PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Rejuvenated South Wales thrashers MADICIDE are back with a new line-up and explosive new single and video, Carnivore Incarnate, out now. Hit up the video at – https://youtu.be/fbVVyKBS3Jc . We caught up with the guys to find out below about their background:
What is the full band line-up, who sings and who plays which instrument?
Ceri Roberts (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, since 2010), Josh Bevan (Bass Guitar/ Backing Vocals, since 2010), Ian Woolfe (Lead Guitar, since 2011), Tim Roberts (Drums, since 2021)
How and when did the band form?
Josh, Ceri & Jack Williams (Drummer, 2010-2015) all went to the same school in South Wales (U.K) (Ystalyfera Comprehensive). Josh & Ceri had recently discovered thrash metal, mainly Metallica and Megadeth at the time – Josh (who was in the year below) basically nagged Ceri for a month or two to finally start a band. After a few drunken nights watching ‘Cliff em’ all’ while drinking Jager and vodka, Ceri agreed to start a band as the drummer (he’d been having drum lessons for a few years) with Josh on the bass guitar. During this brief period very little music was created as the two quickly realised that they needed a guitarist and singer to make any real progress.
Around the same time Ceri’s long-time friend Jack Williams mentioned that his dad was building a shed in his garden – The three decided to restructure the band; Ceri would give Jack his drumkit & start playing rhythm guitar and vocals, Josh would remain on bass while (another school friend) Elliot Cadmore would join as lead guitarist. The ‘Shed of Metal’ was born. In early 2011 Ian Woolfe would take over as lead guitarist, this would form the “original” Madicide line-up for years to come.
By 2011 – 2012 Madicide had released their first E.P “The Shed of Metal E.P” and after a number of energetic live shows had become far more confident on stage, refining what is now the ‘Madicide’ sound. At this time the band had also started playing with bigger acts such as; Sarah Jezebel Deva (ex-cradle of filth), Sworn Amongst as well as Revoker (fronted by Jamie Mathias; now in BFMV) which also helped solidify the bands reputation as an aggressive & exciting live act.
2013 – 2015; The band kicked off 2013 with another E.P. “The Killing Machine E.P” was accompanied by the band’s first ever music video for the title track “Killing Machine” and was released with a large launch show in Swansea – The band had kept up the momentum gathered throughout 2012 & following on from the success of the new E.P had begun to attract attention from bigger venues & bands including California thrashers ‘Bonded by Blood’ who joined Madicide for a packed out show at ‘Fuel Rock Bar’ in Cardiff.
Alongside the growing interest in the band and especially in the often chaotic and hectic live shows came a lot of pressure to keep up the ‘crazy’ image for all band members – this led to a lot of great live shows but also eventually to a shared sense of physical & mental burnout. By time that the ‘Death March’ single was released in 2015 the band was at breaking point, Ceri was recovering from major spine surgery and stuck taking morphine to manage the pain, the whole band was struggling with various substances to deal with the ever-increasing demand for more and more intense live shows… although “Death March” was the best Madicide had ever sounded on a recording, the timing was unfortunate as very shortly after release Madicide decided to take a “short” break. Mentally physically and spirituality drained, the boys shut the door to the “Shed of Metal” and threw away the keys… it would be years before that door would open again.
2020: It’s been 5 long years after the band took a “short” break to save their sanity. The Covid-19 pandemic has everyone under house arrest. Fuelled by boredom & isolation induced mania Ceri Roberts decided to start writing again and worked towards re-releasing “Death March” for the new generation of streaming services and a new audience that wasn’t available back in 2015. The spark had been reignited.
Over the next year, “Death March” would gain some traction, being played on BBC Radio, TotalRock and more alongside press articles re-introducing the band to a new generation of fans – Madicide would also rebrand with a new custom logo by designer Christophe Szpajdel (Emperor, Metallica & Foo Fighters) to suit the more modern sound of the new material.
New drummer Tim Roberts would also join the ‘new’ Madicide alongside original bassist and co-founder Josh Bevan, original lead guitarist Ian Woolfe and rhythm/guitar, vocals & co-founder Ceri Roberts. Although Madicide had historically steered towards an “old school” thrash sound, with the new line-up and revitalised energy the band felt ready to apply some new elements to their sound using groove and some grunge influences alongside the classic thrash metal aggression.
After the lockdown restrictions finally lifted in Wales the ‘new’ Madicide hit the road again, playing packed out headline shows around the U.K and also supporting other acts such as U.K thrash pioneers ‘Virus’ and Danish death metallers ‘Baest’. The band recently announced its first new single in years; “Carnivore Incarnate” with an accompanying music video is to be released in May (27th). There is so much more to come…
When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?
When Ian joined the band in 2011, we improved pretty much immediately – Prior to that moment none of us were particularly accomplished on our instruments. Jack only started playing drums the same day that he joined the band, Ceri had only played guitar since late 2009 (without any formal lessons) and Josh also hadn’t been playing bass for very long. Ian has played guitar from a young age and had already played with a few cover bands prior to joining. Once Ian had given us a few tips and tricks, the song writing and performance level improved greatly; by around 2012 – 2013 we had become far more confident on stage and the material had matured into what is now the ‘Madicide’ sound. Playing with bigger acts such as; Sarah Jezebel Deva (ex-cradle of filth) in 2012 as well as Revoker (fronted by Jamie Mathias; now in BFMV) also helped solidify us as a live act.
Who are your musical influences?
Motorhead, Testament, Metallica, Sepultura, Lamb of God, Evile, Pantera, Misfits, Sex Pistols, Suicidal Tendencies, Megadeth, Slayer, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Anthrax, Carcass, Alice in Chains, Arch Enemy, Dio … as well as some ‘un-metal’ influences such as Pink Floyd, Hendrix & AC/DC. Ian & Ceri also listen to a bit of classical guitar and Latin/Cuban guitars – ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, ‘Rodrigo y Gabriella’ type stuff. Phil Anselmo’s new project ‘En Minor’ is pretty cool too.
Where did the name of the band come from?
The band went through various temporary names during the very early stages including; ‘Steel Storm’, ‘Cyanide’ and many more – Jack Williams came up with ‘Madnesside’ which was quickly shortened to ‘Madicide’. The name has no dictionary definition which may be one reason it stuck; we are (as far as we know) the only ‘Madicide’.
How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend?
Ceri & Josh have known each other since primary school (but didn’t become friends until around year 10 in Comp), we met Ian in 2011 when he first arrived at band practice (and ended up staying!), Tim – we first met probably around 2012 (when we started playing gigs alongside his band Supernaut).
Are you friends from school or any family relations?
Ceri & Josh were school friends along with ex-members Chey Currie (lead guitar between 2010-2011), Jack Williams (Drums from 2010 – 2015) and Elliot Cadmore (Occasional lead guitar (a few months in 2010) and guitar tech on and off between 2010-2015). There are no family relations.
Where can we find your social media sites?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LseLG7KXoqMrkte3sUi8f?si=3WHupcnQTOuOp73wLqqNlQ
FB: https://www.facebook.com/MADICIDE
