Intro (unrecorded): The Covid-19 pandemic has put most of the world at a standstill. Many concerts across the music industry had to be either canceled or postponed. One of the more unique and unifying experiences is a metal show and for both the performers and the fans there are no substitutions. Dan Lupan discusses how this pandemic has affected a metal band from New Jersey and how they have been recording a new record during a worldwide pandemic.
Ambi: Clip of Fabio recording in the studio
Track: I’m on the zoom call with Dead City Crown as they’re recording their new album at Westfall Recording Company in Long Island, New York. They’re a melodic death metal band from New Jersey. Fabio, one of the band’s guitarists, says that they have done some live streams for the band, but it’s not the same as live shows.
Act: Fabio: You need that face-to-face, that personal human connection. It sucks. It’s part of your life spirit, your soul that you’re missing. I can appreciate the live streams but it’s just not the same.
Track: It has been a struggle for both performers and attendees as well. A lot of metalheads look forward to seeing their favorite bands live and this pandemic has deprived everyone of that. As Fabio said that he misses the human connection, the fans feel the same way.
Act: Tiana: When it comes to metal, I feel like live music is a big part of metal culture so to not have that connection with the band, especially since a lot of metal bands in New York come to smaller venues, you’re almost face-to-face with them. I’m looking forward to going back.
Track: When the lockdown came into effect everyone was stuck at home. Not being able to perform shows disheartened the band. However, there was a silver lining. The band was able to write songs quicker and refine them as well.
Act: Fabio: What was different for me was the composing. I had nothing else to do and I just banged out a new couple songs. This album was written a lot quicker than previous albums musically. I just sat down, riffed out, and just had songs ready way quicker.
Track: More recently the band was able to go back in the studio and start recording their newest album. Many people would think that this virus has drastically changed the recording situation but the band members don’t feel the same.
Act: Fabio: The recording situation I don’t think is very much different. I mean we’re all obviously taking precautions, wearing our masks, being careful, yeah we all had to get tested before coming into the studio, before traveling, we all had to get tested.
Track: In addition to recording a new album, Dead City Crown has also acquired a new band member. His name is Kyle Morrison and he plays the keyboards for the band.
Act: Kyle: This is gonna be my third album with the band. A year officially. I’ve been doing keyboards for the band for two albums since Rex. It was such an easy decision to join the band because like Fabian writes exactly what I would write if I was a guitar player.
Track: Kyle officially joined the band when the pandemic already started. He, the rest of the members of this band, and many other bands, no matter how popular, have some sort of a day job, even before Covid times.
Act: Kyle: You would be shocked to know who has a day job out there. The biggest of the big man, you would be very surprised to know that a lot of these guys are still working day jobs. So you know dude, there’s no shame in it whatsoever.
Track: Outro: After all the members of the band are vaccinated and venues are allowed to open for concerts again, Dead City Crown is ready to go back to performing shows. They even hope that with more record sales and getting more recognition, the band will be able to travel to different cities and perhaps countries as well. For Baruch College, this is Dan Lupan, thank you.