Getting to Know… Karnage Through Crossing | Interview

In the 483^rd Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Calgary, Alberta metal band, Karnage Through Crossing.

“On stage, KTX [Karnage Through Crossing] live up to our word of going BIG.” The band adds, “Our storytelling blends dark fantasy, historical echoes, and unflinching empowerment, all delivered with the defiance and showmanship of our heroes.” We get the inside scoop on the Calgary, Alberta band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know… Karnage Through Crossing: Interview No. 483!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Karnage Through Crossing distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

On stage, KTX live up to our word of going BIG. Think full-stack amps, custom-built steel props wrapped in barbed wire and chrome, leather and ripped denim, massive drum kits, the blazing strobes and fog of heavy metal’s golden age. Our storytelling blends dark fantasy, historical echoes, and unflinching empowerment, all delivered with the defiance and showmanship of our heroes: Iced Earth, Megadeth, Death Angel, Judas Priest, and Skull Fist.

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Karnage Through Crossing form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

Karnage Through Crossing formed out of the development of a band from 2018-2021 called Nova 1, featuring ex-members of speed metal bands, death metal, and metalcore bands, founded by Rhyse Tremel and his partner, a lead guitarist who used to play during the first lineup of a now touring speed metal band from Calgary. Strained tensions from unsuccessful recruiting and member dropouts during COVID led to the disintegration of the band in 2022, where Ashton Lal was training to become the next drummer. With Rhyse and Ashton remaining in the band, Rhyse took his songs from Nova 1, recruited and trained bass guitarists until someone stuck, and started recording with the crew.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Our short-term goals always vary from cycle to season, but our primary mission always remains the same: become a touring torchbearer of old school heavy metal in a modern world. Right now, our goals are to finish writing our second album, which we have over halfway completed, and finish training a new member so we can get back on the road. If you want to hear more details, you have to follow us online; we’re literally everywhere.

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Rhyse quotes songs about the electrifying heavy metal lifestyle he sees represented around him in his life and from his favorite bands like Iced Earth, Judas Priest, Dissection, and Skullfist. The high energy, electrifying guitar solos, punchy guitar riffs, and glass-shaking highs are what make us feel ALIVE, so without a doubt, ‘80s heavy metal is something we couldn’t help but be inspired by even if we tried.

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Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

A couple of years ago, when we first started gigging, we blew a tire really badly on a big major highway, ripped steel off the wheel well, caused permanent paint transfer to the side of the van, scared the shit out of half the band; the guys thought the drive shaft just exploded. After getting out and seeing only the rim remaining, we had to viand the tire on a narrow highway with a lot of semis and big vehicles roaring by us. The one new guy in the band at the time definitely was not having a good time, haha.

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

“The Underground”, which we released on September 5th, has been our favorite song to date. What makes it so enjoyable to perform and play is simply that IT HAS EVERYTHING! Heavy punchy riffs, high energy atmospheres, melodic snappy licks, screaming highs and growling lows, electrifying guitar solos, tight and fast parts, but most importantly, it’s not overly technical, so we can really speak into it when we perform, and everyone can feel the grooves to rock out with us.

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Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Karnage Through Crossing? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Nope. We were always cool.

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What is Karnage Through Crossing currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure.

Album number two is going to be out in 2026! Guess what? You can already get a taste of the massive jump from our debut. Right now! You can stream, everywhere, our first two singles off the album. “Chosen Paths” and “The Underground.” Check out the new, heavier era of Karnage Through Crossing and follow us online to hear when the album comes out. 🤘🏻

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Karnage Through Crossing: Interview No. 483 [📷: Karnage Through Crossing]

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