Carrying the Flame

An Interview with Josean Orta of Fit for An Autopsy

Interviewed by: George Archibald
Photos By: Andrew Bastion

2017 is shaping up to be the rebirth of deathcore, with so many bands on the cusp of releasing new material. Even the band Thy Art is Murder has begun the campaign of ‘Let’s Make Deathcore Great Again’. Falling inline is Fit for An Autopsy with their newest release, The Great Collapse due to drop on March 17th. I was fortunate to catch this band on the very first date of the Carry the Flame tour alongside other greats as After the Burial, Emmure, and Fit for A King. After a very energy packed set, I got to speak with drummer Josean Orta to hear more about his story with the band, and to find out if I could, what we can expect on The Great Collapse.

GA: How about we start off with the new Album about to be released. What can you tell me about it?
JO: It is coming out on March 17th, and it is called The Great Collapse and it is very, very heavy. We have two songs out already, one called Heads Will Hang and there is a video for it. The other is called Iron Moon, and we will be releasing one more song before the release.

GA: In anticipation for this album, can the listeners expect any new changes? Any expansion from the last album by chance?
JO: For sure, we are always looking to expand and experiment with our sound. We continue to push ourselves as writers and as musicians. The album sounds definitely like Fit for An Autopsy, but there are a few new elements. It is a very heavy and groovy album.

GA: Fit for An Autopsy was also a part of the Depression Sessions, with The Acacia Strain and Thy Art Is Murder, how did that all come about?
JO: That was sick, we were all hanging out one day like a year before the album. Some of the guys were working at the studio that we work at and we all took a picture together and put it online, the fans all freaked out; and the idea for the album just came up. It was a fun album to put together because we were all just hanging out through it all. We are all friends and have toured together, so it made the process very easy.

GA: Last time I saw Fit for An Autopsy, the band was on tour with Thy Art Is Murder around last summer. It was a very awesome tour to go out and watch. So, who’s idea was it to cover Nine Inch Nails’ The Perfect Drug?
JO: That was Will’s idea, he is kind of like the brain behind our band. He told us he had that idea, and what do you guys think about using it? We heard what he had together and we were like that’s sick.  We just had to do it.

GA: So how did you get started with Fit for An Autopsy?
JO: I moved from Puerto Rico to New Jersey in May of 2011. I went to every show that I could, and I told everyone that I played drums. One day I needed a ride to go to a convention, and Pat Sheridan was living in New Jersey at the time, and I met him because my boss put me in contact with him. I told him that I needed a ride and he was the guy that offered to take me. He looked like a metal guy, so I asked him what did he all listen to, and he told Meshuggah and a few other bands. I was said, “sick man, I play drums and I just moved here. If you ever need a drummer to let me know.” He told me, he had a band and didn’t need a drummer at that time. A few months later he gave me a call and asked if I was still interested. He said he really needed a drummer and that we would be going out on tour for a month. I said yes before even listening to the music, I wanted to go on tour with any band at that time. That’s how it happened, just a random thing. I am very lucky I guess.

GA: What was that first show like playing with the band?
JO: It was very different at the time. I wasn’t planning on joining a brutal death metal band, but I was open to a lot of things. Obviously to play this type of music I had to train very hard. When I heard their music, I was like; ‘Oh damn I must train my feet, I’m going to have to do more blasting, and everything.’ These were things I knew how to do, but now it would be for longer times, for a half hour so that was different. I freaked out immediately but I went to the studio and practiced every day so I could be in shape for the audition. Well here I am 2017, so it’s been close to six years now.

GA: I know that Fit for An Autopsy is somewhat gear oriented. Your guitar players have many endorsements along with Fishman pickups. Do you have anything going on for you with drums, or want to mention what you play on?
JO: I am sponsored by Zildjian, and I play Gretsch drums. When it comes to sticks, I use ProMark, and for drum heads I use Evans. So far everyone has been so good to me, it just all sounds so sick. Zildjian delivers every time I tour, everything is just on point the sound is almost too good for what we do. We are very heavy and very noisy, so whatever I choose to use after all these tours, it has to be about the best sounding for me. Also on the record you can hear the difference. If you are a drummer and pay attention to those cymbal tones, you can hear the quality.

GA: I have noticed with the advances in the equipment and the changes the band has implemented, the band keeps its heaviness but there is such clarity that comes through, even live.
JO: We have to, because we play everywhere. We perform in the smallest bars to some of the biggest venues. It’s very hard to control how we are going to sound. So, if you have something that sounds good by itself it helps. It takes forever to realize what works, you have to actually play all these types of venues to be able to compare and figure it out. That is my theory and what seems to work best for me. It just takes a long time to find your sound, and I think it is one of the most important things you have to do as a musician.

GA: Today is the first day of the Carry the Flame tour, are there any stops that you are anticipating?
JO: I always enjoy going to the west coast. The weather is usually nice, and I have a lot of friends on the west coast. It is also very laid back, but I like playing everywhere. I am always grateful for anyone to show up to any of our shows. I like to play in the middle of nowhere for whatever that means, because there are people who can’t make it to the bigger cities. It’s great for us to try and get out there, and play for those people because not everyone can make it out. They have their own schedules with work and life, so we get it, but it’s hard to control where we go sometimes. I do appreciate when we try to go to these smaller areas, because the people are very grateful for sure.

GA: What is next for the band after this tour? Do you have another tour lined up already?
JO: We do when this tour is done. I think march 21st then we have a few days off then going to connect with Unearth. We have some Canadian dates, which I am not sure on the dates right now off the top of my head, but the information is on our Facebook and Instagram. Then this summer we have a few bigger festivals in Europe to look forward to. There is also a lot of other stuff in the works, but nothing concrete yet.

GA: What are you looking forwards to in the future?
JO: Being busy and wanting to be the Headliner. I also want to keep writing music and further develop our following of fans that understand what we do, and appreciate what we do. We try to be honest, and work hard, tour in a van, eat at gas stations, because we love it. Obviously, we all get frustrated when on tour at times, because we are far away from home, and all that, but we love doing this!! If I can stay busy playing for people that care, that’s all I can ask for.

GA: Anything else you would like to add?
JO: I want to thank everyone who has been supporting the band. A few years ago, we had no idea that we would be able to do all of this, and it’s very overwhelming. Thank you all very much.

Thank you Josean for speaking with me, and I wish you well on tour. You can catch Fit for An Autopsy on tour now with After the Burial, Emmure, and Fit for a King on the Carry the Flame tour. You can also follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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