Thrash metal has a rich history that has seen both periods of dominance and drought over the years. Illinois’ Patchwork is a band that aims to keep the thrash metal style relevant even in 2025 with their latest record, Scars. The album infuses Bay Area thrash influences, delivering energetic, progressive, and melodic riffs and hooks. In a recent interview with drummer Dave Caruana and guitarist Brad Carlson, they discussed their musical journey, the long break between albums, guest guitarists on the record, thoughts on the thrash genre, favorite albums, and the challenges of being a live band again.
Both Caruana and Carlson shared their early music influences, with Caruana’s introduction to heavy metal through Metallica’s “Battery” sparking his passion for drumming. Carlson’s exposure to Metallica’s “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” ignited his love for guitar playing. The band’s second album, Scars, took seven years to write due to various life events, including lineup changes and the illness of their late guitarist, Mark. The album’s lyrical content explores themes of grief, loss, and the impact of past experiences.
One of the notable features of Scars is the inclusion of guest guitarists from bands like Overkill, Flotsam & Jetsam, Exodus, and Heathen. The band shared insights on how they connected with these musicians and incorporated their unique skills into the record. The songwriting process for Scars involved creating vocal patterns alongside the music, reflecting personal and societal experiences of trauma and resilience.
As Patchwork faces the challenges of finding a new guitarist and navigating the music industry, they emphasize the importance of demand and financial viability for future live shows. The band’s love for thrash metal shines through as they discuss the genre’s intensity and technicality, hoping for wider appreciation and recognition in the music scene.
Caruana and Carlson also highlighted the impact of influential albums like Metallica’s Master of Puppets and Rush’s Power Windows on their music outlook. They shared memorable concert experiences, including Metallica shows and witnessing bands like Symphony X live. Looking ahead, Patchwork plans to focus on promoting Scars through PR campaigns, interviews, and potentially exploring live performance opportunities based on demand and logistics.
With the establishment of their own record label, Scars of Lazurus Records, Patchwork aims to take control of their music releases and merchandise. As they navigate the post-release phase of Scars, the band remains open to future opportunities for live shows, festivals, and tours, driven by their passion for thrash metal and dedication to their craft.
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