ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2015, Volume 17 | Page 76

didn’t want to fit into the mold of what everybody else was doing, but we definitely evolved as a band. We
were, at one time, a four-piece with Tony (Asta) doing vocals. Then we had someone else doing vocals and
someone else playing bass--it was like a dumbed-down Metallica, that’s the best way I could put it. We were
definitely trying to shine with the old-school influences, and we were inspired by other bands on our scene,
and how they were stepping it up--that influenced us just as much.”

If you follow Battlecross on social media, you’ll quickly discover this band’s workhorse mentality. There are
often photos and videos of the band loading their gear into a van, pressing the flesh with fans at the merch
booth, and basically ensconced in road life. Even touting a deal with METAL BLADE, one of the Metal
underground’s most respected and successful independent labels, Battlecross isn’t resting on its laurels.
“I think that’s a misconception a lot of kids have,” begins Deraniyagala, “this image that you have it made
with a dea