Incite: Richie Cavalera Details the Brutality of “Savage New Times” in an Exclusive Interview!
Get ready for sonic chaos! Phoenix-based groove-thrashers INCITE return with their fiercest incarnation yet on Savage New Times, arriving August 15, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music. This album promises to be a powerhouse of modern thrash metal, capturing the pure essence of INCITE—infused with the band’s unwavering grit and years of dedication.
The metal scene is always buzzing, and some bands emerge with an intensity that sets them apart. Such is the case with Incite, the groove and thrash metal machine from Phoenix, Arizona, led by charismatic vocalist Richie Cavalera. Since 2004, Incite has forged its path with a relentless sound, high-energy shows, and unwavering dedication, winning over fans worldwide and sharing the stage with giants like DevilDriver and Six Feet Under.
Known for their visceral performances and for pushing the boundaries of metal—even driving 800 kilometers through a blizzard to reach a show!—Incite has cemented its place in modern thrash. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this force of nature and understand what drives the band and its frontman, NoiseRed had the honor of sitting down for an exclusive chat with Richie Cavalera. Get ready for a candid conversation about the band’s journey, their creative process, their onstage energy, and the challenges of keeping the metal flame alive.
NoiseRed: “Savage New Times” is being described as INCITE’s “fiercest incarnation” yet. What, specifically, did you do differently on this album to achieve that intensity and “unwavering grit”?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: I think we simply brought together everything we’ve done as a band into one cohesive vibe—fully embracing who we wanted to be as a band and how we truly wanted to sound. Each album represented growth for us leading up to this point, and it’s exciting to be creating our best music at this stage of our career. Layne and Lennon also played a pivotal role in taking our songwriting to a whole new level. This album is challenging, fun, and sounds amazing. We wanted to make an album that could stand up against the best out there and that felt fresh, new, and interesting.
NoiseRed: The album was released nearly five years after Built to Destroy. What do you think changed within the band and your musical approach during that time, leading up to Savage New Times?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: We parted ways with our old guitarist after many years, and it was necessary. The direction we were taking after Built just didn’t sit right with us. Lennon really stepped up and became our main songwriter; we released the Wake Up Dead EP in 2022 to showcase our refined sound and start creating music that we all loved and felt truly represented us. I think that’s where everything shifted, and there’s a huge difference when you compare that record to the newer ones. We’re focused on our own style—heavy metal that isn’t afraid to incorporate vibes from across the metal spectrum.
NoiseRed: You mentioned that the album captures INCITE’s “pure nature.” How would you define that “pure nature” to a listener who is just getting to know the band?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Organic, fun, heavy, melodic, and innovative. I think we have a killer, unique sound that any metalhead could appreciate. Whether it’s black metal or nu-metal, there’s something for everyone in this band. Not to mention the mental health aspect of the lyrics and music—it’s a very therapeutic yet crushing record. I think it allows the listener to connect with the songs more than ever before. It’s a solid album from start to finish that holds up over time—it doesn’t get stale after a few listens.
NoiseRed: Steve Evetts’ production and Arthur Rizk’s mixing are highlights. What was the process of working with them on this album like, and how did they help shape the final sound of Savage New Times?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Steve Evetts is an absolute legend, and this is the fourth album he’s worked on with us, so the vibe with him is amazing—but it’s also really tough, because he doesn’t let us slack off. He pushes us hard, and having worked with him so many times, he definitely understands Incite’s sound and style—what we were trying to achieve. Arthur Rizk—you know he’s a badass—he actually handled the mastering for this record. Steve did the mixing. Arthur has really evolved and worked with incredible bands over the last decade, so having him on the record was awesome; I think the combination of Steve and Arthur’s styles really made this album the best it could possibly be.
NoiseRed: New guitarist Layne Richardson is a recent addition. How did his arrival influence the songwriting process and the energy of Savage New Times, both in the studio and for future live shows?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Oh, Layne is amazing. He brought incredible energy, humility, a strong work ethic, and musical influences that meshed perfectly with Lennon, El, and me. He’s really the guy this band has been looking for from the start. He’s a great songwriter and artist—he plays piano and 12-string guitar, and he adds so much to the band. It’s incredible. He’s just perfect for us—plus, his energy and stage presence match ours, and everything else just clicks. I think we’re only just beginning to realize how good this band is going to get with Layne and Lennon writing together so cohesively.
NoiseRed: The tracks “Lies,” “Just a Rat,” “No Mercy No Forgiveness,” and the title track are cited as examples of the album’s strength. Could you tell us a bit more about the inspiration or the creative process behind one of these tracks in particular?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Yeah, they’re all incredibly powerful tracks that anyone listening can relate to in one way or another—whether it’s a cultural, political, or personal sentiment. “Rat and Lies,” specifically for me, was about the hard times I went through with bad people, and I think that was my way of venting those frustrations and finally being able to speak to those bad people. “No Mercy” comes from a place of simply trusting yourself, not listening to others, believing in what you can do, and not giving up. I’m a very hardworking and driven person, and that song represents that feeling inside me that comes out when it’s time to push through tough times.
NoiseRed: INCITE was founded in 2004. Looking back, what was the biggest challenge the band faced and overcame to get to where it is today?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: I think the hardest moment was late 2012. Within a single month, my original bassist left the band, followed by the drummer. It was very challenging. It was very frustrating, and I really didn’t want to go on—but I had to. I had invested too much, and if I hadn’t kept going, I wouldn’t have ended up in a band with amazing people like Lennon and El. I think that moment changed our trajectory forever. The three of us have been together for over 12 years now; we’ve created four albums and just keep getting better. So, for me, that was the hardest—but also an incredible—period for the band.
NoiseRed: Richie, your vocal style is described as having a “fresh, raw edge,” and, obviously, your surname carries a legendary legacy. How do you view the evolution of your voice and performance over the years, and what do you aim to express through them with INCITE?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: I think that’s really what stands out most about the band. When I started, I didn’t take lessons or train or anything like that—I just screamed and gave it my best shot. I think the producers I worked with kept my voice a bit too monotonous—stuck in the same tone without much excitement going on. Beyond that, the lyrical content, the clarity of the words—while still remaining aggressive—and the way I write them have improved a lot. When you listen to our debut album versus this one, my voice has definitely evolved. I’ve refined my style and figured out how I want to sound. I think this is me being exactly who I’m meant to be.
NoiseRed: The band is known for relentless touring, crossing continents and playing festivals like Bloodstock and Heaven and Hell. How important is life on the road for INCITE? And what has been your most memorable touring experience?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Playing live was the most important thing for us as a band. We didn’t have a major label or big backing, so we had to play and build everything from the ground up. Playing live was how we connected with fans and showed them who we are—both musically and as people. That’s how we got into those bigger festivals: by working tirelessly and taking on every show or tour we could.
I’d say going to South America in 2016 was an incredible experience. Metalheads there are so intense; you kind of feel like the Beatles, haha. I definitely can’t wait to go back.
NoiseRed: Marcelo Vasco’s art is always striking. What was it like collaborating with him on the cover for Savage New Times, and what does it represent visually for the album?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: He’s a badass. His vision for the cover was exactly what we were looking for—not to mention the redesign of the new logo, which represents the band’s future. His art is always incredible and unique. This cover stands out in the metal world and is destined to become iconic. It’s exactly what I picture when I think of Savage New Times. The colors, the scheme—everything flows perfectly with the music. If you saw this cover without ever having heard us, I think you’d want to check us out, just because it’s so captivating. It’s awesome.
NoiseRed: You’re an established name in modern thrash metal. How do you view the genre’s evolution in recent years, and what role does INCITE play in this constantly changing scene?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Yeah, I think we prefer the term “heavy metal”—it allows us to incorporate all kinds of styles and influences into our sound. We definitely love thrash, but we’re also into black metal, grind, and death metal. We’re a band that can blend all of that seamlessly and create an incredible sound—at least, that’s how I feel. We’re creating a new vibe that I think a lot of bands will follow and draw inspiration from.
NoiseRed: For Brazilian fans—especially those who follow thrash and groove metal—what message would you like to share regarding Savage New Times and the possibility of playing here in Brazil?
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Absolutely—buy the album, stream it, and spread the word to my fellow metalheads. It’s a killer new direction for heavy music and an exciting listen—not to mention a great release to help you get back up whenever life knocks you down. Spread the word, get hyped, and we’ll see you soon.
NoiseRed: Thanks a lot for the interview; the floor is yours for any final words:
Richie Cavalera / Incite: Thanks so much for the support, and keep rocking out—it’s truly appreciated.
Savage New Times Tracklist:
1. Lies
2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up)
3. Just a Rat
4. Chucked Off
5. Doubts and the Fear
6. Dolores
7. No Mercy No Forgiveness
8. Used and Abused
9. Never Die Once
10. Savage New Times
INCITE is:
Vocals – Richie Cavalera
Guitar – Layne Richardson
Bass – EL
Drums – Lennon Lopez
Créditos:
Recorded with producer Steve Evetts at Bell House Studios
Mixed by Arthur Rizk
Artwork by Marcelo Vasco
Related Links::
https://www.facebook.com/inciteheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/incite_heavymetal/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QMngsbAfyIglYdFpefrQA
https://x.com/inciteband
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/incite/278131122
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