One of my favorite releases in 2020 was the death metal band Diamonds to Dust'sthree-song EP, Decisions. I didn't know about them until I heard their crushing single, "Corpus Christi." That single alone is one of the best songs on the heavier side of music in recent years. The EP offers a great example of what this band can and will continue to do, as they blend metalcore elements into the death metal genre.
The band is a five-piece who has gone through a handful of line-up changes and previously released EPs. Diamonds to Dust comprises Barry Hogue (cleans vocals/rhythm guitar), Melvin Hogue (drums/samples), Christian Roche (screaming vocals), Brandon Whitaker (bass/clean vocals), andBrandon Zablocki (lead guitar).
Decisions is a great listen. I wanted to get to know more about the band and their latest EP, so we connected for an exclusive interview.
How has your record label, Manifest Records, helped you grow with the new EP, Decisions?
Barry: Using our collective resources, knowledge, and ideas have helped us grow as a band. It's essentially why Decisions came out the way it did. We decided to go with a heavier sound. This gave us the push that ultimately lead us to what we believe is a successful project.
What's the story or message behind the three songs on the EP?
Barry: The EP is about decisions people make throughout their lives. "Adventure Time," the opening track, is about a person who's on his death bed, going over the decisions he made in his life, wondering when he dies what will be his destination, heaven or hell.
"Silence is also Suicide" is about how we, as people, choose to ignore signs of abuse and mental health issues. The song is about how people, whether alone or not, commit suicide over abuse and mental health issues. Sometimes, we decide that it's not our problem and that can darken our humanity.
Christian: "Corpus Christi" is a song about my personal reflection of my sins, a little bit to do with the world in its current state, and the apocalypse.
The lead single, "Corpus Christi," has some unique songwriting. The end is sung in Latin. How did this come about?
Christian: I thought the last supper would be a fitting end to a song about the apocalypse. It so happens that the favorite part of Catholic mass was the giving of the body and the blood. So, I went with that sermon. Honestly, the English translation didn't fit with what I was trying to do with the breakdown no matter how hard I tried. Then, something told me to change it to Latin. I don't know where the idea came from, to be completely honest. I ended up watching a traditional Latin mass on YouTube and I said "this is it." Besides, I thought it was pretty cool to bring some life to a dead language.
What can we be expecting from the band in the future?
Barry: We're currently working on our next album. We plan to release several singles leading up to it. It's too early to give a release date, but we're hoping to have it out by this summer.
How can we be praying for you?
Barry: We ask that you pray that the Lord keeps us strong and healthy, as well as brings good health and prosperity to the rest of the world.
Ryan Adams lives with his family in Montana. He had been NRT's Rock Reporter since 2018.
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