows, we better deliver some new material.

8. Something to add?

Coop Schuh (Lead Guitar): This release is special to me because it's the first official release I get to be a part of with Gorgatron. Although I'm not on this EP, this will always be a great memory of doing my first promos and tours in support of Agony Reborn!

Most importantly, the EP will be released on November 4 on digital and limited cassette formats via Blood Blast Distribution. The cassette version is limited to 100 copies and also includes four exclusive live tracks on Side B. Some killer merch bundles can be pre-ordered at http://gorgatronband.com/merch and the EP can be pre-saved at https://bfan.link/agony-reborn.