Thrash to Death: Absolute Darkness, Classic Influences, and Metal’s Enduring Legacy with Pipeman

0:05 Hey, you're listening to Adventure on W4CY Radio. This is Pipe Man here on the Adventure's Pipe Man W4CY Radio, and I'm totally stoked about our next guest because, as everybody knows, I am a thrash metalhead from way back. There we go. And so, and I have my own stories from LA and the Bay Area. So let's welcome to the show, Ron from Absolute Darkness. How are you? I'm good. Thanks for having me.

0:46 Hey, my pleasure. I want to start off right off the bat. Okay. So you did a modernized cover of violence's world in a world. And, and, First of all, what I really love is that, you know, you are paying tribute to my time back then because I spent the 80s in L.A. until Slayer and Metallica left us. And then me and my bro used to hitchhike up to the Bay Area for the real shows. I'm sure we've been to the same shows then because I was... You know, I'm older than I look, I guess, because, you know, I was in that scene. I was at the world premiere CD release show for Pressing the Masses.

1:39 Nice. And I was just with Sean recently at Milwaukee Metal Fest. We were both there. Not Milwaukee. I was at Maryland. That's right. Yeah. He was there, too. And at Milwaukee, it was like old school Ruthie's Inn type show. Because the violin show was in the smaller part of the building. And oh my God, it was insane. It was funny because I sent my youngest daughter a video of all the people stage diving and her response to me was, oh, so I guess that's how you knock down all your front teeth, huh?

2:22 Well, I was at the show at the Metro, the very first violence reunion show after Sean got better with all the original members aside from Rob. And I think Rob showed up the next night to do a little cameo because they played two nights in a row. And I was on the I was on the first night where he didn't show. But, you know, I think I've talked with everybody but Perry and the bassist. But I've talked with Phil. I've talked with Sean. And Rob actually lives close by me. I run into him every once in a while at the grocery store. Nice. I know I've been talking with Sean about the release of that cover.

3:04 And he's like, hey, when it comes out publicly. Send it to me. And so I haven't sent it to him yet. I'm going to wait until I can send him a Spotify link or something. But yeah, I've talked to Sean about that a few times. So tell me, of all the songs that you could cover, What made you pick that one and pick from that band? So I've always been fascinated by that song. I love that song. And, you know, there's lots of music that I love, but it's like, okay, what song could I do that I could bring my own flavor to? It's like, you know, I love that original so much. And, you know, I think another thrash band did a cover of it.

3:48 And I was a little disappointed because they did the modern production thing, which basically all bands do now. You record to a clip track. However, I don't think that's what Violence did during the day. It doesn't sound like it. And so I really wanted to capture that vibe. And I had two things I wanted to do. One, I wanted to preserve the original timing exactly. and reproduce it as best I could with newer technologies, you know, make it sound a little bit more fuller than was really possible when they recorded it and bring my vocals to it, just because that's the twist. That's the different thing I wanted to bring to it. I love Sean and I love his vocals, but they're not my vocals. And that's the twist I wanted to add to it. And actually I recorded the bass drums to it. And basically I put on a pair of headphones pressed play and jammed right to their track.

4:43 That's how I got the timing nailed. And then things up from there. See, I love that because I'm all about real musicianship, you know? And so that's really cool. And yeah, you have more of the death metal type of voice. So I love that. One thing I love is when bands do a cover and they do it, their way because you're never going to do it as good or better if you're doing it the other band's way, because it's their way. And what's the point? What's the point? Exactly. The original exists. You got to do something different or there's no point to it.

5:24 No doubt about it. So that's pretty cool. And so my next question is, what keeps you going doing this music gig in 2026 and making new music? You know, it's, it's, it's what I love to do. It's, you know, I, I've got a few passions in life. Certainly, you know, technology is the one that I'm super passionate about and it pays the bills and then music I'm also super passionate about. And, you know, I have a music studio in my house and there's nothing more enjoyable to me than going to the studio and jamming stuff out or writing a song. I mean, playing live is, is, is better, but you know, you only get some, you know, you don't get that opportunity every day.

6:08 At least I don't. Um, And so, you know, it's just a lot of fun. And then playing with other musicians, you know, the current iteration of the band, which has been together for between three and five years, depending on the members, is the strongest one I've ever had. You know, we've got some really talented musicians. You know, I played the drums. And when I write a song, I jam out some what I think is pretty good. And then I hand it to Scott and he makes it so much better. You know, my lead guitar playing is pretty basic, but, you know, Doug comes in and really rips something pretty awesome. And, you know, Orson is solid on the bass, and he goes to every metal show in the Bay Area. So, you know, everybody says, you know, Orson's band is so awesome.

6:54 It's like, hey, you know, Orson is one of four, but, you know, as long as we. Get credit, I don't care. Orson's awesome. Right. And so, you know, we're just having fun. And that's key, like, especially in metal. Like, if you're not having fun, what's the point? You know, and we can tell. The listeners can tell. You know, we can watch you up on stage and tell that you're not really having fun. To me, it's a transfer of emotion. So if you're having fun doing it, we're going to have fun consuming it. Yeah. You know, my lyrics tend to be very, very serious and, you know, not about happy stuff, but that doesn't mean, you know, you can't have fun with it though.

7:41 Exactly. You don't want to be too serious. Even cannibal corpse, you know, is up there cracking jokes. Right. You know, and you know, it's true because I think people listen more to the serious subjects. If you make it less serious and more fun, like I don't mean less serious as in it shouldn't be serious. Just, you know, not taking yourself too seriously, you know, like you're saying, you know, just having a good time, you know, and then I think people listen more than they're going to pay more attention to the message. If they feel like they're not being lectured at, they're just being part of it, you know? And I think that's what you accomplish.

8:26 Oh, thank you. Yeah. That's what we're going for. I mean, you know, when our live shows happen, You know, it's always tempting to get up there and pour your heart and tell them, you know, you should feel this way or that way, but that doesn't work, and it's not the point. You know, if they listen to the music, they know you have a point of view. They know what you're saying for the most part, but let your music do the talking. You don't need to get up there in the app. I mean, you know, everybody gives their opinion every once in a while, and certainly if you look at my social media, you'll see I give my opinions every but I don't need to give them on stage. Certainly not constantly. And you know, let the music do the talking. Well, you're so right too, because if you have an opinion and you're somebody that writes lyrics, your opinion's definitely going to be in your lyrics and people get the message that way. And I think it's, I think it's a better way. Like I think music is a better way because you listen to it while you're enjoying the music. And, it hits you. Like it's something that you real, like I hear some lyrics and I'm like, Oh my God, that's so me, you know? But if those same lyrics were something that was said to me, maybe I wouldn't get it the same way. Yeah.

9:41 And you know, we try and make the music strong enough where even if you're like, you know, Oh, he's a little too political for me, but you know what? That's a really cool riff. You know, that's great. Exactly. And music should be political. In my opinion, it has been forever. like not just our genres i mean you go back to the 60s and 70s it was all political and then punk just made it political with a little more angst and same with metal you know it's like it's the same message just in a different way you know and that's what's cool about music and certainly It does blow my mind that in 2026, we could take the 80s songs and change names out in the songs and those political songs would still be the same today.

10:31 That blows my mind. Oh, yeah. That we're still talking about the world blowing up and things like that. That, I think, is what's great about metal is that That's why it stands the test of time because poppy type music is very relevant for that period of time only. Whereas I find that metal and punk, a lot of the messages, they transcend time. Like, like I was just saying, you know, those songs in the eighties are just as apropos as today. And so I think that's why these genres have stood the test of time.

11:16 For sure. I mean, war picks, you know. Right, exactly. So, and you know, what's funny is you mentioned that if you listen to the original version, it's not as good because of the same reason why I'm talking about as the lyrics, you know, War Pigs is so relevant because of the lyrics. Now, if you take the original version of it, those lyrics aren't so relevant through all of time. They're not so evergreen, you know? And I think that's what made it a great song is actually adjusting it to make it better. So we have witness to a dying world coming out. Yeah.

12:07 October 23rd. And, and it's like a birthday present for me because my birthday is the 11th, but Oh my God, that, That title alone says it all to me. You know? Yeah, for sure. It is funny, like, because a lot of things you and I grew up on are coming true now. And did we really even think they were going to come true? Like, in some ways, not. Like, you know, even something as simple as watching Star Trek. And they were having the video calls. And I remember, ooh, that would be cool to have. And now it's normal life. And here we are. And James T. Kirk is now starting a metal band at 95. It blows my mind.

12:52 That blows my mind more than anything. I mean, you know, I'm a technology guy at heart. And I love seeing all the Star Trek technology become real. And in fact, you know, one of the things, you know, you mentioned you were at Milwaukee Metal Fest. I was at Maryland Death Fest and 70,000 tons. I've been actually writing an open source app for metal festivals. So if you go to Maryland Death Fest or 70,000 tons and you download the app, that's a free open source app I'm giving away. Nice. I love that. That's what 70,000 tons is one I haven't been on yet that is on my list.

13:33 Like I've done Shiprock. But 70,000 tons looks like one of the coolest festivals ever. What was it like to you as an artist? Well, I haven't been as an artist. I have been 12 years going in a row. So I'm a regular. Yeah, yeah. And, you know, I haven't done a lot of other festivals aside from I did Maryland Death Fest. and you know, it just, it's, it's a little different mainly because it's such a marathon. Like they start the music at 10 AM. They stop it at 6 AM. You get a four hour break and you go again. Um, many people go four days without sleep. I try and get about 10 hours sleep over the four days.

14:19 Um, um, And, you know, it's just a lot of fun. And, you know, especially going that often, you see the same people year after year, as well as meet new people all the time. So it's a lot of fun. And, you know, also, there's no backstage. So, you know, I got to hang out with Sean and Phil and Steve Souza and the guys from all the bands. Because, you know, your choices are be in the room or hang out with the fans. Those are your choices. And so that doesn't happen at other festivals as much. No. No. I found that to be the attitude at Shiprock too. It's like the artists had artists catering at Shiprock, but we're always at the buffet with everybody else, you know?

15:02 And I think way that kind of is, is I think a lot of the bands realize, Hey, these people are not your typical festival goers because they're paying a lot of money to be on that cruise. So they're going to be more respectful. And I think that's the way, the people going look at, it's like at Shiprock, I don't know about 70,000 tons, but every band has a meet and greet. So, so basically they don't feel like they need to bother the artists because the artists are there and they get the meet and greet. They see him, you know, like even, you know, even in the casino, like I was teaching one of the dudes from flat black, how to play craps. You know, and, you know, and so it's a different vibe. And I found that somebody looking on as a media person that all the attendees, they didn't bother the artists like they would at a festival.

16:03 Like even the press people bother artists at a festival a lot of times, which kind of annoys me. It's like, you know. Zach Wild was back one time and the tour manager had to go, all right, guys, it's not a meet and greet. We're working here. And like the fact that you should have to tell press people that blows my mind anyway. You know, and I have lots of stories like that. But I don't think the people act like that on the cruise ships because they know that you're there. You're going to be there and they're going to bump into you at some point. So they don't need to harass you because you're on vacation, too. Well, and you know, some artists really embrace it. Like I know that George Fisher, Cannibal Corpse, you can't get off the ship without taking a picture with him.

16:48 He is everywhere. He's outside of every venue. I have never seen an artist be more accessible than George Fisher on the ship. Um, you know, Joey from Anthrax was, uh, and, oh, uh, you know, Rob from, from Death Angel, you know, those guys are everywhere on the ship. And then some artists are a little bit more reclusive. I think, uh, Alyssa from Arch Enemy, you know, was very hanging out in her cabin, not spending too much time around the ship, and that was her choice, and that's fine. But some of it depends on the personality of the artist, how outgoing they naturally are, and how much they just feel like this is one big party they want to have fun at. Exactly. And I think with Alyssa, I think maybe it had to do with everything that was going on and still going on, you know, that it's... you don't want to be bombarded with the questions that you've been asked 10 million times.

17:43 And also as a female, things can be a little bit different and I get that. Probably, but yeah, you're right. There's different personalities. I see it even at the festivals. There's, there's people, artists that are big artists that I'll hang out with in the crowd and GA watching a set with and others that you'll never see out there, you know? So it's so true, but, uh, I love your music and the combination. You know, it's funny, going back to Possessed, you know, it's funny that people back then were calling them Slayer copycats, which I didn't find them to be a Slayer copycat at all, or calling them thrash. And I think they're more like you.

18:30 They were the original death metal band that had thrash elements to it. I wouldn't call possessed purely thrash metal. No, not at all. And possessed is a good example. I mean, it's kind of funny. It's like, okay, we call ourselves death thrash. And I think that accurately describes what we do. But, you know, death evolved from thrash to a large degree. And so the early death metal bands were death thrash by default because that's the way the evolution was going. Exactly. You know, we try and bring in some other elements. I mean, you can hear some mellow death. You can hear various influences. And, you know, the bottom line, we're not trying to, you know, come up with some brand new sound. We're not trying to do anything other than make music that we like and are proud of. And hopefully people will think it's original. I think it's got a lot of originality to it. But, you know, even if they say, you know, oh, It's mixtures of the same thing I've heard a thousand times. Well, this is our mixture of the same thing you've heard a thousand times.

19:34 And so we love it. And you know what? Good music is not reinventing the wheel. That's why we have influences. One thing I did like about your music is the same I felt in the 80s. okay? So nowadays you have a lot of these metalcore bands that have this formula. It's like an algebraic equation to make music. And so to me, a lot of them do sound the same. The thrash bands back in the 80s and the death metal back in the 80s, nobody sounded the same. You could hear the band I could in like five seconds and know which band it was, okay? Sean certainly doesn't sound like Belladonna or Araya or Hetfield or Mustaine, you know, and the riffs are not exactly the same. The music is not exactly the same. I find that to be the same with you. Like I could hear your music until it's your music, not somebody else's, you know, and that's to me the key.

20:36 Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, I know that, you know, like Testament, you know, you hear a Testament riff and it's like, okay, that sounds like Testament. Exactly, exactly. So that's pretty cool. So I put you in a world like that, you know, opposed to today's world, which is kind of cool. And that comes from just playing what you like. I mean, like, that's the key to it. If you're gonna do this, especially metal or punk, You might as well do what you like. Otherwise, just be a pop band. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I mean, you know, I've always loved the thrashing. Violence is the epitome of this, but lots of bands do this. It's like, okay, you chug on the E a little bit, but then you take it high and you do some licks. And then you go back to the E to give the aggression. And then, you know, you move it around. You explore the fretboards.

21:30 You know, there are some bands and, you know, I'm not talking, everybody has their own thing, but the bands that like, you know, use the E string as a very, as a rhythm instrument for the drums, you know, everything's just like, you know, okay, I'm going to do this. I'm going to pound on the E string in different intricate patterns. That doesn't appeal to me. And I know some people who it does appeal to, but, you know, I, I like, I like riffs that move around the fretboard. Yeah. And I'm all about, to me, metal was always about experimentation. you know, Black Sabbath ended up because of an accident. You know, it wasn't because it was set out to be that way. And I think most metal bands in the earlier times, that was exactly it. Like there were no, it's like, you're talking about the genres.

22:18 I remember meeting Mustaine at Metallica's first show ever in LA and he gave me his business card and it said Metallica power metal because crash wasn't even a word yet, you know? And, I would never classify Metallica even then as power metal, but where do you put the bands at that point in time? And that's where everything else came from. And I can't name one band that was thrash, death metal, black metal from that time that their influences weren't bands like Led Zeppelin or even the Beatles or all those older bands because... that's where it all evolved from.

23:01 And so I think that that makes the difference. And to me, you're old school because your sound evolves from that opposed to the programmatic of today. And that's what's cool. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. We're, you know, we, we, we're, we're trying to, you know, just, just, you know, again, do something that we love, do something that, that sounds what we think sounds cool. Absolutely. So, Tell us how we reach out to you on socials, on the web, how we check out the new album when it drops in October, and anything else you want them to know we haven't covered already. Sure. So the album starts pre-sales October 1st. It drops October 23rd.

23:43 It's going to be available in all major streaming services and Bandcamp. You can check us out on Facebook. We have an extremely intricate video for the song Nutritional Warfare on YouTube. And we worked with an animator. We did old school 2D animation like Attack on Titan or Wolf Brigade or just those animations with lots of war scenes and people getting shot to shit. So we did that two and a half minutes of animation. We had to wait three weeks for every 10 seconds of video for two and a half minutes worth of animation. And then we worked with our friend Eddie on some live footage interaction with there. So we're really happy with that video and people should definitely check it out.

24:38 Yeah, and that's funny you should say that because that was the last thing I was going to say, that everybody needs to go check out Attritional Warfare because that is a badass video and I love the animation part of it. I think it reminded me of Death Clock. Yes, yes. You know, a little less comedy, a little bit more serious. But, you know, yeah, for sure. I know, you know, I wrote that song and, you know, I thought, you know, okay, I'd love to do an animated video for it because, you know, there's no way you're going to get, the live action budget would be stupid for something like that. But if you can get. Some animation, you know, it doesn't matter whether you're sitting there rowing a boat or shooting somebody to shit.

25:19 It's the same amount of frames that's going to require an artist to draw it. Exactly. So I'm glad we found somebody and was able to make that happen. Well, you guys rock. Everybody needs to check you guys out, and I hope to see a lot more of you. All right. Thanks a lot. Thank you for being on The Adventures of Pikeman. Thank you for listening to The Adventures of Pikeman on W4CY Radio.