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Interview: AGNOSTIC FRONT’s Mike Gallo on Echoes in Eternity, Unity, and Keeping the Hardcore Flame Alive

By capitalchaostv on October 8, 2025 • ( 0 )

We caught up with Mike Gallo, longtime bassist and backing vocalist for the legendary Agnostic Front, the godfathers of New York Hardcore. With their new album, Echoes in Eternity, dropping November 7th via Reigning Phoenix Music, the band once again proves that intensity, honesty, and street-level authenticity never go out of style.

In this conversation, Mike opened up about the making of the record, the themes behind the songs, the killer artwork by Ernie Perrotta, and what keeps the Agnostic Front fire burning after more than four decades.

Echoes in Eternity feels like a real statement record—fierce, current, and unapologetic. From where you’re standing, what do you think this album says about where Agnostic Front is at in 2025?

Mike Gallo: I mean, you know, we feel it’s just that, you know? It’s a crazy world out there today. But we still stand strong for our beliefs. You’ve got to stand up for what you believe in, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

You’ve been holding down the low end and backing vocals for 25 years now. How do you think your own perspective on what Agnostic Front represents has changed since you first joined?

What’s great about Agnostic Front is the band has always been evolving. If you’re a fan, you’ll see that with each record—they always evolve. Each one has a different sound, but they never lose touch with their roots. It’s still the same at its core. The message of unity is still there, and even though the sound progresses, that spirit remains the same.

The opening track, “Way of War,” hits right out of the gate with a message about conflict and injustice. Was there a particular moment or idea that sparked that song?

Not necessarily anything specific to today—it’s something that’s been going on forever. These wars are created out of greed, and it’s disgusting. It’s not just about current events, it’s about a pattern that’s been around for so long. It’s something worth speaking out about.

Hardcore has always been about unity and standing against corruption, with tracks like “Divided” and “Turn Up the Volume.” What do you think hardcore’s role is in today’s world, where everything feels so polarized?

It’s tough today because it’s such a difficult time. But songs like this make people aware of what’s really going on. They remind people not to just follow the crowd—think for yourself and speak your mind.

“Sunday Matinee” really captures that New York hardcore energy between the band and the crowd. How important is that live connection to keeping this scene alive after all these years?

It’s very important. This music brings people together—that’s the most important part of it. That’s the intent behind that song, just celebrating being together and having fun at shows we all love so much.

A song like “I Can’t Win” brings some raw emotion into the mix—that balance of struggle and hope. How does the band approach those more vulnerable moments without losing that trademark aggression?

It’s about what we all go through. Everyone faces hard times and struggles in everyday life. It’s about showing that you’re not alone in that. Everybody’s struggling now in one way or another, but it’s okay—you just have to stay strong and push through.

The record sounds massive but still has that gritty, street-level Agnostic Front feel. What was it like working with Mike Dean and Zeuss to shape that balance in the studio?

It was great. Mike’s our tour manager — kind of the sixth member of the band. He knows us so well, so working with him was really natural. He’s a great musician, and he brought a different element to this record. You can really hear it in the final mix.

After four decades of raising hell and influencing generations, what still fuels your drive to keep creating and performing at full throttle?

Definitely the audience — the people who keep showing up and supporting us. It’s an amazing feeling to still tour the world and see people having a great time. That’s what music is about: bringing people together.

How familiar are you with the bands on this upcoming tour?

We’re out with Strung Out and Murphy’s Law. We played with Strung Out in Europe earlier this year on a tour with Bad Religion — great guys. Murphy’s Law are like our brothers, so it’s basically like touring with family.

Can we expect you guys to come out and play on each other’s songs?

Oh yeah, we love doing that. It’s fun, people love it, and it makes for a great vibe. We always enjoy bringing our friends up on stage — it keeps things fresh.

The bass on this record sounds huge — thick, punchy, full of grit. What gear or setup were you using to get that tone?

The secret is definitely the SansAmp pedal by Tech21. It really brings the bass over the top. That, and my ESP Vintage Four bass — it’s got a heavy tone. I also used the SCT Classic head.

Are you much of a gear nerd?

Nope, not at all. I keep it simple. I’ve got two pedals — the SansAmp and a wireless/tuner — my basses, and my amp head. That’s it.

If Agnostic Front had to cover one totally unexpected ’80s pop song and turn it into a hardcore anthem, what would it be and why?

Mike: Oh man, that’s a tough one. Maybe “Mad World” by Tears for Fears. It pretty much sums up what’s going on today. Probably not something we’d actually do, but it’s a great song.

It absolutely is. Alright, Mike — thanks for your time. We’ll see you on the West Coast in a few weeks. Any final thoughts for the fans?

Mike: Definitely come out to the shows! Check out Crazy Vinnie Stigma — we throw him in the pit every night! Our shows are all about crowd participation and having fun. After all these years, it’s still a blast, and we make sure everyone leaves smiling.