Interview with Adam Scott and David Holland, Cardiac Arrest

- Hello, Adam! Let's start with some of the releases scheduled for this year. The 7 EP split with Surgikill, and another split with Japanese Death/Doom maniacs, Coffins. What material could we find there? And what is their current status? 
- (Adam) Cheers Dima! The Surgikill split 7" is on the way to the plant and will be released later this year on Dark Recollections Productions out of Mexico. As for the Coffins one, there hasn't been much action going on with that. I know it will happen though. Both releases will feature two brand new songs on them. 

- Usually those 7s are a matter of collectors and diehard fans, but what is your opinion regarding this format? And considering the nowaday massive return to the releases on tapes and vinyl, what is your opinion about that? Do you have your favourite one? 
- (Adam) I personally don't think vinyl really went away, but always was for the real die hards as you said. It's just now there's definitely more interest, that and cassettes which I don't personally get, but to each their own. I will say great if it gets people to keep buying music, something I will never give up doing as I see that as true support. My favorite you ask? I've been buying a lot of vinyl for sure but still buy equally as many CDs. Now if only prices can go down on some classic records. Damn hipsters!!!!!

- This year marks the 20th anniversary of the band, do you plan to celebrate it somehow? 
- (Adam) It would be a good idea to do something, right? HAHA!!! We did make a shirt that I wanted to depict something like from our first release "Heart Stopping Death Rot", it's now available. Perhaps that's a celebration of twenty years as a band. The design was done by Marc from Art-Wars Media and the band Lifeless. He did a splendid job!! Maybe a twentieth anniversary show? Hard to say. 

- Now there is circulating the demo recorded in 2016, does it mean that you are working on the new album? What can we expect from you in the near future?  
- (Adam) Yes we are. Currently writing the next album. This demo is just a sample of what's to come of this next album, and just to get feelers out there for interested parties as far as labels, etc. 

- Being in the underground scene for so long, how could you comment on its evolution over these years? 
- (Adam) I personally wasn't around when it started, but one thing I've noticed since I was a teenager is things always come in circles. Whatever was popular five or six years ago will probably be coming back around again, of course the younger generations will always want to see said fads again. But the tried and true never go away. 

- I'm sure that you witnessed even earlier stages of DM underground, so what would be the main difference between now and then? Do you miss anything in particular? 
- (Adam) One major difference is, how we get our information. I think we can all say the internet can be a good tool, but shouldn't be the 'be all end all'. When finding out about shows, album releases, etc. Back, when you actually had to go out to shows, your local record stores, parties, reading the zines, etc. I'd like to think I find a medium between the old and new. I miss having fliers made for shows, and dropping them off at places that would post them up. Passing them out at other shows those were always adventures. 

- Since we are on that note, would like to remember the very first days of the band? How and when did you decide to create a band? What actually motivated you? Do you remember who came up with the current band's name, and did you have any other options on the list? 
- (Adam) When the band started out, it was the equal to a stillborn child. But still trying to keep going to find the right members. Me and my good friend who started it would always jam in my dad's basement after school or when ever we could.  There was another name we were thinking of going with. But then my friend asked me what I thought of Cardiac Arrest, and it pretty much stuck from then on. Maybe thought about changing the name once again, but that thought certainly faded away quick. 

- The scene in Chicago, what can you say about it? How easy was it to get a place for a young band? 
- (Adam) The scene in general in Chicago is always huge, always shows happening, and there's always bands. It can be easy when you know people for sure, really a good key when starting out is to network. 

- How often were you able to play live? Do you remember your first show? 
- (Adam) Really where ever we were able to play, it was a little tough because we didn't have any sort of demo or anything  to circulate so where ever we could play and with bands that we knew. Our first show was October of 2001, it was definitely what I would consider a disaster. HAHA!!! It flooded in my neighborhood and one of the vehicles we were hauling gear crapped out on us. So we had to but ass and work the other vehicles. 

- Your first official release was in 2004, what makes a 7 years gap since your formation. How could you comment  on it? Where there at least any attempts to record a demo or so? Or were you looking for a proper label? Since your first 2 records, the EP and the following demo were still self-released...
- (Adam) There were definitely attempts to get an actual EP recorded, it just took a lot longer than I would've wanted, in the early times there was a goal in mind to do that. But by the time, some of the members had exited the band. Typical flake bullshit y'know. There is actually an old rehearsal tape from that time with the first full line up. It might see the light of day at some point. But the first demo/ep "Heart Stopping Death Rot" was a self released effort. Then a year later we released the Beast Among Many 7" through Famine Records.

- Over the years the line-up has been changing several times, but now it looks like you have a stable crew in your ranks. Would you present the current members of the band? What is their background, how and when did they join the band? Or maybe you, guys, would like present yourself? 
- (Adam) Over the last decade plus this line up has been the most consistent I would say. 
- (David) Jim D, the drummer on the first four records, asked me to help out with some shows about...11 years ago this past winter? I always have timeline issues...anyways, I had been playing bass, on and off, for the previous ten years in bands of varying styles that would always implode for one reason or another after a year. When Jim asked me I was about ready to move out to the desert, but I stuck around and did the shows. Those first couple of shows, and hearing Adam's progress as a songwriter, and as a vocalist, with Jim's drumming kept me around to help finish the writing for Morgue Mutilations up til today. Still gonna move out to the desert though. Haha.

- Let's have a few words about your latest full-length, "And Death Shall Set You Free". Actually, that was the first release with your new label, Razorback Recordings. First of all, why did you decide to leave Ibex Moon Records (started by John McEntee), and moved forward? Did you consider any other offers? 
- (Adam) The reason we didn't go with Ibex at the time was because, John decided to close the doors due to financial reasons, etc. We were looking go else where regardless for "And Death.." 
- (David) We had signed a two album deal with Ibex Moon, and knew early on that after we honored that deal we would put out And Death Shall Set You Free somewhere else. John's a good dude. I enjoyed the rub being on his label gave us. We got to play some fun shows with good people and bands that probably wouldn't have happened if we weren't on Ibex. The Razorback offer seemed like a no brainer when it was initially pitched to me. 

- Tell us a bit about the recording process: how did it go, how long did it take you? As I understand, you still record at your own studio? Couldn't find much info about the studios you worked with, so could you please shed some light on it? 
- (Adam) For the last few releases like "And Death..." and a select few split 7"s we have recorded yes we did do it on our own through Nick (drums). 
- (David) It generally takes us about eight days to record a record. We recorded the first album with Scott Creekmore at Mercenary. The next three records were recorded with our buddy Kai Kaufman at Polymorph. We did And Death Shall Set You Free at Nick's house. I can never remember what he calls his studio. Maybe Adam knows...? We just did five songs with Dan Klein at Iron Hand Audio in Chicago which we are all pleased with. He's probably gonna be our go to guy for the foreseeable future. And for a cheap plug you can hear three of those songs on the new promo. Contact Adam Scott on Facebook!! hahah

- The cover artwork is yet again done by the mighty Putrid Matt! If I'm not mistaken, he drew covers for each of your albums, didn't he? So where does this relationship come from? Do you consider him your 5th member?))
- (Adam) Yes he has, every time we gave him a concept for an album cover or whatever, he always comes back with a little extra than we expected. I originally met him at a local fest we played at many years ago when he moved to Chicago. He showed me some of his art. I definitely wanted to work with him for sure. 
- (David) It's cool seeing his evolution as an artist when you look at all five our records lined up. Dude has an insane amount of talent, and he's always delivered for us. 

- Your lyrics are usually closely tied up with horror movies. Are you guys fans of the genre? So let's do a short quiz: here is the list of drectors, and you inlist his favourite and the less favourite movies.

- Lucio Fulci
- George Romero 
- Dario Argento
- Tobe Hooper
- John Carpenter
- Stuart Gordon
- Lamberto Bava

- (Adam) Of course the obvious zombie classics Romero is known for, however I think his non-zombie films don't get the fair shake. Ex: Knightriders, The Crazies, Martin. And, of course, DEMONS by BAVA!!
- (David) Shit. I have no idea who Lamberto Bava is. George Romero for  his first three zombie films. Those movies ruled when I saw them at ten years old, but now I find his recent work ridiculous. Zombies showing emotion? Fuck outta here with that nonsense George!! I have too many favorites for Carpenter. The most consistent director on that list. I have never enjoyed Dario Argento films. I don't get the appeal so many people find in his films. Not familiar with everything Hooper and Gordon have done, but looking at a list of each one's work, the only movies I've seen that I disliked would be the Mangler. Between the two I gotta put Poltergeist at the top.

- Alright, that would be it. Would you like to say a few words to your fans and our readers?    
- (Adam) Much thanks for all the continued support through the years!!! Hope you enjoyed our babbling. ROT FOREVER!!!!
- (David) I wasn't babbling. My responses were clear and to the point. I think. Either way thanks for the time, interest, and support. Cheers! ​​