Later this month, one of the more promising bands to burst out of the fertile Hudson Valley region of New York, Age of Apocalypse, will be releasing their sophomore album, In Oblivion. Formed in 2018, the quintet's blend metallic hardcore with frontman Dylan Kaplowitz's classic heavy metal-tinged singing style helped set them apart from the endless groups rocking the harsh vocal approach.
The follow-up to their 2022 debut LP, Grim Wisdom, the material on In Oblivion, and its delivery, sounds like the fully realized vision of Age of Apocalypse the previous material released hinted at. I asked Dylan if he agreed with that estimation of things. "I think that’s a pretty fair assessment, we’ve had a long time to find our sound," the vocalist told me via email.
"Not much trial and error, [guitarist] Jack [Xiques] would send me the demos and I’d find the melodies, although there was plenty of experimentation during the recording process with the vocals.
Dylan's vocals have always helped set Age of Apocalypse apart from the pack, but In Oblivion showcases his best work in the booth yet. I asked him what he's learned about his voice and the maintenance that goes into it in these last few years. "I was never properly trained to sing," the frontman told me. "I had a little experience in elementary school while I was in school choir.
"It’s taken me years to understand how to control my voice and especially the breath work to do it. I think the difference with the vocals on 'In Oblivion' was having more self confidence and really understanding my range. Also, it’s all about committing. If you’re gonna do it, really fucking do it!"
When asked about some of his favorite vocalists, Dylan listed off Roy Orbison, Diana Ross, Sade, and Weyes Blood. Though In Oblivion was produced by Taylor Young (Twitching Tongues, God's Hate), he said that some of their pre-production efforts made the final cut.
"Surprisingly, during recording, Jack and I were able to use quite a bit of the demoed vocals as the final takes for a good chunk of the songs. We wanted to keep the energy we captured on some of the initial takes, which was different from what we did on Grim Wisdom."
Speaking of vocals, In Oblivion features guest appearances from Graham Sayle (High Vis), Colin Young (Twitching Tongues, Holy Blade), and the album's latest single, "Gilded Hatred," which finds Dylan teaming up with Shaun of Demonstration of Power. "Shaun DOP is the homie, and we all love High Vis so we’d thought we’d ask Graham. Asking Colin to get on was a no-brainer since we were working with [his brother] Taylor again."
With the new album hitting stores at the end of the month, I asked Dylan what were some goals for Age of Apocalypse he's set that they've yet to accomplish. "I’m trying to go to Japan and SEA. The goals of AoA have always been to have fun, once the fun stops, that’s it."
***
In Oblivion will be out on May 23rd via Closed Casket Activities (pre-order).
Age of Apocalypse tour dates:
9/17 - UK @ Glasgow Audio %
9/18 - UK @ Leeds Bloom %
9/19 - UK @ Brighton DIE Fest %
9/20 - UK @ Newcastle The Grove %
9/21 - UK @ Birmingham Muthers %
9/22 - FR @ Paris Glazart %
9/23 - BE @ Antwerp Kavka %
9/24 - NL @ Maastricht Muziekgieterij %
9/25 - DE @ Bochum Die Trompete %
9/26 - DE @ Hamburg Hafenklang %
9/27 - DE @ Berlin Urban Spree %
9/28 - DE @ Erfurt AJZ %
% with Balmora, Cross of Disbelief
Tagged: age of apocalypse
