Scars of Atrophy is the logical continuation of the once reformed Atrophy, but you have to imagine it with a heavier, more powerful sound production and a rather bone crushing alloy of thrash metal. I've asked Tim Kelly (drums) about their fantastic new EP and plans for the near future. Read his answers below and stay tuned for more speed thrashing madness from this Tucson-based quintet!!!
Hey there Tim! Scars of Atrophy just debuted with an excellent 4-song EP called "Nations Divide". Please tell us more about this release, like where you recorded it, who produced it and what the lyrics are about.
- The EP "Nations Divide" was recorded by John Gianni at his studio in Phoenix. The 4 songs on the EP were originally written for the 3rd Atrophy album. We had been trying to release these songs for quite a while, but just could not get our former Atrophy singer to work with us. The songs and lyrics are all in the same vein as Atrophy thrash. Now with our new vocalist it takes our music to the next level. To me it feels like Atrophy in 2022. A little heavier, faster and darker.
The lyrics do have a general theme. We are basically wading through the pond of fabrication to try to figure out what is real. Our lyrics aim to answer these questions and our goal is to pass on the transparency to our listeners. Decadence, indulgence, entitlement, etc. Can we move forward????
Would you please describe to the readers the current lineup of Scars of Atrophy. Are any of the members involved in other active bands or projects?
- The current lineup of Scars of Atrophy are: Tim Kelly – drums, Scott Heller – bass, Bobby Stein – guitar, David Ruiz – guitar, Mike Niggl – vocals.
Scott, Bob and myself were all in the reformation of Atrophy. Bob has been in the band since 2016 and Scott joined in 2019. We have played many festivals and toured Europe just before everything shutdown. Mike Niggl joined the band when our former singer left the band. I thought it best to rename the band out of respect to the original Atrophy players and to also move forward with a little heavier sound.
Musically you seem to follow in the well-established style of Atrophy's "Socialized Hate" and "Violent by Nature" albums, though in a slightly heavier form, especially if one takes a close listen to the into-your-face kind of vocal parts by Mike. How do you see it?
- Yes I love thrash and speed metal, it's in my blood. I feel our music will always sound a bit like Atrophy, because it's the way we write.
Bob and Scott were huge Atrophy fans and followed us back in the late 80's so they got it. Bob was in a band called Cadaverous Quartet, Scott played with Invictus, Dave is a member of Prelude to Ruin and Mike was in a band called Motive.
Mike's vocals are ferocious. He is so eager to work on songs and is a killer front man. Just seeing him warm up is awesome. I've never heard such low sounds come out of a human being. First time I heard him doing it, I was like damn we need to record his warmup, haha.
As I know, you've been ready with 10 new songs for the 3rd Atrophy album (and the online premiered "Riptide" was one of them). So why did you record only 4 tracks for your debut material then? I mean, are those songs about to disappear in the sinker due to the current situation or there's still a small chance to hear them on the next Scars of Atrophy material?
- Yes we released "Riptide" (a song Bob and I wrote in 2018) in 2019 I believe. Just wanted to get something out to the fans. It was supposed to be a recording to write vocals to. Just a $300-dollar live recording. We decided to just throw it out there as a precursor to the album. We just released an EP of 4 songs to help us sign a deal to record the rest of the album. We have received a few offers, but are waiting now that we have signed with Extreme Management Group, Inc. Should have a full album out in 2023. Hopefully we will start the recording process in September. The other 6 or 7 songs we have will definitely be on the new album. We love the music we have written over the last few years along with the new stuff we are doing.
In support of the EP, you've also aired two video clips online, the chosen songs were "Cross Contamination" and "DSM-6". Who was in charge of filming/editing/directing these videos?
- The videos we made were filmed by Doug Kellner and Fred Wellman. Great friends of the band and edited by myself. We found a great location for the "Cross Contamination" video and the "DSM-6" video was just done at our rehearsal studio. Our next release will be much more professional.
Can't neglect the super rad cover artwork by Gabriel T. Byrne. It aptly combines the past with the present. Who came up with the cover idea and what meaning lies there?
- Gabe is an awesome artist and really captured our vision. We gave him our ideas and he really pumped life into the artwork. We definitely have our ideas of what it means. You have the patient (his mask is hanging on the wall), the doctor (entering the room), a bandana soaked in the current evils we face in the world. However, like our songs, it is open to interpretation and we invite our listeners to put their meaning to it.
You've already played some live shows. How was the fans' reaction and what Atrophy classics did you play along with the songs of "Nations Divide"? When and where are you going to play next?
- We have had a great reaction to the live shows. Atrophy fans really approve, which is a great thing. They all say it sounds heavier and new, but still that Atrophy feel. Which is exactly what I was hoping for. Mike's vocals just give it that updated heaviness. Rick Skowron our old Atrophy guitarist, always comes out to the shows and says it is killer. We are going to push him to record some solos with us in the future, as we are still very close friends. As far as Atrophy songs, we do "Violent by Nature", "Puppies and Friends", "Beer Bong", "Socialized Hate", "Urban Decay" and "Product of the Past". We are focusing more on the new material, but really do love playing the old stuff. Honestly I would love to play the "Socialized Hate" album in its entirety one day live.
We are playing in Tucson at The Edge July 22nd. Phoenix August 12th at the 44 in Glendale and August 27th in Wisconsin at the Dimestock Festival. Good things are coming and we can't wait to get out on the road again.
"Nations Divide" was released independently. How's the selling going? How many CDs were pressed in total? Are there any label interests as of yet? Do you plan to re-release "Nations Divide" through other labels in the near future?
- CDs are selling well. Just made about 500 to start. We will see how the new management helps us promote and get the word out. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Sounds great!
We may re-release it through a label, just need to wait and see what happens. We need all our fans to help spread the word. Better things to come for sure. I'm very excited about the future.
The band really gets along well, we are all great friends who like to spend time together playing and talking music. Which is a great thing. A great connection between band members is such an important thing. Working together and trusting one another is the key.
You've recently announced a partnership with Extreme Management Group, Inc. What should we know about this alliance?
- EMG is definitely a great management company and a great move on our part. Joel Spielman is our manager and he has done so much for us, creating new opportunities. EMG has our back and they really have work with us. Really not a bad word to say and we really look forward to the future we are creating together.
Tell us a bit about your drum setup. What kind of drums, cymbals, pedals and other accessories do you use playing live, in the studio or at your rehearsal room?
- My drum setup is an early 1980's Tama Superstar kit. 8", 10", 12", 13", 14", 15" toms and 18" floor tom, two 24" bass drums. Cymbals: 14" Zildjian A Thin Crash, 15" Zildjian A Medium Crash, 16" Zildjian K Dark Crash, 18" Zildjian K Dark Crash, 20" Zildjian A China Boy, Zildjian Mega Bell Ride 22". Two sets of hi-hats. On the left Zildjian 14", on the right Paiste 15". The rack is Gibraltar. My pedals are Pearl Eliminator Demon Drive.
At the end, feel free to reveal Scars of Atrophy's plans for the 2022-2023 years. The space is yours...
- Our plans for the future are to release the full length album, write more songs and get out on the road. Hopefully more festivals will invite us to play. A US tour will be in the works and coming back to Europe is a must.
One thing I want to express is that we are not up against Atrophy. Atrophy dissolved when the singer left the band and I decided to change the name out of respect and to let the original Atrophy stand for itself.
Those first two albums "Socialized Hate" and "Violent by Nature" mean the world to me. I was so excited about releasing the 3rd album, but it just did not workout. I never quit Atrophy and I can say I am the only member of Atrophy to play every single Atrophy show and on every single Atrophy recording. No one else in the band can say that. I loved Atrophy and can honestly say these songs are from that vein.
Scars of Atrophy will give you exactly what you want, speed, thrash with choruses, great lyrics and undeniable devotion to this genre of metal. We hope you will help us spread the word! Love and Peace to all. Tim.
