Interviews: Dead7

Amid a chaotic world brimming with uncertainty, dead7 returns with an album title that reads more like a desperate plea than a casual statement—LOVE WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU STILL GOT SOMETHING LEFT TO LOVE. It’s a raw, emotionally charged body of work that cuts through the noise with its unfiltered honesty, blistering energy, and genre-pushing experimentation. Fueled by themes of love, loss, self-reflection, and survival, the album is not only a bold sonic leap for the band, but also their most vulnerable and cohesive effort to date.

In this exclusive interview, frontman Jason takes us deep into the heart of the record—discussing everything from the haunting realities that shaped “HOLE,” to working with powerhouse producers Caleb Freihaut and Ben McGuiness, to unforgettable moments like playing Upheaval Fest and collaborating with scene titans like Aaron Matts and Marcus Vik. With their signature mix of heavy grooves, atmospheric electronics, and painfully human lyrics, dead7 isn’t just carving out their space in the modern metalcore landscape—they’re daring us to feel everything along the way.

1. The album title is incredibly evocative—LOVE WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU STILL GOT SOMETHING LEFT TO LOVE. What’s the deeper meaning behind that title? 

Jason: A lot of our album is rooted around the uncertainty of love and death and how we navigate it. The title is from a line from our track “NUCLEAR”, which focuses a lot on what’s going on in the world today. Trying to live our lives while also dealing with what feels like the end of the world every day. Constantly being shown the worst of the world and trying to just hold on to the ones you love and survive.

2. How did working with producers Caleb Freihaut and Ben McGuiness again shape the sound of this record?

Jason: Ben and Caleb have been integral in helping us define ourselves since our inception. Not only have they helped us shape what we’ve wanted dead7 to sound like, but they’ve also shown time and time again that they’re willing to push us and help us grow from each release. Every time that we’ve gone into the studio with them, we come out with something truly amazing, and it’s because they constantly push us to be better at our craft.

3. What was the creative process like for this album compared to your earlier EPs?

Jason: The creative process for this album was similar in the sense that we came in with smaller ideas like riffs, choruses, or even a breakdown idea. The main thing that we tried to focus on with this album that was different was trying to deliver a full body of work that really encompasses everything that we can do. Lyrics, groovy riffs, impactful drumming, electronic elements, dynamic vocals, and overall just the highest quality audio we could provide. With SharpTone partnering with us, we were also able to just actually spend the amount of time we needed to in order to make the best songs we could make. You’ve mentioned influences like Loathe and Bring Me The Horizon.

4. How do you balance inspiration with maintaining dead7’s unique identity?

Jason: It’s definitely tough. When you say you have bands that you’re influenced by, people immediately go to, “Well, you don’t sound anything like them”. The influence could come from their artwork, their social media presence, their attire, or even down to how they interact with their fans. When it comes to making sure you don’t copy your influences, it’s as simple as maybe writing in the same key but having a totally different song, or even just being experimental in the genre like bands like BMTH and Loathe do.

5. What themes or emotions do you hope listeners walk away with after hearing this album?

Jason: I really want any listener to know that whether you’re in a tough relationship of any kind, scared of the world around you, or you’re uncertain about life and death and how everything will play out, you’re not alone. We want to make all our listeners feel like they can connect through the music in any way they need, to find solace or comfort, or to escape. “HOLE” hits hard emotionally and sonically.

6. Can you talk about the writing process and emotional space you were in when creating it?

Jason: During the writing of this album, I was going through a tough time in my marriage, which I was the cause of, as was my producer with his relationship at that time. So we really honed in on the really tender and tough feelings that were going through our minds at the time. “HOLE” for me was a way to dive into maybe how my wife had felt during this time in our lives. Like no matter what, she’s walking on eggshells just to make me happy and I’m for lack of better words “being a piece of shit, which I was.

7. What’s the story behind “BLUR”? How does it fit into the larger narrative of the album?

Jason: We wrote “BLUR” with the intent of it being the album opener. When we were writing it, we really wanted to encompass all of what dead7 does, just to the highest degree thus far. Lyrically, it introduces the idea of being completely overcome by life. Trying to navigate these obstacles can feel overwhelming, and often feel like a blur with how time can pass. It’s a good introduction to the overall vibe of what the album has in store. The guest features on the album—Marcus Vik and Aaron Matts—bring some serious energy.

8. How did those collaborations come about?

Jason: We love to collaborate, it’s one of our favorite things about music in general. We had the idea of bringing in someone for “PLEASE” and “FLOATING” once we finished the record. As far as why we chose them, we thought not only are the two of them some of the most prominent vocalists in the scene, but we just love both of their vocal styles. Aaron brings his raw, monstrous screams to “FLOATING” which really just drive home the whole song. With Marcus, we just knew he would absolutely crush anything we asked him to do, and he really, truthfully did “PLEASE” so much justice. It really came down to just messaging them both on Instagram and hoping for the best. Not only were they super professional, but they’re just overall sweethearts that wanted to help us grow.

9. Could not be more thankful for those two for hopping on this record. Jason, you described “HOLE” as self-reflective and painful—how do you channel such raw emotions into your vocals without it taking a personal toll?

Jason: I feel with my vocal style in particular, I’ve grown to focus on the delivery of the lines the most. With any song on the record, including “HOLE”, I really put my soul into the tracks. It’s cathartic to be able to write music that can be personal to you and get it out. I know I’m not the only one who's gone through similar feelings or situations, so I want people to know they’re not alone. In order to do that, you have to give a little bit of yourself with each piece of work you do. In my eyes, it’s a necessary sacrifice to make a truly authentic product. The album seems to confront vulnerability head-on.

10. Was that intentional, or did the songs naturally gravitate toward that tone?

Jason: As a whole, we’ve always been pretty open about what we stand for or write about. This album, in particular, really came together at a time in all of our lives of uncertainty. All of us were trying to figure out what we were doing with dead7, and after we signed our deal, it really made us hunker down and be our true selves. Nothing is holding us back, so it definitely just lets us open up to be the most vulnerable we can. We want to show the world who we are. 

11. Since breaking out in 2022, dead7 has seen some serious momentum. What moment so far has felt the most surreal?

Jason: For me, the most surreal moment was getting to play Upheaval Fest last year. We were still relatively young and had just released our last EP, “All Time Does Is Pass and all I do is remember”. We got accepted to play this pretty big festival with no previous out-of-town shows. It felt like a trick at first, like there’s no way this is going to be our first out-of-town show. When we arrived, we were treated really great by all the staff involved in making the show happen. Our stage that we were playing was within eyesight of the mainstage with no major barricades blocking it. About 15 minutes before our set, after we had gotten everything ready, there was a total of about 15 people in front of our stage, most of those being our family and friends. Then, right as Drowning Pool finishes their set on the Main Stage, a sea of people floods over to our stage. When it was time for us to perform, there had to be at least 500+ people packed over by our stage to watch us play. The crowd was absolutely electric. Once we finished, the stage manager mentioned that they hadn’t ever had to get security to one of the side stages at Upheaval before us…they had never seen that level of crowd participation on the side stage. Definitely my favorite moment that’s happened thus far.

12. You’ve shared stages with bands like Bad Omens and Coheed and Cambria. What have you learned from performing alongside such heavyweights?

Jason: One thing I can take away from seeing performances from bands like Coheed and Bad Omens is that 1.) You have to make sure that all gear is working properly/make sure your crew is on it. 2.) Rock the show like everyone in the crowd is there to see you. Being a smaller band playing on a side stage, we play with that mentality; it doesn’t matter how big your name is on any show/tour flyer that you’ll be on, play your best show every single time. You never know who is watching. 1 person who sees your set and likes your band could change everything for you.

13. Those have been huge takeaways after seeing acts like those. How did signing with SharpTone Records change things for the band creatively and professionally? 

Jason: SharpTone has really only helped us professionally. They have been very nurturing of our creative process and how we go about creating our art. It’s been amazing to have the team at SharpTone not only help us distribute our music to a lot of people that may have never heard us before, but they have done nothing but try to steer us in the right direction. I know not all bands have good experiences with labels, but SharpTone has been great to us so far. We have not had to change our creative process, which has been a great transition into the “signed band” world. 

14. Your blend of heavy grooves, electronics, and atmosphere really stands out—how do you think that resonates with today’s metalcore audience?

Jason: I know that with most modern metalcore that I’ve either enjoyed or have tried to seek out, it’s had more than just guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. There is something so fun about the most disgusting guitar tones accompanied by beautiful synth or even a tambourine going in the background of an insane breakdown. It provides a contrast that really helps listeners appreciate the levels that people can go to when making music. Like, “We can make garbage disposal noises, but also we love really pretty piano stuff”. With metal coming back to more of a mainstream recognition (thank you, Knocked Loose, Gojira, Spiritbox, etc.) I think that we have something that the audience can enjoy, and hopefully will continue to enjoy for a long time.

15. What’s one thing you want fans to feel or understand when they listen to this album for the first time?

Jason: You’re not alone. I have always been able to turn to music no matter the mood or headspace I’m in. All of these tracks have either encompassed something that any of the band has gone through, felt, or is still currently feeling. We want to put ourselves out there in hopes that people will connect with us on our feelings and messages. In writing this album, along with really anything else that we’ve written thus far, we want our listeners, old and new, to know that they are not alone.

16. If LOVE WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU GOT SOMETHING LEFT TO LOVE were a movie, what would its genre and plot be?

Jason: I’d describe the album as a sort of mystery horror film. It revolves around the idea of a man trying to navigate through life while some force continues to derail his thoughts and feelings on what he’s doing with his life and his relationships. It drives him to substance abuse, self-harm, and subjecting himself to a level of masochism just to feel loved. The plot focuses on a man going through all these different scenarios and is being driven by an otherworldly figure that’s been derived from the world we live in today.

17. What’s each band member’s favorite track on the album and why?

Jason: For me, it’s gotta be “NUCLEAR”. The meaning behind this track is focused on a feeling that I deal with daily: the uncertainty of the world’s future. I’m also really proud of my vocals on this track in particular. Plus, it’s just an absolute banger to me.

Dee: I’d have to say TATTOO. The meaning behind the song can resonate with a lot of people, and it’s a vibe. Also, probably HOLE because I like holes.

Stephen: I’d probably say BLOOD or PLEASE. Blood because it’s an absolute ass beater into really down verses with a chorus that shines. Please, because it’s thirsty and lusty, and that’s how I feel about Marcus.

Tim: I'll say NUCLEAR. It was a venture into new territory for us; it's catchy, it's fun to play live.

Zach: I would have to say “HOLE”. For me, it paints a vivid picture of the emotional toll that a failing relationship can take on you. Plus, it’s my favorite song on the album to drum.