The world of death metal is relentless and unforgiving, with hardcore fans renowned for their refusal to have pity nor understanding for anything that isn't pure of metal. As such, new bands to the fold face a literal baptism of fire with no quarter given, and certainly none taken. Put simply, you either impress from the very get-go or you get gone. Simple as that.
Which is what has made 200 Stab Wounds' rapid ascension up the metaphorical metal ladder all the more impressive. In just six years, the band have solidified a global base of loyal supporters, with some in the know proclaiming them as death metal legends in the making. But legend status is not something handed out freely. It has to be earned, then earned again, and Australian audiences will have the opportunity to judge for themselves when 200 Stab Wounds hit this country for the first time this November, teaming up with fellow purveyors of brutality, Dying Fetus. It is a match made in the bowels of Hell and one which is certain to shake Australia to the core, but first HEAVY elected to sit down with 200 Stab Wounds' guitarist Ray Macdonald to see how the band is approaching their first trip Down Under.
One of the questions we ask is if 200 Stab Wounds have toured with Dying Fetus previously. "Yes, we've played with them before," Ray affirmed. "We did a tour with them in the US, and it was a great time. They are great dudes, their team are great dudes. We all got along really well."
We mention the fact that having two brutal bands on tour together would keep each other on their toes, keeping the bar at a consistently high level so as not to disappoint.
"I mean, Dying Fetus are legends," he replied. "They are arguably one of the heaviest bands - if not the heaviest band ever - so watching them and knowing that we have to set the stage for them every night makes us definitely want to push our game up for sure."
In the full interview, Ray talks more about the band's debut Australian tour, including why it has taken them so long to get out here. We talk about touring a country for the first time and how Ray approaches the experience, what they are expecting from Australian crowds and what we can expect from 200 Stab Wounds and how crazy shit gets in the mosh pit.
We spoke about how quickly 200 Stab Wounds have established themselves in the death metal scene and what he thinks it is that makes them stand out. The topic of musical experimentation comes up as Ray tells us how the band have changed and grown musically over their two albums, how much experimenting they have in them moving forward and more.
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