Interviews: Torn Asunder

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore/Deathcore band Torn Asunder from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or come out just like that?

The band's name originated from listening to Cradle of Filth. They have two songs that inspired the name. The first one is Tearing the Veil from Grace and the second one is Heaven Torn Asunder. I felt like these songs sort of speak to what we are about. I try not to confine us to one subject, but many of our songs are anti-Christian and anti-organized religions.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We actually didn’t choose to play this genre, whatever genre you’d call us. We started out with more traditional melodic death metal and black metal. Our sound evolved very quickly because of the addition of new members and the general desire to create something new and bold. Not the melodic death metal/black metal isn’t, but there is something to be said for breaking the conventional molds as a way to stand out. My point here is that black metal and death metal have been around for over thirty-five years and my thought process is; why would I do what hundreds of other bands have already done? Why would someone listen to a new and unknown black metal/ death metal band when they can listen to well-established bands in this genre who were doing it decades before you and probably doing it better? If you want your band to stand out you need to musically do something unique. Adding new members brought more of a metalcore and deathcore influence, yet we don’t fit neatly into those genres. I think we walk a fine line between keeping up with trends in modern metal while also pushing the boundaries of it to create something that’s not a carbon copy of the big bands today.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The only member I knew before the band formed was Lucas Hendrix, on drums. I knew him because I had him in class. When I was between jobs I was substitute teaching and I happened to have Lucas in class. You could say I corrupted him haha

4. Each band member's favorite band?

John Beamon: Shadow of Intent

Doug Prokop: Slipknot

Lucas Hendrix: Avatar

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

What inspires us to write is different for each member. Our process is a little different from most bands. Doug composes the music in Guitar Pro and sends everyone a demo track. I take the title and try to figure out “What does this statement mean to me?” Once I have a direction I put lyrics to it. A lot of life experience, history, and philosophy go into my songwriting.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Eureka Springs Arkansas with Dead Reckoning on part of their tour

7. Where would you like to act?

Where would I like to act is an interesting question that probably requires some clarification. If I had my choice I’d try being in Porn lol

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Whom would I want to feature with? I am going to get away from the porn and say who I would most like to perform with. That band would definitely be Shadow of Intent or Slaughter to Prevail.

9. Whom not?

Whom not? To this, I would say Trapt. They’ve become the butt of so many jokes in the music scene and it's really stopped being funny.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I personally only had an issue with stage fright at my first show. For someone starting out, I would just say practice. Practice intensely and often. If you know your stuff you shouldn’t need to worry about mistakes and remember you know your own material better than anyone else. Nobody is going to notice your mistakes.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The bands that inspired me the most: Shadow of Intent, Lorna Shore, Dark Tranquility, Slipknot

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

I haven’t been asked a lot of what I would consider weird questions, but there was a fan who wanted me to growl in her ear because it turned her on. Not weird for me at all because I don’t put much effort into keeping my sex life a secret, but that’s the best I’ve got.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I love my fans more than anything. I’m still blown away that I’ve managed to make this big of an impression on people’s lives and I hope that I get to help people know that they aren’t alone in this world and that they do have the strength to overcome adversity. I have such a level of appreciation for the people who come out to see us play. I never really thought I would get this far.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your website looks very professional and easy to navigate.

15. Something to add?

The only thing I’d like to add is to follow us on social media and look for updates on our next album which we are already working hard on!