True Calling

Truth Corroded have accomplished a lot in the past 18 months. Since 2011's Worship The Bled, the band toured to Europe, secured an international record deal with Belgium's respected Ultimhate Records and been endorsed by Jackson Guitars – not to mention shot a new video and organised an Australian tour. It's been a whirlwind period for the Adelaide thrashers.

“It's been a pretty big year,” bassist Greg Shaw reflects. “Even since we got back from Europe, we've been knuckling down to write the fourth album. We're actually really keen to get back to playing some local and national shows. With everything that's been going on, it's been ages since we've actually played a national tour so, funnily enough, that's probably going to end up a highlight of the year.”

Given their pedigree, it's a somewhat surprising situation. Truth Corroded was never formed with anything resembling serious career ambitions. If anything, Shaw seems to suggest that the current incarnation of the band formed almost in opposition to such ideals. Originally a confused hardcore/alt-metal hybrid act, Truth Corroded disbanded and re-assembled in 2003 as a thrash/death-metal outfit – with no expectations for the future.

“We reformed as a five-piece in 2003. Prior to that, we were a very different band. We definitely had more of a hardcore leaning – like, mid-'90s to late-'90s Victory Records bands like Sick of It All – but we were getting into other bands like Clutch as well,” Shaw reflects. “We were bringing a lot of things into the band but without any clear direction. There were a lot of compromises. A lot of question marks.

“When we reformed the band, we had a very clear direction – and I feel we've maintained that over our three albums as well,” the bassist elaborates. “To be quite honest, we were pursuing a sound that wasn't exactly the new black. There were some thrash revival acts turning up around then but we had a pretty different slant. Our only thought was really to write music, get it out there and, really, see if anyone cared besides us.”

Over the course of their three albums (2005's Our Enemy Is The Weapon, 2008's Upon The Warlords Crawl and 2011's Worship The Bled), the band's ambitions have evolved alongside their musical capacity. Currently peddling an unnervingly precise fusion of classic thrash and contemporary death metal, Truth Corroded's reach extends from their home in Adelaide, throughout Australia, Europe and Asia.

“We really had no expectations at all. You know, we formed our own label – Truth Inc Records – to release our album because we didn't think anyone else would be up for it,” Shaw laughs. “And that actually sort of gave us opportunities to establish the band and build our networks. Shortly after we formed the label, we were contacted by a label from Singapore who wanted to release our record and tour over there.”

Truth Corroded are now developing into an international entity proper. Their albums are decorated by contributions from heavyweights like Jonas Kjellgren of Scar Symmetry (who mixed and mastered their two most recent albums) and Kevin Talley of Dying Fetus (who drummed on Worship The Bled). When Shaw discusses the band's plans, he references both recording their fourth album – and “breaking new markets like America”.

“Well, I try not to think too far ahead,” the bassist laughs. “It's weird to even think about cracking America. You know, if you'd told me two years ago that we'd be touring Europe, I wouldn't have believed you. And, if you'd told me ten years ago that my band would tour Asia, I wouldn't have believed you then, either. We just take each year as it comes, really.”