The industrial metal project Image of Deceit was started in 2020 by D. Anthony (Novarium) as a solo project. Created to tell his story, D. Anthony screams his tale over heavy and rhythmic guitars, syncopated drum beats, and melodic and rhythmic synths. Utilizing sounds from bands such as: Crossbreed, Static X, The Birthday Massacre, Fear Factory, Celldweller, and Blue Stahli, Image of Deceit delivers an industrial sound that many industrial metal fans will appreciate.
-Interview- (3/6/26)
1. What's new with Image of Deceit?
Since the release of my debut album Self Reflection, I have been hard at work trying to find the right sound that I have been after since its inception. In the beginning, I was trying to figure myself out by experimenting with different guitar and synth approaches while also learning how to put together melodies. The organized chaos that ensued I’m sure is apparent as you listen from song to song. There’s no solidified sound but a catalogue of ideas that are expanded upon individually. Now having new synth VST’s and plugins at my disposal, I have been consistently working on my sonic vision that I think would resonate with the Industrial Metal community. Figuring out melody and how to apply it to your own music is no easy task either, but I finally have an approach to writing that makes me excited about writing new music.
2. What's the word on new music?
The word is plenty! The writing process for album 2 titled AWAKEN is almost complete. My guitarist/bassist Daniel Bradley is currently recording his parts as well as mixing and mastering each song as they become “complete.” On album 2, you will hear a more solidified writing approach as well as experimentation on the vocals. There will definitely be no void of melody either.
I’m also working on music for albums 3 and 4 so stay tuned as there is plenty of music to fill your ear holes.
3. How does the writing process go?
The writing process starts with me with a melody or a simple riff idea. I tend to keep the guitars simple so you can focus on the synths and vocals. For the guitars, I use a guitar VST and map out the notes like you would with a drum VST. My guitarist/bassist then records the parts live and incorporates some of his ideas into it. I never track a bass track though because I know that Daniel Bradley brings it every time. The great thing about writing everything yourself is that you can change things in accordance to what you hear vocally or when changing the main melody. I have definitely driven myself crazy by doing that but the outcome almost always outweighs the headaches of rewriting parts.
4. What have you been listening to lately?
If I’m not listening to my Industrial Metal playlist of various artists like: Celldweller, Blue Stahli, Rammstein, Static X, Rob Zombie, Powerman 5K, Daedric, Scandroid etc, I’m indulging in nostalgic radio hits from the 90s and early 2000s. Gotta give the Metal a break sometimes.
5. How do you come up with the graphics and artwork?
I have just one guy that I go to for all of my art work and that guy goes by the name of Noah Zark on facebook and instagram. His artwork spans across all 4 of my albums and will include album 5 when we get started on writing for it. His artwork is made with dark imagery and has started taking on a more photorealistic approach. You guys should definitely check out his stuff.
6. What's one thing you'd change about the local music scene?
That’s a hard question to answer really. A lot of things work against us on the social community spectrum and it makes it hard to decipher on, are we working against ourselves? Or, is the algorithm. When I first started introducing IOD to anyone that would listen, there was a support system where everybody was gaining attention together and helping each other in getting their music heard. Since then, it has been hard to stay relevant and maintain the small community of people that even gave you the time of day. You almost just want to make a 2 second video just to raise your hand and say, “Hey! I’m still here.”
7. Any potential live performances on the horizon?
As of right now, IOD is focusing strictly on music. I did, however, take IOD out on the road for a debut show in Lynchburg, Va with Daniel Bradley on guitar and backing tracks playing live. It was both an amazing, and terrifying, experience but it was a great turnout. I have for years been the guy behind the drums playing the beat on various stages across the east coast. I had no idea the transition from drummer to singer/screamer would be so paralyzing. I am so excited to bring IOD on the road but my anxiety got the best of me when I played my first ever IOD show. I was able to generate enough courage to play the whole show but the paralyzing feeling stayed with me for about a week after. I eventually want to persevere and bring IOD back to the stage one day. Stay with me to find out where this adventure leads!!!
8. Any plans for any music videos?
Music videos for me have been an afterthought. A lot of money goes into making them and I would rather put that money into the songs themselves. I have one music video, however, for the song “When I’m Gone” but it is made with animations and various imagery. When the right song comes along, maybe I’ll contemplate making a true music video, but for now, enjoying listening to the efforts going into making the music itself.
9. What do you wish to accomplish for the rest of the year?
I, personally, want to release albums 2 AND 3. Half of album 2 is already mixed, mastered, and released on all streaming platforms. Album 3 is already mapped out with about 9 or 10 songs. I feel like once I release album 2, anybody paying attention would realize that we are serious about making music and that IOD is not going away anytime soon. That would be emphasized by the release of album 3 with album 4 still in development.
-Interview- (3/9/23)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Image of Deceit" and is there any meaning behind it?
In high school my best friend growing up and I wanted to start a band due to being influenced by Metallica. Originally, I was going to play guitar since my oldest brother is a guitar player and I could’ve learned from him. My best friend’s father got him a guitar instead of a drum set so naturally I turned my desire towards getting a drum set instead. Metallica had just come out with Metallica S&M and I got my mom to buy it for me on VHS. Due to the camera angles, I was able to grasp a good understanding of what Lars Ulrich was playing and quickly became enamored by him. I was fortunate that the drum set my dad bought me came with a double bass pedal as I quickly built up my skills as a double bass player. My oldest brother was also a huge influence on me as I got to see his talent evolve while he played out a lot in local bands. That developed my desire to play on stages whether big or small. Eventually I started playing in local bands sharing various venues with a lot of talented musicians. Years had passed and my oldest brother came to me and wanted to start a band of our own that later became known as Novarium. We had a lot of success with Novarium and continued to develop our individual talents out of necessity and desire. My role in Novarium started changing a bit to where I started creating a skeleton of a song to share with everybody utilizing only a drum track. I quickly became anxious and motivated to finish the songs and was given the means to do so after being directed to a VST called RealEight. RealEight is a midi guitar VST that allows people like me to create guitar tracks without any real knowledge of being able to play the guitar. The final piece of the puzzle was being given guidance on how to scream! Image of Deceit was officially born!
The sound of Image of Deceit developed over the course of at least 2 years. I knew I wanted to be an industrial metal act but wasn’t sure how I was going to accomplish it. If you listen to the evolution of the sound from Reprieve to Light The Fire Inside, you can tell I was trying to figure myself out. Light The Fire Inside is a great prelude of the sound associated with Image of Deceit going forward. I referenced influences from bands such as; Crossbreed, Static X, The Birthday Massacre, Fear Factory, Celldweller, and Blue Stahli. I basically took things from these acts that really stood out to me in their sound and put together my own sound that I would want to hear.
The name Image of Deceit I thought of because I get judged a lot by people and it’s usually the wrong impression. My personality is usually reserved and quiet until I get to know you. Because of that, people tend to be quick to think they know who I am based off of what they see and not what they know. So the band name is really important to me!
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
I want people to feel the energy and be able to leave their issues behind when they listen to it, or even as they listen to it. I talk about subject matter that is personal to me but is shared by many. I use a lot of metaphors in my lyrics so every song is open to interpretation and can hopefully mean something to everybody. My music is a therapeutic outlet for me, and I want to share that experience with everybody!
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
I would say the simplest way to describe it is; heavy and rhythmic guitars, syncopated drum beats, melodic and rhythmic synths, and screaming vocals.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
In a realistic sense? I would say Psyclon Nine, The Birthday Massacre, and Crossbreed.
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
Due to when I created Image of Deceit, Covid didn’t really affect me at all in that sense.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Industrial Metal?
I feel like Industrial Metal is making a comeback. It was very prominent in the late 90s early 2000s but slowly trickled off. A lot of the industrial metal acts I looked up to growing up seem to be coming back around.
7. What's the current music scene like there in Virginia?
Virginia has a decent music scene but is really full of local acts. The chance to play with well known acts mostly come from playing out in Maryland or Pennsylvania. The best place to play in Virginia and get to open for a well known band is in Lynchburg Va at a place called Phase 2. It’s there that Novarium was able to open for Puddle of Mudd.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I personally think it’s a joke. There’s no way you can make a living off of that unless you are already a successful band. At that point, all of the streaming royalties are play money. I am happy to share my music for free as I am proud of the music I create and want to share it with anybody that wants to listen. But I don’t think people who listen to music, but never create it, actually know what’s involved in even a single song. We can spend hours, or even days, to make 1 song as “perfect” as possible and it get easily torn apart by people with no understanding of music creation. Makes it really hard sometimes and gives an unrealistic expectation of self worth.
9. What's next for Image of Deceit?
2023 is going to be a very busy year for Image of Deceit. The debut album Self Reflection will be released both in physical form and digitally, we plan to bring IOD to various stages near and far, and merch will be developed for purchase. So do be on the lookout for updates!
10. Any shoutouts?
I’d like to personally thank my oldest brother, Dean Michaels (Novarium), for being a major influence on me and my biggest supporter, Micah Consylman (Ex Bella Morte/Deeper Down Below) for his guidance and support with me becoming a vocalist and showing me RealEight Guitar VST, and Daniel Bradley for all of his help with playing the live guitar and bass for all IOD songs!
