A Dirty Dozen with TYLER CARUSO from ABSENCE OF DESPAIR – August 2019

According to a recent press release: “Providence, Rhode Island-based modern metalcore upstarts ABSENCE OF DESPAIR have made waves in the scene since their formation in 2008, but are set for national acclaim with their brand new album, Desolate, scheduled for release on September 13, 2019. The album features 12 brand new, heavy-hitting anthems that showcase this hard working up-and-coming band’s undeniable raw talent. Ripping, intense metal grooves blended with addictive hooks poise ABSENCE OF DESPAIR’s Desolate as an undeniable metalcore favorite of 2019.” We get guitarist Tyler to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

One of the biggest noticeable differences on Desolate is that it’s our first record in which we switched to a much lower tuning. Desolate was written fully in Drop A#, as opposed to our older material being in a much higher tuning (Drop C#). This gives everything a much darker and more aggressive sound. We went into this writing process with open minds and lots of aggression. The listener should definitely be able to take in and really feel the whole vibe of the record after the first or second time listening. There is a lot of raw emotion and truth to this album. Diehard fans will have to listen VERY closely to the ending voices to “Wild”.. 😉

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

All my life I’ve always been very into music from a super young age. The day I started playing guitar and learning songs I was instantly hooked and knew what I was meant to do in life. It was like an undeniable connection with the guitar. Call it Destiny if you will.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Slipknot was my first metal band that I ever heard and fell in love with, so that moved me right away into the heavy music world. Bands like Avenged Sevenfold, As I Lay Dying, Metallica and Pantera REALLY shaped my overall heavy music taste. The first time that i saw Avenged Sevenfold was a monumental moment for me that made me really want to strive and pursue a music career.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Slipknot, Pantera, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Bullet For My Valentine.They all shaped my style of guitar playing as well.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d say Kevin Churko. His production is top notch and game changing. Kevin has produced some of the best selling, chart topping songs of the past decade, and that is super admirable to me.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I always describe it as heavy metalcore, but with BIG infectious choruses and an overall fresh twist on the genre.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in,and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Rob or Joe are typically the chefs in these situations, and We all LOVE to get our drinking in! Dillon is always the first one to pick up the acoustic and start jamming out. We’re the kind of people who can always raise hell and have an excellent time together no matter where we are or who we’re with. Anyone who meets us will tell ya the same thing!

8. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

I ran into James Hetfield briefly at The Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood a few years back and was totally in shock. Having a living legend and someone who has inspired you so much, to be standing right in front of you in the same room rocking out at a show was something I will NEVER forget. I hope to meet him again some day and perhaps even open for Metallica.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

My favorite part is always meeting fans and hearing their stories. When people tell you about how much your music has helped them through dark times and has had such an impact on their life, it is truly a great feeling. Being able to impact a persons life in a positive way through music is the greatest thing in the world. If i could no longer be a musician, my dream job would be to keep striving to be a successful musician 😉 Dreams don’t work unless you do!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? I believe the answer is 5! hahaha. Im usually pretty open and don’t mind most questions.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Never. I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and you live and you learn. Every step that I have taken in life has led me to where I am today, and I’m grateful for that. I’m always looking onwards and upwards with everything.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Guns N’ Roses, Appetite For Destruction. That is a timeless record that shows NO boundaries and pure Rock N Roll chaos. I’d love to experience what they were all thinking bringing that monster to life. This is always going to be one of my favorites. It is ruthless, raw, aggressive and pure fucking bad ass and has always inspired me.

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Category: Interviews