Exclusive Interview: Windchimes talk “Enervation”!

This album is the accumulation of our negative energy directed into a form of art. We used the experience of writing and self-recording Enervation as a cathartic release of what we were all going through during that time. We hope you hear what we say, and can relate to these feelings” ~ Windchimes

When it comes to diverse offerings, they don’t come much more unhinged than “Enervation” by Windchimes. The Butler, Pennsylvanian quintet Gavin Fornelli (Vocals), Jordan Braverman (Drums), Larry Rupp (Guitar), Lucas Redick (Guitar) and Dillon Giesler (Bass) are in the loosest possible way a Blackened Metalcore act, but in truth if you look behind the scenes you’ll fined a restless and relentless blend of black metal, Metalcore, Deathcore, Death Metal, Hardcore and post-hardcore with combination play that is so not be metal-by-the-book, that it will blow your mind.

As easily one of the most unique and varied listens we’ve heard probably ever; let’s start with your musical backgrounds; where do you find the inspiration to make the music you do?

Dillon: Since I was a kid I’ve had a passion for heavy stuff. Albums like “Bless the Martyr Kiss the Child” by Norma Jean and “Messengers” by August Burns Red, they made me fall in love with it so much that I wanted to be a part of it.

The thing that really makes “Enervation” is the way in which the style shifts happen; is that something that has become easier to do the more that you’ve done it, or is it still as challenging as when you started out? During the writing did you ever step back and think it might be too complex?

Larry: At first we had no idea what we were trying to sound like, we all came from different backgrounds and liked different music. It took us some time to understand what we were trying to do but once we did the process came naturally.

The vocal balance on the record is seriously impressive; How did you go about choosing which vocal styles to use for which passages of music?

Gavin: For me personally when I hear the instrumentals, I kinda just go by what I would personally like to hear overtop of certain sections. And when it comes to the more emotional sections, I go off of what I feel.

How did the guest appearance from Peter Rono of Kaonashi on single “Zetsubo // Succumb To” come about? What was it like working with him?

Gavin: I met Peter awhile back when Kaonashi came to my town, they stayed at my house for a night before they had to leave in the morning for their next tour stop, but I immediately enjoyed them as people and as a band. Jordan had a similar experience. We all think Peter’s vocals are superbly unique so we asked him if he would, and he agreed. It was a pleasure working with him, even through these Covid restrictions he still found a way to make it work.

If Windchimes get messy drunk on tour and you end up at a tattoo parlour, which one of you guys is going to end up getting inked?

Definitely Jordan, he already has some goofy tattoos, and he’s one of the only one of us that drinks/parties. Gavin and Larry are straight edge.

You’ve already shared stages with Thy Art is Murder, The Contortionist and Between The Buried and Me so when touring becomes possible, who would you like to go out on a tour with? Like dream tour?

Full of Hell, Thou, Fuming Mouth, Daughters, Last Ten Seconds of Life, Lingua Ignota, Suffocation, Pig Destroyer, Cult Leader, Oathbreaker, Ulcerate, Kaonashi, and Kublai Khan.

If the opportunity came up to write a film score as a concept album, what kind of concepts appeal to you?

Larry: Human Suffering, the ever relentless unforgiving depth at which God (being) can be. The concept of death and how we all will experience it but can never tell anyone what it’s like.

What’s next for Windchimes?

Continue the grind and work on our next release with the hopes for the future.

Enervation” by Windchimes is out now and available over at bandcamp

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