Exclusive

Music Video For New Track "Heretik Within" Premiered By Khaotika

April 5, 2015....a deadly accident occurred that took the lives of Khaotika drummer Nick Crisostomo (a/k/a Dyret) and Wormreich members Ian A. McKinney (guitarist/keyboardist) and Paul Truesdel (Bass). It was a tragic loss for two young metal acts trying to leave a mark on the scene. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. More information and insight into the accident, injuries and the new album can be read below in our feature with vocalist Lariyah.

On November 11th, Khaotika will release the debut full length release "The Flame Unleashed" - the fruit of the band's victory over the challenges endured and overcome. Pre-orders for the album begin tomorrow, October 2nd, via the band's website at this location.

"The Flame Unleashed" was recorded by Scott Prian and Paul Golden, mixed and edited by Scott Prion and mastering at Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. Today, Metal Underground.com is proud to present the exclusive first look at "The Flame Unleashed," with the premiere of the music video for the new track "Heretik Within."

The video was recorded and edited by vocalist Lariyah using both a cell phone and a GoPro camera. You can check it out here:

Metal Underground.com caught up with Lariyah to gain more insight into the accident, her own devastating injuries, the new album "The Flame Unleashed" and the band's comeback against all odds.

The accident took place less than one hour away from the band's destination - the home of Kkaotika vocalist Lariyah, where all three bands on the tour were set to rest for a bit. For drummer Nick Crisostomo - the accident happened eight days before his 26th birthday. His last words to Lariyah spoke of how he was so happy to be on tour, thanking her for getting him into Khaotika.

Lariyah noted that since this "reality check," the band has became more determined to accomplish their goals and honor the death of Dyret - the one who was there at the start of Khaotika and having performed in the band's very first shows.

She indicated that the tragedy left guitarist James "Balor" Barile in need of a full right arm reconstruction with metal plates inserted. Bassist Matt "Moloch Infernal" Shaner suffered wounds to his face and arms.

As for herself, Lariyah suffered seven broken ribs - one broken in pointed towards her heart dangerously close to perforating its wall - collapse lungs and a twisted ankle. If that wasn't bad enough, she suffered severe injuries to her left hand, half of which had been sheared off and head trauma that left three quarters of her scalp cut by the force that propelled her through the window (the same window both her bandmate and Wormreich members had perished by). After a lengthy stay in the hospital, in which her forearm and wrist underwent a complete reconstruction, her recovery was remarkable.

Coincidentally, driver Sergio ‘Surg’ Quesada came away from the accident without even a scratch, while everyone else was hospitalized.

Prior to the accident, Lariyah worked as a model and a personal trainer. After the accident, her body disfigurement took both jobs away. She persisted and re-learned the use her left hand through her hobbies: painting , drawing, pyrography and sewing, which have now became her new job. She created both the artwork for the cover of "The Flame Unleashed," as well as the booklet. She said that as a result of the accident, she understands the value and purpose of life more than ever before and is determined to come back stronger than ever, especially for her husband and young baby girl.

With regard to "The Flame Unleashed," about two-thirds of the album was written prior to that fateful April tour. The songs written subsequently were extremely emotional and meaningful to the band. There were more songs written for the album (e.g. "You’re Running," "Witch’s Maze"), but only the best 11 were selected for the final release.

In fact, Khaotika appears to have a big attachment to the number 11. "The Flame Unleashed" will be releasing 11/11 at 11am EST. Pre-orders are priced at $11.99 and this video premiere was released on 10/01 (10+1=11) at 11:00am.

The band chose to work with infamous Swedish producer Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio in Stockholm for the mastering of "The Flame Unleashed," so that it would have a European sound to it, as opposed to "American trending dry sound."

The content has a strong occult vibe and value, yet each track is a story inspired by both the individual and collective feeling of band. As a lyricist, Laryiah said she "will not explain the real value of the songs, if one cannot feel it and see it.” However, she did provide information on some of the tracks.

"Black Moon Lilith" was sung partially in Polish (Lariyah's native language) and you can literally hear Lariyah's voice cracking at times as she fought through emotion and tears. The vocalist claims that this song "is a calling to the goddess - Mother Lilith who empowers her, who saved her and protects her." The track was never recorded in the studio, but during one Monday night, with no prepared lyrics just what came to her mind in both Polish and English. To retain the power and true feeling of that moment, that demo recording was sent in for editing and inclusion in the track.

"Mantra" has no lyrical content listed in the album booklet. All it indicated is that the lyrics are known to the band members themselves. The lyrics were sung in tribal way as hide the words between the syllables and accents. Lariyah said that this is one of the most powerful songs she has ever written. The drums were performed by hand to present an old fashioned "sabbath by fire" type of a feeling. She dedicates the song "to the gods for their blessings."

The song "In Khaos We Trust" has a spoken part in Latin, which Lariyah explained is a prayer to "the Ancients."

When asked why the band uses "ov" instead of "of" in all lyrics, Lariyah stated: "Let’s just say it’s the way our bloodline communicates." The meaning of "the bloodline" was not explained further.

Lariyah stated "she cannot speak [a]loud about who in particular the songs are directed to," but that "Her Vengeance" is also about Lilith, her patron who she places great emphasis on her strength and power and to whom she named her daughter after.

She indicated that there are mistakes within "The Flame Unleashed" - some missed hits and notes that were not corrected on purpose. However, the band insists that’s how the music should be - artistic and deep and real in sound with effects to make it atmospheric to target the soul, not just the ears.

When asked about her beliefs and whether she is a Satanist, Lariyah only responded that she is "not hiding [her] hate for Christianity, especially the church and other religions, but...the world does not know the real meaning of the word ‘satanism’" - tending to only associate it with A.S. LaVey's Church of Satan. She said this is not who she is, but "the whole value of what I believe in is not for a public eye. It is sacred."

When asked what she thinks of the "haters, elitists and trolls," Lariyah said "fuck'em." She added that "those who don’t play music want to fit with others and close their minds to only what they know. If they are fans of rock, they love her vocals, but hate the dark metal music. Those who are into black metal, they do not allow clean singing." She decided to break the rules and start a "new genre," since has reached the point in her life as long as the music has a meaning and purpose, no-one's opinion matters. She vowed to never let anyone manipulate or change the band to make it bigger for someone else's benefit and that each member stands by this decision. They do do not want to known as "another U.S. hard rock product on the market."