Photograph courtesy of Kalamity Kills
We spoke with Kalamity Kills‘ Jamie Rowe concerning the mission’s self-titled, debut album, out now.
“This album is every thing I couldn’t say for years,” he explains concerning the document. “I’ve been within the Christian music world, and there are belongings you simply can’t speak about … the true struggles, the hypocrisy, the doubt. This document is me lastly being sincere about all of it. It’s nonetheless coming from a spot of religion, nevertheless it’s religion that’s been by means of hell and again.”
Anthem: This one’s about standing your floor when every thing round you is falling aside. I wrote it throughout a very darkish time after I felt just like the world was hostile to every thing I believed. It’s about discovering that internal power when concern and temptation are pulling at you from each path. Ray Luzier got here in and simply destroyed the drums on this one—gave it this crushing depth that completely captures that feeling of refusing to again down.
Dearest Enemy (Strain): I used to be so sick of keyboard warriors and individuals who tear others down simply to construct themselves up. This tune is me saying “get behind me” to all of the pretend strain to evolve and be one thing you’re not. It’s quick; it’s indignant, and it’s aimed immediately on the manipulators and critics who suppose they know higher. Ray killed it on drums once more—This tune wanted that ferocious vitality.
What’s On Your Thoughts? (Pure Vitality): We took Info Society’s ’80s synth-pop hit and fully reimagined it as a tough rock anthem. Kiarely Castillo from Conquer Divide introduced this fierce vitality to it. We stored the spirit of the unique however gave it tooth. Typically you simply need to take one thing you like and make it your personal.
Darkish Secrets and techniques: That is in all probability my private favourite on the album. It’s about these battles we struggle that no person else can see—the loneliness, the hidden struggles, the issues we’re ashamed of. Jamey’s guitar solo on this one is devastating, and Ray’s drumming provides these emotional layers that simply hit you within the chest. It’s susceptible however nonetheless heavy as hell.
The Chemistry of Meant to Be: I needed to put in writing a love tune that didn’t make me cringe. That is about that prompt connection you’re feeling with somebody—when every thing simply clicks and feels inevitable. It grew to become our first single to hit the MediaBase Energetic Rock chart, which proved you possibly can nonetheless write about love and maintain it heavy. Jamey’s riffs are insane on this one.
A.L.I.E.N.: This tune looks like a message from one other world. It’s about being a lightweight within the darkness, being one thing not of this earth that’s right here to light up the skies. The electro parts blended with the heavy guitars create this cosmic ambiance. The decision-and-response vocals make it good for stay reveals and folks simply lose their minds in the course of the “whoa oh” components.
Hellfire Honey: This one’s received a depraved humorousness. It’s aimed squarely at spiritual hypocrisy—particularly individuals who publicly condemn issues like OnlyFans whereas secretly funding them. I’ve seen an excessive amount of of this double-standard habits in spiritual circles. Ace Von Johnson from LA Weapons laid down this gritty, sleazy solo that’s good for the tune’s swagger. Greg Upchurch’s drumming provides it this soiled rock basis.
Burn: That is in all probability essentially the most private tune on the document. It’s me wanting within the mirror in any respect the wreckage I’ve brought about by means of my very own self-destructive decisions. It’s about that second while you understand the one method ahead is to burn every thing down and begin over. The lyrics are brutal … It’s me wrestling with remorse and the eager for redemption. It’s heavy emotionally and musically.
Sinners Welcome: I wrote this from my expertise within the Christian rock world, the place I noticed how fast some individuals are to guage whereas claiming to talk for God. The tune challenges the concept that anybody apart from God will get to determine who’s “worthy.” It’s rebellious and redemptive on the similar time. I’m proudly owning my flaws whereas celebrating that everybody’s welcome on the desk.
Being damaged doesn’t make you deserted … It makes you human.
I Nonetheless Consider: We took The Misplaced Boys anthem and turned it into this large laborious rock declaration. Greg Upchurch’s drumming on that is towering … It’s grow to be a fan favourite and introduced in a variety of new listeners. We captured the hope and resilience of the unique however gave it this fierce trendy vitality. No shirtless saxophone participant, however we made up for it with pure quantity.
Amen: In any case that depth, I needed to finish the album on a peaceable word. This tune got here from my dedication to training gratitude, discovering gentle after darkness. The refrain simply repeats “Amen”… It’s about acceptance and appreciation for the journey. It’s stripped-back and heartfelt, giving listeners a second of stillness after every thing that got here earlier than.
Expanded Version Tracks
Afraid: This one’s about breaking free from each chain that holds you again … societal strain, private fears, emotional baggage. I used to be sick of residing scared, sick of letting different individuals’s expectations dictate my decisions. Strains like, “We don’t bow to the throne of enemies,” and, “A fort doesn’t make you a king,” sum up the entire perspective. Ray Luzier’s drumming is thunderous on this one, and Julia Lauren Bullock’s harmonies deliver this recent depth. It’s about residing defiantly fearless, it doesn’t matter what the percentages are.
Starry Skies (988): That is in all probability a very powerful tune I’ve ever written. It got here from my very own battles with despair and suicidal ideas … These darkish moments when you possibly can’t see any method out. The 988 within the title refers back to the suicide prevention hotline. I needed to create one thing that might attain individuals in that headspace and remind them they’re not alone. Aaron Gillespie from Underøath introduced this unbelievable emotional depth to the drums and vocals. After I sing, “You’ve survived 100% of the trials you’ve already confronted,” that’s me speaking to myself as a lot as anybody else. If this tune saves even one life, every thing we’ve accomplished is value it.
Jingle Bells (SLAY!): We took essentially the most harmless Christmas tune and turned it into one thing fully unhinged. It’s our twisted vacation present to the world … nonetheless recognizable as “Jingle Bells” however with this darkish, heavy edge that makes it good for individuals who need to have a good time Christmas however hate the saccharine bullshit. It’s enjoyable; it’s ridiculous, and it’s every thing a vacation tune shouldn’t be.
Darkish Secrets and techniques (Cinematic Model): Jamey took my favourite tune from the album and fully reimagined it. This model is extra atmospheric, extra haunting … like a film soundtrack for the darkest corners of your thoughts. Julia Lauren Bullock’s extra vocals add these ethereal layers that make the entire thing really feel such as you’re drowning in your personal ideas. It’s the identical brutal honesty about hidden struggles, however introduced on this cinematic method that hits even deeper.
The Chemistry of Meant to Be (Kellan McGregor Combine): Kellan McGregor from Memphis Might Hearth took our tune and gave it this radio-friendly polish with out dropping any of the eagerness. This grew to become our first Billboard charting single, which proved we might write one thing real about love and nonetheless get radio play. The remix retains all of the explosive vitality however makes it extra accessible. It’s nonetheless about that prompt, simple connection between two individuals … that chemistry you possibly can’t pretend.
