Sometimes it's all about timing, but the band also still has to kick some butt at the end of the day. Thankfully, Destrophy (whose name is a Greek word referring to being oddballs) have talent to spare, strong choruses, and individual characteristics that give the band their own identity. "Reconnect", one of the heaviest songs on the Victory debut, particularly buzzes with cutting, whirlwind mid-tempo arena thrash riffage and nu metal influenced big rock hooks you'll get impaled into your skull. Ari's voice is somewhat akin to the guy from Three Days Grace or like the higher range of Kenny Hickey from Type O/Seventh Void crossed with massive and guttural bellowing to offset the arena moments. Anyone skeptical of the band because of their catchier side also needs to go on YouTube and peep out Ari shrieking his brains out while performing Pantera's "Cowboy's From Hell" with the guys from Drowning Pool. This guy knows his heavier metal but also is confident enough to get out there and try and write memorable hard rock for the everyday working stiffs out there. Destrophy have some material that could certainly be in rotation on many radio stations that aren't metal oriented, but wouldn't you rather have an honest band from the scene like these guys crossing over who really mean it than insincere faux "rockers" donning whatever outfit and sound needed to try and grasp onto the general public's wallet, further cluttering the marketplace with crap and reinforcing shittier sales paradigms that hurt true bands? Personally, I'll put my money behind Destrophy.

MORGAN Y. EVANS: How does it feel to have your Victory Records self-titled debut out this year after so much lead up time? Can you describe how you put the band together and some "landmarks" in Detsrophy history leading up to the start of this new beginning? How did you get Bruce Swink (ex-Stone Sour) in the band ranks?

ARI (Vocals/Guitar): We feel very lucky and blessed, of course. Not everyone who deserves a shot gets one, so we'll do our best and hope for the rest. Destrophy started as a high school project of mine based around melodic metal, mostly because I had a fairly wide and high vocal range and a good sense of composition. I stuck with it for many years and played with a lot of different people and a lot of great bands, but in 2006 I decided I'd had enough of it and hung up the cape, so to speak, deciding to focus on being a producer. Shortly after that I was contacted by Bruce Swink about starting up Destrophy again and his strengths and personality worked well with mine and lit a fire under me, so we got my old bass player, Phil, and found a drummer that could play all the material perfectly in Joe Fox.

MYE: That's great when things come together like that. Ari, again,you have been working on Destrophy for a number of years prior to the debut and there are some demos and other versions of songs floating around. I think I heard an early version of "The Way of Your World" that was in a lower key. I even saw the older video for "Pray" where you guys have long hair. Is there gonna be a Metallica LOAD controversy now that your hair is shorter? I don't think haircuts matter as long as the music is good, though it is true that longer hair is pretty metal. [laughing]

ARI: The version that is on our '07 release is slightly slower than the one on our current release, but same key. I have cut my hair since back in the day—I had waist-long hair in the mid-90's. In my opinion, the whole controversy with Metallica changing their image at that time had more to do with them changing their sound and style. The haircuts and makeup were just icing on the cake.

MYE: It's funny, this is not the type of band I associate with Victory Records. They branched out a lot in the post-Taking Back Sunday world from what the label used to be, but you guys remind me more of a Roadrunner band, not to stereotype. No offense, but you don't sound like Grade! It is interesting that labels are mixing it up more nowadays between the types of artists on a roster and even on live bills playing together. I think it comes down to labels liking acts that are hard working, in addition to thinking of wider markets to keep a company strong in these downloading times.

ARI: When I heard Victory was interested in us I had to make sure we were talking about the same label, because I had associated them with hardcore and punk, and we are much more melodic. But after meeting Tony, I can see he's a very passionate and energetic guy and like me, always looking for something that gets you pumped up to do something; work out, drive fast, demolition work, whatever.

MYE: Here's the token Iowa question. You play some frustrated music at times, but I see that living in Iowa didn't make you guys dress up as killer clowns. Was it really as bad growing up as Corey Taylor and company have told us metal fans?

ARI: I can't speak for Slipknot or any other band on this. I'm from Iowa City, and love the people here, and I think of Des Moines as my second home and always have a great time there. I definitely give credit to the Des Moines music scene for giving us a place to perform where we were appreciated and encouraged to do our thing.

MYE: How were the recent shows with Type O Negative? They are not the easiest band to open for because they are so cinematic and strong live, so it must've been cool to have the chance to win over their crowd. You guys have to play with Dommin. They are real Type O/Danzig influenced but also are themselves. Those guys, your band and I Am Ghost would be an awesome tour!

ARI: Touring with Type O was a fantastic experience. What did you expect? Peter is one of the most humble and wonderful people I've met. Their crowds were definitely not there to see some weird band from Iowa, but we won them over every night with our live show, I'm happy to say. I checked out that band, Dommin, and they would totally be perfect for a Type O/Danzig tour!

MYE: On a similar note, you guys have already played with and held your own alongside some serious live bands like Five Finger Death Punch, American Head Charge (R.I.P.Bryan Ottoson), and Skindred (who are particularly nasty live). What have been some of your favorite shows or experiences so far? Your band is still new to a lot of people, so it'll be cool when newer fans see you play and the hours you've already put in are so evident.

ARI: There aren't many bands that can play with Hinder one weekend and Soilwork the next and not get bottles thrown at you, and I'm damn proud to have accomplished this. We're just passionate, competent performers and we play with the same intensity whether it's 10 people or 10,000 and I think concert goers appreciate this. We've always been a little different, a little weird, and I think people appreciate seeing something that bends the rules.

MYE: I dig that you guys are a four-piece instead of a five piece. I mean, I guess it's essentially like one since there are two guitars anyway, but it's cool that you can sing and play, Ari. Did it take you a long time to be able to get that down? Can you list some of your favorite gear for getting your sounds without giving away too much you don't wanna?

ARI: Thanks for the kudos on the multitasking. I enjoy doing more than one thing at once. The challenge keeps me engaged and personally entertained. Gear wise, in the studio I've got an Engl SE head that I adore, and live I use a Fractal Audio Ultra preamp, which is basically a guitar tone-nerd's wet dream in terms of getting the sounds you want. My guitars are all tuned 3 steps flat and are 7 strings strung with heavy gauges (.80 thru .12) and are long scale (28 5/8") so they have a very thick sound and fast response—definitely influenced by Meshuggah.

MYE: What can you tell us about the making of the video for "The Way Of Your World"? It really visually made me think of stifled emotion or creativity trying to find a voice.

ARI: We did a show, then left for upstate New York in wet stage clothes to meet Rage (director Dale "Rage" Resteghini) and shoot 2 videos through the night, one for TWOYW and one for "Reconnect", then crashed at his house for a few hours that morning, then left to do another show. An amazing experience. Rage and his wife Kim are incredible people and hopefully we'll get to work with them again soon.

MYE: Do you think the time is right for no frills straight up heavy rock to get a toe hold again? There is always so much talk based around first week record sales, but rock fans are more "career" loyal than other genres.

ARI: I've never been good at predicting trends, although as a producer I try to pay attention, but we've never been "cool" and we'll never be "cool". Honestly, we don't care about "cool". We want to be the soundtrack for your workout; the impulse that makes your foot press harder on the gas; the fuel that gets you through a pile of hard work or through a rough time in your life. Those moments have nothing to do with what's hot and moving units or whatever, but everything to do with inspiration and positivity and sincerity and that's what we are about.

MYE: That's a good goal, man. How would you describe your writing process as a band these days and what would you say makes your band a great band to be a fan of (besides the music)?

ARI: I write all the material in Destrophy, and songs can come together over a period of years or a period of minutes. They can start with a lyric or a riff or a drum beat, but they all have the intention to be memorable, distinctive, and epic sounding. What makes us a great band to be a fan of? Well, we love to interact with our fans! We always hang out at shows after we're done, and you can always contact us at our MySpace and ask us anything; and believe me, people do! Thanks for all the interest and support, Morgan. Hope to hear from you again soon!

MYE: Thanks, dude. Keep it up.