In a comprehensive interview with Scott Davidson of Chicago’s Rebel Radio, Kyle Thomas, the formidable vocalist for the legendary doom metal outfit TROUBLE, has shed significant light on the progress of the band’s long-awaited new studio album. This forthcoming release marks the successor to 2013’s "The Distortion Field," a decade that has seen the band navigate shifts in lineup and continue to solidify their iconic status within the heavy music landscape. Thomas, also the frontman for the influential thrash and groove pioneers EXHORDER, offered a candid glimpse into the intricate process of songwriting and recording, underscoring a dedication to crafting an album that honors TROUBLE’s storied legacy.
The Vocalist’s Craft: A Deep Dive into the Recording Process
Thomas, a 56-year-old New Orleans resident, detailed his current role in the album’s creation, which primarily involves laying down vocal tracks from his home studio. "I’m in the process of recording vocals," he stated, as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "I’m recording all my vocals at home. So what I do is I get the mixes of the songs sent to me. I upload it into a session, I track my vocals, and I put it back into a file for everybody to listen to." This method emphasizes a collaborative approach, with Thomas working closely with the band’s guitarists, Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin, who are credited with the musical compositions. "And what I typically do is, whether it’s Rick or Bruce, whoever wrote the actual music for the song, I work with them until they’re happy," Thomas explained. "I keep sending it to them and if they keep sending it back, ‘Hey, try this, try that. I don’t like this part. I like this part,’ and then once they’re happy with it, I share it with everybody else." This iterative process highlights a commitment to achieving a shared vision, ensuring that every element of the album meets the high standards set by the band and its core members.
The singer revealed that the album is shaping up to feature between 10 and 11 tracks, with roughly half of his vocal contributions already completed. "I’ve finished about half of them," he confirmed. "So, when I get home in late October [from touring with EXHORDER], I’m home for the rest of the year, so I’m gonna work on trying to knock out the last five songs or so, probably before Thanksgiving, and that way my job’s done." This ambitious timeline suggests a significant push to finalize the vocal arrangements in the coming months. Thomas also indicated that the musical foundation of the album is largely complete, with only instrumental embellishments remaining. "I think now all that we’re down to, musically, is just guitar overdubs and maybe some solos — just the little icing-on-the-cake kind of things," he noted. "So things are looking good."
Addressing the "Swan Song" Speculation
The question of whether this new album will represent TROUBLE’s final artistic statement has been a recurring theme in discussions surrounding the band. In a January interview with Defenders Of The Faith, Thomas directly addressed reports that the upcoming record could be considered the band’s "swan song," a term often associated with a final, conclusive act. He responded with characteristic candor: "See, that question is a tough one because I just don’t know. Ultimately, at the end of the day, whether or not it’s the swan song, the answer to that lies within Rick and Bruce. Rob [Hultz, bass], Garry [Naples, drums] and I, our job is to help Rick and Bruce carry the torch, honor the legacy, and do our best to add to the legacy ourselves." This statement places the ultimate decision-making power regarding the band’s future with its founding members, while affirming the current lineup’s dedication to upholding and expanding upon TROUBLE’s rich heritage.
Thomas reiterated the ongoing recording process, acknowledging the long gestation period for new material. "I know for a decade or more there’s been talks of, ‘The album’s coming out next year.’ I still don’t even want to say that, but the music is almost finished being recorded right now, if it’s not 100% complete." He indicated that the album has likely been sent to veteran producer and engineer Bill Metoyer for mixing, a figure with a storied history in metal production, having worked with bands like SLAYER, W.A.S.P., and ARMORED SAINT. "I am in the process of recording vocals and still trying to sort out lyrics," Thomas added. His personal investment in the quality of the album is palpable: "To me, it’s very important that this one is as good or better than any TROUBLE album that I hold dear to my heart. Again, that’s a subjective thing. That’s up to the fans more than anyone else. As a fan of the band, I can promise you I’m taking it extremely seriously and I’m not in any hurry to spit something out and leave it there that I wouldn’t spend money on myself." This commitment reflects a deep respect for the band’s discography and its devoted fanbase.
The Art of Lyrical Creation: Personal Experience and Broad Observation
Thomas’s lyrical approach has always been a cornerstone of TROUBLE’s evocative sound. In a Rebel Radio interview from a year prior, he elaborated on his songwriting inspirations. "Well, I think it’s safe to say most of what I write comes off my sleeve," he stated. "I like to write from my life experiences. That doesn’t mean that everything that I write has something to do with my life in particular. It might be current events that I’m looking at, it might be something that happened to someone I know that’s inspired me to jot something down. So, it’s never really one thing, but I do try to at least have most of the lyrical content have some meat to it." This blend of autobiography, social commentary, and empathetic observation contributes to the profound and often introspective nature of TROUBLE’s lyrical narratives.
He also described a more spontaneous method of lyric writing, often involving vocal improvisation. "But on another hand, there are times when I’ll scat into a microphone when I’m listening to a new piece of music and whatever comes out, if it sounds cool, I’ll try to find words that match what I scatted." This technique allows for a fluid and organic development of ideas, ensuring that the lyrics resonate with the emotional core of the music. Thomas emphasized the importance of creative exploration: "But you try to keep it interesting, you try to not get into a pattern. I think more than anything, you don’t wanna be in a pattern that’s looping the same thing over and over again. I think that gets a little boring, perhaps."
He invoked the concept of "blowing things up," a phrase he learned from a former producer, to describe his experimental approach to songwriting. "’Let’s blow this up. Let’s blow that up.’ And all that really meant was, ‘Let’s experiment with this idea and see if it sticks.’" This willingness to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories is crucial for an artist whose career spans decades and genres. Thomas further clarified his artistic priorities, stating, "For me, my passion is a lot more aligned with songwriting and production and the magic that you make with your music in that regard, more so than trying to be a virtuoso at this or that. That’s less important to me than the quality of the craftsmanship of the material that you’re working on." This focus on the holistic creation of impactful music, rather than mere technical display, is a hallmark of his artistic philosophy.
Honoring the Legacy: Performing Classic TROUBLE Material
A significant aspect of Kyle Thomas’s tenure with TROUBLE has been his role as the vocalist for the band’s classic material, a position previously held by the iconic Eric Wagner. When Scott Davidson commented on Thomas’s faithful renditions of the original songs, Thomas responded with deep reverence for Wagner and the band’s history. "I’m a TROUBLE fan. Before I was really even in bands, I was listening to TROUBLE. And I’m definitely a fan of Eric and Eric’s work, his legacy, the band and its legacy." He articulated a clear distinction between imitation and homage: "So, for me, it was never an option of… I’m not gonna sit there and pretend to sing like Eric or pretend to be Eric. I think that is a disservice to Eric and to me."
Instead, Thomas strives to capture the spirit and essence of the original performances. "But to me, what Eric did in the song, the spirit of TROUBLE through him, through his voice, through his soul, is what I like to honor. I wouldn’t dream of trying to put my own spin on it, per se. Now, again, like I said, I’m not trying to imitate him, but at the same time, there’s a certain way the songs need to be sang." This delicate balance demonstrates his understanding of the emotional weight and stylistic integrity of TROUBLE’s music.
Thomas acknowledges that some long-time fans may never fully embrace his role in the band, given Eric Wagner’s indelible legacy. "There’s people that probably never will love me in this band because I’m not Eric," he conceded. "And I mean, I can’t help that. So, the good news is those old records will never let you down. Listen to those old records and stay home. And the people that wanna come see the show, they’ll come and enjoy it." He shared positive encounters with fans who, despite initial reservations, have come to appreciate his dedication. "I’ve met people on the road that are old, old friends of the band, old friends of Eric’s. They came up to me after a show and they go, ‘Man, we didn’t want to like you, but you do such a good job, it’s obvious that you care about the songs and the band.’ And I’m, like, ‘Yes.’ That’s priority number one." This validation from the community underscores the sincerity and respect with which Thomas approaches his role within TROUBLE.
A Delayed but Determined Return: The Album’s Journey
The path to this new TROUBLE album has been marked by considerable delays, beginning with the band’s announcement of a partnership with Hammerheart Records in January 2020. At that time, plans were in motion to record a new LP during the summer of 2020. However, these aspirations were significantly impacted by unforeseen circumstances, including the global coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted recording schedules worldwide. Despite these setbacks, recording finally commenced in July 2022, according to guitarist Rick Wartell.
This extended timeline is not without precedent for the band. As far back as February 2019, Kyle Thomas, who joined TROUBLE in 2012, spoke with "The Metal Magdalene With Jet" about the evolving songwriting process for new material. He noted a shift in creative focus: "This time they’ve actually written songs with me in mind as the singer instead of, ‘These songs were written when Kory Clarke was in the band, but that didn’t work out, so let’s give it to Kyle and have him back-cleanup, I guess.’" This indicates a more integrated and intentional approach to songwriting with Thomas as a central figure from the outset.
Historical Context and the Enduring Legacy of TROUBLE
TROUBLE’s last studio album, "The Distortion Field," released in 2013, was a significant milestone. It marked the band’s first studio effort in six years and saw Thomas’s recording debut with the group, following the departure of frontman Kory Clarke. The album charted at number 25 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, a testament to the band’s enduring appeal. Produced by Bill Metoyer, the 12-track record followed 2007’s "Simple Mind Condition" and solidified TROUBLE’s place in the doom metal pantheon. The band’s first official performance with Thomas took place in October 2013 at the Day Of Doom festival in Barcelona, Spain.
Formed in 1979 in Chicago, TROUBLE quickly established themselves as pioneers of the doom metal genre with seminal albums such as "Trouble" (often referred to as "The Skull"), "Manic Frustration," and "Plastic Green Head." These releases laid the groundwork for a sound characterized by heavy, down-tuned riffs, atmospheric textures, and often introspective or mystical lyrical themes.
The departure of original singer Eric Wagner in April 2008 was a pivotal moment for the band. Wagner cited his disinterest in the demands of touring as the primary reason for his exit. Tragically, Eric Wagner passed away in August 2021 at the age of 62, following a battle with COVID pneumonia. His passing marked the end of an era for the doom metal community, leaving behind an immeasurable legacy. Bandmate Ron Holzner recalled Wagner’s steadfast, albeit unconventional, approach to personal health and his general opposition to institutionalized medicine, noting that Wagner "stood his ground on the matter" regarding the COVID vaccine. Despite personal health challenges, Wagner had reportedly begun prioritizing his well-being, adopting a plant-based diet and reducing his use of cigarettes and vaping.
The continued work on a new album by TROUBLE, with Kyle Thomas at the helm, represents a powerful commitment to carrying forward the band’s legacy. It is a testament to the enduring power of their music and the dedication of its current members to honor the past while forging a path forward. The anticipation for this release, a decade in the making, underscores the deep connection TROUBLE maintains with its global fanbase, eager to experience the next chapter in the storied history of this iconic doom metal institution.
