For a dozen years now, New Jersey’s avant-garde Death Metal outfit Replicant has been steadily staining their unique insignia onto the cloth of the contemporary US extreme music scene. At the time of writing for this interview, the band has released three full-length albums, two EPs, and two split releases. The group’s last offering came by way of 2024’s excellent album, entitled ‘Infinite Mortality’. The sound of Replicant’s music inhabits a warped, abstract, and psychologically charged strain of icy and unsettling musical paranoia. I caught up with the band’s vocalist / bassist, Mike, and guitarists Pete and Itay to have a discussion about their impressive creative endeavour.
First of all, I’d like to say a big thanks for taking the time to conduct this interview for our zine. Would you mind first telling me a bit about how Replicant came to be as a band?
Mike: Yo! Replicant began from the ashes of a previous band Peter Lloyd and I were in, Painted Rust. After its dissolution, we were adamant in continuing something in a similar vein—skronky, brutal, miserable Death Metal. Peter and I would meet to jam on some riffs on guitar and wrote a few songs. After a few tries to get a solid lineup, we brought in Matt Thompson from Pete’s old band Dystrophy on drums and our friend TG from Altar of Gore and Massive Retaliation on bass. Pete played guitar, and I handled the second guitar and vocals. Shortly after our first EP “Worthless Desires” was released and playing one show, TG left the band I switched over to playing bass.
You’ve recently re-released your debut demo EP from 2016 on a limited physical tape. I think it’s quite a strong batch of tracks. Did you have a pretty solid idea about what you wanted this band to be from the beginning?
Mike: Hell yeah! We’re glad this is getting the old school tape treatment thanks to Death Sculpted. Peter and I wanted Replicant to be raw and uncompromising, taking a more angular approach to riffs and structures. The songs were supposed to be imperfect and in the moment. We talk about how we felt as teens discovering random bands on online forums and on the Metal Archives and would like to one day contribute an artefact into the death metal cavern for someone to stumble upon. From the start we were taking notes from Human Remains, Damonacy, Voivod, Burnt by the Sun, Ripping Corpse, Demilich, Negativa, Gorguts and Morbid Angel, among a thousand others, but specifically those.
Your last full-length album was the ‘Infinite Mortality’ record. It’s a fantastic album, by the way! When I listen to your music, I sense there is a really abstract nature to it, one that feels very cerebral and mentally strained. Could you tell me more about the presence of these themes in your music?
Mike: Thank you! ‘Infinite Mortality’ is a continuation of the exploration of soundscapes and vibes we have been incorporating into our music since we started. When arranging the songs, we aim to let the riffs speak and swirl through the mix in a manner kind of like a long run-on sentence that doesn’t seem to conclude until it does. We aim to create an unsettling atmosphere with an atonal attack with the tones, sometimes we are a half-step off creating a cacophony. It’s much like a painting with layers and the colours blending. So, in that sense it’s an abstract approach. Noise is sick, and we enjoy creating it.
There are moments of dark jazz instrumentation and some progressive aspects throughout many of your songs. How did these styles find their way into your band’s musical DNA?
Mike: We collectively have an appreciation for all genres of music. Speaking for myself, as a bass player, I grew up learning to improvise and move around the neck of the bass. While learning the instrument, I was introduced to great examples like Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten. There’s also a Latin element that comes from my upbringing listening to salsa, bachata, son, and guaracha that entwines with the jazz in there. Growing up as a young metalhead bass player, I looked up to Chi Cheng of Deftones and Fieldy of Korn, who undoubtedly had a jazzy approach to their playing.
Pete: I was super influenced by Piggy of Voivod when it comes to the bigger jazz / dissonant chords, as well as Paul from Cynic, Luc + Steeve from Gorguts and Kelly from Atheist. Those Atheist / Death / Cynic / Gorguts albums were a huge influence for me in exploring ideas other than meat n potatoes death metal riffs.
Itay: I have many Progressive Rock and Psych-Rock influences such as Camel, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, as well as Progressive Metal acts Opeth, Devin Townsend, and Haken. I am also obsessed with the textures and vibes of Shoegaze like Slowdive and Nothing.
You’re due to hit the road in March for a tour taking place in the northeast USA / Canada. Are you able to shed any light on what you have in store for Replicant in the near future, be it tours or perhaps new music?
Mike: Yes, we’re hitting the road with our longtime comrades, Tombs. Incidentally, we also share Ninja as a drummer, so he’s going to be blasting for two sets a night. Along with preparing for the tour, we have been in the middle of tracking four songs (three originals and a cover) for a split with some friends from Denmark. We are tracking at our studio and our homes, and AJ Viana (Hath, Cognitive), who worked on “Infinite Mortality” is taking care of the mixing and mastering. Afterwards, our goal is to start getting things in motion for album number four.
Your upcoming tour is taking place alongside your fellow New Jersey band, Tombs. Are there any other NJ based bands that you think our readers should be checking out?
Pete: There are a ton of sick bands from New Jersey. It’s a beautiful yet depraved place, which results in all kinds of incredible musical expressions. Some of the best include: Siege Column, Hath, Discord, Engulf, Dead and Dripping, Blasphemous, Bayht Lahm
Mike: I’d like to add Scasm, Galare, Enforcement Droid, Pile of Knives, Slaughtersun, Trog, Keefchamber, Vulnificus, Reeking Aura, Funeral Pyre, Dab Nebula, Weeping, Green Inferno. Some of these are technically based in NY or PA but have ties to NJ.
And lastly, if Replicant was to play a special show with any other three bands in existence, who would you pick?
Pete: Gorguts, Dødheimsgard, Convulsing
Mike: Soulfy, Devourment, The Ruins of Beverast
Itay: Extermination Dismemberment, Alcest, Nevermore
Those are some great bands you’ve chosen there. Any combination of these groups would surely make for a seriously impressive show! I think Devourment, Gorguts, and Nevermore, plus Replicant at the same gig would be quite special. Another big thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Enjoy the tour, and I can’t wait to lay ears on that split release.
