In this insightful interview with Faithxtractor, we dive into the heart of their new album Loathing in the Noose. Founded in 2005, the band’s unyielding passion for metal continues to evolve, blending raw intensity with intricate, evolving sounds. Frontman Ash Thomas opens up about the driving forces behind their music, the challenges of songwriting, and the band's commitment to creating genuine, powerful death metal. Read on to discover how Loathing in the Noose stands as a unique chapter in Faithxtractor’s legacy and what lies ahead for the band.
Serial Metalbums: For readers who may not be familiar with your work, could you share the origins of the band, introduce the current lineup, and tell us what drives your passion for creating this style of music?
Ash Thomas: FAITHXTRACTOR was created in 2005. Shockingly, the concept of the band is nearing 20 years of existence (hard for even me to believe). It started as a personal side project from my priority band at the time, ESTUARY. I recorded a 2 song demo in early 2006, & things have simply progressed from there. My younger sibling, Marq, is part of the first 2 albums “Razing the World of Myth” & “The Great Shadow Infiltrator”. He is not a fan of playing live, so shortly after the release of the 2nd album he stepped down. We’ve had a couple of live lineups over the years, but the 2 core members are myself & Zdenka Prado (bass). The driving force is the passion for Metal itself. It is inherent in our veins, & the 1 constant throughout our lives. Even if no one were to ever hear it, there will still be FAITHXTRACTOR music being made until I can no longer breathe.
Serial Metalbums: Your fifth album, Loathing in the Noose, was just released and has already generated significant interest, also mine. How would you describe this album in terms of its themes, sound, and overall direction? What do you want listeners to feel or take away from it?
Ash Thomas: Malice riddled grief is the terminology I use to describe the album. There is a fluctuation between rage & misery throughout the record. I think this should be felt by any listener who is actually listening. To me the production itself is sharp & cold. It fits the vibe & energy of the tunes very well. I can only wish, that any listener will at the very least find this album “genuine”.
Serial Metalbums: What was the journey of writing and recording Loathing in the Noose like? Did you try anything new in terms of songwriting or production this time around? Were there any moments during the process that stood out to you as especially challenging or rewarding?
Ash Thomas: So, the songs from “Loathing…” were actually compiled during the same time as the previous album “Contempt for a Failed Dimension”. However, I took great care in the grouping of the songs, & which songs would be on which album. I tracked the drums for all the tunes during the same session, but once completed I focused 100% on tracking the rest of the instruments, vocals, etc for “Contempt…” only. About a year went by before getting back to the songs for “Loathing and the Noose”. This time & separation allowed the tunes & album to take on a form of their/its own & to stand apart from “Contempt…”. I’m very pleased with both albums, & am satisfied that both have their separate atmosphere.
Serial Metalbums: How do you think the band’s sound and vision have evolved since your earlier releases? Are there aspects of Loathing in the Noose that you see as a culmination of your previous work, or does it feel like a new chapter entirely?
Ash Thomas: First and foremost, the goal has always been to create quality Death Metal that we personally enjoy & would want to listen to. That will never change. However, I will say simplicity was an intentional focus in the early days as I had other musical outlets for more technical & diverse elements back then. At that time, simple riffs were made a priority in the writing of songs. “Loathing…” definitely still has elements that have defined FAITHXTRACTOR since day 1, but now there are no deliberate methods in song writing. Now, it’s whatever comes out, be it fast or slow, simple or complex, etc. This approach coupled with massively improved execution is what I would call the “new chapter”
Serial Metalbums: Death metal is often at its most powerful in a live setting. How has the material from Loathing in the Noose translated to your live performances so far? Are there particular tracks from the album you’re excited to bring to the stage?
Ash Thomas: To be honest the band hasn’t performed live since late 2019. We had wrapped all gigs for our 3rd album “Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter”, & then the pandemic happened. I’ve always been an “album” guy, so focusing on writing was fine with me during those lockdown times. However, we do plan on getting back to gigging sometime in 2025. We haven’t played any songs from our 2 most recent albums live, so it will be fun when we finally do.
Serial Metalbums: As musicians, what does creating music for Faithxtractor mean to you on a personal level? Does the process of crafting such dark and intense material ever feel like a form of catharsis or exploration?
Ash Thomas: Yes, as I stated above this music is in the blood & part of the being, so it’s 100% personal. It’s both cathartic & as you say an exploration that’s ever evolving. In short, it’s everything.
Serial Metalbums: Faithxtractor has built a loyal following over the years. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, both old and new as me, who continue to support the band and your music?
Ash Thomas: Thank you very much to all who have supported FAITHXTRACTOR in anyway. I do appreciate it. If you’ve been around since the being days, thanks for sticking with us. Any new supporters are always welcome & appreciated as well. We hope you enjoy our Death Metal madness. Cheers.