Exclusive Interview: James Clark and Travis Montgomery of KILL THE LIGHTS Dive Into 'Death Melodies'

KILL THE LIGHTS Promo Pic (2) - COVER PHOTO

As we eagerly await the release of ‘Death Melodies,’ we’re privileged to dive deep into the creative minds behind KILL THE LIGHTS, joined by vocalist James Clark and guitarist Travis Montgomery. With the band’s dynamic fusion of talent and experience from diverse metal backgrounds, their forthcoming album promises to offer listeners an unparalleled sonic experience. Set against the backdrop of their collaborative process and thematic explorations, our conversation with James and Travis unveils the intricate layers of their music, providing fans with an exclusive insight into the evolution of KILL THE LIGHTS.

Guided by a shared vision and fueled by their collective musical journey, James and Travis offer a glimpse into the band’s unique blend of modernity and classic metal influences. As we delve into the themes, inspirations, and creative dynamics that shape their upcoming album, ‘Death Melodies,’ set to be released on March 8th via Fearless Records, it becomes evident that KILL THE LIGHTS is poised to carve its niche in the metal landscape, delivering an album that transcends boundaries and resonates with audiences worldwide.

INFRARED MAG: First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): No problem, at all! Thanks for having us.

INFRARED MAG: Your upcoming album ‘Death Melodies‘ is set to release March 8th via Fearless Records. Can you share some insights into what listeners can expect from this album?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): People can expect to hear the first actual cohesive KTL experience. The Sinner was all old demos of Jordan’s that we reworked and updated, whereas ‘Death Melodies‘ is the first time we have written music as a full band.

INFRARED MAG: The band consists of former members from various metal bands. How has this diverse background influenced the sound of KILL THE LIGHTS?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): I think it’s all worked in our favor, actually. All of our other projects have been metalcore or offshoots of that, so it has been very easy to work together. I bring more of the modern, more technical style to the table, while Jordan has more of the old school metal sounding riffs and melodies, so our playing compliments each other.

INFRARED MAG: Despite being spread across different locations, how do you manage to collaborate effectively in the creative process?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Well, thankfully with the internet and how easy it is to set up a home studio nowadays, this wasn’t difficult at all. We really got our writing process dialed in throughout the pandemic. Jordan and I send over a riff or a song idea, and if the other guys dig it, then we work on it further and Moose adds in his flair by programming the drums more to his style.

INFRARED MAG: “From Ashes” is one of the singles from your upcoming album. Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song and its message?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): ‘From Ashes’ is a song about having to live with the pain of knowing that you let your loved ones down.

INFRARED MAG: The music video for “From Ashes” is visually striking. How important is the visual aspect in conveying the message of your music?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): We are super happy with the visuals for the whole upcoming album. It was a great situation having one production team create the concepts and vision for the whole album. We were able to record all five videos at the same time.

INFRARED MAG: “The Faceless” has garnered over 2 million Spotify streams. What do you think it is about this song that has resonated so strongly with listeners?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): I think that song along with most of the tracks off of The Sinner feel like a throwback to early 2000’s metalcore, but with a modern twist. People have been very receptive to the sound, and I think it’s just something that people have been craving for a while now.

INFRARED MAG: Your singles “Through The Night” and “Shed My Skin” have also crossed the 1 million mark on Spotify. How does it feel to receive such positive responses from your audience?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): That always feels great! We put a lot of time and effort into writing this music and making it the best that we can, so it’s always nice when that’s appreciated.

INFRARED MAG: Can you share some details about the themes and stories explored in your upcoming album ‘Death Melodies‘?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): The record takes you on a guided tour of someone who is battling depression, anxiety and living mental health problems. It shows the extreme highs and lows of the journey, the battle to get healthy and win when the odds are stacked against you. The record also touches on faith, family dynamics and addiction.

INFRARED MAG: Mental health is a topic that’s becoming increasingly important in the music industry. How do you approach this subject in your music, and why is it important to you?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): Mental health is a large part of my lyrical content. Suffering from Anxiety and depression is a daily battle for me and the more awareness we can create the more likely people feel more comfortable sharing and discussing their struggles.

INFRARED MAG: KILL THE LIGHTS is featured on official Spotify playlists like “The Core” and “Kickass Metal.” How has streaming and online platforms affected your reach and connection with fans?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): It’s been a tremendous help for the band! Those playlists have a massive reach, and the more help we can get with promoting the band the better.

INFRARED MAG: Your band has received praise from publications like Metal Hammer and Kerrang! How does it feel to have your work recognized by these esteemed outlets?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Those are both classics, so it’s always awesome to be featured by them!

INFRARED MAG: With a history of being in other successful bands, what made you decide to come together, and form KILL THE LIGHTS?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): From what I’ve heard from Moose, he wasn’t really doing anything music related at the time and was getting the itch to get a band going again. Moose had toured with Jordan while he was in Still Remains and liked his riffing style, so he hit Jordan up asking if he had some riff ideas lying around. Everything took off from there.

INFRARED MAG: The album title ‘Death Melodies‘ is intriguing. Can you share the meaning behind it and how it ties into the overall theme of the album?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): The album title originally came from a song title I came up with during the demo process. When we thought about the title it really summed up a lot of our vision for the record, which was to try and create a soundtrack that reflects the many highs and lows that many of us encounter throughout life. Ranging from battles with anxiety and depression to finding happiness and success. From having it all figured out to not knowing what our purpose in life is. We all have an unpredictable roller coaster of a ride that we can’t control. We just have faith and embrace the ride.

INFRARED MAG: How do you see KILL THE LIGHTS evolving as a band in the future, both musically and thematically?

KILL THE LIGHTS (James): I love that in our first two albums we have written a mix of music that stretches across multiple genres while still managing to maintain KILL THE LIGHTS identity. Our roots will always be deeply ingrained in metal/metalcore but having the ability to experiment and explore new sounds within those genres is what keeps it interesting for us. We never want to write the same song over and over.

INFRARED MAG: Live performances are an integral part of metal music. Do you have any plans for upcoming live shows or tours to support the album?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Yes! We actually just announced a headline EU/UK tour to start off our support of ‘Death Melodies‘. We’re in the process of getting more booked.

INFRARED MAG: Can you talk about the creative process within the band? How do you go about writing and composing your songs?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): It starts with Jordan and I coming up with a riff, parts of a song, or a whole idea. We send that to the other guys, and if there’s interest in it, we work on it further. Moose will edit the programmed drums on the demo, and add his style in. Jordan and I will refine guitar parts and then structure, then when everyone is happy with it, we send it over to James for him to add vocals.

INFRARED MAG: What advice would you give to emerging artists looking to make their mark in the rock and metal genre?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Stop trying to chase likes and get approval from people online. Social media is a great tool to promote yourself and your music, but always be true to what you like and yourself. The more authentic things come across, the more people will gravitate towards it.

INFRARED MAG: Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a significant influence on your music as KILL THE LIGHTS?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Testament are a few off of the top of my head. We all have common ground in loving that era of metal.

INFRARED MAG: How do you balance the demands of the music industry with maintaining your artistic integrity as a band?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): All of us keep up with what is trending as far as metal goes, but I wouldn’t say that necessarily pushes us in any direction. We just write what we want and try to make the best version of that. I think that’s all you can do, really. A lot of band’s sound very similar at the moment, and there’s not really any point in adding another similar sounding band into the pot.

INFRARED MAG: Finally, what message would you like to convey to your fans as you prepare to release ‘Death Melodies‘ and continue your musical journey as KILL THE LIGHTS?

KILL THE LIGHTS (Travis): Thanks for sticking around and being so supportive! It’s been tough being a new band that had to try to keep momentum during covid, so we really appreciate everyone that has stuck with us! We really hope you enjoy ‘Death Melodies‘ and hope to see you on the road soon!

As KILL THE LIGHTS prepares to unleash the raw energy and emotive depth of ‘Death Melodies‘ upon the world, their dedication to authenticity and innovation shines through. With a nod to their past and a bold step into the future, James, Travis, and the rest of the band invite fans to embark on a musical journey that transcends genre constraints and embraces the essence of metal in its purest form. As they prepare to hit the stage and share their music with audiences around the globe, we can’t help but anticipate the impact of ‘Death Melodies‘ and the continued evolution of KILL THE LIGHTS.

KILL THE LIGHTS is:
Michael “Moose” Thomas – Drums (Bridgend, Wales)
Jason “Jay” James – Bass (Bridgend, Wales)
James Clark – Vocals (Minneapolis, MN)
Jordan Whelan – Guitar (Grand Rapids, MI)
Travis Montgomery – Guitar (Dallas, TX)