Oxnard crossover thrashers Dead Heat have announced a new album, Process Of Elimination, due October 10 Metal Blade, marking their first album for the veteran label (pre-order). The album was produced by the band with Paul Fig, and here’s more background info via press release:
The record serves as a continuation and progression musically, while thematically it often touches on Dead Heat’s disdain for the powers that be. “I feel like unconsciously the music has become more complex with the songwriting and how we play live as well. We all naturally wanted to become better musicians and it shows in our music and live presence,” elaborates guitarist Justin Ton. “Our music is a metal/hardcore twist, but I’d say we intentionally leaned more and more metal in our sound.”
Lead guitarist Ricky Garcia and Ton take guitar influences from Slayer and Sepultura, “but we also both add our own personal influences in the songs on Process… I drew a lot from Dark Angel and Demolition Hammer while also sticking to my hardcore tendencies with Leeway and Cro-Mags influences,” notes Ton. For his part, Garcia cites Kreator, Megadeth, and Pantera as influences, giving props to Marty Friedman and Chris Broderick for solos.
“Lyrically, I wanted to touch on a bit of everything, with every song about a different topic,” explains vocalist Chris Ramos. “I feel like I was able to articulate a better understanding of what I was trying to express previously.”
“We are against all racist bigotry in this country,” furthers Ton. “Most of the band is of immigrant descent. We also seek for the world to stop supporting these corporate/political monsters that only seek out personal gain and nothing else.”
The first single is the whiplash-inducing album opener “Perpetual Punishment,” of which Chris Ramos says: “We chose this song to start Process… because when it hits, it’s hard, and has a great flow. The song is about not wasting your time in life because tomorrow simply isn’t promised. If there’s something you want to do with your life, do it now, don’t waste your existence thinking about all the things you could have done. It’s a key theme I always try to portray in lyrical form, or even in random stage banter. I feel like it’s what keeps me going every day.” Check it out below.
Tracklist
1. Perpetual Punishment
2. Annihilation Nation
3. Hidebound
4. The Order
5. Enemy
6. Seventh Gate
7. DH Stomp
8. Solace Denied
9. By My Will
10. Process Of Elimination
11. Hatred Bestowed