Not being limited to genres is much more common now than before. Somehow, Holywatr is still a standout in such a landscape. On their latest LP, Deo Gratias, the band questions who we are really worshiping in the age of digital deities. Challenging the listener to look past the praise and find what really drives their devotion. Smack dab in the middle of their North American tour, they made a stop in Louisville for this year’s Louder Than Life.
Hit Parader: How has your year been so far?
Patrick Middlethon: I mean, I’ve been all over the fucking place. We just wrote 18 new songs a few weeks ago in LA. So we’re working on a new record. Got a big-ass tour. Played a couple tours—no, three tours already this year. So that’s been good.
HP: On the opening tracks, “Give Me a Show” brings back the classic 2000s metal sound while feeling fresh. How did you balance nostalgia with modern production on Deo Gratias?
PM: By not trying to do that at all. I remember Chandler sent over a melting pot of riffs, so to speak, with some production on it. Then I started writing top-line ideas and vocal melodies. We go in with our boy Razzio and finish it.
Daniel Gallardo: I do remember you all were like going crazy on mixed versions back then. That was part of it too. You being like, “We need to make this crazier.”
PM: I’m pretty sure at one point I said, “The kick needs to be louder than everything. It needs to clip the mix.” That sounds like something I would say for sure.
HP: Were these heavier directions always the end goal, or did the music naturally dictate the shift while writing?
PM: I would say the music led the way, as it should. We have a ton of demos, a ton of songs that we’ve written while working on Deo Gratias. Some songs just had more of a distinct vibe to them. The way Deo Gratias has that distinct vibe to it. We eventually just decided, like, “There are a lot of great songs here. Let’s pick the ones that we love just as much but also fit within the sonic world we’re building.”
HP: The album closes with the remastered rock version of “Without You.” Why did it feel important to breathe heavier life into that specific song?
PM: It’s just a bonus track. I forget how it came about.
Chandler Martin: I think you asked, “Oh, it would be cool to make that song sound like this record.” I wasn’t super sure about it at first. The original “Without You” has this vibe to it. But we gave it a shot, and I thought it turned out really fucking good.
PM: It’s not part of Deo Gratias as a body of work. It’s just something we felt like throwing at the end of the vinyl. We didn’t even list it as one of the tracks on Deo Gratias. It was just really something we felt like doing. Throwing a bonus at the end for the people who’ve been rocking with us to know that song and would appreciate a remastering of it.
HP: What was the specific message you wanted to convey with this record compared to your previous works?
PM: It’s not a concept album in the sense that we sat down and were like, “Let’s tell a story.” I wrote most of the lyrics. We worked together somewhat, but I’m pretty much leading the charge on lyrics. Looking back on that body of work and all the songs, Deo Gratias takes on “Glory to Be a god.” It’s not in the traditional sense of worshiping a higher power, because in today’s society we worship just about everything other than a higher power. In my opinion, even the folks that claim to be it’s just a bunch of lip service. No pun intended. That’s what it turned out to be. Worshiping the things that inevitably destroy us. Then, turning around and thanking them for it.
HP: Who is your favorite artist or band on the bill for the whole weekend?
DG: It would have to be My Chem.
PM: They played a couple of days ago, right?
CM: There are some OG bands like Between the Buried and Me on here. That’s a band I was super into, so I’d love to see them. If I have the time. Killswitch Engage—I might have to give the number one spot.
PM: I have to echo what both of you said. My chem was important to me growing up, Black Parade, in particular. That would be great to see live. Killswitch Engage is also right up there with My Chemical Romance. There’s no other band I’ve ever seen live like Gojira. I’ll never forget when they played in the Olympics. That performance was top-tier fine art to me. I would love to see them live and see what it’s actually hitting for.
