Founding members, Alex Punchard (guitar/bass/synth) Pete Gale (Lead vocal) and Gareth Lucas (drums and percussion) who first worked together in Hard rock quintet, Distance to Fault (Casket Records) Re-Formed in May 2016 after a 5-year break from Music, and as the newly formed No Worth Of Man, their mission is to create a hard hitting, funk infused, aggressive stance on modern metal. Working with such producers as Dave Chang (Earthtone 9, Stamping Ground, Orange Goblin) and Fredrick Nordstrum (Soilwork, BMTH, Dream Evil) has allowed this trio to develop their writing ability to a level that clearly shows in their recently self-released EP Initium Novum. Following on from this, NWOM went on to release their second instalment, The Middle Farm Experiment, at Middle Farm Studios in Devon with producer Chris Edkins ( Adam " Nolly" Getgood, Devin Townsend) this 3 track EP was recorded completely live, which is something that is rare in modern metal music. The result was a brutal representation of the bands live sound. For their most recent release, Death Reflections, they again went back to Chris Edkins but took the more structure approach.
Becoming a 3 piece was a difficult decision to make for this South East based band, due to the complexity’s involved with writing metal, but it was a challenge that they relished. Born from necessity due to uncommitted members, No Worth of Man now utilise modern technology to its full potential, which means they are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in an exciting and rewarding way. We are currently recording out latest EP, Titled 1847, which will be mixed and mastered by the great Fredrick Nordstom and be out later this year.
We are very professional and proficient live musicians and never fail to put on a show. Most common question at a gig - " how are you so heavy for a 3 piece with one guitar?" because of this, we have never expanded into a standard 5 piece which is the norm as we believe it is our USP. And we are happy to say, we don't use backing tracks and all sounds on stage are live..! Highlights of playing live include opening for Karma to Burn in Bournemouth, Anvil and opening for Puppy and King810 in Portsmouth, Wedgewood rooms. As a band, we are equally comfortable on any size stage. Before Covid hit in 2020, we were also scheduled to open for Sepultura on their pre download warm up shows. Currently we are trying to book more shows and raise the profile of the band.
"Death Reflections" Single Review
The track begins with an ambience of thunder and an ambience of moody tones before picking up the pace. The track then erupts around the thirty five second mark with a headbangers intensity. The Death Metal like vocals enter the fray while the frantic instrumentation continues to shred things up. The track adds a touch of synth in its chorus to showcase a bit more depth. The heaviness cranks up a bit around the two minute mark as the shades of Black Metal are in the forefront. The mosh appeal is off the charts as three minute mark once again shifts gears into a more crunchy affair. The ending of the track goes off the rails as the listener can hear all of the emotion with every scream of the vocals.
Verdict:
No Worth Of Man looks to ignite the Metal scene with their pulverizing single.
-Interview- (6/15/22)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "No Worth Of Man" and is there any meaning behind it?
Pete – “I personally started playing guitar at the age of 12 and joined my first serious band at the age of 16 where I met our drummer Gareth. After various band incarnations (where we met our guitarist Al along the way), we finally formed No Worth of Man. Our sound was really born out of necessity as we struggled to find or keep other members, so we thought "fuck it", we'll just be a 3 piece with me switching to vocals and Al taking up both the guitar and bass guitar duties.
Gareth – “I was a bit of a late starter, and only started playing at 16. I was unschooled, so to say I was bad was an understatement HA-HA. One thing I will say, is that I am a hard hitter, which has helped, dare I say, forced...!!, the band to be louder, which is great, as it adds to the presence. However, as we are only a 3-piece, the clarity is not sacrificed because of this”.
Alex – “I have been playing guitar since I was 8 and always been into music and generally playing in bands. When we formed No Worth of Man out of the ashes of a previous band, we decided to approach things differently with our sounds. As Pete said, we grew a bit tired of the lack of commitment from previous members so decided to create a heavy 3 piece, no tricks, no smoke and mirrors and no backing tracks”.
Pete – “No hidden meanings behind the name really, Gareth came up with "Worth of Man" and I just suggested to add "No" to the beginning and that was it”.
Gareth – “yeah, pretty boring really HA-HA. It can mean, whatever. The band make it cool, not the other way around”.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
Pete – “Whatever they feel it gives them”
Alex – “Whatever they feel like taking”
Gareth – “yeah, I agree with this, it’s always better when someone has a personnel or emotional view of a track that means something to them as an individual"
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Heavy, groovy and slightly progressive with a Nu-Metal vibe
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Lamb of God, Dimmu Borgir Mastodon.
Alex – “but realistically any bands who are a good bunch of people!”
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
Gareth – “Covid hit us the same as everyone really. Live shows were obviously non-existence and we had to meet to rehearse in between restrictions being lifted. At the time we were on a roll with touring, but the lockdown gave us time to write new songs and focus on a new EP.”
Alex - “Not really affected us hugely except the gap of about 18 months with no gigs. We’re busy people so it can be tough to find times for practice that work for all three of us but overall, pretty consistent”
6. What’s your take on the current state of Metal?
Pete – “I don't really listen to many new bands as I feel that a lot of them sound a bit overproduced and generic.”
Gareth – “I tend to agree with this as well. I still listen to bands I was listening to when I was 20 years old.”
Alex – “Not blown away by anything currently but open to listen to new up and coming bands”
7. What’s the current music scene like locally there in the UK?
Gareth – “Its ok, but not the best. A lot of the venues have closed after Covid, and people’s attitude to Metal in our local area especially, is that of anti-socialism and anarchy. The best venue we had, was closed and turned into a McDonalds...!!! Any venue that is still open is always being threatened by a closure or petition to close. We have to play outside our local area a lot because of this, which brings its own issues.
Alex – “I would say, pretty good, though seems quite small in our circuit as we tend to come across the same bands every few gigs."
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
Pete – “That they're virtually non-existent”.
Alex – “Pretty poor. Seems there is little monetary value on music in general these days”
Gareth – “Yeah, with the likes of streaming platforms, it has destroyed the returns that bands can make. But, when trying to make a name for yourselves, you must make your music as accessible as possible, and that means making a sacrifice, which in the case of streaming, is money. People want something for nothing these days, and don’t realise the effort that goes into producing the finished product in the first place. If your thinking of forming a band for the money, think again HA-HA”
9. What's next for No Worth Of Man?
Pete – “We have a new 4 track ep which should be released at the end of September, Other than that it's a case of more writing and gigging”
10. Any shoutouts?
Gareth – “Choff at Untouchable Promotions. Sean and Gerry at the Rooms rehearsal studios, where we have been since they opened”
