8th February 2024

Exclusive Interview: Disrupt The Cycle talk “King Of The Rats”!

They say that where there’s a will, there’s a way and when it comes to the backstory of Lebanon Tennessee based multi instrumentalist Wayne Hudspath and his project Disrupt the Cycle, it seems appropriate. Having been part of a couple of bands as a vocalist the creative spark remained strong despite the lack of desire to tour so taking the initiative he learned guitar in order to be able to write and record his own material. His debut EP “King Of The Rats” speaks volumes for his love of the dark arts and so it is with great pleasure we bring you the first of a pair of interviews with him all about his plan for World Domination…

What makes someone who has played a vital role in Nightshade and As They Sleep as well as releasing a wealth of vocal covers on YouTube want to get back in the saddle of writing and recording their own music in Disrupt The Cycle? “It always has been about the music for me. I couldn’t imagine life without making soul crushing metal haha.”

How much fun did you have being in full control of everything and doing all the work from the song-writing, instruments, vocals, production, promotion and video work? What was it like having that full creative freedom? What was the part that you found the most challenging and which part did you find the most rewarding? “Honestly man, I’ve spent years trying to create and streamline a process that allows me to do all this work in a somewhat reasonable time. It’s been hard. I have not put out content in years dealing with these struggles, but it’s so worth it. Now that I have a good understanding of what I want to do, and what I am capable of doing, I have never had more fun in my life! I can express twisting, brutal thoughts and ideas more precisely and really give the genre the attention it requires and deserves. I can really put the listener’s head in a place of my own creation, and that’s something you cannot get anywhere else”

You’ve mentioned that all of the lyrics on the record come from real life recent experiences; how much of a challenge is it to create something that resonates with people? Do you find catharsis in your creations? “If you are searching for lyrics, you might come up with some good ideas, but I feel the greatest lyrics come from events in life. I’m a warehouse worker, just like a lot of people in our country. I root my writing from frustrations and challenges that everybody comes across at one point or another. Music is something I’ve always fought to keep around in my life, and I’m also a father. So between all of these factors, honestly, I have more inspiration than I do time to put it on paper.”

If we are made up of our genres and our influences, what is in your jeans and who would you consider your influences? “You nailed my influences when metalnoise reviewed “King of the Rats” initially. I’ve always had a sweet spot for swedish style guitars. Bands like In Flames, Soilwork, At The Gates and Arch Enemy always captured my heart so they easily found a way into my playing. Disrupt the Cycle mixes these sounds with Fear Factory and Strapping Young Lad’s driving industrial beats and early Veil of Maya chugs would be the best way to describe it haha. It truly is the band I wish existed but doesn’t! Well it didn’t but now it does. We can just make it short with “Melodic Death Groove”.”

We always say that even in the digital age, the first bite is with the eye, so who was behind the artwork of “King Of Rats“? How did you go about choosing it and what do you feel it says about the project? “Actually I had an artist I met in Nashville paint it for me a couple years ago. I sent them some raw disrupt the cycle demos and said “Paint what you see when you listen to this”. That’s what I got haha.”

What’s next for Disrupt The Cycle? “Well, our new single is already completed and I can’t believe how absurd it sounds haha. I am more than pleased to promise a full album before the end of this year. It will be a crazy 2024!”

“King Of The Rats” by Disrupt The Cycle was released on 6th January 2024 and is available over at bandcamp