Interviews: Total Invasion

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Brutal Death Metal band, Total Invasion from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or did it come out just like that?

We didn’t want to come up with something traditionally brutal death or slam that has a bunch of big words and shit. Simplicity is a virtue to us so we looked for things that could translate everywhere. We ended up pulling a “Hatebreed move” by looking at other bands' song titles and ended up on the Killing Joke song “Total Invasion”

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I (Ryan) personally wanted to play slam for like 15 years, but it’s not the most popular thing to do in NYC. I played in a post-hardcore band called Wetnurse, noise rock legends Today Is the Day, and black metal band Mutilation Rites. I enjoyed playing in all bands but wanted to play music that had the same effect as Severe Torture, Disgorge, Devourment, and Dying Fetus. Even more recently I’ve been inspired by Abominable Putridity, Analepsy, and Cerebral Incubation. I ended up having some riffs that I thought would work, were approved by friends, and brought them to the table when starting work with John Sepa. He helped tweak them to his style and incorporated riffs of his own that referenced 90’s hardcore bands like Crown of Thornz, Biohazard, and Merauder. I think that the combo of our influences produced something really fun to play.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The band started with Ryan and John knowing each other from working events and concerts in New York City. They ended up finding out that we were both into grind and hardcore and kept in touch over the years. Once the pandemic happened, They managed to have free time from our busy schedules and made these songs. John and Ryan also hung out with Trevor Strnad at their practice space and jammed songs for fun. Trevor mentioned that Sam would be a good drummer for the project and luckily Sam Shereck was down to play with us. Ryan was a sound guy at Saint Vitus and had met Sam a few times from his other bands playing there. Michael Dimmitt is also a former member of Mutilation Rites so it was easy for him to take on the bass player role.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

This is just Ryan answering this interview so I’m gonna make some shit up:

Ryan: AC/DC

John: Black Sabbath

Sam: Sepultura

Michael: Dissection I bet I’m pretty close.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Arthur Ave in the Bronx

6. Where was your last gig?

Our first and most recent gig was at TV Eye in Ridgewood, Queens. It was with Caustic Wound, Miasmatic Necrosis and Primal Code

7. Where would you like to act?

Obscene Extreme

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Cerebral Incubation

9. Whom not?

I’m not gonna disrespect anyone!

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Yeah. Get drunk!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Personally… for Slam and Brutal Death: Devourment, Dying Fetus, Cryptopsy, Severe Torture, Analepsy, Facelift Deformation, Gorevent, Gutalax, Rompeprop, Urine Festival, Kraanium, Disgorge US, Defeated Sanity, Nuclear Vomit

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Nothing really

13. What do you think of your fans?

We are amazed that we got such a great reaction out of the gate. Very happy to give them something they enjoy.

14. What do you think of our site?

It looks awesome. Breathing the Core has a ton of content and gives lots of bands the spotlight as well as offering readers insight into the details of bands so they can find something they are into.

15. Something to add?

Shock Withdrawal, Cerebral Incubation, Splattered, Skeletal Remains, Miasmatic Necrosis, Full of Hell, Jarhead Fertilizer, Exsanguinated, Stabbed, Bowel Erosion, Blame God, NYC Shootout, Targeted, Aeveterne, Sire Languish, Trace Amount, Body Stuff, Internal Bleeding, Gravesick, Dieja, Overdose, Moral Panic, Brutal Mind!