To say Signs of the Swarm had a busy year in 2023 would be an understatement and a half.The deathcore group tore up stages all over the EU/UK festival circuit, ripped across the US alongside Carnifex and Australia's To The Grave and even had time to drop a brand new album titled Amongst The Low & Empty (our review here).With 0% chance of slowing down, drummer BobbyCrow took time out of his schedule to tell us all about the year that was behind the kit and what to keep a look out for in 2024!
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2023?
5 - Gideon - MORE POWER. MORE PAIN.4 - Knocked Loose -Upon Loss3 - Humanity’s Last Breath - Ashen2 - fromjoy - fromjoy1 - Alluvial - Death Is But A Door(Well, it’s out in early 2024, but I’ve listened to it so much because I’m such a big fan of Wes that it’s got to be the top!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQXXtLj2HNU
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2023?
5 - Devin Townsend - “Truth” (2023 Remaster)4 - Gideon - “Take Off”3 - The Last Ten Seconds of Life - “Of All Humanity, the Sum”2 - Orthodox - “Soaking Nerves”1 - After The Burial - “Death Keeps Us From Living”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDFwTc5_xt8
FAV AUSTRALIAN ACT YOU CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF RIGHT NOW?
My favorite Aussie band of recent years has to be Disentomb. We were fortunate to support them here in the States a few times, and they are by far one of the most explosive and draw-dropping live bands I’ve ever seen. Great lads, too. But I must say, as a drummer first, my favorite musician from your side of the world is Troy Wright. That dude is always inspiring me to push harder, and I look forward to whatever he’s up to next!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuMS-_8wIrc
BEST GIG YOU PLAYED THIS YEAR AND WHY?
By far, Summer Breeze Festival in Europe. This was our first year on the EU festival circuit and we weren’t sure what to expect going into it, but we had a killer time slot for that day around 9:00 PM, and walked out to nearly 10,000 people losing their minds for 40 minutes. We were surrounded by friends and family the whole day, and it was just a massive full circle moment for all of us. It’s been a few months now and I still haven’t fully processed that whole experience, but I do know that I am incredibly grateful for that day.https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw8CMM5gwHY/?hl=en
TELL US A CORE MEMORY FROM A MUSIC FESTIVAL SET
While performing at Dynamo Metal Fest this past year, we had something happen for the first time in our 10 years of performing - we had to stop mid-set due to an injury in the crowd. It took us quite a while to realize what was happening deep in the pit, and I’ll never forget how my band turned and looked at me like, “Hey! WTF why did you stop?!,” as I had never done that before during a show. Luckily, everyone was fine and after about 5-10 minutes we carried on. But that moment was the talk of the day around the festival and it was one of those little moments I’ll never forget. Also getting to share the stage with Trivium was a huge life goal that I got to check off the bucket list that day! (And Matthew Heafy sang on our album too—sheesh.)
WHAT WAS THE RECEPTION LIKE FOR YOUR NEW MATERIAL THIS YEAR?
Rather unexpected if I’m being honest. When we first sat and listened to the finished product of “Amongst the Low & Empty,” we knew that WE loved it, but you never really know what people will think until it’s out there. Thankfully, it’s been our best-received album to date and has opened doors for us that I never thought possible before. I think you can feel the energy that went into the record and as songwriters that’s an amazing feeling to be able to convey.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d4P51ye_0I
ANY SNEAK PEEKS OF INBOUND 2024 PLANS?
Signs of the Swarm is already back to writing new tunes, and we will be on the road hitting most major markets in the US and EU/UK/DE again in 2024, so don’t miss out!https://www.instagram.com/p/C0SBF6wpN4D/?hl=en&img_index=1
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2024?
Don’t give a fuck about what other people think, and be kind to everyone you meet! Those two things have brought me more happiness than anything else as I near the end of my twenties.Written by BobbyCrow@bobby_sots
Follow Signs of the Swarm via LinkTree
Stream Amongst the Low & Empty here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kPEbV8T35k
