Back in July of 2010, Axl and I visited The Human Abstract at the Machine Shop in New Jersey, where they were recording their new album, Digital Veil, with producer Will Putney. Between the (then) six members of the band and the two of us, there were way too many people to do one interview, so we ended up splitting up into groups and conducting three interviews. The first, with guitarist A.J. Minette (before he was a MetalSucks columnist) and vocalist Travis Richter was published in March; we posted the second interview, with since-departed guitarist Andrew Tapley and drummer Brett Powell, in April. Finally, today we present the final interview with guitarist Dean Herrera and bassist Henry Selva.

Herrera and Selva shared with us their thoughts on working with producer Will Putney, new vocalist Travis Richter, reuniting with guitarist A.J. Minette, their feelings on the band’s second record Midheaven, and some new music they’ve been digging.

Our chit-chat, across the digital veil.

Click to read more…

Back in July, Axl and I visited The Human Abstract at the Machine Shop in New Jersey, where they were recording their new album, Digital Veil, with producer Will Putney. Between the (then) six members of the band and the two of us, there were way too many people to do one interview, so we ended up splitting up into groups and conducting three interviews. The first, with guitarist A.J. Minette (before he was a MetalSucks columnist) and vocalist Travis Richter, was published a couple of weeks back; the second, with since-departed guitarist Andrew Tapley and drummer Brett Powell, follows below. We’ll run the final interview with guitarist Dean Herrera and bassist Henry Selva in the coming weeks.

Even though these interviews were conducted before the album was even completed, in a lot of ways they’re far more interesting now that Digital Veil is done and released. Powell and Tapley share some interesting thoughts on selecting and consequently working with producer Will Putney, how they chose Travis Richter and Henry Selva to fill the vacant vocalist and bassist spots and how A.J. came back to the band (and what his two-year stint as a classical guitar major at University of Southern California brought to the new record). These many months later, it’s especially interesting to read Tapley’s (and to a lesser extent Powell’s) take on how the band planned to procede with three guitarists. They also mouth off on “scene” bands and how as a young band they were coerced into doing things they didn’t necessarily want to do.

Fun-time with Brett and Tapley after the break.

Click to read more…

Back in July, Vince and I visited The Human Abstract at the Machine Shop in New Jersey, where they were recording their new album, Digital Veil, with producer Will Putney. Between the (then) six members of the band and the two of us, there were way too many people to do one interview, so we ended up splitting up into groups and conducting three interviews. Below is the first, with guitarist A.J. Minette (before he was a MetalSucks columnist) and vocalist Travis Richter; we’ll run the rest in the coming weeks.

Even though these interviews were conducted before the album was even completed, in a lot of ways, they’re far more interesting now that Digital Veil is done and released (it came out Tuesday on eOne, in case you somehow missed it). For one thing, now when the band talks about the music, you will have already heard it and will know what they’re talking about. There’s a lot of discussion in here about music composition and theory, and about lyrical content; having now heard the album, these interviews feel like having running director’s commentary. After reading this, you’ll be able to go back and re-listen to Digital Veil with a fresh perspective, as well as a better understanding of what the band was aiming for.

But for another thing… yeah, a lot has changed since this interview was conducted. As you’ll see, at the time, the band hadn’t even finalized the name of the album; they had three guitar players, not two; hell, they were still signed to a different label than the one that ended up releasing the record! It’s definitely thought-provoking to see how much things have changed in just eight months.

And so, without further ado, here’s my chat with A.J. and Travis…

Click to read more…

Yes, I know that it was just yesterday that we told you that The Human Abstract would be releasing their new single, “Faust,” today. But now I feel the need to remind you.

The first thing I did when I woke up this morning was walk over to my computer, power up the ol’ iTunes, and purchase this song. Yes, I did that before my morning piss. That way, by the time I was done urinating, the song would be fully downloaded and waiting for me. And the slight discomfort I felt as I delayed the emptying of my bladder was totally worth it. I listened to the song five times in a row after downloading it. I’m sure I’ll listen to it many more times before the day is through. I fucking love it.

Click to read more…

Well, no one can ever accuse The Human Abstract of losing their DIY sensibility: the band has a very good publicist and a team of hard working managers, but that’s not stopping drummer Brett Powell from sending out his own mass e-mails to the press every time the band has an update. And good for him, I say.

So. Mr. Powell’s latest e-mail alerted us to the fact that “A Violent Strike,” the opening track from the band’s forthcoming new album Midheaven, is now streaming on THA’s MySpace page. And I think the title tells you everything you need to know about the song.

Midheaven drops on August 19 on Hopeless Records. Trust me when I tell you that you haven’t heard the best material from this album yet – not even close.

-AR