INTERVIEW: INCITE IN CONVERSATION WITH RICHIE CAVALERA
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
No Barriers caught up with Richie Cavalera about Incite’s insightful album about savage new times and that they never last, but tough people do
The new album delivered by Incite ‘Savage New Times’ is a heavy piece of wisdom wrapped up in a brutal rhythms and razor-sharp guitar riffs. Richie Cavalera took the time to show No Barriers the exclusive “puke green” vinyl record while we talked about the depth the album’s songs and its greater meaning around not taking the lies, the shit and the shade that the world throws at you. The album is a declaration to make sure you stand up for yourself and stand your ground.
“I was going through some tough things,” stated Richie Cavalera. “I had to just sit there and take it – let the cards play out, you know. All this pain and hate being thrown our way, but you just have to be patient and strong. So, we wrote these songs about it like ‘Lies’ and ‘Just A Rat’. I just had to keep thinking my time will come. I will be able to speak. I just have to let things happen.”
And, Richie Cavalera and Incite has spoken through these 12 songs about our savage times. “Well, the song ‘Savage New Times’ is a battle cry that I hope fans, and especially metal music fans, will get. You know don’t let people tell you what to do or what to be,” said Richie Cavalera. “Fans of metal music get it about life. They know that metal music of all genres speaks to real people. It makes them think but it’s about real life: raising families, working 18-hour days, paying the bills. Metal music – whatever genre you like – can give you that safe space to let all the rage go. I mean I love it. I get to yell into space for 12 songs each gig and I feel fine. I don’t need no therapist – the gig is the therapy – the songs are the escape – the medicine”.
Hopefully, fans will get the chance to sing that medicine, if and when, Incite make in back to Australian shores until then the album is the place to start. The new album ‘Savage New Times’ is a return to form for Incite and the songs like ‘Doubts And Fears’, the remarkable experimental rock ballad of ‘Dolores’ and the fierce ‘No Mercy, No Forgiveness’ are just the sort of tracks that metal fans will love. “I hope people like what we are doing,” declared Richie Cavalera. “The band have worked hard to bring four different points of view about the shit happening at the moment and bringing it together into one whole album. We want people to get even with thinking and singing along to ‘Just A Rat’ or you can explore the darker themes on ‘Used And Abused’ and ‘Never Die Once’. We have taken a massive chance on this album – extended ourselves. We think it’s our best record yet. As we all get older, we realise that we get stronger, tougher and more knowledgeable and we wanted to show that in these songs”.
Incite comprises of Richie Cavalera, Christopher "EL" Elsten, Derek Lennon Lopez and Layne Richardson. Their ‘Savage New Times’ continues their thrash and groove metal with some fine guitar riffage and rapid double drumkicks. “Our patience has paid off in making this record,” said Richie Cavalera. “We really have our music and instrumentation together. The songs came together. We have the right music; team and we think this record shows it’s the right time. Metal music is in a good space: people can explore, like all the different genres and test it out. What we hope is that people will listen to ‘Savage New Times’ and have a smile at the end of hearing it”.
‘Savage New Times’ is a record that rewards the listener. It has a depth to it: like peeling back an onion. When you first listen to ‘Savage New Times’ it’s a wall of heavy metal sound coming straight at you. But, as you keep listening, you hear the nuance and the skilful musicianship and lyrics that really have something to say. “It doesn’t take much to see what is going on,” stated Richie Cavalera. “What’s hard is finding a safe place to let it all out. Metal gigs are great for that. We hope our album can also do that for people. We hope it speaks to fans and listeners. We think our experiences in life are relatable to others and we want to put that knowledge out to people in the world and say you’re not alone. Life is a hard and rewarding journey take it with us”.
Incite really have made an album that reflects our times. The album does echo life’s cycle of: for every low - there is a high. ‘Savage New Times’ is Incite’s high but it’s about understanding and calling out life’s lows and letting loose on how to deal with it.
Incite’s new album ‘Savage New Times’ is out on 15 August 2025. If you want vinyl ordering it now would be a good idea.
