(written by Islander)
Some of us, but probably not many of us, have experienced some kind of physical trauma that forced us to recover while lying flat in a bed. Even fewer of us (probably none) used that prone time to learn how to play the electric guitar. But that’s what the Australian metalhead Matt Turkington did.
To flesh out more of the back-story, Matt was formerly the vocalist for Internal Devour, Splatterpuss, and Alter Idem. We’re told that he had to undergo multiple spinal surgeries that resulted in life-threatening complications, ultimately requiring surgeons to cut through his abdomen to access his spine and attempt to stabilize it. We received some photographic evidence of this:
Sheesh! We’re also informed that the surgeries “significantly compromised his ability to perform the kind of vocals required in heavy bands, leaving him unsure if he would ever be able to perform again.” He was stuck in bed for 12 months. But instead of giving up on music, here’s what he did:
During his recovery, and having never played guitar before, Matt started teaching himself to play while lying down. He began writing songs as a way to stay connected to heavy music and to distract himself from the intense pain he was enduring.
And what started as a personal coping mechanism evolved from bedroom demos into a full band that took the name Intent To Harm. Here’s a statement about how the band was formed:
Longtime friend and former Internal Devour bandmate Tom Logan joined on bass, while drummer Connor McLaughlin was brought in from the United States as a session drummer. When it came time to choose a vocalist, the band wanted someone who could further amplify the aggressive nature of the music. The choice was obvious and after hearing a demo, Daniel Macdonald was brought in to complete the line-up.
Matt upright on the right.
What we have for you today is the debut single of Intent To Harm, which is being released by Vicious Instinct Records. Its name is “Drained of Life“. Matt has expressed that although this was the first song he wrote on guitar, and his ability and songwriting has progressed, it was important for him to put this out into the world as the true beginning of Intent To Harm.
What you’re going to experience is a slaughtering amalgam of brutal death metal and hardcore, equal parts viciously berserk and knuckle-dragging. The riffs hit like jackhammers the size of bulldozers and swarm like carnivorous hornets. The drums rattle like Gatling guns and scamper like foxes. The bass is disemboweling in its heaviness. The guttural vocals are monstrous and malignant.
Bombs seem to go off. Giants seem to stomp on puny humans far below, while other ghastly creatures busily feed on the remains. The vocalist gurgles like gravel churning within sewage. Booming slamtastic punishment ensues, and bludgeons even more ruthlessly the more the punishment slows.
INTENT TO HARM is:
Daniel Macdonald – Vocals
Matt Turkington – Guitars
Tom Logan – Bass
Connor McLaughlin – Drums (session)
The music was mixed and mastered by Adrian Cappalletti at Inurn Productions. The song will soon be available at the locations linked below.
DIGITAL STREAMING:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/intenttoharm
https://viciousinstinctrecords.bandcamp.com/
INTENT TO HARM:
https://www.facebook.com/intenttoharm
https://www.instagram.com/intenttoharm/