Stonecutters' Unruly Metal Comes from the "Eye of the Skull" (Track-by-Track Breakdown)
Though it's normally a bit of a trite saying, Stonecutters have legitimately left a trail of blood, sweat, and tears across the United States in their almost twenty-year career. They're a band that have stuck to the grueling work of providing angry, independent metal to their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and beyond (I saw them at Grand Bar in Chicago years ago, a venue which they've outlasted). Time and dedication has evolved their sound from a vile concoction of sludge, doom, and punk into an even more flesh-peeling brew that most dominantly taps into thrash metal as a violent base. Stonecutters combine genres like an archetypal mad scientist might gleefully toss together vials of foul-smelling liquids into an ominously smoking beaker, and the band's results are similarly explosive. Frankly, I think you only see cohesive, far-reaching blends like this succeed when there's enough time and history involved to make it all gel together–and history is something Stonecutters has plenty of.
On their new album Eye of the Skull, past grudges and struggles inform surly and discontent thrashers like "Scowlers," while at other points we get touches of forlorn beauty–the mid-track melodic riff on "The Search for Rest" comes as a shock after "Scowlers," but it's an enjoyable surprise. Doom and sludge are still a factor in Stonecutter's alchemical exploits, but they're wielded with strategic precision–the ol' "slow riff/fast riff" dynamic is just one of the tools Eye of the Skull uses to generate neck-snapping momentum.
Founding member Brian Omer's half-growl, half-shout vocals have adorned Stonecutter's records since their inception, and he certainly hasn't lost any of his vitriolic charm this time around. With the album out today, we asked Brian to give us some background on how each of the tracks on Eye of the Skull came to be. Check out a track-by-track breakdown of the album below: best read while jamming the record.
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"Scowlers"
This song seems to be the anthem/sing-along of the album to get people going right from the start. Simple & heavy with that punk attitude. Pound your fists, bang your head, raise the dead!
"The Search For Rest"
For the first time we recorded this album ourselves and couldn't be more proud. Opening riff to this song comes out swinging with a great production. I wrote this one during the height of covid. Channeling myself and others frustrations looking ahead with such a bleak future. Really stoked on the way this song creeps to a sludgy ending.
"One of Us"
Every Stonecutters album has one song that is a tribute to early cinema horror. One of Us is a tribute to (Louisville native) Tod Browning's 1932 masterpiece 'Freaks'. This one has that Sabbath meets Slayer feel with the doomy intro that leads into fast thrash and ripping leads. It's one of the band's personal favorites, especially live.
"Brittle Chains"
Very personal and emotional song for me about the 30+ years I've grinded it out and sacrificed so much to do what I love. It's been quite the journey of ups and downs.
"Eye of the Skull"
A dark dirge with a powerful blow.
A prophetic warning of the awaiting apocalypse.
"Worms Will Feast"
A reminder of our mortality. This one grooves hard with an Iron Maiden meets speed metal solo section in the middle.
"Melting Moon"
This album somewhat tells a story. From here I mention the 'Rise of the Phoenix' and how we will overcome and conquer. Fire is predominant on this album. A Melting Moon drips down every tomb.
"Til The Last Blooddrop"
The final track on the album is a special one to me. I went through an extremely dark time dealing with former members and the Stonecutters name. This song is about how I'm doing whatever it takes to claim the Stonecutters name that I started back in 2005. Til the last blooddrop, onward we fight!
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Eye of the Skull released digitally today via Bandcamp, and you can pre-order the physical version here (out September 15th).
The band is playing a release show on the 15th as well - details below.
