Band Interview: Onslaught
Onslaught will release their new album, Generation Antichrist on August 7th 2020 (and first in 7 years). On the 29th May, the first single from the new album was release. Called Religiousuicide, guitarist Nige Rockett commented:
Me and the guys are so fucking psyched to finally get this track ‘Religiousuicide’ out into the public domain, it’s one of the most intense, hate filled songs that Onslaught has ever written and it’s definitely one for the pit! When Daniel Bergstrand (producer) asked me how we wanted the mix, i said “Can you deliver us one of the most Brutal and Aggressive sounds ever heard in Thrash Metal..? He said “yeah sure, man!” I gotta say he did an awesome job. I hope you all dig hearing it as much as we did for the first time!
We were able to have a chat with Nige about the new track, the new album and much more. Below is a transcript of part of the interview. You can listen to the full thing at the bottom.
On enjoying the build up towards a new release
Nige: This is the only part of being in a band I get nervous about. Nothing else ever fazes me. Play to as many people as you like, go and play with anybody you like and go into the studio. As soon as new music comes out it’s a whole different thing. You just don’t know how people are going to take it. You know? It’s very uncertain.
On if the release of the first single (Religiousuicide) has taken some of the pressure off
Nige: No because it’s only one track. The response of the fans has been incredible but what I will say is its far from the strongest personally track on the album. You never throw all your eggs in the basket straight away. So, we’ve not released the stronger tracks yet. As much as I do love Religiousuicide, it’s a real in your face head-banger and pit song just so much energy, there’s a lot more to come from the album.
On what is making Onslaught angry these days
Nige: I’m always angry!
This world man, it just gets worse don’t it? Every time you pick up a paper or go on to the internet there’s something that pisses you off!
It’s great for writing songs, it really is. my old friend religion appears on the album a couple of times but there’s some new things. I think governments are beginning to really upset people with their lies, the way they handle things and the way they go about things. Especially two particular leaders I could mention. So, it kind of gives us a lot fuel. I mean there’s a few tracks that have a sort of political edge on the new album as well.
It’s made me angry and given me more lyrical fuel.
On Onslaught having rode the ups and downs to emerge even stronger over the years
Nige: I just love doing it. I came from a punk music background which is about as earthy as you can get, I reckon. I’ve carried that all the way through and nothing ever fazes me. If there is a problem, we face the problem head on and you make the situation better from that problem.
We’ve had so many line-up changes as like any other bands, thrash bands in particular for some reason. If that happens, you don’t sulk about it or go and say ‘I can’t do this anymore’. Go and find somebody better, you know? Go and make the band stronger and make the band better and move on.
We’ve been fortunate every time to be able to be in a position to do that.
Watch/listen to the full interview below.
