Signing Stories: PsycropticDate Signed: May 2025

Label: Metal Blade Records

Band Members: Dave Haley, drums; Joe Haley, guitars; Jason Peppiatt, vocals; Jason Keyser, vocals; Todd Stern, bass

Type of Music: Tasmanian Death Metal

Booking: Liam Frith, TKO Booking

Publicity: Liz at Earsplit PR, liz@earsplitcompound.com

Web: psycroptic.com

A&R: Ryan Williams, Metal Blade

According to Todd Stern's philosophy on life, it was either kismet or merely good fortune that his Australian tech-death metal band, founded in 1999, found a home in arguably America’s best-regarded metal label, Metal Blade Records. Those with a contrary point of view might suggest that the band’s tireless efforts over more than a quarter-century of crushing it had something to do with the contract signing. Not only are they beloved in the “land down under,” Psycroptic have cultivated an American fanbase that resulted in them headlining multiple tours here.

“Mostly, we want to work alongside career bands that have stood the test of time and to have a close relationship with a label that believes [Psycroptic] still has plenty of room to grow,” Stern said. “It also doesn’t hurt to have a record label in our corner that has such a far reach and also the street cred to back it up. Plus it just feels like such a great fit.”

Getting into the nuts and bolts of Psycroptic’s signing to Metal Blade, Stern explained that they became free agents after their previous deal with Prosthetic Records ended, at which point they started working with TKO Booking Agent Liam Frith. 

“As we all started riffing ideas about what to do next as far as releasing a new record, new media ace [Ryan] Bart [Williams] at Metal Blade seemed to show interest and before we knew it there was an offer on the table,” Stern recalled.

It also didn’t hurt that Psycroptic are chums with a gaggle of acts on Metal Blade’s roster, including Black Dahlia Murder (for which Williams plays bass), Cannibal Corpse, Revocation, Goatwhore and The Red Chord.

“We’re very good friends with many bands that have called Metal Blade home forever, so naturally there were ‘consultations,’” Stern elaborated. “We’ve all been playing shows for ages, and it’s obviously common for recording artists to discuss the experiences that they’ve had over years.”

Shortly after Psycroptic’s signing to Metal Blade, they set loose a new song, “Architects of Extinction,” to be featured on their next record. It’s a long time coming, as the band’s last was 2022’s Divine Council.

“We just finished an amazing European Festival run that was really amazing for us,” Stern said in closing. “We’ll finish up the last touches on this new album, and then we’ll be ready to hit the ground running in 2026.”The post Signing Stories: Psycroptic first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.