SOURCE – Congratulations on the production and track selection for Initium Mortis. I noticed that you selected songs from the Death by Metal demo, Live Tape #2, the Reign of Terror demo, and Infernal Death, all originally recorded between 1984 and 1985, as well as material from a Mantas rehearsal recording titled Mantas Rehearsal #3 from 1984. How did this selection process come together?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – I went through the old bootlegs I had, along with the Mantas LP that Relapse released a couple of years ago, and made demos of songs I thought were strong candidates. We then discussed them among ourselves and worked on putting together a tracklist that functioned as a cohesive album rather than feeling like a compilation. I also created additional demos for tracks such as Curse of the Priest, Skill to Kill, Back from the Dead, and a few others, but they did not fit the overall vibe of the other songs, so we ultimately went with the material that ended up on the record.
SOURCE – I noticed that the bass tracks were recorded by Ken Andrews. What was the reason Terry Butler did not record these tracks?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – Terry played bass; Ken simply oversaw the recording sessions. Sorry if that was not clear, haha!
SOURCE – How did the idea of recording Initium Mortis with Relapse Records come about?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – I was doing an interview for GRUESOME with a Belgian journalist who asked me about the cover of Legion of Doom that we recorded a few years ago. He said it was great to hear one of the early demo tracks with proper production and asked whether I had considered doing more material along those lines. I had not, but as soon as he brought it up, a light bulb went off, and I realized it would be a perfect concept for a LEFT TO DIE studio project. Once he mentioned it, the idea seemed completely obvious. I asked him to leave that question out of the interview, then contacted the other guys about making the record and, well, here we are.
SOURCE – I do not know whether you have ever stopped to think about this, but with the release of Initium Mortis, Left to Die has reached a broader level of recognition than some of your other current bands. What expectations do you have for your future as musicians through Left to Die?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – I do not really think about LEFT TO DIE in that context. My main goal with this project is to help Rick and Terry perform songs that are deeply connected to their history, in this case going all the way back to the beginning with Rick, Chuck, and Kam Lee in their teenage garages and bedrooms during the early 1980s. That said, I always try to represent the material with the level of care, respect, and skill that a DEATH-related project deserves. We have been incredibly fortunate to be embraced by DEATH fans around the world, and I am simply trying to do right by the people who come to the shows, because I am their stand-in on stage every night. Above all else, I am a fan.
SOURCE – In the promotional material for Initium Mortis, you thank Beth and the Schuldiner family. How did Chuck Schuldiner’s family respond to and support this project?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – They have been nothing but welcoming and incredibly supportive of everything we have done. Beth personally thanked me for helping keep Chuck’s music alive, which was genuinely humbling. We work with Relapse, which manages the DEATH back catalog, so it is important to us that people understand this project has the approval of Chuck’s family and estate. The business side is handled by the same people who oversee the DEATH catalog, ensuring that everything is done properly.
SOURCE – Considering that the tracks featured on Initium Mortis were originally recorded on homemade cassette tapes and demo recordings, how was permission obtained to use these phonographic recordings? Will there be any sharing of royalties or copyright revenue with the Schuldiner family?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – Chuck receives songwriting credits and publishing royalties on all of the material. In addition, when we sell Leprosy LPs or other DEATH merchandise at our shows, we purchase those items wholesale just as a record store would. As a result, all appropriate payments connected to Chuck’s work are administered through Relapse, which is one of the advantages of working with them.
SOURCE – Left to Die completed a Brazilian tour in January 2025 called Scream Bloody Leprosy Over Latin America, primarily focused on DEATH’s classic albums Scream Bloody Gore and Leprosy. How would you evaluate that tour in terms of organization, logistics, and audience reception?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – That tour was incredible! We had an amazing time. We are returning with the same agency, Open the Road, for more death metal mayhem this September.
SOURCE – In September 2026, you will perform approximately seven shows in Brazil, specifically in the northeastern region of the country. I will probably attend the September 3, 2026, show in Teresina, PI, at Bueiro do Rock [@bueirodorock]. What message would you like to share with the fans who are eagerly awaiting this tour?
Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals) – We are eagerly awaiting our return to Brazil and Latin America as a whole. The fans there have such a deep passion for this music that it inspires us every time we play. We are excited to dig even deeper into the vault and perform tracks from Initium Mortis on this upcoming tour, but there will still be plenty of material from Leprosy and Scream Bloody Gore in the set to melt your faces. See you soon!
Photo Credit: George Chalupa
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