In the world of crossover thrash, few bands ride harder or faster than Deathwish. With the release of their latest album The Fourth Horseman, the band returns with a vengeance—tight riffs, raw energy, and a vivid sense of apocalyptic grandeur.
I caught up with Biddy, vocalist of Deathwish, to talk about the new record, recording during chaos, the evolution of touring, and how AI fits (or doesn’t) into the punk ethos.
The Story Behind the Record
“This is technically our third full-length,” Biddy explains. “People think it’s our fourth because there was a reissue of our first two LPs that sold out. That reissue was pressed in a run of 666 double LPs—but The Fourth Horseman is the third full-length of original material.”
From the outset, The Fourth Horseman has been a return to form with an edge. “Beer City Records has been with us from the beginning,” he continues. “Mike [from Beer City] signed us pretty much on the spot when I played him our first demos.”
Their debut was a surprise success. Thanks to being included on the coveted Record Store Day list—alongside giants like Metallica and Frank Sinatra—their first record sold out 90% of its stock before it even hit shelves. “It flew off the shelves. We got really lucky.”
New Approaches to Recording
While past albums were recorded in Minneapolis with their longtime engineer Tucker, this time Biddy stayed close to home.
“I found out the guitar tech for Max Cavalera—now working with Municipal Waste—has a studio 15 minutes from my house. So our guitar player went to Minneapolis to record his tone with Tucker, and then we tracked the rest at Car Pound Studios with Mark Burr. Eventually, Joe Grind from Toxic Holocaust did the mastering.”
The multi-location approach didn't detract from cohesion. If anything, it gave the album a broader, heavier sonic depth.
On AI, Art, and Authenticity
When asked about the growing presence of AI in the music world, Biddy is thoughtful but open-minded.
“I’ve never used it, and I don’t know much about it—but I don’t mind it, as long as people are honest about using it. At the end of the day, whether it’s a person or a program, they’re still interpreting your idea. I’m a conceptual artist—I can’t draw. If someone draws or renders exactly what I imagined, that’s what matters to me.”
Still, he’s wary of the economic impacts: “The real problem is that AI can put people out of work. I hate that. But the genie’s out of the bottle.”
The Long Road: Touring and Van Wisdom
Touring has always been a vital part of Deathwish’s grind, and over time, the band has picked up plenty of road wisdom.
“I used to burn through vans—buying the wrong ones, not knowing about towing capacity. Then I bought a 2007 Ford E350. It’s got 360,000 miles on it, has only broken down twice, and it still runs amazing. That was a game-changer.”
With the addition of a trailer for gear, the band now has room to stretch out and keep morale high on long hauls.
DIY Roots, International Reach
While they’ve played sold-out shows in LA at The Regent and The Union, Death Wish still cherishes intimate DIY spaces. “We played a tiny record shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was one of the wildest, most fun shows ever. Doesn’t matter if it's 100 people or 1400—if the crowd’s into it, we’re into it.”
Internationally, the band has found love across the globe. “Croatia was amazing. Germany always shows up. Japan—especially Tokyo—was unforgettable. And oddly enough, Appleton, Wisconsin, is one of the most fun spots to play.”
Industry Curveballs and Label Loyalty
The band’s journey with The Fourth Horseman wasn’t without setbacks. After signing a major deal with Victory Records, the label was sold to Concord, who dropped them without a second glance.
“Tony [Victory] reached back out later to sign us to his new label, Mission Two. But just as our record was ready to come out—COVID hit, and the label folded.”
Thankfully, the band reclaimed the masters, and Beer City welcomed them home. “Mike said, ‘This is the best stuff you’ve ever done.’ We got the exact release we wanted—great colors, pressing, layout, everything. Artistically, it’s a 10 out of 10.”
What’s Next for Deathwish?
Festivals like Hellfest are still on the horizon. “We missed them before because members had obligations in other bands. But we’ll get there eventually.”
Until then, the band continues to tour, record, and raise hell—on their own terms.
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