Interview with ANARCHY
!!!PROGRESSIVE THRASH METAL FROM THE USA!!!
We had a conversation with Reese Tiller (Guitars/Bass/Keyboards). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about ANARCHY (Members, Starting Year etc).
Anarchÿ is a project I started recording demos for back in 2020. I recruited Fionn McAuliffe for vocals the following year and it’s been just the two of us ever since, though often featuring some guest musicians. A few of those demos I recorded ended up becoming our debut EP ‘Breathing Necropolis’ in 2021. Since then we’ve recorded 2 albums, a handful of singles, and a few covers, with more exciting stuff in the works!
You have recently released your album ''The Spectrum of Human Emotion''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
We actually did not intend for ‘Spectrum’ to be classified as an album! It was previously released on our first album as just one 32 minute song in 7 movements. We recently remixed and remastered it and opted to split up the parts into separate tracks. That being said, many seem to think it’s the strongest work we’ve released, and personally I think it’s still the best song I’ve written thus far. A whole lotta time and effort went into that one.
Label or DIY and why?
Always DIY and independent. I believe in having as much control over your own work as possible. When an artist is independent, it can be much easier to support them directly. Though labels definitely come with some perks, and I’ve pondered the idea of seeking one in anticipation for our next album, so we’ll just have to see what the future holds for Anarchÿ.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
The funniest track we’ve recorded is easily “Inner Glöw” from ‘Eyeclöser’, a 10 second bluegrass song. It was hysterical to record with our friend Avery Nixon on vocals, and hearing it makes me laugh every time. I was able to throw some banjos, clapping, and glass bottles on it. That being said, recording and producing Anarchÿ’s music entirely by myself can be a nightmare, or a headache at best, though very rewarding to hear my stupid ideas come to fruition.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I’m all about vinyl and cassettes, I love being able to have a more physical connection to the music in a sense, not to mention the nostalgic aspect of it. I’d love to get Anarchÿ on cassette or vinyl if we can find an affordable way to produce and distribute them. We did make some CD’s for our first album back in 2022 though.
Your music style is Melodic Progressive Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
My 2 favorite bands, Vektor and HeXeN, are the main inspiration for Anarchÿ, though I draw inspiration and take ideas from as many places as I can, such as classical music or tech death. We’ve been compared to Children of Bodom by many, and it makes sense when you consider the abundance of synth sounds and classical influence in our songs. I also love when bands take initiative to be experimental and unique, and I strive to do that with our sound. I’ve melded many genres with thrash metal over the years. I’ve added many sounds and instruments to our songs that you would never hear on a typical thrash album.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
There’s plenty of sacrifice and investment that goes into being a small and independent artist. I’ve funded everything for Anarchÿ by myself out of my own pocket, not to mention the countless hours I’ve spent writing, recording, and producing everything by myself. Though that sacrifice only makes the support we receive from our crew of dedicated fans even more meaningful!
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
We’ve been a studio project for a long time, but we’re now putting the plans together to turn Anarchÿ into a live show! If all goes to plan, we might be the only thrash band I know of with a live synth player. I’d love to add some unique visual elements to our show as well. If not this year, I’d love to get Anarchÿ on the stage after we finish up our next album.
What attributes do you think that a new Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
I’ve said it before, we don’t need any more Slayer clones. Nothing wrong with that sound at all, but there already exists a vast sea of unoriginal thrash bands out there. I would love to see some thrash bands strive for more visual identity and experimentation with their sound. That will always be more memorable to me than another beer thrash act. Cosmic Jaguar and Exxperior are good examples of epic thrash that dips into experimentalism.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
It’s always gonna be a lot of work, but everything being digital makes being a small band easier than ever. Social media and Bandcamp are everything that a thrash band needs to get their name out there and their music heard, no matter how unoriginal it might be. Just look at Mourning High, massive following, terribly mediocre sound. Mastering the art of promoting yourself is easier than ever with social media.
Do you see any differences between the US Metal Market & the EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
I don’t have much perspective on EU metal, though I think metal is taken much more seriously in Europe than in the US. I am heavily involved in the St. Louis local metal scene and I would love for there to be some newer thrash bands that take the music more seriously around here.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in St. Louis, Missouri (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
I’ve personally made it a mission of mine to bring more thrash to the St. Louis underground metal scene, and besides Anarchÿ, I’m in a handful of newer bands like Resistis and Ex Cathedra. Chemical Dependency is a new one that’s making a big name for themselves. The best metal shows around here are booked through Midwest Metal Punks, so it’s essential to follow her page if you wanna keep up with STL death metal, thrash, hardcore, punk, black metal, and everything extreme.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Our friends Venus are from Greece. They’re among the best sci-fi thrash metal since Vektor and deserve a good listen if you haven’t heard them already.
The last 4 years, worldwide in the world, we have faced many dark, strange & new situations in our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
I’m sure it was a struggle for everyone. My alcoholism and depression was only amplified by the COVID lockdown. Though it also gave me plenty of time to start recording the ideas I had, and so Anarchÿ was born through the epidemic. I’ve since gotten sober as well. Plenty of both bad and good came from the 2020 experience depending on how you look at it all.
What are your future plans?
We’re working on another album right now, and collaborating with our friends Frontal Assault on one of the tracks. It’s my first attempt at a sci-fi concept album, once again following in the footsteps of Vektor, though staying very true to the unique Anarchÿ sound. After the album is out, the only thing on the horizon is for Anarchÿ to finally become a live act. We’ve got the musicians for it on board, and we’re going to put as much effort into our performances as we can muster.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you! You can check out ‘The Spectrum of Human Emotion’ remastered on all streaming services as well as our Bandcamp. We’ve got some very exquisite merch you can grab off of our Bandcamp as well. Get a shirt or a beanie, and we’ll repost it if you share it! Thank you all for your support.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
ANARCHY CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/anarchy.thrash
https://anarchythrash.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.deezer.com/en/album/438910037
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xGrWOK44IzPHdG5XkEfDJ