As Blood Runs Black Interview (2010): Auditions, Walkouts, & Redemption | Ryan Minic

In a 2010 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan's Rock Show, As Blood Runs Black members Nick Stewart and Greg Kirkpatrick discuss the chaotic and often frustrating process of finding a new vocalist after their previous singers left. They recall holding “AB Idol” auditions as a humorous nod to American Idol, but also as a legitimate way to scout talent. While they received some impressive entries, many were outright bizarre, featuring unexpected solos and unconventional vocal approaches. Ultimately, they selected a singer who toured with them in Europe, but when it came time to record, he struggled in the studio and ultimately quit. His departure, which he later attributed to the band not being straight edge, came as a shock and caused a major setback for the band. Nick refutes his reasoning, emphasizing that they never cared about personal lifestyle choices—what mattered was whether he could handle the pressure. Despite being frustrated by the loss, the band remained optimistic. They viewed it as a sign that he wasn’t the right fit and continued searching. Greg, who had been following the band’s auditions, decided to take a proactive approach and submit his own guitar videos. Over time, he built a rapport with the band, sending in numerous clips and making improvements based on their feedback. Eventually, instead of waiting for an official audition call, he took it upon himself to visit and hang out with the band, which ultimately led to his spot in the lineup. At this point, As Blood Runs Black was running out of options, but fate intervened. Their longtime merch guy, Sonik Garcia, who had been with them since 2006, had always been a talented vocalist. Having competed against him in local bands, they knew he had a brutal vocal style and a massive stage presence despite his small stature. When Ken Maxwell suddenly walked off tour, they called Sonik, picked him up at the airport, and threw him on stage that very night with no rehearsals. His energy and confidence instantly won everyone over, including other bands on the tour. The decision felt right, and it was almost as if everything had come full circle. They had wanted him for years, but the timing had never worked out—until now. With Sonik in place, the band had to scramble to rewrite and re-record the entire album, as the previous versions had been done with different vocalists. What had taken months for past singers to complete, Sonik knocked out in two weeks. The process was intense, with long days in hotel rooms writing and recording on the go, but they managed to finish everything before heading out on their next tour. Looking back, they acknowledge the immense stress and setbacks they endured throughout the year. At times, Nick even considered quitting and going back to school. However, he and his drummer shared a belief that perseverance would eventually pay off. Now, headlining tours with close friends, he feels their struggles were worth it. Discussing the state of heavy music, they express a desire for more originality in the scene. They feel that many bands today simply replicate existing styles rather than innovating. While some are pushing boundaries, others rely too heavily on trends like pig squeals and breakdowns, making the genre feel repetitive. They emphasize the importance of keeping groove alive in metal and encouraging diversity in musical styles. Ultimately, their goal is to stand out by doing something fresh rather than following the mold.