Fit For An Autopsy’s new album, The Sea of Tragic Beasts, is scheduled to arrive on October 25th (pre-order here). This marks their overall fifth studio effort and debut with Nuclear Blast Records. These New Jersey metallers have painted a bleak picture of our waking reality as their latest effort is promised to showcase a number of tragic journeys. We caught up with guitarist Patrick Sheridan to discuss The Sea of Tragic Beasts, their upcoming tour, and more.
The Sea of Tragic Beasts is definitely a tragic journey. In the initial press release, you had mentioned “Mirrors” was just the tip of the iceberg. What other calamities/dark themes are in the album?
There is so much conflict and horror around us, it’s easy to have countless topics to touch upon. We write about what we see and hear. The things that are real are always the most shocking. So we stick to reality, and paint the picture we see. You’ll see plenty of social commentary and reactions to how that reflects the human condition.
This marks your Nuclear Blast debut. With that being said, has the creative process changed between the new album and 2017’s The Great Collapse?
We do what we always do in the studio. Will is the main writer, we all contribute to the levels we are needed to. Our process is for sure unconventional, but it works really well for us. It’s a record born free of any restriction where we put together the music we want to hear and it feels great this time.
Can you talk more about the song “Your Pain is Mine?”
It’s about immigration, the things that people in war torn places go through while others live in safety. The lies that come along with people trying to go to safe places, only to get told they aren’t valued enough to be a part of it. It tells a story of someone wishing good things for people in these awful conditions, but knowing nothing they can do will help, and feeling failure, and hopelessness in reaction to their struggle. It’s astounding to us that society can disassociate themselves with people who are trying to immigrate for a better life, when we are a product of that exact thing they are turning a blind eye to.
Are there any songs on the album that you found more challenging as an artist?
These songs are all very challenging. Some of the most interesting and complex parts we have. There are a lot of layers and melodies on this record that make it move well, but some of the parts are finger twisters. Each record makes us work a little harder, and makes us all push our ability to the next level.
The video for “Mirrors” felt more like a short film. If you could, would you make a film out of one of your albums. Similar to say what Alice In Chains did with the Black Antenna series. If so, which album and what would you do?
Absolute Hope Absolute Hell feels very sad to me. Like the hero that has just given up. No reason left to fight. Could be and interesting thriller/apocalypse film.
What new songs should we expect to hear live during your upcoming tour?
We’ll be playing all the new bangers, along with a few older surprises and some staple FFAA tracks.
Anything else you’d like to say or add about the new album?
I’m just excited to see what everyone else thinks. We love it, obviously every band thinks the newest music they make is the best, but at the end of the day that’s up to listeners’ ears. So please, listen, and thanks for checking it out!!!!
Later this month, Fit For An Autopsy will embark on a U.S tour in support of their latest effort and you can check out the tour dates below:
10/24 Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus
10/25 Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
10/26 Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge
10/27 Frederick, MD @ Café 611
10/28 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
10/29 Nashville, TN @ The End
10/30 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11/01 Tampa, FL @ Crowbar
11/02 Orlando, FL @ Soundbar
11/04 Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live!
11/05 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
11/06 El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse
11/07 Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
11/08 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
11/09 Fresno, CA @ Full Circle Brewing Co.
11/10 Sacramento, CA @ Holy Diver
11/12 Portland, OR @ Paris Theater
11/13 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
11/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
11/16 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
11/17 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
11/19 St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
11/20 St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
11/21 Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
11/22 Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
11/23 Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall