A Dirty Dozen with SCOTT FAIRFAX from AS THE WORLD DIES – March 2025

Photo credit: StageDive Photography

According to a recent press release: ““Under A Dying Sky” is the latest single from British death metal collective, AS THE WORLD DIES. The track comes by way of the band’s upcoming second studio album, Nebula, set for release on March 21st via Reaper Entertainment. Following the success of their previous single “Dark Oblivion,” “Under A Dying Sky” continues to showcase AS THE WORLD DIES’ signature fusion of heavy, melodic riffs and apocalyptic storytelling. The track is a brutal yet thought-provoking journey, blending relentless death metal aggression with atmospheric synths and progressive elements. AS THE WORLD DIES is a relentless force in the UK death metal scene, spearheaded by guitarist and songwriter Scott Fairfax. Known for his work with Memoriam, Massacre, and Benediction, Fairfax brings decades of experience to the table, crafting an unparalleled blend of crushing riffs, symphonic darkness, and cosmic devastation.” We get guitarist Scott to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Well Nebula has lots of things in the background that don’t overwhelm the main focus which is old school death metal, but yes there are harmonies that you will hear, and next time you listen youl hear another one 😉

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

I think I’ve always been into music, I remember taping songs off the radio back in the day and making my own little mix tapes haha, but I guess at school my main love of computers and music came together when my music teacher had a Atari 1040ste running cubase, back in the day of samplers and midi was in it’s infancy, and all these years later I’m still using cubase, be it a very upgraded version, I also used to like drum and bass music because of the technology side of things using ataris and commodore amigas, which has never left me tbh, but now I use it for death metal!

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

There are many, firstly I think Genesis and 80’s synth stuff, and then onto stuff like Devin Townsend with Ocean Machine and Terria, there’s something about synths behind keyboards that gives you a wall of sound I can appreciate.

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

That’s easy, Devin Townsend 100% his earlier stuff and with syle is a major influence.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I restore classic cars, I only drive classic cars too, British ones!!! I have a 1972 MGB gt, a 1980 classic mini estate, a 1972 screen used Austin 1300, and my pride and joy a 1962 Commer Campervan, so to say when I have 5 minutes, between running and fixing and restoring and also producing albums for As The World Dies, Memoriam and H Drive Project, I don’t have much time left, if there is, I’m going bloody fishing!

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?

Hmm well it’s heavy, sometimes thought provoking if you give it chance to, every band and every album should be given a chance; not just labelled and pigeonholed and compared to other stuff.

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

Come off it!! The only time we are together is rehearsing and playing gigs, when recording the album Chris made drinks! Jay made his own, some lemon tea rubbish, I know Bill washes up at home, but the bigger hasn’t ever offered to wash up at mine!!

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

Hmmm strange one, wouldn’t say star struck as I’ve met a few people!! But the most famous person I’ve met was Bill Clinton, back in 1998 he came to Birmingham for some G8 meeting or some crap, he had a pint of Guinness in the rock café, we chatted about Motörhead as the bar had a Perspex top with tickets on view underneath, he finished his drink and his security took his glass, put it in a clear bag and smashed it, and took it with them.

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?

The best part is creating something from nothing, I also get that feeling from restoring cars, a dream job would not to have a job at all!

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?

Hmm, I don’t mind any questions really, I think when they go to deep into relationship stuff; that’s no one’s business really, the one question I hate getting asked is anything political, no thank you.

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?

Yes, I’d re-record The Silent Vigil Memoriam album, was a weird time with weird shit going on, a weird studio and a very fucking weird record producer who eventually walked off never to be seen again (good riddance) great songs, awful production, my demos where of better quality. People seemed to find good things in it though but for me I’d do it again and give justice to the tracks.

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?

I think it would be either be Ocean Machine or Terria by Devin Townsend or At The Gates’ Slaughter Of The Soul. Absolute masterpieces, the. Again, it could be effigy of the forgotten by suffocation… so many classic albums which I have had on repeat.

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Category: Interviews