While in San Francisco at The Chapel, Capital Chaos TV caught up with Malika and Josh of brutal death metal band Abnormality during their killer tour alongside Napalm Death, Misery Index, and The Black Dahlia Murder. We chatted about their Metal Blade Records debut, cross-continental band dynamics, gear setups, lyrical inspiration—and, of course, the timeless topic of meat pies and veganism in metal.
You’re currently on tour with some heavy hitters. Talk about that!
Josh: Yeah, we’re out with Misery Index, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Napalm Death. Three bands we’ve looked up to for years. It’s an honor.
Malika: A lot of hard work and paying dues got us here. We’re stoked. Big shoutout to Metal Blade Records and Extreme Management Group for helping make it happen.
The band’s originally from Boston. Malika, are you a Massachusetts native?
Malika: Born and raised. I recently moved to Europe in February—big change, but great scene over there. I fly back and forth for band stuff.
What prompted the move?
Malika: A relationship, mostly. And also just a desire for something different. Everything back home was getting expensive!
You dropped a new album this year—what can you tell us about it?
Malika: It’s called Mechanisms of Omniscience. Our first with Metal Blade. We’re incredibly proud of it.
Josh: Honestly, it’s our best work yet. Working with Metal Blade has been amazing—great people, legendary label. We’ve been around 11–12 years, so to be here now feels right.
Malika, you’re vegan. That comes up a lot in the metal scene lately.
Malika: Yeah, been vegan for 20 years. Barney from Napalm Death is vegan too—we even grabbed vegan sushi earlier. There’s a big plant-based presence in metal these days.
And Josh?
Josh: Total meat eater. Give me lobster, oysters, swordfish—all that. But we coexist just fine. Our guitarist is vegetarian. It works.
How does writing work with Malika in Europe?
Malika: We started writing before I moved. Since I’m the vocalist, it’s easier. The guys send me material, and I write/record on my end. No problem at all.
Where do your lyrics come from?
Malika: Real-world events, personal struggles, darker places. Anything that hits us emotionally or intellectually.
What about musical influences?
Josh: We’re East Coast through and through—Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Dying Fetus, Internal Bleeding. Also a lot of Quebec tech-death.
Malika: Our tastes vary—some of us are into avant-garde death metal, black metal, even hardcore. Type O Negative, Life of Agony—there’s a mix.
You’re stranded. You get only 3 albums. Go.
Josh:
- Suffocation – Pierced from Within
- Dying Fetus – Destroy the Opposition
- Cryptopsy – None So Vile
Malika:
- Septicflesh – The Great Mass
- Septicflesh – Communion
- Rotting Christ – Triarchy of the Lost Lovers
Any gear favorites?
Josh: Ampeg player for life. Recently added a Tech 21 rig. 500 watts. LTD bass I’ve had forever. No fancy pedals—just a solid, heavy tone.
Malika: I use a Shure Beta 58A mic. Classic. Reliable.
What’s ahead for the rest of 2016 and 2017?
Josh: Well, I’m gonna make a killer French meat pie for the holidays—family recipe, top secret!
Malika: And I’ll get the vegan version!
Josh: (laughs) Yeah, shows back home, more writing, maybe some Europe dates. We’re born for the road—let’s do this.
Malika: Thanks for checking out the interview. Check out our latest video, “Somatic Hallucinations,” and the new album Mechanisms of Omniscience—out now via Metal Blade Records.
Josh: Support heavy music. See you in the pit.
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Capital Chaos TV 
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