Baltimore, MD’s Exist have a deep lineage across the metal spectrum and with some of the most heralded bands in history. So it should come as no surprise they’ve made a splash since their mid 2000s debut or that they’ve shared tours with many elite bands. Their first two albums were an encyclopedia of how progressive metal is done and now with their third, Egoiista, ready to roll they, yet again, hold a masterclass in how to stay atop this crowded genre and dive deeper into their own mechanics to make this junior effort their best yet.
Just ahead of Egoiista‘s release, Max Phelps took some precious time to chat with Buke about the album, its mechanics and methods of constructing its many moving pieces, and how their complex music lands with fans. They also spend time on the network of metal and how they deal with sharing members across many other projects, the jazz community and its impact on Max, newest member Brody Smith’s impact, Chuck Schuldiner’s lasting legacy, remembering Sean Reinert, Max’s Cynic and Death tie in, and so much more! It’s an epic conversation — jump in and take a listen!
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Many thanks to Max for his time!
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– Buke
Egoiista will be available August 28 on the band’s Bandcamp page, and on Prosthetic Records. For more information on Exist, visit their Facebook page.
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