US thrashers Lich King tour Australia for the first time belting out grade-A, unapologetically straight-forward thrash metal in the vein of the 80’s Bay Area bands such as Exodus, Slayer, and Vio-lence. To date, the band has released five critically acclaimed full-length albums, each of which feature fast, headbangable riffs in modern stomp anthems and a sometimes comedic yet always violent songwriting sensibility.We get a few words from lead guitarist Nick Timney to find out a little more on the band and what they plan to bring to Australia.
What can people expect on your tour to Australia?
It’s our first time over there, so we’re gonna do our best to make up for lost time. Tracks from throughout the discography will make their way into the set, as well a healthy amount of new ones. It’ll be aggressive as all hell, I promise.
Any ideas on what you would like to do in Australia during off days?
Hang out with some koalas, go see the great barrier reef, and hopefully jump in a shark cage. I hear there’s some awesome bungie jumping there too. All of those are bucket list items for me. Anything wildlife related, I hope we have time to go do it. My Aussie friends have neither confirmed or denied the existence of dropbears, I’d like to get to the bottom of that.
How do you pick out a setlist and is that a difficult process?
We’re our own obstacles for that one. We go back and forth a lot about the setlist. It all comes down to what has been the most fun live for ourselves and the crowd.
What is your favorite song to play live?
It’s always been Wage Slave for me. People know the lyrics. I get to play a more melody-driven solo.
Do you play cover songs and if so, what kind of covers do you perform?
We usually do a different cover for each tour. We’ve done a variety, but usually keep it in the bay area thrash or crossover realm. This year we’ve done SOD’s Kill Yourself and Vio-lence’s Eternal Nightmare. But we’ve branched out as far as The Sentinel (Judas Priest) and Detroit Rock City (KISS). Even did an Andrew WK song at one of our hometown shows.
Any favorite places in the world to play live?
Germany, specifically Berlin and Hamburg, has always been incredible. In our country, Southern California is a guaranteed rager. Our hometown shows have been some of the most fun parties I’ve ever been to.
What have been some stand out shows or personal highlights from a tour or show?
For me, right now, that would be this year’s Barosellas Metal Fest in Portugal. It was our first ever proper EU festival and we played just after Mayhem. Crowd was massive and all of them we’re in the pit. The stage diving didn’t end. I’m pretty sure at one point there must have been 30 people up on the stage with us.
Lich King has a new album out titled “The Omniclasm”. Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs.
The majority of the songwriting for The Omniclasm can be credited to Tom Martin, our former vocalist. He bangs out a couple drafts of what will become the songs. Our drummer Brian plays somewhat of a producer’s role and does a lot of rearranging and refining of the structure. I top it off with some guitar solos and we hit the studio. Brian runs Sonic Titan Studios in Western Mass and we recorded The Omniclasm there. We’re lucky to be able to take advantage of Brian and make him spend time on us rather than his clients.
What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with the release?
We wanted to keep up the momentum of our discography. Album 5 is around the time when a lot of fast bands start to deviate from their paths and put out their “Black Albums”. While I respect artistic growth, that’s not the way Lich King seeks it. We wanted to put out an album more relentless and nonstop than the previous 4, and I think we did just that.
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
Of course. When the ball is rolling, it’s pretty great. Then hopefully you can look back and see something that isn’t garbage. I can’t attest for the quality of what’s produced under time constraints, but certainly they make you have to get up and work.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
Confidence comes in waves on this one. By the time you’ve written a song, you’ve heard it a lot. After you’ve rehearsed, recorded, mixed and released, you’ve heard it a million times. You get sick of it. Of course you start to doubt how it will be received. But hearing the final product can ignite that excitement again.
How does it compare to previous releases and what were the lyrical themes and inspirations of the songs?
In songwriting, it’s faster and more chaotic than anything we’ve done to date. The Omniclasm covers elitism in the metal genre (Cut the Shit), 80’s legends that seem to be phoning it in (Take the Paycheck), the ongoing story of our mascot (Stalemate, Omniclasm), the horrors of raising children (Preschool Cesspool) and the bigotry against the LGBT community (Offense). I think the themes speak for themselves as far as inspiration goes. Except for Preschool Cesspool. That one was inspired by our former guitar player who stepped down from the band to be a dad. Thanks for the gig, Rob.
Any favorite moments or songs on “The Omniclasm”?
The title track has become my favorite. Though it closes the album, we have been opening our live set with it. The slow build and release in that intro gets the adrenaline flowing. The song Civilisation, though not at all my favorite, features both a bass solo and a hammond organ solo. As a huge Deep Purple guy, that’s right up my alley.
Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
100 percent. These songs are written to play live. It’s energetic, mosh driven music.
How did Lich King form and get started?
Tom Martin started this all as a one man project back in ‘04. He released two albums before wanting to take it to the stage. Lich King became a live band around ‘09.
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
As an independent band, it’s been difficult to get the media to take notice. We’re starting to get through but it’s still a challenge. Balancing home life and touring is rough. Taking off 4 or so months from work per year to tour poses obvious challenges. But seeing places and meeting people I never would have had the opportunity to otherwise, all while playing music with my friends, makes it all worth it.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
The mainstream is always gonna pump out garbage. The rejection of it is what created the world of rock n roll. Technology is changing the landscape of the entertainment industry, for sure, but I don’t think that spirit is going anywhere.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
People talk a lot about promotion… to the extent where they sometimes forget the point. The song is everything. Focus on writing good ones.
Who are some of your main influences?
As a band, our roots can be easily traced to early Exodus, Slayer, and Vio-lence.
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and/or play music?
My dad was a guitar player and I always thought it was the coolest thing in the world. By the time I was 7 or 8, my step brother showed me …And Justice for All. I was instantly pretty certain that I wanted to play in a heavy metal band.
With a resurgence in thrash metal in recent years, how do you feel about thrash metal in today’s world?
There’s a heavy supply of the music I dig, so I’m pretty happy with it. Candidly, the resurgence didn’t last too long here in the states, I’d say 07-11 was the peak. It depends where you are. But there’s still bands here and a ton abroad that are putting out grade A stuff. I’m a thrash fan, so keep it coming.
Do you believe music can still change the world?
Certainly. Though probably not on a Fortunate Son kind of level. These days, very few artists with that kind of reach seem to have much in the way of integrity. But on a more individual level, music is therapy. Music is community.
What is the meaning of life?
It’s chaotic and impersonal. Life just is. Don’t dwell on it too much, just go have a good time and be cool to everyone. And buy our new record.
LICH KING (USA) and HIDDEN INTENT Australia Tour 2018
Feb 1st – Ballarat W/ Requiem & Feast of Crows- The Eastern
$10 at the door
Feb 2nd – Melbourne W/ In Malice’s Wake, Harlott & Party Vibez – Bendigo Hotel
https://churchesofsteel.bandcamp.com/merch/ticket-to-lich-king-usa-feb-2nd-the-bendigo-hotel
Feb 3rd – Churches of Steel – Adelaide’s True Heavy Metal Festival – The
Producers Bar – The Old Exchange
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=81312
Feb 4th ARMI – Australian Rock & Metal Institute Clinic – Adelaide
www.armiofficial.com
Feb 7th – Albury w/ As Flesh Decays, D.I.E.F.M – Albion Hotel
$15 at the door
Feb 8th – Canberra W/ Reignofterror & Terravorous – The Basement
https://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=81239
Feb 9th – Wollongong W/ Reaper, Panik & Thrash Bandicoot – Rad Bar
http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/lich-king-us-hidden-intent-reaper-panik-thrash-bandicoot/100191
Feb 10th – Newcastle w/ Grim Demise, Cerebral Contortion & PurEnvY – The
Small Ballroom
https://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=81240
Feb 11th – Sydney w/ Metreya, Head In a Jar – Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice
(FREE ENTRY)
Feb 15th – Lismore W/ Beast Machine, Crisis to Collapse – New Tatts Hotel
$15 at the door
Feb 16th – Gold Coast w/ Deraign, Decryptus, Level H – Miami Shark Bar
http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/lich-king-us-omniclasm-aus-nz-tour-w-hidden-intent-gold-coast/100102
Feb 17th – Brisbane w/ Deraign, Asylum, Wartooth – The Back Room Brisbane
http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/lich-king-us-omniclasm-aus-nz-tour-w-hidden-intent-brisbane/100101
Feb 22nd – Auckland w/ Just One Fix, Silent Torture – Whammy Bar
https://www.cosmicticketing.co.nz/event/show/5340
Feb 23rd – Christchurch w/ Decimated King, Empire – Dark Room
https://www.cosmicticketing.co.nz/event/show/5334
Feb 24th – Wellington w/ Meat – Valhalla Tavern
https://www.cosmicticketing.co.nz/event/show/5335
