Oathbound, the progressive metalcore band known for blending technical riffs with raw emotion, is back with their latest album Colors In Grey. With a refined approach to songwriting, heightened aggression, and atmospheric elements that deepen their sound, the band aims to push their musical boundaries while staying true to their core identity.

By Sandra Pinto

We spoke with guitarist Taylor Harper about the creative process behind the album, working with renowned producer Aaron Chaparian, and the themes that define this new chapter for Oathbound.

Colors In Grey marks a new chapter for Oathbound. What did you aim to explore musically and emotionally on this album compared to your previous releases?
I think, generally speaking, we were more intent on creating a more polished and technical grouping of songs. For our first EP, the songs were often simpler and more focused on down-tempo melodies and we wanted to inject more aggression into this record – something that
evoked a different emotion in the listener than what we had previously done. Don’t get me wrong, there are parts on the previous EP that achieved that, but we wanted to make it more of a centerpiece for the Colors in Grey album, and we think the listeners will largely hear that.

The album was mixed and mastered by Aaron Chaparian, known for his work with As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, and Chimaira. How was it collaborating with someone so connected to the metalcore scene, and what impact did he have on the final sound?
To be honest, when we first reached out to him about working with us, we didn’t even expect to get a response! So, you can imagine our surprise when he messaged back after listening to our demos saying “yeah, let’s do it!”. We were thrilled, but if we’re being honest, also a little
intimidated at first. This business is a mix of people that are willing to help you learn and people that don’t care if you fail. Lucky for us, Aaron was the former and he had great patience with us during the process and shared a lot of his knowledge along the way. The finished product
speaks for itself, honestly. Sonically, Aaron did such a beautiful job with the songs and really shows why his reputation is what it is in the  metal community.

The track “Searching for An Answer” already gives a sense of the album’s direction. Why did you choose this song as the single, and what does it represent within the overall context of the album?
We always joke that “Searching for an Answer” is our “radio rock” single. It’s probably the most mainstream of the songs on the album but is still firmly within the overarching metalcore genre. We chose it as our first single because we thought it had broad appeal to new fans but also
gave us a rich topic to film a story-driven video with a compelling and engaging plot. The vision for the video took shape under the expert guidance of the director, Brandon Hartsock, and the filming location in the Oregon Dunes National Park couldn’t have been more perfect. Listeners will find that this first track represents a slow build into the aggression that the remainder of the album offers, and we’re excited for people to hear it!

The title Colors In Grey suggests duality, ambiguity, and emotional complexity. What is the meaning behind this name?
The title comes from the title track, “Colors in Grey”, which delves into a situation that seems to be all too common these days where people will pick one side of an issue and firmly entrench themselves. These people are unwilling to compromise or see other points of view. In a literal sense, these people fail to see the “grey” area that exists in most issues, whether it’s political, ethical, moral or what have you. So, this song, and by extension this album, tries to convey the beauty that exists in compromise and the frustration of being met with people unwilling to do so.

As a progressive metalcore band, how do you balance aggression with technicality and atmospheric elements in your sound? Were there any new elements you tried to incorporate on this album?
The aim was definitely centered around increasing the level of technicality of the songs but keeping the songs melodic and still sounding like Oathbound. We often talk about how a lot of modern metalcore is more focused on guitar and drum rhythms. In contrast, we write songs that
are riff-driven, and we wanted to maintain that vibe with each of the songs on this album. I think we leaned more heavily into progressive elements like synths and ethereal sounds to really thicken the sonic space in certain parts than we did in the past, but we were careful that the
songs don’t use them as a crutch, but instead add to what’s already there, if that makes sense.

What lyrical themes or narratives are present on the record? Is there a conceptual story, or is it a collection of individual reflections?
The topics of each song and don’t represent a particular overarching concept, but they are all tied to the common experiences of anger, frustration, heartache, etc. that we each encounter in our lives.

Many listeners comment that your music conveys vulnerability and brutality in equal measure. Is this balance intentional, and how do you achieve it in your writing?
I think our songs accurately represent how we go about our lives. At times, we are in periods of calm before the storm. At other times were are in the thick of it and our souls are on fire. So, I’m not sure if we set out to intentionally balance the songs that way, but organically, it’s the way
that we write. From a dynamic perspective, the heavy parts of songs wouldn’t be as heavy without melodic refrains, so it seems to work for us. At the end of the day, we are all lovers of music and the emotions our favorite songs make us feel. Our main goal is to create music that does the same thing for others.

Working with a label like Eclipse Records and having distribution through The Orchard opens many doors. What changes do you expect for the band with this release?
Every time we release new music, it’s with the goal of both keeping our fans engaged while also bringing in new fans. Eclipse offers us an unparalleled ability to do the latter. The reach they can offer far exceeds what we would be able to do on our own. And as much as musicians may hate to admit it, being on a label brings a level of “legitimacy” that shows people that we aren’t just a garage band and that we are in it for the long haul. The folks at Eclipse put in an incredible amount of effort to make each release as successful as they possibly can, and we’re truly
honored to be associated with them.

Was the recording process different this time around? Were there any standout moments in the studio that defined the album’s direction?
When we began the recording process, the goal was to bang it out as quickly as possible. A large portion of the songs had already been written by the time our previous EP was released, so we were already deep into pre-production. What was different about this release was that all
the guitar recording and production was done by Taylor and Viktor in Taylor’s studio. Previous recordings were done almost exclusively in our old vocalist’s studio, but with the difficulties getting schedules to regularly align and the desire to fast track this recording, the decision was made to do it at Taylor’s place. Having the album mixed and mastered by an “outsider” was novel to us as well. It gave us the opportunity for our sound to evolve at the hands of an industry insider while also freeing up our time to focus on producing and recording.

How have you evolved as musicians since your last release? Are there new or unexpected influences that shaped your sound on this record?
I hope that we are constantly evolving as musicians. I think we are all constantly improving not just in our playing abilities, but in our composing skills. I think that’s always the goal – to not be stagnant. As far as influences go – it’s hard to put a finger on any one thing that may have shaped this album. We are all a few years older and have been in this game for a few more years and have done a few more tours. There’s probably more evidence of that maturity in this album.

Progressive metalcore is a competitive and highly innovative genre. What do you think sets Oathbound apart within the current scene?
As I mentioned before, the trend with a lot of modern metalcore is for the guitars to play djenty, rhythmic sections and not rely as heavily on melodic guitar riffs like older acts use to do. What we try to do is strike a balance between those two styles. I’d say that we lean more into the
melodic riffs than the djent aspect, but there’s definitely a mix of both.

What do you hope fans, both old and new, feel when they listen to Colors In Grey for the first time?
More than anything, we hope that the music makes you feel something. The thing we all love about music is how it can transport you to another reality and offer shelter from the storm when you most need it. We hope this album can do that for someone.