Weapons of Anew Brings Its Heavy Melodies Back Home

There’s a double dose of great news for Weapons of Anew fans. The New Jersey melodic metallers known for their energetic live shows and hook-laden, heavy music have three upcoming hometown performances: Saturday, July 20 at the Levoy Theatre in Millville;Thursday, July 25, at Sony Hall in New York City; and Saturday, July 27, at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

What’s more, Weapons of Anew is working on its highly anticipated second album, which is due to be released early next year. The band’s stellar debut disc, “The Collision of Love and Hate,” showcased the group's penchant for writing lively, memorable songs filled with heavy riffs and rhythms and infectious melodies. Weapons of Anew is led by guitarist Freddy Ordine and also consists of singer Ray West, bassist Stefan “Reno” Cutrupi and drummer Chris Manfre.

Since the release of “The Collision of Love and Hate” in 2017, Weapons of Anew has been busy opening for the likes of Tesla, Metal Allegiance and Alter Bridge, an example of the band's diversity and appeal to all types of heavy music fans. Weapons of Anew is currently on tour supporting former Creed singer Scott Stapp.

We recently spoke to Freddy Ordine.

You're currently working on a new album, your first in two years, due out early 2020. How's everything coming along?

They’re saying early to mid-January. We're about 85 percent where we want to be. We've got 10 or 11 songs ready and I want to go to 14 or 15 and then pick through the best. The songs still have a heavy edge but also could be played on the radio. But then there are songs that are straight-out metal that could be on an old Metallica record.

How would you say the album progresses from your debut, "The Collision of Love and Hate," a great record in its own right.

We’ve grown a lot. We’ve done a lot of touring and it’s more of a group effort. You definitely want to do better than before and I think we’re on the right track. It definitely still sounds like us. There’s some more radio stuff on it but it still has our heavy edge. We’ve also had more time to make this one. We’ve had more time to fine-tune the songs. They sound a little bit more how we sound live. Our energy is really on it.

What I really love is the band's sense of melody within the heaviness that makes the music memorable; the melodies and harmonies that sink in without losing that heaviness. What would you say makes Weapons of Anew unique?

When we first started this that was the whole thing, the melody. I had come from a thrash band and there wasn’t a lot of melody in it but I’ve always loved it. So when we started Weapons the songs had to have a little more dynamics and soul. When I met (singer Ray West) it was a match made in heaven. He’s all about melody. We focused a lot on that and the new record has tons of melodies on it that are gorgeous.

Are you previewing any new songs on your current tour?

We're just starting to break out one new song. It's a little nerve wracking. You're playing and thinking, 'do they like it? I hope they like it.’ But once you commit to doing it you've got to see it through. I think we’ll be alright. It will be fun to play new songs for the hometown crowd.

Weapons of Anew is known for its remarkable energy onstage. What's your philosophy toward live performances?

It's just fun for us. We feel lucky to be able to do this at this level. It’s a contagious thing. We see the crowd having fun, we’re having fun, and we go back and forth with that.

For more information visit www.weaponsofanewband.com and www.facebook.com/weaponsofanew