New Skeletal Faces Push Boundaries with Until the Night: Punk, Metal, and Gothic Fusion Redefined

New Skeletal Faces, the genre-defying band led by Errol Fritz (vocals/guitar) and Don Void (drums), has once again pushed musical boundaries with their latest release, Until the Night. Following their debut, Celestial Disease, Until the Night showcases a bold evolution in their sound, blending elements of punk, gothic rock, metal, and more. In an insightful interview, Fritz and Void shared their thoughts on the album's creative process, signing with Peaceville Records, and what sets New Skeletal Faces apart from today's music scene.The band quickly points out how Until the Night differs from its predecessor. While Celestial Disease laid the foundation for New Skeletal Faces' identity Until the Night expands the band's sonic palette. "The songs are a lot more catchy on this album," Fritz explained. "It's just fucking catchy here to me." The album delves into a wider range of styles, from the aggressive, headbang-worthy Pagan War (arguably their heaviest track yet) to the darker, death-rock vibe of Enchantment of My Inner Coldness.Void also appreciates the new album's diversity: "There's stuff on Until the Night that's more punk, and stuff that's heavier than anything on Celestial Disease. It branches and pushes in every direction."Until the Night marks New Skeletal Faces' debut release on the legendary Peaceville Records. For the band, signing with the iconic label felt like a major milestone. "This is the first time I've ever been on a label of this size, so it's a big deal," Fritz said. Void added, "When we found out that they were interested, it was the easiest yes to ever say." The band had long admired Peaceville's roster, which includes genre-defining acts like Anathema, Paradise Lost, and Opeth. The support from Peaceville has been invaluable, allowing the band to stay true to their vision. "They immediately understood what we were about," Void said, noting how the label supported the band's unique artistic choices, including the gold foil album cover and custom vinyl variants.Speaking of the album cover, Until the Night features artwork by none other than Errol Fritz himself. Fritz, who also created the cover for the band's Sextinction EP, took a minimalist yet striking approach to the design. "Sometimes simplicity is better," he explained. "There's not a whole lot going on, but it says a lot." The artwork, which captures raw emotion, was a perfect complement to the album's diverse and atmospheric sound. "The minute you showed us those sick paintings of yours, we just knew they were the ones," Void said, praising Fritz's talent.The band also discussed making the music video for Ossuary Lust, filmed in a chapel in a cemetery just five minutes from Fritz's home. "We broke into this little chapel and just started filming," Fritz recalled. Despite the somewhat illicit nature of the shoot, the band had no issues with the church authorities. "Nobody stopped us. No priests walked in and tried to throw holy water on us," Fritz joked. The video, filled with striking imagery and a sense of rebellion, mirrors the band's aesthetic and attitude—uncompromising and raw.Another highlight for the band was working with legendary producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, W.A.S.P., and the godfather of Los Angeles heavy metal). "Bill is a legend," Void said. "His resume speaks for itself." The band recorded Until the Night themselves before bringing the material to Metoyer for the final production. "It was incredible," Fritz noted, explaining how Mitoia understood the band's vision and helped bring it to life. Fritz and Void formed a personal bond with Metoyer outside the studio, enjoying nights of casual drinks and conversation. "He's just a lot of fun," Void said. "We hit it off with him immediately."When asked what sets New Skeletal Faces apart from today's musical landscape, the band had a simple answer: nearly everything. "We're too heavy for goth, and then we're too goth for metal," Fritz said. "We're not political enough for punk. We don't really fit into current trends." This genre-defying approach has earned the band a loyal following, with fans drawn to their unique sound that blends elements from multiple genres without being confined to any single one.When it comes to musical influences, New Skeletal Faces draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of artists, including Celtic Frost, The Cure, David Bowie, P.I.L., and Killing Joke. These bands, known for their boundary-pushing styles, have significantly shaped New Skeletal Faces' sound. "Looking ahead, the band is eager to continue experimenting and expanding their sound, creating music that is as unpredictable and exciting as their live shows. As Void said, "We just want to keep making music that stands out and pushes boundaries."With Until the Night, New Skeletal Faces has delivered an album that is as ambitious as it is bold—marking the beginning of a new era for the band. As they continue to challenge expectations, one thing is clear: New Skeletal Faces is a force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy music.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.