Most of the music for Red Flag
was pre-written by Morgan Weeds with a few riffs added by the rhythm
guitarist at time, Christian Elvins. Lyrics were then added by Kyle
Mortiss. The tracks were recorded with Jeff Rose (Bullet For My
Valentine, Trivium, Glamour Of The Kill, Wreckage Of Society, etc) at
Unit 28 Studios, Newport and mastered by Martin Nichols (Bob Marley
Tapes etc) at White House Studios, Weston-Super-Mare.
Lead
Guitarist, Morgan Weeds explains the EP like this; “The objective was
always about creating something real. This record is gonna do something
to you in some way, whether you’re old enough, and sadly experienced
enough to relate to it, or you’re young enough to have it as a very
explicit life lesson. This record covers honesty, loyalty, self worth,
rape, abuse and suicide. It’s a 20 minute crash course in how the world
doesn’t owe you shit. We owe it to ourselves to be the best version of
ourselves that we can be and if we all were, then I could happily and
truthfully say that this record wouldn’t exist. And I could live with
that… I think a lot of people could when you really listen to the
lyrics.”
Song breakdown from lyricist and vocalist Kyle Mortiss
Bone & Mortar:
The majority of the song is about defiance and determination. Using all
the negativity thrown at you, including using those who throw the
negativity at you, into a solid and sturdy building; making something
better of and for yourself. The final verse, conveys the concept of
taking everything you have, and in some cases have left, and turning it
into a weapon. Track 1 – Master & Mutt: A simple straight forward
track from the perspective of someone who gave all, to someone who just
took. This song specifically is about a person, who was once dear and
trusted, who at every turn would take and take whatever they could to
benefit themselves, financial, physical, and mental all, and tarnish and
slander those that actually helped him. The name for the track came
about, the idea that a good dog, is just that. But when a mutt plays up
and misbehaves, it’s master must discipline it.
L.A.C.F.T.W.:
Echoing the opening track, this song is about taking all that is thrown
your way. But unlike Bone & Mortar, this track is about being like a
cliff. Mentally and physically, being of the perspective that whatever
comes your way, you’ll logically and realistically be ground down, but
you will never fall just because of the things that come. A song
dedicated to the everlasting resolve of people who refuse to give up,
and refuse to let any outside forces get the better of you.
Honesty:
Just as it’s named, this song is to promote openness and clarity. This
song is about promises to be better, and shining light on personal
blemishes and negatives. It is also the “here’s my dirt, in the light,
before I rip open what must be” in regards to the following track. A
song to say, nothing is hidden to those who are willing to see, or
opposite that, willing to give.
Red Flag:
In Bristol there has been a small circle of bullies and predators
preying on the submissive, weak, and reluctant for almost over a decade.
There are those that pose the main threat and then there are those that
add to their smokescreen defence, their friends and their lackeys, who
keep up the pretenses that these people are good people. This song is
effectively about shining a light on that whole situation, and more
importantly calling those who have done wrong to trial. Inspired by the
horrors that a close friend suffered at the hands of one of these
people, this song is about making them, and at a larger scale people
just like them, take note that they are known. That they can’t keep
things hidden, and they won’t get away with it. The lyrics are pretty
transparent, and to avoid the legal suit of slander no names are
mentioned. But in regards to Red Flag, if you know the hints, you’ll
know. For the broader perspective, this song is calling out all scum
that hurt unjustly.
Wintered Trees:
This track was written with the adapted poetic parts of my suicide
letter I wrote as a late teen. Initially I wrote the letter, with no
intention of acting upon it nor showing anyone any of what was written.
But after many years following that, many I care about have come to me
and disclosed things that always took me back to that letter. “I’ve been
there, maybe I can help” was the reoccurring thought from the compared
thoughts and feelings. So I dug it out, read it through, and applied it
to a song. All in all my relationship with depression and the idea of
death is an obscure one. Chemical imbalances, with best friends and
family members who have successfully, and unsuccessfully attempted, and
I’ve just been kinda sat on the outside looking in at others fall apart
always saying “I will never do that.” I’ve had weeks, sometimes months,
of never leaving bed because I’m in such a hole, but that’s the worst of
it. This track is about looking beyond the want of death, beyond all
the darkness, and the thick suffocating sludge of it, and seeing the
beauty of simplicity. Trees, sun and moon glow, the totem animals I am
personally called to. Even the dark can be a beautiful place if you look
for the right things.
Red Flag | Released January 28th, 2020 on Sliptrick Records
Track Listing:
01. Master & Mutt | 02. L.A.C.F.T.W. | 03. Honesty | 04. Red Flag | 05. Wintered Trees
Malicious Inc. are:
Kyle
Mortiss – Vocals | Morgan Weeds – Lead Guitar | Kyle Zehtabi – Rhythm
Guitar | Matthew Hulin – Bass Guitar | Luke Hill – Drums
|
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