Louisiana-based metal project We Are The Virus is releasing new music on February 29th! Put together and performed by front man Ryan Henry, “Get Bent” is an instrumental piece that clocks in at 3 minutes, 20 seconds.
The driving beat and intricate thrum of the bass form a solid foundation, and for the first minute or so, a rock-oriented riff is crafted upon this pedestal. But don’t let that lull you into complacency! At roughly the 1:14 mark, the listener is carried into a journey of guitar work, from delay effects to a shredding solo that speaks of WATV’s classic metal influences. The song then falls back into a maelstrom of drums, bass, and guitar, building to its rather abrupt ending.
The story behind the track? According to Ryan, the inspiration was a literal “get bent” to those people who are nothing but a problem in your life. Where words fail, music speaks, as they say, and “Get Bent” is a musically blistering “not anymore” to those who need to be dismissed for your own peace of mind.
Don’t miss “Get Bent” on your favorite streaming service, and be sure to follow We Are The Virus on their various socials so you never miss an update! And, if you would like to learn more about the band, check out the interview I did with Ryan back in November 2023.
Metal heavyweights Static-X and Sevendust had so much fun touring together last year that they’ve decided to do it again! With support from Dope and Lines of Loyalty, the second leg of The Machine Killer Tour starts February 1st in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Grab your tickets and VIP packages at static-x.org or sevendust.com!
2/1 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues, Myrtle Beach
2/2 – Orlando, FL – The Orlando Amphitheater at Central Florida Fairgrounds
2/3 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
2/4 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa
John 5 will be touring early in the new year, and he’s bringing along some special guests! From February 1st to February 7th, Liliac will be accompanying him, and the week of the 21st to the 28th, Marty Friedman will be appearing. Grab your tickets and VIP upgrades at john-5.com!
1/26 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
1/27 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
1/28 – Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d
1/30 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios Live
2/1 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Family Theatre at Pheasant Run Resort#
2/2 – Turtle Lake, WI – St. Croix Casino#
2/3 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center#
2/4 – Kansasville, WI – 1175 Sports Park & Eatery#
2/6 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room#
2/7 – Harrison, OH – Blue Note Harrison#
2/8 – Lakewood, OH – Winchester Music Tavern
2/9 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
2/10 – Columbus, OH – The KING of CLUBS
2/12 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
2/13 – Lititz, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
2/14 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
2/15 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
2/16 – New Bedford, MA – The Vault Music Hall & Pub
2/17 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
2/18 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
2/19 – Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater
2/20 – Greenville, SC – The Radio Room
2/21 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft*
2/23 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Dallas System)*
Metalcore act Code Orange is touring in early 2024 with special guests Teenage Wrist and Soul Blind. Spy, Gridiron, and others to-be-announced will also be appearing on certain dates. You can grab tickets at codeorangetoth.com.
2/13 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Austin
2/14 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
2/16 – New Orleans, LA – Toulouse Theatre
2/17 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
2/18 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
2/20 – Atlanta, GA – Hell at The Masquerade
2/22 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
2/23 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage*
2/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts*
2/25 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club*
2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere
2/29 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
3/1 – Detroit, MI – The Shelter
3/2 – Chicago, IL – Metro Chicago
3/3 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
3/5 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater
3/6 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
3/8 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon+
3/9 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom+
3/10 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom+
3/12 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent+
3/13 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post Sacramento+
We Are The Virus is a project from Louisiana that spans metal and all of its subgenres. Front man, and sole permanent member, Ryan Henry brought WATV to life in the wake of Covid, as a way to vent the emotions of everyday life.
I was given the opportunity to talk to Ryan about the beginnings of We Are The Virus, the inspiration behind the music, the latest album, Civil Disobedience, and more.
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How was We Are The Virus formed, and what’s the story behind the name?
Ryan: The, let’s call it “project,” of WATV formed in early 2021, basically out of a Covid-ridden landscape. I had played guitar for most of my life – close to 25 years – and never really attempted a project “solo”. I was 2 years out of a divorce, and my (now) wife had been pushing me to really get back to my musical roots. Really connect back with the music again. We had made it a huge part of our relationship, and she could see how much playing and creating meant to me. She pushed me back into it, and I dove in head first. The name was actually a suggestion from one of the collaborators on the album, Mike O’Brien (Texas Murder Crew; who is also a firefighter as I am). The name really RESONATED crazily with me – I’ve worked in hazardous material response for most of my adult life and was an extreme zombie movie fanatic for years, so it truly fit.
Who are your major influences? Did you and the others involved all come from similar musical backgrounds, or did you have to blend different influences into the sound y’all have created?
Ryan: The collaborators on the album Civil Disobedience have SIMILAR backgrounds; however, the difference in proximity to each other has for sure played a huge influence. I collaborated with Mike O’Brien and Aaron Bazen (Truth and Tragedy) on the album. Both had the heavy musical influence, but the direction was different. Mike being from a Slam/Deathcore background and Aaron being from a Hardcore background brought a few different flavors to the mix. I am the sole constant member in the band, but I feel like it’s very important to fill in my gaps with someone able to express their 100% creative freedom. And I’m lucky to have worked with these two because of the sheer ethic and drive they both have.
Speaking of Civil Disobedience, it was released back in August. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process for the album?
Ryan: The writing and recording process for Civil Disobedience was a huge hurdle for me. After being guided into the musical process again by my wife, it was a gateway of emotional sputum. I did not realize what I had inside after my career of firefighting and going through life changes that needed to come out. My writing process was pretty erratic. I didn’t know when or why; however, when it felt as if it needed to come out, it was TIME. There were many times my wife and I were having a normal day together, and I would tell her, “Hey, I need to play, it needs to come out.” Most of the songs were put together quickly, like when it was time to happen, it got spewed out onto the page.
How do you feel your career as a firefighter influences your music?
Ryan: My career, as much as I hate to admit, probably has influenced my music quite a bit. There’s a lot of really dark shit to deal with in emergency response. I’ve seen a lot of death, sometimes natural, sometimes not, but on the contrary, I’ve also been a part of saving lives. It’s an extreme polar bounce of emotions thinking of how it could have influenced. There was one really particular incident where my music and response crossed inadvertently. Years ago, without giving too many details, we worked a fatal car accident involving a young teenage driver. While I had been into heavy music most of my life at this point, I noticed in the deceased’s vehicle there was an album in the back seat, an album that I also owned at the time. That call has always haunted me for many reasons, but the connection of music between the driver and us trying to save them has really stuck with me. Sorry for being vague! It’s out of respect for the patient.
Let’s talk further back. What was it that first inspired you to create? Was there any particular band/artist, or a moment you remember thinking “that’s what I want to do”?
Ryan: To create, I feel like the best answer to this is the feeling or need to express. Behaviorally, I do feel I’ve always been reserved and almost empathetic or too in tune with how others are feeling or have felt. Creation and expression of the music reverses that for those moment and makes me feel powerful. Mentally, it’s helped me considerably to each day take time out to work on music and gotten me back on a track where I’m feeling confident and as if I can take on the world. Growing up, there was a turning point as far as artists that really inspired me. I grew up listening to my dad’s vinyl collection of Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top. These bands paved the way for me to get into Black Sabbath and the darker aspects of music. But two bands really solidified me and inspired me to play, and those were Metallica and Korn. These two bands made me want to pick up a guitar every day and play, particularly Metallica’s The Black Album, and Korn’s Life is Peachy.
While we’re discussing your musical tastes, I have to ask, just for fun, is there anyone you listen to that you think would surprise people?
Ryan: Well, as a teenager, I would never have admitted any sort of guilty pleasure. You know, the older I get – I really start to feel like none of my musical pleasure should be guilty (although it could be slightly embarrassing). I love the band The Police. Copeland was an amazing drummer, and I focus on it each time I hear the music. Also, country artist, if you would really call it that, Cody Jinks. Cody Jinks has some really deep stuff. He has very obviously been through some shit in his life, and his song “David” always strikes a cord with me because of my emergency response background. Essentially he, as a police officer, responds to the death of a childhood friend. Listen to the song and really explore it lyrically, really great stuff.
As far as songs that resonate, which one of your own tracks from the new album do you connect with the most? (If there is such a song.)
Ryan: “One Dark Highway,” without a doubt. Musically, the song was written at a super low point. It was my droning song to myself about being in the middle of a dark intersection in the middle of nowhere. Looking in all directions with no headlights, just darkness and a chill in the air. Lyrically, I had given Mike O’Brien the name of the song, and he wrote the corresponding lyrics without any sort of prompt from me other than the name, and the lyrics just sent it right home. “So I walk on this highway, searching for a change” gives me chills and is my favorite, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
What are your plans for the rest of 2023 and beyond?
Ryan: The rest of 2023 is getting used to the live performance aspect of the album. Generally I’ll just play the guitars live with a backing track. I’ve lined up some shows and am hammering out all of the kinks of performance like that. It’s still absolutely crazy to me when I see people vibing to the music I’m playing because it seems surreal. It was selfishly in a way written for me to get my emotional crap out, but people are resonating with it, and it’s odd to get used to it, but I love it.
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We Are The Virus dropped the debut album Civil Disobedience on August 18th. You can stream it here.
The Union Underground is offering up a trip back in time with their Back To The 2000s Tour, which features special guests Soil, Ra, and Flaw. This nu metal nostalgia party kicks off March 1st in San Antonio, Texas! Each band will be playing exclusive material from their most popular albums. Get your tickets and VIP now at national-acts.com!
Corvin’s Breed is an industrial metal band from New England that formed in 2014. Since then, Corvin’s Breed has released one EP, I’m Not Normal, and a full-length album entitled The Witching Hour. The band is set to hit the road this November/December with Psyclon Nine, Clockwork Echo, and Guillotine.
I had the opportunity to chat with vocalist Matty Corvin for a little Corvin’s Breed 101.
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First, I would just like to thank you for your time. I’m going to start with something very basic. How was the band formed, and what’s the story behind the name?
Matty: The band was formed in 2014. I always found crows to be very fascinating because people don’t seem to talk about them, but they’re very important as they like to feast off of the flesh of carcasses. They’re creatures I always felt a connection with in my personal life. I figured this is my vision, this is my breed, and the people that get it are part of it as well.
Was there always a common vision among the band members, or did y’all have to mesh a variety of influences and musical backgrounds?
MC: I wanted this to be something refreshing. I never thought this to be a band that’s set out to sound like a certain band in particular. I thought “if it’s already out there, why should I recreate it?” I just wanted to stick out like a sore thumb, so visual aesthetics were always crucial. I just tried to find like-minded musicians who were influenced by Alice Cooper, White Zombie, and Static-X. Those were the bands that really understood the concept of being original and entertaining an audience. If you were to look through my library there’s such a wide variety of bands and artists you would come across that probably wouldn’t match up to what this whole thing is.
Speaking of influences, who are your biggest ones, personally? And carrying that a step further, what (or who) was it that inspired you to pursue a career in music?
MC: Music was always playing in the house growing up. My mom was really into the 80s hair metal stuff like Poison, Mötley Crüe, Ratt.
I remember watching the music television channel on TV with her, and all these bands were super flashy with their hair all done up with crazy outfits, and those guys had a lot of talent. Music was something I was always attracted to but it wasn’t until I saw Poison live when I was about 7 years old that I realized this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and I just went balls to the wall with it since.
Can you tell me a little bit about the band’s writing and recording process?
MC: The music always comes first when it comes to writing, before any vocals or lyrics. As much as I love intricate music, I like to simplify it. I want to make people dance and have a good time. I feel like once you start adding offbeat stuff and weird time signatures, people lose interest, as much as I love that stuff. I’d rather see people moving on the dance floor. Adding elements of other genres to the mix has always been something I like to do.
With imagery playing a huge role in the band, and with the overall subject matter and just…aura…of the band, I have to assume you’re a horror fan. Is that correct?
MC: Absolutely! I would say horror and comedy are two things that sum up my entire entity. Those are two extremes of entertainment that make you feel something and can’t be taken seriously, and I find that to be really interesting.
That’s a topic we’ll have to revisit when we have more time, because I can talk horror for hours. Moving right along, what is your favorite of the songs you’ve written, if you have one? And why do you connect with it the most?
MC: That’s a really tough question. There’s a lot of songs we have that are really personal to me. Music is all about expression, so I like to write about experiences that I’ve gone through in hopes that someone listening can relate and maybe it will help them get through a similar situation. But to answer your question, I really don’t have a favorite.
Y’all are about to set out on the Infection Divinum Tour with Psyclon Nine, Clockwork Echo, and Guillotine. How do you feel about this? I know y’all toured with Psyclon Nine earlier this year.Are you excited to be on the road with them again?
MC: Yes, very excited. Those guys have been nothing but great to us. Nero and I go way back, and it’s always an absolute pleasure working with him. We [Corvin’s Breed] seem to have gathered quite the following. Myself as well as the rest of the band are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and reconnecting with the fans.
What is your favorite thing about performing live?
MC: There’s nothing like putting on the face and becoming this monster that I have created for myself. It’s very therapeutic for me. I could have had a falling out with a friend, or even had a death in the family, and I had to put on a show right after, and I just let all of that energy out. There’s nothing like the feeling of tapping into your inner self and showing that to other people that probably had those same issues and a smile or a nod is a way of saying “I get you”. And then when that’s all over and done with, you have fans that thank you, and I think that’s the most rewarding part.
Still on the topic of live shows, what would your dream lineup (that includes Corvin’s Breed) be?
MC: I think a tour with Rob Zombie and Corvin’s Breed would be a cool show to see.
What are the band’s plans for the rest of the year and into 2024?
MC: We will have a couple singles coming out really soon, along with a couple music videos. That will be followed up by a new album called MISANTHROPY, which will be released early 2024. Hopefully there will be more touring, but there’s nothing in the works as we speak.
Is there any message you’d like to give your fans, both current and future?
MC: Thank you for all your support. We can’t wait to see everyone on the road.
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Be sure to check out Corvin’s Breed on the road this fall. The Infection Divinum xx Annos Tour kicks off November 15th in San Francisco, CA. (For a full list of dates, visit this post.)
You can keep up with all things Corvin’s Breed by following them on their various socials and streaming platforms.
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