West Coast crossover crew Dead Heat will release their crushing “Process of Elimination” full-length album on October 10th, 2025, via their new label home of Metal Blade Records!
“Process of Elimination” follows the band’s critically lauded 2023-released “Endless Torment” EP. The record serves as a continuation and progression musically, while thematically it often touches on Dead Heat’s disdain for the powers that be. “I feel like unconsciously the music has become more complex with the songwriting and how we play live as well. We all naturally wanted to become better musicians and it shows in our music and live presence”, elaborates guitarist Justin Ton. “Our music is a metal/hardcore twist, but I’d say we intentionally leaned more and more metal in our sound”.
Lead guitarist Ricky Garcia and Ton take guitar influences from Slayer and Sepultura, “but we also both add our own personal influences in the songs on Process… I drew a lot from Dark Angel and Demolition Hammer while also sticking to my hardcore tendencies with Leeway and Cro-Mags influences”, notes Ton. For his part, Garcia cites Kreator, Megadeth, and Pantera as influences, giving props to Marty Friedman and Chris Broderick for solos.
When Dead Heat test drove a few new tracks live on their tour supporting Cavalera Conspiracy, the as-yet-unreleased songs were met with moshing and circle pits. Understandably so. “Everything from the riffs to the song structures and even adding in more thought-out electronic interludes help break the pacing from the sonic assault of the guitars”, says Ton.
“Lyrically, I wanted to touch on a bit of everything, with every song about a different topic”, explains vocalist Chris Ramos. “I feel like I was able to articulate a better understanding of what I was trying to express previously”.
“We are against all racist bigotry in this country”, furthers Ton. “Most of the band is of immigrant descent. We also seek for the world to stop supporting these corporate/political monsters that only seek out personal gain and nothing else”.
First single, “Perpetual Punishment”, opens the record with gentle guitar before kicking into aggro/hardcore mode. “We chose this song to start Process… because when it hits, it’s hard, and has a great flow”, states Ramos. “The song is about not wasting your time in life because tomorrow simply isn’t promised. If there’s something you want to do with your life, do it now, don’t waste your existence thinking about all the things you could have done. It’s a key theme I always try to portray in lyrical form, or even in random stage banter. I feel like it’s what keeps me going every day”.
“Process of Elimination” was produced by the band with Paul Fig (Deftones, Trivium, Jerry Cantrell) and will be available on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
• Blood Moon (Red / Black Marbled – US)
• Dusk (Orange / Red / Black Marbled – US)
• 180g Black (EU)
• Yellow / Brown Merged (EU – Ltd. 300)
• Swamp Green / Bone Merged (EU – Ltd. 200)
Pre-order “Process of Elimination” here.
Tracklist:
1. Perpetual Punishment
2. Annihilation Nation
3. Hidebound
4. The Order
5. Enemy
6. Seventh Gate
7. DH Stomp
8. Solace Denied
9. By My Will
10. Process of Elimination
11. Hatred Bestowed
Line-up:
Justin Ton – Rhythm guitar
Ricky Garcia – Lead guitar
Chris Ramos – Vocals
Yogie Rodriguez – Drums
Vincent Amador – Bass/ rhythm guitar
Lornce Chanch Meraz – Bass
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/DeadHeat805
www.instagram.com/deadheat805
