We had the opportunity to talk to Diseased Earth, and learn more about this amazing project, check it out below:
Can you tell us about the origins of Diseased Earth and how the band came together in Staunton, Virginia?
Travis (vocals)
Diseased Earth came together out of the ashes of several bands ending. The original singer in what would become DE quit to focus on his career, and I had taken a break from music after the break-up from my last band and just decided I wanted to get back into it. A friend introduced me to joe and I came to try out. After listening to a song for a couple of times, we tried it all together and I remembering one of joes friends being like wow that’s the sound yll been missing, and the rest is history.
Sludge music often carries a distinctive sound. How would you describe the unique elements or influences that set Diseased Earth apart from traditional doom/sludge bands?
We still have that groove and fuzz from traditional doom/sludge, but we also bring in a lot of influence from grind and death metal, play combined with the harsh vocals.
Experimentation is a key aspect of your music. Could you share some examples of the diverse influences that have shaped your sound and how they manifest in your music?
Our guitarist Paul is highly influenced by mastodon, high on fire, and thin Lizzy, so he has almost a classic hard rock approach to certain parts of his playing. He likes to throw in this little licks that almost have a Skynard feel to them. Joe always brings the heavy beat down riffs and both of them play well off each other. We like to balance the low/slow with the fast and swirl it together.
Many bands have a signature style or approach. What do you believe is the most defining characteristic of Diseased Earth's music?
I would say it’s our mix of heavy riffs with classic hard rock solos and extreme vocals.
The term "intense" is used to describe your music. Can you delve deeper into the emotions or themes that your music aims to convey to listeners?
A lot of my lyrics are written about the human experience and dive into themes about mental health, pain, and grief. This is nothing new to extreme metal, but I'd like to think my metaphoric approach of least is a little different.
Staunton, Virginia might not be the most well-known location for a sludge band. How has your hometown influenced your music and creative process?
Staunton is a cesspool. For the longest time, all we had were cover bands, and they could easily get a show, but anytime we tried, we were turned away or met with critics. We did all band together and make a little scene here, but Covid shut it down for a little bit. We’re hoping to bring that back.
Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges the band has faced while pursuing your musical goals and experimenting with your sound?
Some of my favorite moments were getting to open for some amazing bands like crowbar and eyehategod. My favorite memory though is probably our first show. We got an insane response from the crowd.
What can fans and newcomers alike expect from Diseased Earth in terms of upcoming releases or live performances, and how do you envision the band's evolution in the future?
Earlier this year, our long time drummer Clayton decided to move to the West Coast, and we thought it was gonna be the end of the band, but we got lucky and found Damian Wenrich. He’s an amazing drummer and already feels like he’s been in the band forever. We almost have Damian on track to be able to play shows and even have began to work on new material. Either before or after we start playing shows again, we will head back to the studio and maybe record some singles or an ep. The future looks bright.
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