TERRIFIER

For the last 11 years Terrifier has embodied everything we love and appreciate about thrash and speed metal. To date they’ve put out 3 full length albums and an EP and they have yet to let up on the throttle. With albums like “Trample The Weak, Devour The Dead” and “Weapons Of Thrash Destruction” Terrifier have set a new standard in not just thrash but metal in general that should become the template, the new standard by which all bands should follow. When I tell you this band plays at the speed of light, with the intensity of a thousand burning suns, believe it.

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: First who am I speaking with? 

CHASE THIBODEAU: My name is Chase Thibodeau and when I'm not banging this head like a madman I'm ripping the vocals. 

WC: Has it been 11 years since the band started? Tell me who put the band together and where the individual members come from? 

CT: Yes, that's correct. Rene and I started this band together. We've gone through several lineup changes over the years, but our current members are Kyle Sheppard on drums (RANSOM, FINITE), Eli Slamang on guitar (BLACKWATER BURIAL) Thomas Sharpe on the bass, (NYLITHIA) Rene Wilkinson on guitar and of course yours truly on vocals. 

WC: What’s the current hot spot in Canada for thrash, is there a particular region or city renowned for its thrash scene? 

CT The thrash scene in Canada is pretty spread out but I'd like to mention WMD (When Mind's Develop) from Vancouver, TYMO, HAZZERD and KILLWITCH from Calgary which is home of the Hitman Bret Hart. (KORROSIVE and THE SLIME are two more good ones—Dr. M)

WC: TERRIFIER is from Vancouver, what’s the thrash metal scene like there? Is it flush with bands and venues? 

CT: There isn't a huge thrash scene in our city. However, there is vibrant metal scene with lots of venues to play out of and tons of great bands of all genres of metal. 

WC: What was the original inspiration behind TERRIFIER? It seemed like the band draws quite a bit from movies. 

CT: We started the band way before the “Terrifier” movies just to get that out of the way but yes, we like to take inspiration from movies, books, history and just anything that sounds cool or interesting. SLAYER, EXODUS, old METALLICA, MEGADETH and JUDAS PRIEST are definitely huge influences on us, but we listen to all kinds of bands. 

For the song "Nuclear Demolisher" I came up with the title first and then had to create what its actually about. It’s basically about a weapon from a distant void in space coming for mankind. Pure doom! Hahaha 

WC: From a musical standpoint and drawing on the last question,in terms of metal have Canadian bands been more influential with TERRIFIER in terms of your sound and your image or metal in general? 

CT: I think it's more so metal in general, but I do know we've inspired young metal heads out there. I must say it's truly an honor for me to say that because "High tide raises all ships!" I think people have so many influences these days but we’re very humbled to hear when we do inspire others. It one of those things that make our efforts all the more worth it. 

WC: Who's doing the writing? A lot of lyrical content looks like it's inspired by "Conan" or "Reanimator"etc. I'm particularly fond of "Trial by Combat". Who wrote that one and is there a back story to it? 

CT: Haha, those are definitely about Conan and Reanimator. We have a song on our first album "Destroyers of the Faith" called "Welcome to Camp Blood" which I watched all the “Friday then13th” movies for to get all the lyrics. Rene and I write all the music on guitar, and I'll write on bass. I come up with all the song titles and lyrics/lyrical themes. 

In the days of the Vikings if you were wrongfully accused of a serious crime, you would have the choice to request a trial by combat or suffer your punishment. You would be judged by the gods, not the people and therefore stand a better chance of redemption if you were skilled with a blade. 

WC: I'm surprised TERRIFIER has two full length albums and an EP out so far. Is TERRIFIER a full-time band for everyone right now or is it a gig everyone does when time allows? Is it hard to find time to write and get into the studio? 

CT: We have 3 full length albums and an EP. The album "Destroyers of the Faith" wasn't released on Spotify but can be found on YouTube. For Rene and I, this is our main focus. The other guys have other projects they play in but are also dedicated to our cause too. 

Over the years we've gone through several lineup changes, yet we still have been able to stay not only consistent with our sound, but we've been shaping and evolving it to where it is today. Writing and studio time have never been issues. I believe the music you write and how well you perform it is number 1 but it’s also about getting the right opportunities or the right connections that can really allow a band to take off. 

WC: There is a six-year difference between your last record "Trample the Weak, Devour the Dead" and "Weapons of Thrash Destruction". Why the long gap? What was happening with the band during this six-year gap? 

CT: We went to through several different members after "Weapons". So, we continued to write music and keep things going until we were able to find the members that fit in with us. Also, we were locked down hard in Canada so there was good chunk of time we weren't able to play shows at all. 

WC: I'm sure you've been able to tour Canada, have you had any opportunity in touring the U.S. extensively? Does Terrifier have a favorite place to play in America? Maybe bands in that city or area to play with? 

CT: We haven't actually been down to the states that much. We went and played The Milwaukee Metal fest opening for ATROPHY, MORBID SAINT and HELSTAR(That was actually the Blades of Steel fest...I was there and these guys ripped ass!--Dr. M) but it's challenging for Canadian bands playing down there with all the border requierments for musicians from Canada. We have had the pleasure to play with a lot of American bands that come through Vancouver though, such as HAVOK, EXMORTUS, etc. 

WC: Terrifier got booked for Alcatraz music festival in August of 2025. That’s great! How did that happen? Did you guys submit your music to them to be considered or did they reach out to you? Which bands are uou looking forward to seeing? Will you make it a point to meet certain bands at the festival? 

CT: Yea were headed to Europe and were very excited to shred over there. We got to this other smaller festival, but they were struggling to get a headlining act and canceled the festival for 2025. Our label was able to get us onto Alcatraz fest which is amazing! 

Then we had asked about Dynamo Metal fest as both festivals are one week apart. So apparently the guy who puts on Dynamo is a fan and I believe we're playing the main stage at Dynamo opening for GOJIRA. We'll also be touring through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. KREATOR, FORBIDDEN, OVERKILL and HELLRIPPER are some of my favorite bands and I'm looking forward meeting them let alone playing a festival with them .

WC: I'll leave this question open ended, What haven't we covered that you'd like fans to know about especially going to 2025? For example, are you writing new music for an album to be released next year? 

CT: We have this European tour in our sights for 2025 but we have also written 3 new songs in which we're aiming for a 4 song EP to get some new music out faster. We're trying to get that mix of "Weapons" and the sound of the last album on this one. We want to so say thanks to all who have supported us because we would be no where without you. Let's take this new year and bend it to our will! 

TERRIFIER