Controlled Demise is a local, Progressive Metalcore band. Formed in late 2006, guitarist Chepe Ruiz and vocalist Zack Beecroft are the only original members. While their sound has evolved, they were initially a classic, early 2000’s Metalcore band, full of angst with a message of “fuck the world and find power within yourself,” which the members still believe in. They have two albums, 2012’s “Failure is not an option!” and 2014’s “Dream. Create. Destroy. Rebuild.”
The band has seen multiple lineup changes, multiple tours and countless show, sharing the stage with some of the genres best bands, including Hatebreed, Emmure, Suicide Silence, Within the Ruins, I Declare War, Sylar, Betraying the Martyrs, Adestria and Hemlock. Their current lineup might prove to be the most stable, filled out with drummer, Joey Cushman, the hot, hairy-assed Storm Mereno on bass and guitarist Stephen Myers.
I killed Zack earlier this summer. Distraught that they had been separated from their leader, the group collected the body parts of his cadaver, stapled his head back on and fed him Orange Jameson, in hopes of reanimating their old friend back to normal. But all they succeeded in doing was reanimating a killing machine….
~Maris THe Great
THE DEMISE OF CONTROLLED DEMISE
CONTROLLED DEMISE FINAL INTERVIEW
Zack, when you joined the band, what do you think you brought?
Zack: I brought a different work ethic, a different type of energy and leadership. A different charisma. Someone that can challenge and be challenged
Chepe: He immediately took on the roles he plays still. He’s more than a front man, he’s our face and our muscle. Always has been. He’s a hell of a leader.
Did his alpha style rub anyone the wrong way?
Chepe: Nope. His work showed promise for growth for the entire band. It snowballed and we got bigger and bigger shows. We obviously all put in work, but Zack was our driving force. Eventually we were big enough, at one point to play a sold out show with Hatebreed! We worked really hard for a while!!!. Zack pushed us hard as fuck back then. And we all fed into that fuel.
What about musically? Did everything connect from the very first meeting?
Zack: You know, I think that overall at first I wasn’t necessarily what they were looking for. They all definitely warmed up to my style after the energy matched. I brought a more hardcore and cleaner vocals at first, than I did dirty vocals. It definitely grew on everyone once we played more shows and started meshing.
What were the musical influences in the beginning, versus where they are now?
Chepe: Man, we had a lot of circa 2007, “New England hardcore/metalcore ” influences back then. Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Shadows Fall, Unearth. Also bands like Darkest Hour, Chimaira and softer stuff like Bullet For My Valentine. We had some thrash elements early on too. In recent days, we have gained some Progressive Metalcore and Djent influences. We also have random Pop Punk and Grindcore influences. Our lineup has changed a lot in the last six years, so every new musician brings a new element. We adhere to the idea that we all are here to make music that makes us all happy. If we all don’t love it, we usually phase it out.
Tell me about the first album, “Failure is not an option”
Chepe: By that point, we had about 15 songs we played on a consistent basis. We only wanted the best on there. “Failure is Not an Option” was a concept put together by our original drummer (Stevie), who wrote a good amount of lyrics alongside Zack. Zack had a bit of a failed attempt of suicide prior to joining the band, so the noose and together all of the album art are all significant to that idea. We wanted to be motivational. The lyrics on that album have always been enough inspire a lot of our closest peers to remain persistent in all of life’s battles, internal and external. We are all proud of that album and what it stands for. Even our newest members are. Enough so, that we play a few of those songs in recent practices, with the intent to get them in set rotation for a while.
Zack: It’s the pride of the band so far. A lot of experiences, a lot of emotions and positivity was the focus. “Failure is not an Option!” is based on giving up, suicide, failing in life. What can you do to turn it around for you and the people around you. When the world is crashing in, you have to find the strength to give it your all. From family, friends, brotherhood, band. Strength, power, hate and rage.
Chepe mentioned you having a failed suicide attempt, Zack. Care to elaborate?
Zack: When I was around 20 years old I personally tried to hang myself. I set up shop in a shed. It was late in the afternoon. Depression, pills and booze was running my life. I had enough at the time. I didn’t know how to manage the emotions and didn’t know how to talk to someone about it. I stepped up and strapped the noose around my neck. Took the step. The rope wasn’t strong enough to hold my weight and the rope snapped. As I laid there looking up, I didn’t know what was actually happening except I was breathing. From that moment, I appreciated life. I appreciated those around me.
Did the experience make it into any songs?
Zack: There was one song that I wrote shortly after I joined Controlled Demise called “My Life, My Destiny”. I was having some suicidal thoughts and decided to put my thoughts to paper. How would those around you react? How would their world change? What are you going to do to avoid suicide?
And would you like to personally address the issue?
Zack: Suicide shouldn’t be looked down upon or viewed as a selfish act. First off, we do not know what are the real battles that someone is going through. It may be a whole different world when that person is alone or behind closed doors. Be available. Listen. Listen. Listen. Support unselfishly. There should never be a feeling of anger or resentment if someone is having those suicidal thoughts or has attempted. It should be looked at as a topic that we are able to help lift someone. To help change a life, not to lose it. Life is fragile. Life can be amazing if we use the tools, the support and the people around us. Open, honest and a true connection conversation about suicide can open doors to saving that life. Don’t be afraid to reach out ever.
Second album “Dream. Create. Destroy. Rebuild.”
Chepe: The second album was recorded with our good friend Mike Antram. He ran a small studio in his home as well, called Five Weight Studios. We, as a band, wanted a bit more of a “raw” sound. Sorta like a live recording. A very long debate left us recording that one with no metronome. That album is good, but the recordings don’t always do those songs justice. We are getting ready to re-record some of those soon.
Zack: It was an album concept. It played off of the first in a post apocalyptic kind of feel. It’s the end of the world, how are you going to fight? A couple of my personal favorites were on “Dream. Create. Destroy. Rebuild.” This album is where the band started picking up a bunch of steam, more and more National shows, attention and different markets. We actually released this album at Wayne Static’s last Denver show ever at The Roxy. It was absolutely incredible.
And you followed that up last year with a single
Zack: “Memories and Moments.” That was one of the last tracks that was recorded with the original core of Demise. It was kind of a symbolic release. An ode to what was and the rebirth of what is coming. Sinister Star did a lyric video for it.
Why haven’t there been more recordings through the years?
Zack: We ended up losing members, gaining members, members coming back. There has been a lot of music written since the second album, but a lot of that music couldn’t be used anymore.
With your people management skills, I would think you would retain members that were more stable.
Zack: Most of them were pretty stable. They had stability to raise a family, chase other opportunities and different life paths. My people management skills are so good, we hired a drummer in Joey that is in three bands, Storm who has been watching us since he was mid teens, now plays bass for us. And my son Stephen, who seems to be the one that kind of challenged the band to grow up technology-wise. Chepe left, but came back to the band. We’re at the most stable spot we’ve ever been in. No guessing on if someone is leaving anymore.
Everyone has seen your butt. But few have seen your ween. Why are you so guarded with it? Is it all fucked up, or something like that?
Zack: Sacredness is manifested in sacred officials, such as priests and kings; in specially designated sacred places, such as temples and images; and in natural objects, such as rivers, the sun, mountains, trees or Zack’s ween.
But on the other end of the spectrum, you show everybody yours, Chepe. It is a beautiful wang, by the way.
Chepe: Haha. Well thank you. I’ve actually been told that by every woman I’ve been with… so I take pride in it and take care of my penis.
Chepe: Haha. Well thank you. I’ve actually been told that by every woman I’ve been with… so I take pride in it and take care of my penis.
Zack, tell me about Swinging Noose Productions.
Zack: Not too long after I joined Controlled Demise, I decided to develop this production company, which is focused on getting people to express themselves, artistically or musically. I needed a name. Due to my suicide attempt, I came up with “Swinging Noose Productions”. It’s a symbol for life. Life is more than you think and it can be beautiful if you let it.
You caught shit about the name a couple of years back from cancel culture. How did you both feel about that?
Zack: At first it was upsetting and really pissed me off. Show after show there was someone else complaining about us being racist, encouraging suicide, that we were going to lynch the NBA. But for now, I either try to explain the name to give clarity or I ignore. I used to play against them and belittle their claims instead of being diplomatic and having a conversation. As for the cancel culture that seems to be so contagious, fed by social media and don’t read into this wrong… the “me too” people that put up bullshit canceling just because someone else is Now, there are those that need to be canceled, that absolutely need to be canceled. The racism, the bigots, the rape, the murderers. We do have a voice and can use that for a positive change. Regardless of political alignment. We need to avoid the static and fighting against one another and align with each other. And yes. Fuck the cancel culture.
Chepe: In a general sense, I think a big group of people were just too sensitive. The broken noose, for Zack, and actually for Controlled Demise, has a great symbolization. If people could understand the broken noose as a symbol of your ability to grow, change, and live and what it means to actually find yourself in the darkest parts of your soul… then, they could understand more about what we stand for, as a band as well.
Has SNP helped or hurt the band?
Zack: It’s helped more than hurt. I’ve learned a lot, made contacts and grew as a leader. Sure some things may have hurt and people look at it as a conflict of interest. But the thing is, I’m not going to ask other bands to do what I’m not asking Controlled Demise to do.
What’s the future for Controlled Demise?
Zack: Between three Eps, writing, an upcoming tour with Leveler. talks of more tours, management is interested in partnering up with us. The next 12-14 months could be the biggest accomplishments we’ve done. We’ve played the big stages with the big bands. Big crowds and people screaming lyrics back at us. We are on the upswing right now. We’re going to ride that, make those waves but be smart about how we conduct ourselves. This is the launching point right now.
Photos by Dthia and The Loaf
© 2022 Maris The Great All Rights Reserved