Municipal Waste just unleashed a surging return with their new LP, Electrified Brain, on Nuclear Blast. Two decades and a thrash revival on their veteran backs, a re-energized quintet has come to dominate with their passion and energy distilled over a placid pandemic. Tony Foresta, plodding through the humidity of a Florida summer, got on the phone after walking his two dogs, a chihuahua and a rottweiler/pitbull mix. “They look like Ren & Stimpy,” he quips.
Foresta admits to initially rushing this record as the uncertainly of a COVID dormancy was looming. The world halting allowed The Waste to address and adjust their songwriting and add more meat to the album and individual songs.
“We were able to go back and write a way better record. It gave us time to tweak shit, (including) six songs that weren’t supposed to be on the record. It worked out in our favor.”
The “we” comprising Municipal Waste is based on the four members who have held it down since their second album, the breakthrough behemoth, Hazardous Mutation (2005, Earache); Landphil, bass; Tony Foresta, vocals; Ryan Waste, guitars; and the man, Dave Witte on drums. On the band’s previous album, Slime and Punishment, they added a fifth shredder, Nick Poulos on lead guitar. Here, Poulos has been let off the leash. His solos add just enough without delving into Yngwie hero worship. Solos are concise and targeted, making sure that the mania of the riff remains the focus.
The recording and production were helmed by the one and only Arthur Rizk.
“What’s really bizarre is that Arthur scratches all those weird itches that Ryan and I have,” Foresta muses. “Arthur knows an extended amount of hardcore and has a history of working with newer hardcore bands and older thrash bands like Sacred Reich and Kreator. He knows his shit when it comes to heavy metal. Obviously. He plays in Eternal Champion, and that is right up our alley. That is how we want our record to sound.”
Rizk harnessed the well-honed live vibe that defines the acme of Municipal Waste — their live set. Relentless touring is what perpetuates their success. Rizk nailed that confidence and synchronicity of the band’s sound.
Electrified Brain is The Waste’s third album on Nuclear Blast, a veteran of the industry. “We just resigned with them. They are very supportive. They are fun. We get along great with them. There are a lot of cool people that work there. They are accepting of our ideas. All we want to do is make crazy music videos and do as many ridiculous tours as possible. If we can get funding for that shit, then it’s great. They knew that when they signed us. We’re not a hard band to make happy.”
Regarding his time in Iron Regan, Foresta divulges, “It turned problematic for me for a while because I tried to do too much with both bands. And I usually had a very good talent of balancing it all with my home and personal life. And all of it spiraled out of control a few years ago. I was just overworked. But at the time, you’re not just thinking about yourself. You’re thinking more about the people in both bands. And you’re trying to make other people happy. You need to dial it back and focus on yourself and your health.”
This is where the sage behind the kit comes into the fray. Appreciation arrives in the subtle form of a deluge from Foresta. “Witte has always been an inspiration for me,” he continues to explain, “as far as being able to balance his personal life, family, and his musical endeavors while keeping Municipal Waste as a priority. “I’m still learning from the guy. We’ve all been doing a lot of shit,” he chuckles. “It has been good.”
This year and 2023 will pave a familiar road for Municipal Waste, filled with tours, fests, and gory, outlandish videos.
Foresta excitedly shares, “a couple more videos are already done that are fucking great.” This year will also see the band play a “couple shows in Tennessee with Midnight. We’re playing a festival that Frozen Soul is putting on with 200 Stab Wounds and Creeping Death.”
A mention is dropped of the Instagram videos of Frozen Soul’s “push-up pits” phenomenon. He interjects, “We’re gonna outdo the push-up pit and start handing out jump ropes.” Should go well. Like “Free Bat Day” at Yankee Stadium.
Also slated is a full U.S. tour with At The Gates, starting in Worcester at Tattoo the Earth Fest. The Festival’s August 27 return boasts Anthrax, The Red Chord, Crowbar, At The Gates, Overcast, Hatebreed and many more blessing the outdoor stage.
“I wonder if that parking lot is haunted too,” Foresta laughs. “That venue is haunted as shit.”
Municipal Waste will be supporting Anthrax throughout Europe soon after — a thrash fan’s indulgent paradise.
Watch the video for “Electrified Brain” here:
For more from Municipal Waste, find them on Facebook, Instagram, and their official website.
Photo courtesy of Rob Coons
