By Matthew O'Shaughnessy from WVOX.com.

Drummer Opus from Connecticut’s rising hardcore thrashers DEAD BY WEDNESDAY dropped by WVOX.com recently to chat about the band's new album, The Last Parade. Check out the chat below.

WVOX.com: What is the band hoping to convey with the title of the new album The Last Parade.

Opus:  "Well, it’s basically our version of talking about 2012 and the apocalypse.  The end of the world.  We looked at as, well, if this is really true…what would be the best thing for us as a humanity to do. And we all thought together as a team and thought let’s throw a big huge party and go out in style – The Last Parade. It’s basically based around the apocalypse, but there’s also a double meaning. A lot of the songs elaborate on not giving up, preserving, etc.  Basically our challenge throughout this entire music industry…we’ve stuck through it through thick and thin… lived in a van and didn’t eat, and had a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of the songs talk about leaving a legacy and a mark in the industry. When you die you do leave your art behind…and you do leave your music behind and something to remember you by."

WVOX.com: Where does Dead By Wednesday draw most of its inspiration for it’s intelligent and well thought out lyrics?

Opus:  "Well, a lot of it comes from our singer, Joey Morbidelli, and also my cousin who’s a special guest on this album. They’re both highly intellectual guys. They like to talk about things that have meaning.  A lot of times Joey likes to talk about things with double meanings… where you don’t really know what its about but it could pertain to many different things. A lot of bands used to do that like old METALLICA.  So he likes to do that a lot.  He also likes to read a lot of books.  He had a really rough upbringing, so he read a lot. He thrives on giving people substance."

WVOX.com: What are you hoping people and fans will come away with upon listening to The Last Parade?

Opus:  "We want them to come away with a sense that we are always evolving and that we are not a one trick pony.  That although we all love heavy metal…and we are a metal band through and through…and we do appreciate all different styles of music individually. And that we like to draw inspiration from old school punk, thrash, hardcore and sometimes rap.  We try to mix it up and we want people to walk away with the idea that these guys are always evolving  and you never know what they are going to do next. I believe every album we did got better, got tighter, had better production and was heavier.  I really want people to walk away with some inspiration for themselves. As far as the music goes…we want people to leave saying ‘wow I really dig what these guys are doing’.

They have all different stuff going on, but they’re still a heavy metal band and they stayed true to what they believe in."

WVOX.com: Most would agree this new album is your crowning achievement and the band has to be so stoked how The Last Parade turned out and how well it has been received.

Opus: "We are all very, very happy how it came out and how it has been received!  One of the main reasons is our producer, Enoch Jensen from East Lake Recording Studios . He really stepped up his game in every album.  Not only have we gotten better as a band but he also has gotten better as a producer and he really wanted to leave a mark as well as the band this time around and I believe we did. When we went into this album, we said. ‘How can we make this the best album to date’? And we said we gotta be on fire and not settle."

WVOX.com: A lot has transpired in heavy metal since the legendary '80’s and even '90’s. What , in your opinion, are some main changes since that time in metal music?

Opus: "A lot has changed. Obviously, the whole downloading thing which has been exhausting. Because a lot of people still want to buy hard copy cd’s at shows. When you tour, that’s when you sell cd’s. That’s how you get people. One by one, two by two, three by three. They see your band , they want to buy the stuff. They want to support you. They buy the album, they buy a shirt.  And that’s really what’s changed. I also think that things like Rock Band and Guitar Hero ruined a lot of ideas for kids. In stead of playing  a real instrument they play these video games and think that they’re rock stars.  I also feel that Youtube has made people lazy.  They stare at the computer screen!  I used to love going to shows seeing OZZY, Metallica, IRON MAIDEN etc.  I wanted to see them live.  There was no YouTube then. So, I feel YouTube has changed the music scene too."

WVOX.com: What would you like to say to all your fans?

Opus: "Thank you for your undying support since the beginning in 2005!  And for spreading the word to your friends.  We appreciate you guys picking up "The Last Parade” and giving it a chance.  We hope that you continue to stick with us.  We are going to continue to make kick-ass music!  Not only thank you, but if you have anything to say to us – hit us up on Deadbywednesday.com."