As the days get shorter and the cold settles in, the Albany music scene is heating up. Ahead of the annual Holiday Toy Drive at Empire Live December 4th and 5th, I talked to a band representing both Vermont and Western Massachusetts. I checked out their latest EP Wages of Sin and their newest video for “As the Birds Fly Away”. Now, come meet the guys in “The End of Man”.
You hail from Southern VT and Western MA. Western MA has a thriving metal scene - what is it like in Southern VT?
Some of us have been playing together for 25 plus years in different bands, and back then the scene was booming.Nowadays, not so much. We thinkwe’re literally the only metal band in our town that we know of.
What’s the strangest venue you’ve ever played out there?
Unfortunately, not having a scene around here anymore there's no places that has metal bands play! But we did get asked to play at a skate park during a BMX contest, which was kind of strange but fun.
You’re playing the stacked Holiday Toy Drive December 5that Empire Underground. How did you get connected to the Albany scene?
Members in the band have stayed close to the Albany scene for a long time so when it came time to throw a new band in the mix,we knew the exact guy to contact ‘Mike Valente’. If it wasn't for Mike there would be no scene in Albany!
Your latest EP Wages of Sin just came out. What’s something in your writing process that fans would never expect?
We actually write songs in rotation our lead guitarists, rhythm guitarist and bass player all take turns writing their own songs and bring them to practice and each member puts their own flavor on the songs!
What is the biggest shift in the band between Wages of Sinand your previous EP Look at Yourself?
We would definitely have to say the biggest shift would be in the writing. We really took our time and honed in on these new tracks! The music and the influences we are listening to at the time play a big part.
What do you hope people feel when they hear you play live?
When people hear us play, we want them to hear and feel a tight, well-oiled machine that brings high energy riffs and heavy vocals that make everybody bang their heads and move their feet.
If the band had a motto for 2027 what would it be?
Write the music that moves your soul.
Where can listeners follow the band?
Also, stream us on Spotify and Apple music.
