Decrepit Birth’s Bill Robinson on “Extended Hiatus,” New Vocalist Announced
Good news / bad news time, my fellow Decrepit Birth fans.
The bad news is that “due to personal reasons,” the band’s distinctive frontman, Bill Robinson, “has decided to take an extended hiatus from the band.”
That could mean exactly what it says or it could mean Robinson ain’t never comin’ back and the rest of the band is just softening the blow. Given some of the word choices in the announcement — including a reference to “Robinson’s legacy” — it sounds like he may be gone for good. But Robinson is an interesting character — he lives about as off the grid as is humanly possible in the 21st century, and once told MetalSucks that he’s “homeless by choice” — and if you told me the band just literally could not reach him right now, I’d believe it.
Whether Robinson does or he doesn’t come eventually, the band already has already recruited the very talented Mac Smith (Alterbeast, Krosis, Hammer of Dawn, etc.) to step in for Robinson.
Which brings us to the good news: the band is working on a new album, and, presumably, the whole reason they’re announcing Robinson’s absence now is because they’re getting ready to release new material and tour dates. It’s been four years since their last album, Axis Mundi, which arrived SEVEN years after its predecessor, Polarity. So if the new album comes out in 2022, that’s a win as far as I’m concerned.
It’s not clear at present if Smith or Robinson provides vocals on the album, but… I kinda assume it’s Robinson? Otherwise calling his departure an “extended hiatus” is really pushing it, y’know?
And, look, if Smith is DB’s new frontman for really reals… he’ll kill it, I’m sure, and fans will get used to Robinson being gone, I’m also sure. It’s just gonna take us a sec to get used to the swap.
Says Smith in a statement:
“Having an opportunity to work with Decrepit Birth is nothing short of surreal. Before I began pursuing metal vocals as an aspiring drummer, this was the first death metal band that I ever watched and emulated. To play a role in this project over a decade later leaves me astonished beyond words. I am looking forward to many new experiences with the guys and paying tribute to the legendary Bill Robinson’s legacy.
“I’d like to give a special thanks to bassist Sean Martinez for being my strongest supporter personally this past year and being the key party that brought me into this role. He really brought me out of the worst slump in my career to this point, I owe everything to him.
“Additionally, I’d like to thank guitarist and founder Matt Sotelo for extending this opportunity and entrusting me with this position. Whether it be just for a singular tour, or more endeavors in the future, I will be forever grateful for being able to work with one of my favorite bands of all time.
“Thank you to my friends, family, and anyone else who has supported and listened to the band and my own musical projects in these past 5 years; I intend to make you proud! Decrepit Birth for life!”
You can watch video of Smith performing the band’s song “Hieroglyphic” below.
[via Metal Injection]
