The members of Mutalitia are not old enough to legally smoke cigarettes, get into clubs or fight in the military. But that does not stop the four youngsters from creating evil thrashing metal about destruction and war.
Mutalitia is comprised of four high school juniors, all anxiously waiting to be 18 years old. On paper this band could be written off as an immature teen metal band trying to imitate Metallica, but one listen will void all prejudgments.
When people would hear about us it's like
'A metal band that young how can they be any good?' drummer Chris Love said. We had to play shows to prove ourselves to people.
The foursome of Love, bassist Zach Catania, guitarist Locke Wolf and vocalist-guitarist Kye Wright have all been playing instruments since before their teens.
We were the only ones in our elementary (schools) that played Catania said. And we all happened to like heavy metal.
The band officially formed in February 2002 and had its first gig at the Front Room. Due to only being a band for two months, Mutalitia played what it knew -Metallica covers.
Since that first show, Mutalitia has cut back on the covers and started thrashing to original material. In three years, the group has filled The Blue Gator, rocked out The Union several times, nearly destroyed an Ellis Hall classroom during a show, played the Halloween Block Party three years in a row and took first place in an Athens High School battle of the bands.
We've pretty much won our high school over since we were freshmen
Wolf said.
As far as plans for after graduation, Mutalitia hopes to stay together and be in a famous metal band, but is staying practical with plans to possibly attend Ohio University or surrounding colleges.
Getting out of high school will be a big part of getting farther with our metal
Wright said. It's tough when you're in high school to get invited to play with other bands in other cities and not be able to go.
The Mutalitia's album is a work in progress, as the members are unsatisfied with the recordings thus far and are having it remastered. The band has 13 songs written, but is doing its best to not make its metal sound repetitive.
All of us listen to it and wish we could change our parts on it
Wright said. So
we're gonna go back into the studio and touch some stuff up.
