Let’s inject a little bit of energy into Wednesday, shall we? (While also catching up on recent releases, of course). New Jersey death metal/deathcore group Nights of Malice released Chaos Exordium back on June 4th through Bleeding Art Collective and Blood Blast Distribution (Nuclear Blast Records/Believe), and I’m proud to share it as our latest Profile this week. This thing is crammed with beastly riffs and technical prowess, and I’m confident it will scratch an itch you may not have even known you had. So! Give Joe’s (drums) responses a read while you explore a couple of samples of their recent release below. And of course you should just give the whole damn thing a listen on whatever platform you prefer if you haven’t already. Either way, enjoy!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I got started playing metal in middle school. I met some of our original founding members Andrew and James in elementary/middle school and from there I found Xavier on MySpace. We wanted a full lineup and he was the perfect addition. They had a show booked already, asked me to join and said “we have 3 weeks to write a set” and the rest is history! My family was always very supportive of my music from a very young age. My mom and my grandma were always my biggest cheerleaders regardless of whatever style I played and my grandma would even come out to shows in her NOM merch.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

I’d say it’s intensity. We try to write songs that take you on a journey with some ebb and flow and contrast. This style isn’t for everyone, but for the people who get it, it’s everything.

Is there one anything about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge? 

Some of our biggest inspirations on this album is horror media. Hereditary, Doom, Evil Dead to name a few.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

The infamous night in Charlotte, NC. We had just arrived in NC wired from some great shows with Casket Robbery on tour a few years ago. We decided to go out and hit this cool spot Vinyl. Everyone there was so stoked we were a band and hanging out there buying us drinks etc. were there until close and as we’re walking back to the van a thunderstorm hit bad. Some get inside and Xav is laid up feeling horrible. He opens the door to throw up, and his phone falls off his lap…straight into a storm drain. So 15 minutes later Brendan is on his stomach in the rain, trying to get Xavier’s puke covered phone out of the gutter by using drumsticks as chopsticks. Needless to say it was a great night.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now? Or, most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music? 

One of the great things happening is growing artists are finding the value in community, more so working their niche instead of trying to tackle the whole genre scene as a monolith. I mean this has always been a thing but I’m just seeing bands I like doing it more. Involving their fans more in a close knit group which gives people more of a personal connection to not just the music but the band members as well.

As for the latter, we have some songs that are lighthearted like movie/game references and some that are geared towards reality and struggles. One of my favorite songs is “A Myriad Misfortunes” which speaks on classism. A lot of what you’re seeing today in the inequality of wealth and opportunity in societies everywhere. We see it every day with these out of touch people far beyond struggle who can throw unlimited money at data centers etc. without flinching at the expense of everyone else. Meanwhile, losing a job could be the difference between life and death. I just think the lyrics reflect the lack of perspective that billionaires have.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share? 

A few of us work blue collar, Josh does freelance work in recording, session work and lessons. I do guitar tech/repair and restoration work in addition to my normal job outside of the band.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

I’d say spend some more time doing legwork in the smaller scenes. We have met countless bands doing things you’d never imagine bands with more coverage doing and it’s amazing. Verminoth, Monochromatic Black, Ampevene just to name a few. There are so many amazing acts not in the press because they don’t have a PR agent that would truly blow people’s minds.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Create a sustainable cycle with the band so we can do it forever. We’ve been jamming since 2009 and nothing has stopped us yet but we are taking steps to grow more and more and let us do even cooler things. We never want to stop.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

My favorite albums of all time would have to be “White Pony” by Deftones, “Brand New Eyes” by Paramore and “Lost In The Sound of Separation” by Underoath. My biggest inspirations are really not metal so much. I am a student of the technical side through metal but I get more of the artistry and the big picture of a song from other genres.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

More tours. We plan to hit many places we have never gone before very soon. Our agent Michelle has been crucial in our growth the last few years. Also maybe some more new music sooner than you think!

Summarize your band in one word.

Riffs.

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Many thanks to Joe and Nights of Malice for the time!

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Chaos Exordium is out now through Bleeding Art Collective and Blood Blast Distribution. For more information on Nights of Malice, head to Facebook or Instagram.