Story by Kurt Orzeck

It’s so often said that people who are drawn to create art see the world in a way that’s different from the mainstream, or that what they see in the world doesn’t make sense to them. And thus, playing music, painting, drawing, making pottery — involving one’s self with the arts in any myriad of ways — provides a catharsis for, the artist.

Concurrently, it can reduce their anxiety levels, facilitate their integration into society and even lead to a peaceful life in which they view the world through a fresh set of eyes. But the phrase “seeing the world” in a new light isn’t just a metaphor for David Simonich, lead vocalist of Pittsburgh deathcore vets Signs of the Swarm. It takes on an entirely different and serious meaning for him.

“I was fairly recently diagnosed with Stargardt disease,” he recently revealed to Knotfest.com. “And it’s changed the way I look at and perceive the world, along with presenting practical difficulties and challenges that come with having a disability.”

Stargardt disease is a lifelong genetic condition that leads to a slow progression of low visual acuity, or loss of vision, over time. Simonich’s condition isn’t so advanced that he can’t see his bandmates in their practice space or in the studio, or the swelling congregation of fans turning up at the band’s shows as their career takes off after more than a decade of putting in the hard work. But there is a melancholic feeling that is shadowing Signs of the Swarm as they start their tour in support of August’s To Rid Myself of Truth in Montreal on Thursday.

Simonich is making no secret of his eyesight condition in his public comments or even on the album, which is the band’s second for Century Media Records and sixth overall. Signs of the Swarm spent a considerable amount of time crafting To Rid Myself of Truth, with a seven-week end time and additional time in the studio. So, in many ways, this is the most perfected — if not perfect — album to date by the collective from The Steel City.

“ ‘Clouded Retinas’  revolves around how I’ve grappled to arrive at some level of acceptance with my vision loss and diagnosis,” Simonich said. The song is the cornerstone of the album and features Will Ramos, vocalist for Lorna Shore, who are Signs of the Swarm’s best friends. To Rid Myself of Truth also includes guest spots by the vocalists for Whitechapel (Phil Bozeman on “Iron Sacrament”), Pittsburgh metalcore stalwarts 156/Silence and nu metal band Prison from Tampa, Florida (Jack Murray and Johnny Crowder, respectively, who both contribute to “Fear & Judgment”).

One can’t help but think that this legion of Signs of the Swarm’s closest friends participated in the band’s new record to show solidarity and support for their buddy. But that theory is immediately dashed with the knowledge that Simonich is not at all the kind of person who plays the victim, regardless of the circumstances. As he screams on the aforementioned, self-empowering paean “Fear & Judgment”:

I've heard all your answers 

Your passions are worthless 

Core values, a cancer to all

Designed to derail and dissolve

None to be cared for

Your purpose, a fraud

Example to none

I don't fear your judgmеnt

Signs of the Swarm also gave the middle finger to fear when crafting the music for To Rid Myself of Truth, which incorporates more industrial and metalcore elements than the quartet’s previous records. Drummer Bobby Crow, the sole remaining founder member of the band, was determined that this record push the boundaries of Signs of the Swarm’s sound, which has established itself after more than a decade of the band mostly adhering to deathcore. It was somewhat inevitable, as this marks the first record featuring new guitarist/vocalist Carl Schulz.

“We wanted to stay true to our roots but really push ourselves and our fans to strive for a more original-sounding and unabashedly unconventional sound, so they — like us — felt empowered to see us, our music and maybe the whole world in an entirely different light,” Crow commented. He then added: “At the same time, we make no bones about our feelings on this record: We’re fucking pissed off and not afraid to make deafening metal to that effect, from start to finish on the album.”

On the title track, Simonich — showcasing that famed Pittsburgh grit — perfectly encapsulates how he is determined to tap into his impairment and weaponize it as a source of strength, not bemoan the disadvantages it presents to him, by belting out:

By my hand

By my will

Be not afraid

Use your wings

To cover your eyes

Be not afraid to die

Be not afraid

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To Rid Myself of Truth, the new album from Signs of the Swarm is now available via Century Media Records. Get the album - HERE

Signs of the Swarm begin their headlining tour this week in support of To RId Myself of Truth with support from Mental Cruelty, ten56., Carcosa and Face Yourself. A currrent list of dates and cities can be found below. Get tickets - HERE