Interview with the band Traitor

December 02, 2024

Interview with the band Traitor

By Mad T

Cosmick View: Thank you again for taking the time to participate in this interview!

Greg Lindmark: Hello!

CV: You recently opened for Overkill. How was that show and how did Traitor come to find themselves opening up for Overkill?

GL: First of all, the show was fantastic – a really great night. It was an amazing evening for heavy metal, and especially for local heavy metal, because it was two local bands, including us, opening for a huge headliner like Overkill at the TLA, which is a big venue. The night was fantastic, with a ton of support from our friends, fans, and everyone who came out. People bought merchandise and had a great time, and we were thrilled to share the stage with Skullovich – good friends of ours – so shout out to them.

The opportunity to open for Overkill came about in a cool way. Overkill was touring with Night Demon as their opener, and Brian, our guitarist, found out the show was coming to the TLA. He was interested in working the show and, in talking with the team, heard they might need another opener. Since he knows the guys in Night Demon, especially Jarvis, he reached out to confirm if they would actually be playing at the TLA and learned they wouldn’t be. Then he connected with the production manager, Tom – a super kind guy – and suggested that our band could open. Tom liked the idea, put our name in with Live Nation, and we got selected. So, that’s how it all went down, more or less!

CV: How did you and the rest of the band feel once the news came that you were opening for Overkill?

GL: We were absolutely excited and, at the same time, felt like we needed to really buckle down and put in the work. This was a huge opportunity to play in front of a lot of new faces and make the best impression we could. And I think we absolutely nailed it.

I was especially excited for our drummer, Benny, because he's younger than the rest of us and new to the band. This was only his second show with us ever! It was a great feeling to be able to say, "Hey man, I know you just joined us and have only played one show so far, but guess what – you’re opening for Overkill at the TLA with us." And Benny’s in college, so for him to go from that to, "Oh my gosh, I'm opening for Overkill at the TLA on my second show with the band," was just incredible.

Traitor’s been around for a while, and we've got experience under our belts, so it’s really cool to bring someone new and young in the scene and give them that kind of shot. It’s just a very rewarding thing for me to be able to offer him an experience like that.

CV: With a show like that with Overkill, which were all thrash metal, how do you feel Traitor separates themselves or demonstrates their own uniqueness to the audience?

GL: I think what sets us apart is that we have a unique blend in our sound. We take an ‘80s thrash style – think Exodus or Anthrax – and mix in a lot of British metal influences as well. So, you’ll hear some Iron Maiden or Judas Priest-type riffs or leads woven in. That’s really what makes us stand out and leaves an impression, giving us a different vibe from other bands.

CV: With Overkill, who has been doing this now for more than forty years, how do you think they have sustained their relevancy to not only older fans but to newer fans?

GL: I think Overkill is one of the most consistent thrash bands out there. They’ve pretty much stuck to their sound since the beginning, and personally, I enjoy all of it. Regardless of what people might say about the quality of any particular album, I think they’re impressive because they’ve stayed true to the sound they’ve had for over forty years. That consistency has kept longtime fans drawn to them and still manages to pull in people who may not be as familiar with them. That’s the thing about Overkill – you put on any song from Taking Over to one of their latest releases, and right away, you know it’s them. Bobby Blitz’s voice cuts in, and there’s no mistaking it; that’s Overkill. They’ve really distinguished themselves by staying so consistent over the years.

CV: One more question about Overkill. With many bands and artists that have set the foundations for multiple genres they retiring, who do you see as carrying the flame for thrash metal here in the United States? Who will replace Overkill, Testament, Metallica, Megadeth, or Exodus.

GL: I’d hope that bands like Havok and Toxic Holocaust, along with a few others, are heading in the right direction. I love those bands, and we’ve had the chance to open for both of them. The musicianship in each group is phenomenal, and I think they’ve got what it takes. But beyond that, there’s no real way to know for sure who might carry the torch. It all depends on what’s going to resonate most with people and what they see as the next wave of thrash. The scene is always changing, so it’s hard to say for certain. But if I had to pick, I’d choose those two bands to be at the forefront, leading the next generation.

CV: Recently, Forbes nominated Metallica as the best metal band ever. Do you think that this is an accurate representation of metal and their Metallica's legacy on the genre?

GL: I think Metallica is definitely the most successful metal band of all time, and you could absolutely argue they’re the best. I might be wrong, but I believe I read an article where the BBC actually named Iron Maiden the best metal band of all time. So, it really feels like a subjective thing. If someone told me Metallica was the best, I’d have no argument with that. I mean, it’s not exactly black and white – it just depends on personal taste. But I love Metallica, and if we actually had to sit down and decide, they would definitely be one of the top bands I’d consider as the greatest.

CV: You mentioned previously that Traitor has been a mainstay in the Philadelphia Metal Scene since 2012. How have you seen the Philly Metal Scene change since your inception?

GL: I think back when we first started, there were more DIY spots on the scene and more venues in general. Especially after the 2020 lockdowns, a lot of venues around here that supported live music and local bands just didn’t make it, which is sad for me. That was a big change. A lot of the DIY venues and promoters we knew, who used to set up house shows or rent out a warehouse space for shows, aren’t around anymore. Even one of the DIY spots I’ve been familiar with recently has now closed down, too. So, I think the whole DIY scene has shifted – it's definitely smaller now.

People still go to shows and want to be part of that experience; it’s just that there are fewer venues supporting local arts now than there used to be.

CV: That is unfortunate. It has been about two years since the “end” of the pandemic here in the United States. How have you seen the Philly Metal Scene try to revive itself since them?

GL: Personally, I think there’s definitely an effort to bring back the DIY scene, and people are still supporting any venue that will open its doors to local artists. Around 2022, there was a big resurgence, with everyone ready to get out, see shows, and just be part of that scene again. I think we're trying to bring it back, though I’m not sure it’s quite where it used to be, or if it ever will be. The scene is still strong, but it’s just not as plentiful as before. But that’s just what I’ve noticed – of course, I could be wrong!

CV: In the same vein, the cover scene has started to come back to the forefront, not just in Philly, but elsewhere too. Do you feel that adding a cover song or two in the setlist have been helpful or do you stay away from covers, pushing that original Philly Metal Scene?

GL: We don’t really do covers, or if we do, it’s rare. Usually, we’ll throw one in while we’re on tour, but it’s just a single song, something we keep in our back pocket. We don’t do it every show because, ultimately, we want to play our own songs from our records – after all, we’re there to promote and sell those records. I get that the cover scene has really been pushing to come to the forefront, but we stick to our guns. We’re focused on playing our own music and delivering that to our audience.

CV: Regarding the current music industry with streaming, do you feel that it is better to release albums, EPs, or solely singles in this ever-changing music industry?

GL: I think the best formula is to drop one or two singles from the upcoming album while you’re still working on the full-length record. That way, you’re giving your audience something to look forward to and listen to while they’re waiting for the full release. Personally, I think that’s a solid approach.

CV: Does Traitor have any plans for a follow up release in the future?

GL: Yes, we do. Currently, we are working on our next record.

CV: It is going to be in the same vein of Last Hope for The Wretched or do you think that you guys are going to go in a slightly different direction?

GL: With this one, I’m trying to push the boundaries a bit. I want the songs to be a little shorter than on our first record, and I’m aiming to make them faster and heavier. But I still want to keep those rich, European metal influences in there. So, yeah – that’s the goal.

CV: Sounds like it’s going to be a fun listen when it comes out!

GL: Definitely.

CV: When do you foresee this release or is it still in its production phase?

GL: We're still in the production phase, but I’m hoping to have it ready to press by early next year. I’ve already put together guitar tracks for nearly a full album, so now it’s just a matter of doing some additional writing, making sure everything feels right, and deciding if there’s anything I want to add or change.

It’s a process I actually enjoy because it forces you to really listen to the music and analyze it closely. And getting to the finished product is always super satisfying for me. So, yeah, that’s where we’re at right now!

CV: With a plethora of bands and genres popping up almost every day, how does this change the way that you and others consume and experience music, both live and on the record?

GL: Are you talking about are you talking about metal bands or are you talking about just music in general?

CV: Music in general, if your thing is metal bands, I don't mind where that would go.

GL: I think we’re in an age where music is incredibly accessible. With computers in our pockets, we can look up any band and probably find something on them – whether it’s on a streaming service or YouTube. But in terms of how that affects our experience, I do think it takes away from the experience of having to go to a show to hear live music or having to go to a store and actually buy a record.

Now, everything’s just right there at your fingertips, which in some ways, I feel like people don’t appreciate it as much. For example, when you used to have to go to a show to hear someone’s music, or wait for a song to come on the radio, or go to a record store to buy an album and then listen to it at home – that whole process felt more rewarding. It also forced you to listen to the full album, not just the hit singles. You were able to experience the entire artistic vision of the band for forty-five minutes or however long the record was.

And then there’s the whole experience of vinyl. You don’t just get the music; you get the inserts, the lyrics, the pictures – it’s an entire piece of art. You sit down and enjoy it, whereas with streaming, you can just click on a song, listen for a minute, and move on to the next. The way music is so easily available today does change the experience, and I think that’s something worth considering.

CV: Would you like to add anything that you feel like we haven’t covered?

GL: I just want to say thank you very much for the interview. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook – we’re Traitor from Philadelphia. Check out our album Last Hope for the Wretched on Bandcamp. We’ll also be playing a show on December 21st at Broken Goblets, alongside Single Bullet Theory and We Are War. And stay tuned, because we’ll be announcing a winter tour for January very soon!

CV: Thank you again for taking the time to do this interview.

GL: Sure, you got it.

Check out Traitor at:

https://m.facebook.com/Traitor2013/

https://www.instagram.com/traitorphl?igsh=MTMyeXVnbGFyMXBzcA== https://youtu.be/JipHgV-OjOw?si=KyxR_0BXquRuIPef https://traitorphl.bandcamp.com/music
https://metaladdicts.com/traitor-last-hope-for-the-wretched-review/ https://therazorsedge.rocks/2022-07-album-review-traitor/

About Mad T

Drummer to the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary, Mad T has always had a knack for finding out what the word on the street is. With recently joining the Cosmick Krew, Mad T is refining his knack into a skill.