If you are ever in the need for some super slamming deathcore, look no further than PSYCHO-FRAME. The supergroup has been releasing killer merch, incredible snare blasts (shout-out interview alumnus Hunter Young for dialing that in) and all-time classic EPs for the past few years, culminating in the release of their first full-length record, SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHER . Astute readers will probably have noticed by now that their name is a Gundam reference, and it will shock no one that the entire band is filled with anime fans. Upon the release of their new record ad right after the band visited Crunchyroll HQ, I chatted with vocalist Colter Cuthbertson about how anime permeates all facets of the band. Was anime on or around while you were writing or recording the new album? Colter Cuthbertson : Yes! I was just finishing JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2 around the time I got to the studio to start recording the new record, which might be pretty obvious because of the song “Inverted Spear of Heaven” haha. Any time we’re in the studio writing or recording we have a Dragon Ball Z arc just playing on the TV or a YouTube playlist of every Berserk episode to really set the vibes. RELATED: Sleep Theory's Cullen Moore: Here's How Anime Shaped Me Can you tell me a little about your anime journey? How it started and where you are now? Are there genres you gravitate toward? Cuthbertson : Everyone in the band is pretty into anime, we all find common ground with the OG’s when it comes to our preferences, i.e. Neon Genesis Evangelion , Berserk , Dragon Ball Z , etc. Personally, I started dipping my toes into investing time with anime about 10 years ago. My best friend forced me to watch the original ‘97 Berserk and that’s when it finally clicked. Soon after I dove into Neon Genesis Evangelion and just started trying to find new shows to scratch that same itch. I love movies like Ninja Scroll , Wicked City , Perfect Blue and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust but I also became very fond of studio Trigger and Kill La Kill (obviously adored Cyberpunk: Edgerunners ) and so on. When it comes to gravitating toward a genre, I can’t really pinpoint exactly what it is I enjoy but I love a more mature tone with a comedic contrast, Chainsaw Man being my current favorite! Did you get into music around the same time as you got into anime? Or were they separate from each other? Cuthbertson : I got into anime much, much later than music unfortunately, but I can confidently say it has done nothing but increase my creativity and motivation to create! It seems like anime has played a part in all your musical projects until now. Is anime tied into your approach to art as a whole? Cuthbertson : Absolutely, I can say almost every single project I’ve been a part of has borrowed or been inspired by a multitude of pivotal anime. Whether it’s using motifs, ambiance or settings, anime has always been a big driving factor for me when it comes to creating my art. RELATED: The World Through the EYES of "Spinner" Why do you think anime fans are drawn to heavy music and vice versa? Cuthbertson : I think both heavy music and anime are perfect at capturing very raw and relatable emotion that really resonates with a lot of people. Who are some of your musical inspirations? Have you been inspired by any anime openings, endings, or OSTs? Cuthbertson : My musical inspiration comes from a multitude of genres and places, it would be too hard to try and narrow down but I can say TK from Ling tosite sigure, the song “KOMM, SUSSER TOD” and “4 Gatsu” are on steady rotation in trying times! If any of your songs could be used in an anime, which song would you want and what type of show would it be? Cuthbertson : Let’s go with “Inverted Spear of Heaven” for JUJUTSU KAISEN . RELATED: Charmer's David Daignault on Their New Album Closer "Galick Gun" If you could compare your snare tone to an anime fight in all of anime, which one would it be? Cuthbertson : This is so funny and hard to answer but … Sukuna vs. Gojo (or Mahoraga) World Cutting Slash. How many anime tattoos do you have and what are they? Cuthbertson : I think I only have one, and it’s a trad Mother Mary tattoo with Lilith’s face and a Spear of Longinus. What is your prized anime possession? Cuthbertson : Probably 18” EVA Unit 1 Figure my best friend Jose got me, it’s really dope and has sentimental value as well because he’s the reason I am even into anime in the first place, but I also have some cool DVD’s I treasure like an original press of Akira , Ninja Scroll and my new sealed copy of Evangelion:333 from my good buddy Alex 🙂 RELATED: ONE OK ROCK's Taka: I'm Happy That So Many People Embrace Rock and Anime Is there anything you’d like to plug or say to the Crunchyroll audience out there who may not be familiar with your music? Cuthbertson : To me, Psycho-Frame is non stop intensity, sounds like all of your favorite fight sequences with no downtime. Listen to the new album here . Follow PSYCHO-FRAME here .
