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A dichotomy exists in metal right now between the melodic metalcore bands and their extreme contemporaries. Amidst a fairly divided, yet definable scene, Watch Them Die create a thrash sound that none of their peers can seem to parallel. On their sophomore effort Bastard Son, the band couples thrash guitars, technical leads, and soaring harmonies with raw, cathartic vocals, courtesy of Pat, who bleeds metal. In many ways, the record possesses a real danger, subject to no constraints or boundaries and exceeding any simple “thrash categorization.”

Pat describes the writing process stating, “We felt like we didn’t want to hold back anymore. Everything that we’ve ever wanted to try or put on the table, we actually did this time. Furthermore, we want to take it to the next level with the next record. We’re always going to keep it thrash, because that’s so imbedded in our system that it’s inevitably going to come out like that.” However, Pat imbues his lyrics with his own perspective and a singular vision that stands out as more introspective than the traditional standard.

A thrash poet in many ways, Pat conveys a personal landscape of emotion through his lyrics. Intriguingly, he describes his writing saying, “A lot of my lyrics are written prior to hearing the music, about 80% actually. I sit down and it’s poetry for me, everything is set to rhyme and it’s all laid out with a rhythm. Then I feel the music and I put the words to music.” This pensive and personal writing process helped create the conceptual elements integral to Bastard Son.

Outlining his perception of the record, Pat says, “In the end, I feel every song coincides so well. The intention wasn’t to do it that way, but lyrically I was in the same mindset the entire time, just a really darker, fantasy mindset, and that’s what came out.” The album’s epic scope includes two adjacent tracks (“Battle Lust” and “Born To Suffer”) that exceed 7 minutes each and are complete with entrancing clean guitar interludes and string harmonies, a rarity for a band this intense.

Guitarist Greg Valencia provided the foundation for most of the record, Ira’s drums and Pat Mello’s bass created a bludgeoning rhythmic backdrop, Sonny’s guitars added more harmony, and Pat’s lyrical landscapes capped it all off. However, everything comes together in one cohesive vision of musical brutality. Pat shows the band’s dynamics, describing another track “Early Mourning.” Which in his words is “a more compassionate, mellow song. Every record that I put out, I need to have an ode to my friends or family that mean a lot to me and have passed away. It’s basically an ode to my past, history, and family.” Due to their scope, singularity, and power, Watch Them Die have created a record that sets the bar high for future thrash bands to follow.

Describing the live experience, Pat comments, “If I go crazy on stage it’s a real positive outlet and I try to let a lot out at every single show.” Pat isn’t the only one; Greg, Sonny, Ira, and Pat M. all match his intensity and in turn feed off of each other’s energy. “We all grew up together and it’s a bond we’ve had forever, since we were kids.”

Moreover, Watch Them Die stand ready to follow their own path until they achieve all of their goals. Pat states, “We’ve made a choice that this is what our life is about right now. We’re closer to goal than we’ve ever been, but still far away from our massive goal that’s in everyone’s mind. We’re in it for the long haul; we’re all in our mid thirties and shit. Some of us have wives, houses, and kids. So it’s intense and hard to do. Touring bands sacrifice shit. Every time we go on tour, we lose houses, we lose jobs, wives leave us, intense things happen personally that have an impact and affect our well being.”

However, Watch Them Die soldier on, taking a much needed break before going out with Exodus to “Go Home recharge and feed off some more positive energy.” Then at the close of the Exodus tour, they will embark on a month long run with Eyehategod.

Watch Them Die are the right band to revive true thrash. Pat describes the current Bay Area metal scene and exclaims, “The scene is fucking popping right now. A lot of young high school kids are walking around with denim vests, covered in patches, studs and spikes. We’re trying to bring back old school thrash metal and the energy it brought with it. The Bay area is well known for breeding real metal bands.”

The Bay Area bands seized an indescribable energy in the 1980’s to create the revered “thrash” sound and movement. Watch Them Die revive that energy tenfold. Pat fondly reminisces about the days when thrash was born, “Those are some of the best times in my life, and if we can make them happen again, all the better.” However, Watch Them Die can and will play with anyone. “We’ve toured with so many genres of music. It’s cool to play for a variety of people. We’re fucking bleeding and pouring sweat, we’re not afraid to play with anybody. We’re going to do what comes natural and give it raw energy every time we play. We can adapt to anything, play a metal fest, a basement party, a hole in the wall club, but we prefer bigger stages with better sound for the full experience.” They deserve to front the new thrash movement.

The fire of metal truly lives within Watch Them Die. Poignantly, Pat evinces, “It saved my fucking life as a kid. Music alone, putting that much energy into buying a new CD or going to shows, kept us from veering off the path. We were raised on it and everyone has their past. For us becoming metal heads and being into metal was the toughest, blackest way to be. To know we’re still doing that and holding onto our roots means a lot, and to see kids doing it themselves and to know we’re playing a part in their view of metal is killer.” Watch Them Die ultimately have the potential to become leaders of the genre and they have already re-kindled the fire of vintage thrash with Bastard Son.

About his roots, Pat declares, “It’s awesome to know that energy is still there. Ultimately, we want to go down the right path and have people follow down the right path, just as much as we have followed others down the path. The bands that influence you inspire younger fans and inspire the next wave of kids. As long as we keep it like that it’ll never die.” That purity and reverence for the genre allow Watch Them Die to prove that they deserve to lead the thrash resurrection and it never will die.