Interview: Fates Messenger
We’re all buzzing to be doing what we love again. The EP is a great blend of the music styles we’re all into.
UK metalcore bruisers Fates Messenger return with a fearsome new EP called Eternal War on Greyline Records and it shows the band making a name for themself with their energetic and metallised hardcore brutality. With a whole host of experience in bands such as Above All, Stampin’ Ground, Romeo Must Die and Dishonour The Crown, the members of Fates Messenger are no strangers to the heavy music underground in the UK and bring that experience and a whole plethora of energy to their new music.
Ahead of the release of Eternal War, Gavin Brown caught up with Fates Messenger guitarist Ron D to talk all about the EP, the influences on the band’s music and a whole lot about UK and US hardcore.
E&D: Your new EP Eternal War is out soon. How excited are you to be back with this new music?
Ron: We’re all buzzing to be doing what we love again. The EP is a great blend of the music styles we’re all into and like with the previous releases we just wanted to put out something we would be happy to listen to if it wasn’t us playing. Think we delivered on that so I recon a few people might like it.
E&D: You’ve just dropped ‘Doomloop’, the second single from the EP, who has the new material been received?
Ron: So far so good, ‘Doomloop’ is quite a change to previous songs with a lot more groove and more ethereal sounds making it more metalcore. Thinks this will open up a bigger fan base as there is more melody to it. It’s also fun to play live as well, give me a stage big enough and let me loose haha.
E&D: Tim Williams from Vision Of Disorder features on the EP’s title track that was the first single. How was it having him on the track and how did that collaboration come about?
Ron: We previously worked with Resonance Logistics, Darren the owner goes back years with Tim. We were chatting and he said he’d see if Tim would be keen and he was. Vision Of Disorder were a massive influence on my playing style and even to today, I remember being 16 and first hearing them in Metal Head in Camden, buying the album and absolutely rinsing it on repeat for weeks. Fast forward to now some 26+ years later and Tim being on a track with us is amazing.
E&D: You cover the immortal ‘Master Killer’ by Merauder on the EP, was it a cool experience to bring a Fates Messenger vibe to that song?
Ron: Most definitely, the basis is exactly the same but adding a little bit of synth to the chorus just added a touch of FM. Again, Merauder was a band I first heard many years ago on Headbangers Ball on MTV and they made a lasting impression. I messaged the band to see if they were cool with us doing the cover before hand, so as soon as they gave us the thumbs up, we were straight on it.
E&D: How much of an influence are Vision Of Disorder and Merauder on Fates Messenger?
Ron: Massive, without those bands and others I wouldn’t play or write like I do.
E&D: What other songs would you love to give the Fates Messenger treatment?
Ron: Ooof, good question! ‘Ten Ton Hammer’, most Pantera songs, haha!
E&D: What other bands are the biggest influence on the music of Fates Messenger?
Ron: Pantera, Hatebreed, Machine Head, Madball, Sylosis, even Stampin’ Ground. First hearing Carved from Empty Words, it blew my head off, this was before I knew the guys and still to this day an iconic metallic hardcore album. One of our songs may or may not be very similar to ‘Officer Down’ haha!
E&D: Listening to your music, there’s a big classic metal influence in there as well, is that a big part of your music too?
Ron: At the moment I’ve written the majority of the music just because once it starts flowing I’ll have a whole track written, the guys then make some suggestions for tweaks. Musically I listen to a lot styles and I don’t think about what I’m writing i just let it flow so there could be a bit of everything in there.
E&D: Are you looking forward to the return of Stampin’ Ground?
Ron: Yessssss, we have the show with them in October but I’ll personally be teching for them when they play with Earthtone 9 early October, can’t wait to go throw some shapes and steal the mic.
E&D: Are there Fates Messenger live shows coming up when the album is released?
Ron: We’re just waiting on details but we’ll be playing the Bear Cave in Bournemouth 24th Aug supporting Thuum. They’re doing an album sponsor show to raise money so we’ll be using it as an EP release.
E&D: What are the best hardcore and metal live shows you have ever seen?
Ron: Meshuggah, next level! Gojira, next level! Pantera, my first gig experience and only time seeing the original lineup, life changing. Recently, Desolated and a band call Bayway from New Jersey, crushing.
E&D: With the members of the band having been in Romeo Must Die, Above All and Stampin’ Ground in the past, is it a cool feeling to be bringing that experience to Fates Messenger?
Ron: Massively, we’re just thankful to be doing this and getting to bring the previous experiences into something new. Paul our bassist is playing second guitar for Stampin’ Ground so he’s juggling the both bands at the moment but we are getting a new bassist in and Paul’s going to 2nd guitar. If there’s any clashes with priorities we can still play as a 4 piece.
E&D: Do you look back on your time with Romeo Must Die with fondness?
Ron: Haha yes, had some incredible experiences touring, some very messy ones as well haha. Playing shows in the Netherlands and Belgium, getting thrown out of strip clubs, run ins with foreign bikers! Good times!
E&D: Who are your all time favourite ever UKHC bands?
Ron: Stampin’ Ground, Knuckledust, Desolated, Split Knuckle, Special Move, Unite, Raiden.
E&D: What is your all time favourite UKHC album?
Ron: Going to have to say Carved From Empty Words, iconic, life changing, brutal!
