Portrayal of Guilt’s new album …Beginning of the End, out this Friday, might take the cake for most topical title of the year. On these eleven songs, the Austin-born trio is as menacing and blackened as ever, but they’ve coated their hallmark boundary-pushing exploration with a bit more polish. Per an Instagram comment, the band thinks “the nu metal comparisons are inaccurate,” but you can check out their upcoming North American tour to decide for yourself. Music this heavy deserves to be experienced face-to-face-to-elbow. We chatted with vocalist Matt King about being scared, breaking a Korn CD, and the album’s memorable Slim Guerilla feature.

Your new record is called …Beginning of the End. What is the “end” in question?

Matt King: Earth's habitability, human civilization.

The sole feature on the album is from fellow Texan, Slim Guerilla. How’d that come together?

I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. While working on the album, I had a loop that I thought would work well as an interlude. I’ve always wanted to get into producing, especially for rappers, and I felt this would be the perfect opportunity to open that door. I contacted him directly and he turned the track around the same night.

What does being scared feel like for you? Is it a good feeling?

Like I want to throw up and pass out. No! It’s a terrible feeling.

How do you balance running your label with being in a band? Are there any recent releases people should have on their radar? 

I’m pretty transparent with everyone I work with on our label as well as the people who support it. It’s just me, so I’m only able to function when our band isn’t on tour, however that will change soon. Institute had a new 7” come out recently, I thought that was good. P.I.G. from LA just put out a new record that I liked as well.

Do you have to compartmentalize when writing about darker subject matter? What hobbies help you decompress?

Not really, when I write lyrics I’m just going with whatever comes to mind when listening to the music. It’s a process. Sitting in my room, turning on some music and zoning out for a while is how I like to decompress. That or smoking a cigarette.

Matt, how do you keep your voice healthy on the road? How do all of you get through such demanding sets?

I get this question a lot. If I’m sick I’ll drink the classic hot tea and honey, otherwise I don’t do anything, I just exist. We each have our own ways of taking care of ourselves on the road, it varies.

Your personal music taste is as varied as your own output. How do you decide which genres to explore, and which to leave for your own listening enjoyment? 

We don’t go into writing with a set idea in mind, however I’m sure whatever I’ve been listening to around that time has something to do with the output.

You dip into some nü-metal on this record. Do you have any formative memories with bands like Korn, who you’ve cited as an inspiration? What is the biggest pair of pants you’ve ever owned?

I remember an instance when I was around 10 years old, Issues had just come out and at the time I wasn’t exactly allowed to listen to albums with cursing, etc. I somehow got ahold of the CD and when my parents found it, they made me break it. I tried to tape it back together … Obviously that didn’t work. Not quite formative, but a lasting memory. I still haven’t forgiven them.

Photo Credit: Craig Murray