Forged in the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Montreal-based band Deadwood has quickly emerged as a ruthless force in modern extreme music. Blending death metal brutality, hardcore aggression, and a contemporary deathcore edge, the band has built a sound designed to unsettle, overwhelm, and leave no room for compromise. With their latest EP, Rituals of a Dying Light, Deadwood delivers a crushing and technically precise statement that has earned widespread critical acclaim. As they continue to conquer stages across North America and prepare for their first European tour in 2026, Deadwood stands firm on their mission: Make Deathcore Angry Again.
Deadwood was formed during the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. How did that moment in time shape the band’s mindset, sound, and overall intensity?
At that point, we just wanted to make internet music again! Nothing serious, just me and Derek! No pretensions. But we wanted it to be violent.
Rituals of a Dying Light has been widely praised for its brutality and technical precision. What was the main artistic goal behind this EP, and how does it differ from Nemesis and Inhuman?
With the addition of a lead guitar, which we didn't have at the time, and with me evolving as a musician, I wanted something violent, technical, and very heavy! We are heavily influenced by Meshuggah and bands like Whitechapel and Lorna Shore. We've increased the speed, the type of riffs, and the structures! This means that we are now more of a technical deathcore band.
DEADWOOD - HERETIC [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] (2025) SW EXCLUSIVE
Many reviewers highlight the balance between death metal, hardcore, and deathcore in your sound. How do you approach blending these styles without losing aggression or identity?
We all work together, we have many influences, which means we explore many styles, but we all have the same goal: Make deathcore angry again. Our next compositions will be even faster, more technical, and heavier!
Your lyrics and atmospheres draw from dark historical events, such as the Salem witch trials and Jack the Ripper. What attracts you to these themes, and how do they influence your songwriting?
We are fans of horror movies; we love the gloomy atmosphere they create! There's nothing better than suspense, anxiety, and stress in a movie! So we try to include it in our songs!
The band’s motto, “Make Deathcore Angry Again,” really stands out. What does that phrase mean to Deadwood in today’s metal scene?
Too many deathcore bands are straying from the true concept of deathcore! We are influenced by the Myspace era! Deathcore is meant to be scary, and we want to restore its prestige.
With members coming from bands like Ion Dissonance, The Plasmarifle, and Dismayd, how do your individual backgrounds contribute to Deadwood’s chemistry and songwriting process?
I come from the famous Myspace era with Despised Icon, Beneath the Massacre, Ion Dissonance, etc.! The other members are younger and some are older, so our influences come from everywhere: Ozzy, Suffocation, etc.!
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Deadwood has built a reputation for an intense live presence, touring Japan, the U.S., and major festivals like Inkcarceration. How important is the live experience compared to studio recordings for the band?
Our live performances truly reflect what Deadwood is capable of! We have worked hard on our live sound, and when you see Deadwood live, it gets under your skin! Intensity is the name of the game! After a show, we are exhausted and satisfied!
You’re currently touring Canada and preparing for your first European run in 2026. What can fans expect next from Deadwood after Rituals of a Dying Light?
We're going on tour with Florida death metal legends Monstrosity! This is a first for a band that didn't want to play shows at first! We are very grateful for what's happening to us and we're going to make deathcore angry again all over Europe!!
