‘Contaminating The Hive Mind,’ Abnormality’s most recent release, has been out for about two months now, how have fans been reacting to it?
We have gotten a lot of positive feedback from fans and reviewers about the new album. A lot of people have reached out to let us know how much they dig the new tunes, and we really appreciate it. Word has been spreading, and our new music video has gotten over 30,000 views so far!
New album, new music video, a tour in June, what’s next for the band?
We are going to write for the next release, and continue to play shows around New England. In the next year or two we are looking to tour out of the country. Canada is definitely on the horizon, and maybe Europe or elsewhere.
Speaking of touring, what is it like for a female being stuck in a van with a bunch of sweaty dudes?
It can be challenging at times being the only woman on tour with a bunch of guys. For the most part it’s not bad. It’s like we’re all siblings in some dysfunctional family, haha. We get on each other’s nerves and argue, but we work it out in the end. They are my brothers. They watch out for me and I watch out for them.
Abnormality was included on the Born of Fire/The Boston Phoenix’s second volume of their compilation, how did that come about and what are your thoughts on the compilation?
Zack Wells (Born of Fire) asked if we would like to participate this year. We enjoyed the compilation last year, and we knew it would be good exposure.
When did you realize that you had the pipes to be in a death metal band and what made you decide to be in one?
I was in high school when I started learning death metal growling. It didn’t come easy at first. I practiced a lot and I got the basics down. Later, it was by chance that I landed in my first band. I was spending a semester abroad in Spain during college, and I made some friends who were in a metal band. When I went to watch them practice one day, somehow I ended up on the mic. Immediately they asked me to join them as a second vocalist. Once I was in the band and played my first shows, I really enjoyed it, and I knew I wanted to take music to the next level upon returning home.
The band formed in 2005, correct? How did the band come together? Give us a little history lesson.
Yes, that’s correct, it was towards the end of 2005. During and after college I had been seeking a serious band, and all the projects I was involved in didn’t pan out for one reason or another. Jay (Abnormality’s drummer, ex-Goratory) responded to my ad looking for a new band. He suggested that I do guest vocals with his band at the time, Teratism, at an upcoming show. The song was a cover of Sepultura’s “Desperate Cry.” He thought it would help me gain exposure and help me to find bandmates. The show went really well and afterwards Jay and I decided to start up a side project with Mike (ex-Ascendancy), also from Teratism, who would play lead guitar. We searched for a 2nd guitarist, soon finding Jeremy (ex-Iranach) for rhythm guitar. After a number of rotating bass players, Josh (ex-Sexcrement, Ascendancy) became our permanent bassist. After Mike left the band in 2010, we picked up Ben on lead guitar.
You appeared on Habitual Defilement’s new album, ‘The Redemption of Past Supremacy’, doing guest vocals on the title track, tell us a little of how that came to be.
I have known Ian online for a while. When Abnormality toured through Minnesota in June, he booked a show for us and hooked us up with place to stay. He’s a great guy! He asked me to do guest vocals on his new album and I was psyched to do it. Habitual Defilement is a sick band! Josh from Autonomy was nice enough to help me record my vocal parts to email over to Ian.
This year I also did some guest vocals on Scaphism’s new album ‘Festering Human Remains,’ and on the upcoming album of Indian band Gutslit.
Aside from Abnormality, you have also taken over vocal responsibilities for Parasitic Extirpation, what’s going on in that camp?
Parasitic Extirpation is going well. We are playing New Jersey Deathfest in the fall. We are writing songs and looking to record a new demo this year or next.
Now between all your music involvements, you are also an artist, working on anything at the moment?
I’m working on art for a video game called Dreadline with the indie game company Eerie Canal, doing 3D modeling and texturing. I am also working on an album cover for Formless (also from Boston), for their upcoming debut full length album.
What is your favorite or the standout moment/milestone with Abnormality?
There’s a lot of little and big achievements, but definitely coming out with our first full length album and completing this past coast-to-coast U.S. tour is a big deal for me. Also playing Las Vegas Deathfest on the tour was really awesome.
What is a milestone or goal that you are striving to achieve?
My personal goals are always evolving. I add new ones to the list as I complete goals and as I grow as an artist and musician. At this point in my life I am really focused on pushing music as far as possible. I would love to tour more actively, travel to more countries, and play for as many people as possible.
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