Chris: Greetings guys! First off, congratulations for what I think is the underground death metal release of the year so far, as well as for signing with Ibex Moon. How has the buzz been for the CD so far?

Cardiac Arrest: Thanks Chris!!!! The buzz for "Haven for the Insane" has been overall really good. Can't complain.

Chris: Are you guys touring right now at all? How was the Enthroned/Destroyer 666 show in August?

Cardiac Arrest: At the moment all we are doing is just fests and off shows. The dates we did w/ Enthroned and D666 were extremely well. The crowds were amazing, and said bands were true pros and killer people all around.

Chris: Also being a Chicago native and having been around the metal scene for nearly 30-years myself it’s great to see Chicago being represented in the death metal genre as well. With all of the clubs I grew up with seemingly long gone, places like Reggie’s are popping up sporadically to keep the scene alive. Do you see the metal crowds and fans getting larger in and around town?

Cardiac Arrest: It's good to see a place like Reggie's bring out the metal to Chicago. It seems to be THE place to play at. Lately when I go to a show it seems there are starting to be more supportive crowds for sure, throughout the years it's kinda been hit or miss, usually every couple years it seems that way for some odd reason.

Chris: I first heard the newest CD in Metal Haven (R.I.P.) and Mark and I were talking about the band a bit. What immediately struck me was the utterly brutal down-tempo that moved like a speeding semi truck. Coming off the equally amazing Cadaverous Presence was it consciously in your minds to try and top it? I suppose every band tries to top its preceding release.

Cardiac Arrest: We've never really had a formula or went in saying "this must top the last one" kind of attitude. It's just a matter of us playing what we want to play and enjoying it. The rest hopefully falls into place. On a side note....FUCK do I miss Metal Haven!!!

Chris: For my taste Cardiac Arrest seems to have a feel to the music other death/grind bands are missing, a maturity and honesty that a few more commercial contemporaries seem to lack these days. It’s obvious the horror/splatter flicks are an influence, but can I ask what bands have contributed to the C.A. sound lineage?

Cardiac Arrest: Horror Movies have always been something I'm huge on and something that influence my lyrics, I make some attempts at branching it out and keeping things original in that matter two. As far as bands you ask? Mainly the bands from the late 80s/90, if I made a list it would probably be a 50 page novel HAHA!!!!

Chris: In the last few years I definitely see the U.S. reclaiming its death metal throne (considering it started here that’s only right!) to a larger degree. More fans seem to be drawn to the quality death/grind bands on the scene. Since your first EP Heart Stopping Death Rot back in ’04 do you see the change getting even better for our scene?

Cardiac Arrest: I don't think we per se have anything to do with it, if we did. If we did, I’m sorry we wasted your time. Bahahahahaha!!!!!!!

Chris: I’m disgustingly biased, but I always felt Chicago had one of the best scenes for underground metal with both record stores and good bands. I’m proud of our scene over the last couple of decades, even through the “dry spells”. It may sound silly to ask, but does it add something to the band to represent the city’s underground? We certainly have dedicated fans here. 

Cardiac Arrest: Of course we gotta take pride in our local scene to some degree. I do admit the last few times we played in Chicago, it's been fucking great. I know whenever I see a band I like that's been fighting through the trenches and did good and stuck with it, it most certainly draws interest locally. Chicago has its diehards for sure.

Chris: Are there any plans for a full-on live DVD or CD in the future? The DVD with Haven for the Insane was a great addition (get out there, people, and find your copy!)

Cardiac Arrest: Not at the moment. But there are plenty of discussions of doing that as a project. Sometime in the future.

Chris: So other than touring until the wheels fall off the cart, what does the 2011 year look like for C.A.? Do you have time to write any new songs along the way?

Cardiac Arrest: Well, we're working in some "new blood" into the band as we have a new drummer. We will make an announcement on that soon. We also have a new album we have just finished up, expect that to be out soon. New material shall surface. We've contributed two exclusive songs to the Afterparty Massacre Movie soundtrack which is now available via Ibex Moon Recs. Aside from that, some shows/fests here and there and writing new material soon.

Chris: Thanks so much for the time and interview! I hope to catch you guys in the coming weeks around town! Is there anything you’d like to end with here? 

Cardiac Arrest: Thanks a bunch for the interview, Chris!!! Also much thanks to all who read this and for everyone's continued support. See you fuckers out on the road!!! RAGE n' ROT!!!!!

Cardiac Arrest

Interviewer: Chris

June 15, 2011

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TO THE TOP

(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Formed: 1997
    Chicago, Illinois  USA
Label:     Ibex Moon Records
Genre: Death Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

Adam Scott:  Vocals & Guitars
Tom "Terror" Knizner:
                                 Guitars & Vocals
Dave "Amsterdamn" Holland: 
                                     Bass & Vocals
Nick Gallichio:  Drums

DISCOGRAPHY:

Heart Stopping Death Rot EP (2004)
Death ROTted Promo Demo (2005)
Beast Among Many EP (2006)
Morgue Mutilations (2006)
Cadaverous Presence (2008)
Haven for the Insane (2010)