Artist Spotlight: Deathmerits
Meet the melodic hardcore project from New Hampshire.
Hi Pal,
Welcome to Artist/Band Spotlight. This is a newsletter where I have short introductory conversations with artists and bands on the Christian music scene.
Bio: Deathmerits is a gospel-focused melodic hardcore project based in New Hampshire founded in 2021 by member, John Lindsey.
Q: Hi, can you talk to us about your inspiration and motivation for creating music?
Deathmerits is a project that I wanted to start about fourteen (14) years ago. I remember sitting down with my pastor at breakfast — he took me out one morning — and I told him about the idea of starting a really heavy band that was specifically focused on worshipping God through that kind of medium. At that time, I had already begun playing guitar in a handful of secular bands and was too busy to start anything new so I put it on the back burner. Fast forward to 2021, I wasn’t playing in bands anymore and I also had the equipment to start tracking my own stuff so I had a go at it.
As far as inspiration for this project goes, I'd say it definitely has to be the beauty of the Gospel and my desire to understand it more fully and share it faithfully. The motivation and inspiration are really one and the same in this project. I have a desire to make music that is faithful and explicitly sharing doctrinally-sound ideas and concepts coupled with heavy music that I just love; music that is also very accessible to everyone who appreciates that wider genre of heavy music.
Q: How would you describe your sound and your creative process?
I would say that my sound is influenced a lot by the bands I grew up listening to in the 2000s, and early 2010s. I tend to pull musical inspiration from albums and bands that I cut my teeth on, such as Poison the Well, Shai Hulud, Since the Flood, Blood Has Been Shed, etc. I only have four (4) songs out currently so I don’t necessarily have a set sound yet, but that's where I pull inspiration from anyways. I’d label this project as melodic hardcore but there is plenty of room for interpretation on labels.
My creative process usually starts with a single riff that I think sounds really good, and I build off and write the rest of the song around it. I typically record all the rhythm guitar tracks first, before layering harmony, lead and octaves. Then, I create the MIDI drum track using my MIDI keyboard, compose the bass part afterwards, and finally write and record the lyrics.
I’ve been in bands since I was fifteen years old and was never a vocalist. So, writing the lyrics and finding my voice for Deathmerits has been interesting, a little challenging, yet very fun — especially writing the lyrics since I really want to portray Christ honourably and without compromise.
Q: How has 2023 been for you so far musically and what can folks expect from you for the rest of the year?
2023 started off great because that's when I released my last single, Folly. I think it was quite well-received and I really appreciate all the comments and testimony from people who were moved by the song. The track is about the folly of unbelief and absurdity of life without God, which seems to resonate with a bunch of folks. I wish I had more to report on as far as what people can expect for the rest of this year, but truthfully, I don’t have much of a solid plan in place at the moment.
I only have about three (3) songs in the works; I’d like to have them finished up before the end of the year so that I can release a short EP but I can’t put a date on it as it’s a little bit tough to balance being married, kids, work and other stuff. Sonically, the tracks that you should expect to come out should be full of catchy riffing and a good breakdown. Lyrically, listeners should expect the same from what they’ve already heard — unashamed and unwavering declaration to our Lord.
Here are some final thoughts from Deathmerits:
Thanks to John Lindsey for taking the time to meet us.
Listen to Deathmerits here:
Apple Music • Deezer • Other Links
Connect with Deathmerits here:
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I really wanted to know what the inspiration behind using MLJ for Folly was.
Top interview! Thanks for this