State Of Deceit Interview
State Of Deceit: Last year State Of Deceit were unlucky to go out in round one on a technicality – no drummer due to illness meant that they had to use programmed drums and that didn’t comply with the rules. Never defeated, they brushed themselves down and are coming back for another go. Here’s what guitarist Jon had to say when we caught up with him recently.
MoM: You entered M2TM in 2019 and were unlucky to go out on a technicality. Did that have any impact on how the rest of your year developed?
State Of Deceit: As Matt was ill on the day, we had to make a snap decision to play it and didn’t want to let anyone down but playing without a drummer we didn’t expect to go through. Bit disappointing ofc but it’s always nice to play to a crowd. We were recording with Romesh a couple of months later, so our focus was on getting all the vocal, lyrics and leads finalised in preparation.
MoM: You released the excellent Retribution EP towards the end of the year. As you know I enjoyed it a lot. How did you feel about the overall reaction to it?
State Of Deceit: Last year State Of Deceit were unlucky to go out in round one on a technicality – no drummer due to illness meant that they had to use programmed drums and that didn’t comply with the rules. Never defeated, they brushed themselves down and are coming back for another go. Here’s what guitarist Jon had to say when we caught up with him recently.
MoM: You entered M2TM in 2019 and were unlucky to go out on a technicality. Did that have any impact on how the rest of your year developed?
State Of Deceit: As Matt was ill on the day, we had to make a snap decision to play it and didn’t want to let anyone down but playing without a drummer we didn’t expect to go through. Bit disappointing ofc but it’s always nice to play to a crowd. We were recording with Romesh a couple of months later, so our focus was on getting all the vocal, lyrics and leads finalised in preparation.
MoM: You released the excellent Retribution EP towards the end of the year. As you know I enjoyed it a lot. How did you feel about the overall reaction to it?
State Of Deceit: It’s been really positive all round which is great, we just want more people to fuckin’ hear it. We get more plays in Mexico City on Spotify than Wales! So, we off there for the next tour 😊
MoM: You’ve had a turbulent couple of months that culminated in the sad news that Matt needs to step down. How is he?
State Of Deceit: Gutted I think sums it up, we all want him to be healthy which has got to be the priority it would be nice if he could somehow still be involved but we’re yet to work that out. We’ve got a lot of gig commitments coming up so we’re trying to make sure we honour those and being offered more all the time, so we’re hopeful to have something sorted asap!
MoM: You are now looking for a new drummer. I know you had Robbie covering at Fuel recently. How’s the search going?
State Of Deceit: Robbie has been the legend who’s bailed us out a few times in the last 12 months he has several other projects coming up which will be well worth checking out. The search is ongoing and hopefully by the time this is published we’ll have someone in situ. (Editor's Note: As of 8th Feb State Of Deceit have a new drummer in the shape of Beyond Sorrow guitarist Luke Sullivan)
MoM: You are back into M2TM for 2020. What spurred you to enter again?
State Of Deceit: It’s a great gig at home for some for us in Cardiff, it’s cool to see the other bands and the celebration of metal through the heats. It’s the genre that wins through the whole process seeing people going out to hear live music all over the UK and get behind the fuckin metal scene!
MoM: What will State Of Deceit bring to the party this year?
State Of Deceit: Hopefully a drummer! We’ve been working on our live show and still working out the kinks but gave a taster of that at our last gig in Fuel. It will be a full 30 minutes of headbanging heaviness!
MoM: Last year was a particularly impressive set of heats. Which bands do you know from this year’s pool of talent and who are your tips?
State Of Deceit: We know / played with just under half of them lot of talented bands and musicians. If pushed and sure we wrong and other deserve it as well but we would tip for the finals – Sepulchre, King Kraken, Incursion, IWIB
MoM: What do you make of the apparent resurgence in the South Wales scene over the past couple of years? It seems vibrant now.
MoM: You’ve had a turbulent couple of months that culminated in the sad news that Matt needs to step down. How is he?
State Of Deceit: Gutted I think sums it up, we all want him to be healthy which has got to be the priority it would be nice if he could somehow still be involved but we’re yet to work that out. We’ve got a lot of gig commitments coming up so we’re trying to make sure we honour those and being offered more all the time, so we’re hopeful to have something sorted asap!
MoM: You are now looking for a new drummer. I know you had Robbie covering at Fuel recently. How’s the search going?
State Of Deceit: Robbie has been the legend who’s bailed us out a few times in the last 12 months he has several other projects coming up which will be well worth checking out. The search is ongoing and hopefully by the time this is published we’ll have someone in situ. (Editor's Note: As of 8th Feb State Of Deceit have a new drummer in the shape of Beyond Sorrow guitarist Luke Sullivan)
MoM: You are back into M2TM for 2020. What spurred you to enter again?
State Of Deceit: It’s a great gig at home for some for us in Cardiff, it’s cool to see the other bands and the celebration of metal through the heats. It’s the genre that wins through the whole process seeing people going out to hear live music all over the UK and get behind the fuckin metal scene!
MoM: What will State Of Deceit bring to the party this year?
State Of Deceit: Hopefully a drummer! We’ve been working on our live show and still working out the kinks but gave a taster of that at our last gig in Fuel. It will be a full 30 minutes of headbanging heaviness!
MoM: Last year was a particularly impressive set of heats. Which bands do you know from this year’s pool of talent and who are your tips?
State Of Deceit: We know / played with just under half of them lot of talented bands and musicians. If pushed and sure we wrong and other deserve it as well but we would tip for the finals – Sepulchre, King Kraken, Incursion, IWIB
MoM: What do you make of the apparent resurgence in the South Wales scene over the past couple of years? It seems vibrant now.
State Of Deceit: Yeah absolutely there are so many good bands in wales at the moment, there’s something in the welsh water presumably. The other thing is people are coming out to see metal gigs which is super encouraging for the bands.
MoM: We review a lot of music at the blog as you know. What was your favourite album of 2019? And why?
State Of Deceit:
Bad Omens - Finding God Before God Finds Me: great for any mood
Attila – Villain: hits hard from the start, sets the party get up and go vibe with thunderous breakdowns
Devin Townsend – Empath: A stunning album of monolithic proportions, we agree with you guys giving it a 10/10
MoM: Finally, the desert island discs question. You can take five albums to play with you on the desert island. What five would you take.
State Of Deceit:
Wage war – Deadweight
Slayer - God Hates Us All
Napalm Death – Scum
Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn
Machine Head – Burn My Eyes
Massive thanks to Jon for taking the time to talk to us. Catch State Of Deceit tear the house down on 6th March in Heat 1 of Metal to the Masses 2020.
MoM: We review a lot of music at the blog as you know. What was your favourite album of 2019? And why?
State Of Deceit:
Bad Omens - Finding God Before God Finds Me: great for any mood
Attila – Villain: hits hard from the start, sets the party get up and go vibe with thunderous breakdowns
Devin Townsend – Empath: A stunning album of monolithic proportions, we agree with you guys giving it a 10/10
MoM: Finally, the desert island discs question. You can take five albums to play with you on the desert island. What five would you take.
State Of Deceit:
Wage war – Deadweight
Slayer - God Hates Us All
Napalm Death – Scum
Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn
Machine Head – Burn My Eyes
Massive thanks to Jon for taking the time to talk to us. Catch State Of Deceit tear the house down on 6th March in Heat 1 of Metal to the Masses 2020.