IN HEARTS WAKE // Announce Permanent Drummer Conor Ward & Discuss New Record

Byron Bay metalcore heroes In Hearts Wake have announced that their once fill-in drummer Conor Ward has now officially joined the band.

Speaking to Hysteria, vocalist Jake Taylor says that Ward’s addition to In Hearts Wake after an 18-month stint filling in came naturally. “He’s definitely the right guy for the job. We’ve had two drummers in the past during our experience as a band and we don’t take the decision lightly. We won’t have anyone just take on the role, so we were patient and let it be natural to see how it would eventuate. By this stage you just know he’s the guy for it.”

With that and the Equinox tour he really stepped up and rose to the occasion. He deserves to be that guy.
[ Jake Taylor ]

As the band prepare for their newest member to prove himself on their next recording, Taylor notes Ward has already shown he’s ready to take on the challenge. “He recorded on Equinox and it was—not a test—but a big step for Conor to record something with us”, says the vocalist. “With that and the Equinox tour he really stepped up and rose to the occasion. He deserves to be that guy.” When asked whether this is the opportunity for Ward to truly show what he can do with In Hearts Wake, Taylor agrees. “100%. You nailed that totally.”

With their last two records Skydancer and Earthwalker skyrocketing the band to the top of the Australian heavy echelon, it would be understandable for In Hearts Wake to take a breather. That’s not the plan though says Taylor. “I think this is the time for all of us to not only come of age as musicians, but with those two records we could do anything with. We were taking a punt in the dark by doing two at once. It was a huge commitment to undertake.” The band are at the beginning of the writing process – “tentative is the right way to put it” – but there’s a sense of maturity from Taylor after the exhausting Duality cycle. “The age we’re at and the experience we’ve gained from playing the last two records so many times—well over 300 shows in so many different countries—we’re going to bring all of what we’ve learnt. What songs work best and which ones don’t.”

We’re going to pull [all our experiences] into the new material with five people who are going to be on this record.
[ Jake Taylor ]

The experiences along the way have shaped In Hearts Wake from a local metalcore act to one of the biggest in Australia, and Taylor is more than aware of the journey they’ve been on. “We’re going to pull [all our experiences] into the new material with five people who are going to be on this record and working together… We haven’t had too much time in between Slipknot, Warped Tour and Indonesia. We’re looking to the record next and do the Duality cycle justice before we can turn to the next chapter.” There’s no need to worry about the band taking an extended break after all their efforts either, the vocalist says confidently.

“I feel more ready than ever.”

Catch In Hearts Wake on their final of their Duality album cycle with Columbus and The Brave.

Thursday December 15, The Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour NSW 18+
Friday December 16, Wharf Tavern, Sunshine Coast QLD 18+
Saturday December 17, Great Northen Hotel, Byron Bay NSW 18+