Terror are one of the most prolific and successful modern hardcore bands around today. With a reputation for fierce and energetic live shows, and outspoken viewpoints which resonate around the hardcore community, and utterly exhausting yet rewarding work ethics, they are without a shadow of a doubt one of the hardest working bands in alternative music today.
With the release of their fifth studio album ‘Live By The Code‘, it looks like they are about to step up their game by another gear and give every other band out there a run for their money. We caught up with Martin Stewart (Guitarist) for a quick chat, and to get the lowdown on the new album!
HTF: First and foremost, welcome back guys! How are you all doing today, all keeping well I hope?
Martin Stewart: We’re doing very well. Got a lot to be thankful for. We’re currently out on the road with Hatebreed, Every Time I Die, Job For A Cowboy & This Is Hell, our new record is out and we got more cool tours coming up. Life’s good.
HTF: So it is safe to say that you guys have been relentlessly busy! Can you tell us what you guys have been up to the past year in the lead up to the new record ‘Live By The Code’?
M: Doing what we do best, playing lots of shows in as many different places as possible. We just finished up a European tour and ended it off with 2 shows in Russia. We were in Japan recently too. We also toured the US earlier in the year. Aside from that, just doing our best to spread the word about the release of Live By The Code on a street level.
HTF: Now with the forthcoming release of ‘Live By The Code’ and having had the pleasure of listening to and reviewing it, I would personally say that this is by far my favourite Terror release since ‘One With The Underdogs’, particularly in a production perspective. You have all done an amazing job on this!
Chad Gilbert has done a particularly sterling job as producer once again, but this time has done so in such a way that it sounds like the rawest record since ‘Lowest Of The Low’. Was there anything different in terms of approaching the recording of ‘Live By The Code, compared to previous releases?
M: Thank you very much. Being in a band that puts out new records you’re always going to be the most proud of your fresh material. The new records are always “my favorite record so far”. That doesn’t change with this one here. The only difference between the whole album process between this record & Keepers of The Faith is that our drummer Nick rurally engineered everything & everything aside from the drums was recorded in his own studio in his home. I think that’s what gives it that raw DIY vibe because that’s exactly what it is.
HTF: Were there any particular influences with the direction of the music for this record? There seems to be a more evident 80’s / early 90’s hardcore punk feel about this record, more kick ass riffs and a few short yet sweet solos, and dropping the metal influences heard in previous albums. Especially one of my personal standout tracks on the album ‘The Good Die Young’.
M: I think that’s great. I can’t say that there was an actual conscious effort to make that happen but in my eyes you can’t go wrong with that.
HTF: What are the lyrical concepts behind the songs for this album? Are they all similar in their subject, or do they deal with separate topics and issues?
M: Luckily with Terror there isn’t any kind of deciphering that needs to be done to understand the lyrics. They’ve always been very straight and to the point. I’d say there’s a good mix of personal, social & hardcore related lyrics on this record. We write about the things surrounding us that are of concern to us. It’s nothing groundbreaking but it feels good & it’s an outlet that we know other people out there can relate too which feels good.
HTF: Now it is safe to say that by any standards, you are without a shadow of a doubt probably one of the hardest working touring bands I have ever seen! Additionally with the new album, it sounds like a band reborn, it sounds like Terror are more full of life and fresher than ever. With a schedule that would break the spirit of many a musician, what is Terror’s key to a healthy and revitalised touring lifestyle?
M: I wouldn’t put “healthy” anywhere in there, hahaha. The only key to us surviving in what we do is ACTUALLY caring about this underground music. It’s what has always motivated us & what always will motivate us. Plus, we all got love for each other as a unit and a crew. We care about each other and when we have issues with each other, which is inevitable, we work them out like adults instead of dealing with childish bickering. Just man up & get things out in the open.
HTF: Now I can probably imagine that you have done PLENTY of crazy shows over the past few years. Has there been any shows that have stuck out as any personal favourites, or have achieved notable credibility for some of the more crazier and out of control shows?
M: Like you said, there’s been PLENTY. But, even though its hard to have to choose, for the sake of the interview I’ll do so. We played in the Philippines not too long ago. It’s the only time we’ve ever been there. It was one of the most intense, sweaty, aggressive shows I’ve ever been a part of. There were times during the set that I didn’t think I was going to be able to make it. I felt like passing out while I was still setting up my gear before even playing. It was incredible.
HTF: Additionally, have you got any outrageous tour stories?
M: I’ve been in this band for 7 years. A band consisting of 5 psychopaths that constantly travel the world with other maniacs in other bands. There’s an INFINITE amount of outrageous stories.
HTF: What upcoming tours do you have in store for 2013 worldwide?
M: We’re on tour right now with Hatebreed in the US. We got a show coming up in Costa Rica after this & then we go into another US tour with Lamb of God & Decapitated. We’ll be over in Europe after that in early summer playing festivals like Hellfest & With Full Force Festival. After that we’re doing one of those big summer tours across the US & parts of Canada with Every Time I Die & Stray From The Path. We’ve got our work cut out for us for the rest of the year & couldn’t be happier about it.
HTF: Now on a more critical term, the shape of the worldwide hardcore scene continues to be frenetically evolving. What are your views on the state of the current worldwide hardcore movement? Do you feel that it is more vital and stronger than ever, or do you feel that there is a lot more room for improvement to which a new generation of fans could learn some valuable lessons and wisdom from some of old dogs of the genre?
M: It’s a cycle that’s been happening since the beginning. There’s beautiful things happen along side the inevitable garbage trying to slither its way in. Hardcore is bigger now than ever on a worldwide scale so the amount of good / garbage is naturally at a larger volume. I recognize the terrible things going on within hardcore today, the multitudes of terrible bands calling themselves hardcore while not having a single clue as to what that means, but I do my best not to focus on it. There’s so many good bands around the world that deserve that energy focused on them in a positive way. There’s always room for improvement. Every band that forms & steps into this movement should definitely take time to know the roots & get those valuable lessons & wisdom in my opinion.
HTF: Finally, I would like to thank you for your time in taking to conduct this interview, and to extend my congratulations on an amazing effort you have produced with ‘Live By The Code’. I hope to see you out on the road when you come to the UK next, as it has been far too long since I saw you guys last and left with a battered body from too much stagediving! Do you have any final words for the Terror fans out there worldwide?
M: Thank you very much! We’ll be over in the UK for one show this summer called Ghost Fest. We’re really looking forward to that. We urge everyone to pick up Live By The Code & take the time to read through the layout which we put a lot of effort into creating. Thanks so much for the interview & we want to shout out some of our favorite UKHC: Knuckledust, Broken Teeth, PNR, Brutality Will Prevail, Survival, Breaking Point… Your Demise, R.I.P.!
Interviewer: James Paul Matthews
