Photo: Kennedy Brown
SoCal metalcore/hardcore outfit Authors of Fate recently released their EP, Seat’s Taken, produced by Taylor Young and recorded at the legendary The Pit.
Made up of Elan Mlagenovich (guitar), Robert Brunelle (vocals), Levi “Gizmo” Henderson (bass), Bob Skau (drums), and Joe Williams (guitar), the sound of Authors of Fate blends elements of metal, thrash, and punk into a sound that punches listeners in the diaphragm – brutal and ferociously muscular, like Slipknot jacked on performance-enhancing drugs.
Seat’s Taken confronts the narcissistic, artificial realm of today’s influencer culture, demolishing the concept of fame without substance.
Tattoo.com spoke with Authors of Fate to talk about how Seat’s Taken came together and the status quo of metalcore music at the moment.
Can you describe a particular challenge Authors of Fate overcame during your recent release?
Every release is challenging to coordinate, making sure you are well prepared and neither rushing nor dragging on getting everything done. But one particular challenge for me this time was not focusing too much on the last release. Expectations and predictions of what our music should be, even to us, can color the creative process so much, and it’s hard to kind of forget that and just do what you think is the coolest/best thing you can make. It can never be a blank slate again once something already exists, but I think we still did a good job creating something unique and true to us.
Your new release has just dropped. Now that it is complete, how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?
I feel extremely proud of it. I try to make everything the best thing I have ever done, and luckily, I feel that way again with this release. That doesn’t always happen, so I feel fortunate that this one doesn’t seem like a waste of time or a step backward. Also thankfully, we’ve been getting very good feedback on the music, the art, the merch, and the shows, which is sick because it is important to us to have the whole package. No one wants to put in all the time and effort to feel like it sucks, and then everyone agrees.
Can you dive into the deeper meaning or personal significance behind the name of your new release?
‘Seat’s Taken’ is somewhat tongue-in-cheek. We’re saying you can’t sit with us, but not because we think we’re so cool. We don’t think anyone is as cool or important to the universe as they want to be, and going out of your way to try and show everyone that you are is lame. We’re all surrounded by a constant bombardment of media and peers trying to do exactly that, and this band is not alone in thinking that isn’t what we want in our lives.
How does it make you feel when the material you recorded in the studio comes to life in front of a crowd?
Better than almost anything. I want to play shows more than any other part of music, and the harder the crowd reacts, the bigger the ‘high.’ It’s what I want to see when I go to shows as well. It’s all about live performance for me.
What do you think of the current state of your genre? What do you wish would change?
I think it kicks ass. There is sooooo much rad new stuff always coming out, that you’d be crazy and wrong to think that we’re past the good old days. Those days are now. Every era has its standouts, so people think that everything new sucks or something, and it’s oversaturated. But they’re just not looking for it, and the world hasn’t filtered it to just the winners yet. Yeah, there’s a lot of crap, but there’s a lot of bangers in there if you’re willing to find it.
Cover art: J. Collins
How has the local music scene influenced your sound or career, and how do you contribute to it?
Our band is composed of guys from multiple bands in our local scene. It’s always evolving, but we’ve been in it for 20 years (!), so we’ve been there for a lot of those changes. We basically are a mix of the different parts and iterations of that scene. Put it all together, and that is our sound.
What are some newer bands that you are listening to or enjoy?
Lots of death metal and hardcore. Virtriol for total violence, Sanguisugabogg, 200 Stab Wounds, Undeath, Creeping Death, Frozen Soul, all that kind of stuff always feels good to put on. Really been digging Vomithiest lately and love me some Wolf King for the rockin side. Our homies in The Sun Must Die kick ass. Then in the hardcore realm, bands like Drain, Dead Heat, Scalp, Human Garbage, pretty much all the rad shit that comes out of The Pit Recording Studio. I forget more amazing bands than I listen to regularly because we are constantly sharing them with each other in the band.
If you could create a dream project with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
This will sound dumb, but this band is just that. It’s all the guys I’ve gotten to know over the years, and when we started this project, I knew who I wanted to play in it. It’s like my dream local supergroup. If I could trade anyone out, it’d be Rob (our singer) for Bono.
You’re going to Valhalla. If you can only take 3 albums with you for eternity, what are they?
This is the impossible question, so I’ll just go with what I like as influences to our band because I’d want something else next week no matter what. Deafheaven ‘New Bermuda,’ Black Breath ‘Heavy Breathing,’ and Dying Fetus ‘Stop At Nothing.’ At least I’d never get bored of those.
What’s been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Since it’s been longer than I’d like to admit, I’ll stick with this band again. I’m picking two, and honestly, they really are some of the coolest moments of my whole career. Recording the first EP with Steve Evetts, and our new one with Taylor Young. To be able to record with them as a new, unsigned band doesn’t even make sense to me. We never even played a show before recording our first EP. The release show was our first show lol. It’s like pitching your first pro game in the Super Bowl. We’re super lucky to have had those experiences.
