Cage Fight Release “Eating Me Alive” Featuring Trevor Strnad for World Mental Health Day
Today is World Mental Health Day and for too many, the struggle with mental illness is a daily battle. In an effort to bring awareness to the issue and try to fight against the social stigma surrounding mental illness, hardcore/thrash crossover band Cage Fight have released a music video for the track “Eating Me Alive,” which features the late Trevor Strnad, of The Black Dahlia Murder.
Originally written and recorded for Cage Fight’s self-titled studio release, “Eating Me Alive” delves deep into subject matter like anxiety and mental health. The video, which you can see below, was originally supposed to be released on May 13, but was postponed due to Strnad’s tragic passing just days prior.
For vocalist Rachel Aspe, losing Strnad was a particularly brutal gut punch, since she credits him with helping form Cage Fight in the first place.
“Over COVID I was looking for a new project and releasing covers for something to do, but also to hopefully connect with other musicians. When I released my cover of ‘Statutory Ape’, Trevor picked up on it and shared from The Black Dahlia Murder’s pages, and it got a lot of attention. Trevor messaged me to say he loved it, and hoped that I’d find a band off the back of the cover. Not long after James (Monteith, guitar) contacted me about Cage Fight and the rest is history.
“Had it not been for Trevor’s support Cage Fight may never have happened; it was a huge honour to have him guest on this song and it meant the world to us. He was one of the greatest supporters of the scene and new music, and is truly missed. RIP Trevor.”
According to the World Health Organization, one-in-eight people live with a mental health condition. In just the U.S., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that one-in-five U.S. adults (52.9 million) experience mental illness each year, with one-in-20 (14.2 million) experiencing “serious mental illness” every year. And the most horrible fact of all is that suicide is the 12th leading overall cause of death in the U.S.
Bassist Jon Reid said the entire purpose of “Eating Me Alive” was to let those struggling with mental illness that they can lean on the people around them and that they’re important and heard.
“‘Eating Me Alive’ is about the day-to-day struggles and challenges with mental health that are so prominent to so many people and how the sorrow and loneliness can have a tangible effect. This is something personal to us and we wanted to let people know that they are not alone. We can all have these feelings and that most importantly there is help out there, and we can all find something special.
“We have chosen to release this on World Mental Health day as a sign of solidarity.”
In addition to releasing the video, Cage Fight are urging fans to purchase the Trevor Strnad memorial shirt, of which all the proceeds will go to help the vocalist’s family pay for expenses following his death, as well as help provide support to the Common Ground Resource & Crisis Center.
Cage Fight’s self-titled album is available now via Candlelight Records. You can purchase or stream the album today.
Cage Fight have also announced their first ever UK headline tour and are also scheduled to perform at the Techabiliation festival.
You can catch ’em across the pond at the following dates:
19 Nov – Derby, Techabiliation Festival
30 Nov – Manchester, Satan’s Hollow
01 Dec – Leeds, Boom
02 Dec – Birmingham, Asylum
03 Dec – London, Black Heart
