Wailing For Humanity: Reno Metal Band Provides Solace During Quarantine
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
Metal is a genre of rock that is an acquired taste for some, but the talent it takes to play it is undeniable. Common characteristics include a rapid tempo, complicated guitar solos, a heavy bass line and guttural, growling screamo. Regardless of how one feels about it, metal has played an important role in the history of rock -- one that creates a space for darker emotions to be expressed in an artistic way.
Condemned Existence doesn’t like pigeonholing themselves into any category, but the band members will agree that the Reno metal scene is one big family. Formed in 2015, the band describes their sound as heavy with groovy parts. From wrenching pieces like “Lost In The Void,” to their more humorous “Roasty,” Condemned Existence carries a meticulous flow to each of their songs, and their chemistry in performance is bewitching.
“It’s not really about defining what it is that we are,” guitarist Matt Garito said, “It’s how people perceive it themselves.”
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
The band describes their creative process as a progression and say they have a sound all their own. They say their music is a roller coaster, mixing elements of various genres like deathcore, thrash, funk and jazz -- taking influence from human experience, each other and perfecting their craft.
“I hate it when we’re writing them, but when we’re done, they’re my favorite song,” drummer Paul Navarro said. “You definitely take a ride.”
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
The band says metal is an art form for people to be able to vent in a healthy way -- to convey emotions that would be without an outlet otherwise. Anger, existentialism, fear, or heartbreak, whatever it is, they say metal provides a platform to feel that angst and relate to others who have felt the same. Whether they stumbled upon metal later in life or have been following it for years like Navarro, it’s clear the band is moved by rock and wants to move others through their art.
“It’s definitely an escape, [when] you have no other healthy way to get rid of that anger... everything just meshes together,” bassist Steven Moore said, “It just fills you with empowerment.”
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
“I just want to wail... I just want to moan for everybody,” vocalist Eric Iglesias said, “To break through those feelings... just feelings that are bogged down.”
Photo by Sam Ray-Johnson.
While the pandemic has caused a damper on their plans for shows, Condemned Existence isn’t letting that slow them down. The band plans on releasing a new album in the future and looks forward to the day they can play for their fellow metalheads soon. Iglesias says he’d even like to see them go on tour one day.
“Once they lift these traveling restrictions, I would love to go tour Europe,” Iglesias said.
“I think once everybody starts to feel safe, to come out in public, the scene is going to be huge again,” Garito said.
To listen to Condemned Existence, visit their Bandcamp profile here.
To follow them on Facebook, like their page here.
