Interview By: George Archibald
Photos By: Andrew Bastion

​Carnifex has been going steady on the road ever since their album Slow Death hit the market August 5th, 2016. The album peaked at #3 on the US Hard Rock charts surpassing Die Without Hope as their most successful record by industry standards. The Chaos and Carnage Tour is the last stop to see Carnifex in the United States performing for 2018, wrapping up their US dates in Los Angeles on May 5th. For the band it has been a grueling year and a half of non-stop touring that has seen many successes along the way, which they owe it all to their fans. Without their support the band wouldn’t be where they are now. As the touring cycle comes to an end, Carnifex is gearing up to start writing their 7th studio album. I got the chance to talk to vocalist Scott Ian Lewis of the band to learn more about lies ahead for Carnifex.

GA:​I have read that the Chaos and Carnage Tour was announced as Carnifex’s last American tour for 2018, with its last date on May 5th in Los Angeles; what does the band have planned for the second half of 2018?
SL: This is the end of the touring cycle for Slow Death in the states. We are going back to Europe in July for three weeks, and then that is the end of the touring cycle. We plan on working on the new record throughout summer and into the fall. We look to start recording in early 2019. In early 2019, we will be getting the record finished, and shooting music videos, and getting all the promotion ready for a summer 2019 release.
GA: The band has seen huge success with your latest album Slow Death; now hearing there is a future album in the works, can you tell me a little about the foundation you have for this new record? Will it continue in the same direction, same inspiration or themes as with Slow Death, or is the band looking to branch out more like you did with Slow Death; i.e. heading in the direction of black metal feel versus doing a more traditional deathcore vibe?
SL: I think so, we have four songs written so far, and that is the point where you start getting into the groove. We are finding the tone of the album. One thing that was important to us on Die Without Hope and Slow Death, is to have those albums be us, but also have a unique sound. I think if you would listen to a song on Slow Death, you hear the difference between that, and a song that is on Die Without Hope. I think we want to do the same thing with this new album, is obviously be us but when you hear it, it doesn’t sound like Slow Death B sides. It is going to have its own unique feel, and its own twist. We are focusing on that and trying to make our songs bigger, to have the scope of them be bigger. For me as the lyricist, I have always written from my perspective, my point of view. I have usually written from a first-person stance; and I think I want to move beyond just my internal feelings and explore some other thoughts. I am so excited to take all this time to focus on the record. This gives us the opportunity to lock in on the tone and feel that we want, and it gives us the chance to explore things a little more than we have had in the past. It gives us the time to develop these things on the album. I want to get in there, and make sure every song is getting our full attention, from the beginning to the end.
GA: All killer, no filler. Looking back over the last two years, what must be in your eyes the most successful benchmark the band has hit since the release of Slow Death?
SL: From the business side of things, Slow Death out sold Die Without Hope. So, I think if you look at how record sales are, and how the industry is now; to have a new album out sell an older album that did really well, that means something. It was exciting to see, when people are telling us no one buys records anymore, which is true to a degree. So, for Slow Death to be such a commercial success it was such a good feeling. You have all these intrinsic feelings: like you played a good show, you see everyone having fun, but as far as getting the label people happy and to keep them pushing the band forward, you need things like that.
GA: Of all the places in the world you have been able to perform at, what must have been your favorite place to have visited?
SL: South Africa was unique; all the southeast Asia shows were awesome. Thailand was awesome. We have been to Ecuador and Costa Rica, and a lot of interesting places like Dubai. We travelled all through Russia. We played this one place in Russia that was so far East it was above Mongolia, so we were going back the other way, which was a strange experience. I don’t know if I could point to a single place, but the experience as a whole has been amazing.
GA:​Along with that success, the crowds have seen many additions to your live show can you tell more about these additions? Like the additions of extra lighting and wearing the metal costumes live.
SL: Absolutely, we don’t want to be five guys having band practice on a big stage every night. I look to Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie; they are great musicians, but why are people also excited to go see them? It’s because they are great entertainers. So, I think if we are going to ask people to pay twenty bucks to see us, we can’t just be up there in gym shorts and sandals. It is like, we are asking people to pay twenty bucks, get out of their house, and you are going to see a show. We want to give you some entertainment, we want to make it a bit of a production. For me, I am a theater kid, I grew up in theater, so it is kind of a natural progression for us to try and bring that element of entertainment and theater to our live show. We want to be exciting while being good entertainers.
GA: The last time I spoke with you, you were in the middle of writing your book, Death Dreamer, can you tell me more about the book, and where in the process are you with releasing it?
SL: The actual release date for the book is July 18th. Currently, the book is being worked on by the artists since I don’t draw. The artists have the script, the illustrator is about done, and the colorist is about half way through. In June, we will start doing preorders for anyone that is wanting to participate in that. Then we will be releasing the book on July 18th, which I will be doing a Comic Con around the release date. I also will be doing some signings for the book around that time. It is a big moment, I have been working on this book for the last two years. I am always working with the guys in the band and our agents and managers. So, to do something on my own it is a little nerve-wracking because, it’s like are people going to care, I don’t know. I love the story and I am really proud of it. The book is going to look amazing when its finished. I have some great artists working on it. I am working with Christian Debarre, who has worked on The Hulk and has been a professional comic book artist for 15 years now. He does fantastic work.

Andrew Bastion, EE Photographer: Have you thought about checking out any horror cons to visit, to promote the book?
SL: We are going to look into what cons to go to following the release and seeing what sort of response we are getting. If the response is there I will try to get out there to meet people. So, we will see. We are going to San Diego and New York for sure.
GA: Are there any bands out there now, that you wish you could hook up a tour with or any bands you want to play with, that you haven’t had the chance to yet?
SL: We got to play with Slipknot once which was at Knotfest, but man we need to tour together. They are doing a new record in 2019 too, and so are we so, if enough people ask for it, it might happen.
GA: Where can people keep up with the band, also where can they find your merch?
SL: I think the best place to stay up to date is Instagram (@carnifex) and Twitter (@carnifex). I feel that Facebook  has had a mass exodus of users, but if you are still on there we are still active there too. I think Instagram is the best way to stay in contact,  and I am . For merch we have a Indiemerch store which they are in Cleveland. Indiemerch is our official North American store.
GA: Anything else you would like to add?
SL: I hope everyone has had a great time on this tour. Hopefully everyone can hang tight for about a year, we will be back!!!

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George Archibald

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