Kristen and Art of WoP with Joseph Schafer. Photo: Jason Gilbert

By the time the Kosmo crew sat down with Winds of Plague at Dirtfest 13 to talk about life on the road and their new album, they had already played their blistering set to a massive crowd, possibly the most massive of the day. Their short set, culled almost entirely from their 2008 album Decimate the Weak was nothing short of a tremendous success, despite technical difficulties, thanks to the group’s outstanding stage presence and adoring fans.

Despite all that, the band seemed strained, irate even. Keyboardist/backup Vocalist Kristen Randall stomped into the tour bus without a word and instantly poured herself a tall glass of Bacardi, light on the ice. Busmates Born of Osiris took that opportunity to berate her drinking habits (“Jesus, woman, you drink so much at the weirdest times!”), earning a staunch middle finger as her only response. Randall spent most of the first half of the interview regaining her composure in an adjacent part of the bus. Drummer Art Cruz just slumped back in a seat in a nearly meditative state of exhaustion. Clearly life on the road can tear young hopeful rock stars down, even after playing to legions of rabid fans who know every incomprehensible lyric to their first album.

Lead guitarist Nick Piunno was more lively. He jovially sat next to us, eager to take the first question.

“What are your influences on the new album? (The Great Stone War, out August 11, 2009)”

“Do I have to be serious?”

…

“Yes.”

“Ok! I’d say a little bit of the Bach, the Dimmu Borgir from Norway, the Hatebreed, the Behemoth, Danny Elfman, and John Williams.” Piunno happily responded, poorly imitating a difference accent for every influence. “The old influences are still there, but we’re trying to put our own sound out there.”

The Great Stone War, image c/o amazon.com
Cruz, a new addition to the group after the departure of Jeff Tenney was quick to point out that The Great Stone War will be their first album as a band proper. “We’ve really matured musically.” He said. “Personally, I think all the rolls and fills on the album flow better. The last album was mostly a bunch of old songs put together. This one was fully written by everyone—it’s much more mature.” Quite the statement, considering Decimate the Weak was one of the stronger death metal debuts of the past decade. Its themes, lyrically, were a bit generic, which is one of the areas Winds of Plague seem to have improved upon the most—The Great Stone War will be a concept album with its own storyline and emotive arc, not just gore-core lyrics.

Winds of Plague aren’t the only band striving for greatness on their much-hyped sophomore release. They have often been lumped in with other young late-00’s metal bands bringing big melodies, violent lyrics, and breakdowns to a newer, younger crowd of music lovers. But, when asked about their feelings on their contemporaries and the genres progression, the band got a little critical.

“We try not to be associated with deathcore.” Cruz said. “We’re trying to do something else from that.”

“Deathcore is falling apart,” said Piunno. “It’s all nu metal coming back now, just look at Suicide Silence and Bury Your Dead.” Piunno may be right, Limp Bizket, the oft-maligned face of late-90’s nu metal (or rap metal, sports metal, whatever anyone wants to call the cavalcade of MTV-endorsed crap that Korn kick started) have sadly reunited.

Winds of Plague live. Photo: Jason Gilbert

Around then, Randall made her presence known, bit more eager to partake in the journalism. We only had one pressing question for her.
Winds of Plague live

“Kristen, you’re one of the few prominent women active in metal music right now, one of the even fewer making excellent music. So we’ve got to know, as a feminist-friendly blog, what’s it like being a woman professional in what is sometimes seen as a closed-minded and chauvinistic genre?” Randall took a deep breath…

“Well, let me tell you. It’s interesting. Sometimes it’s hard and a little condescending, as if men think they’re better. I still have a lot of fun, I mean, I’m used to fart jokes and jackassery… poop pictures sent through everyone’s email and stuff. So, it’s not crazy, but it can be brutal sometimes. A lot of the men are really nice. I don’t find it too difficult because all my friends have been guys since middle school. Girls are crazy. I come from a big family and had all sisters, so I’m kind of done with girls. But after being on a bus with guys for months… Men are retarded.” Randall took a deep breath after that, looking visibly relieved.

“So do you think your presence in Winds of Plague is opening the doors for more women in metal? Do you have anything to say to the girls out there?”

“I think so. I get really positive responses from female fans. Some of them even say they want to make babies with me!” that one got rousing laughs from everyone on the bus, and a few affirming nods from Cruz. “Some of them call me an inspiration. I hope it pays off and makes for more females in metal. And it’s never too late to be in a band, I mean I started this whole band thing at age 26. Girls, grow some balls and go for it. Let’s all get out there and rule music, fucking dominate metal. Don’t be afraid, and have a strong soul, because people are fucked up and the world can be a hard place.”