The Rote

“Lesath,” the latest single from The Rote, a band hailing from NY/NJ is a raw and visceral piece that gives a powerful preview of their upcoming album, “Mary Underwater”, set to drop on September 6, 2024. This track is not just a song—it’s an emotional trip that cuts deep with its haunting lyrics and punk-infused sound.

The song kicks off with an introduction that’s heavily influenced by Nirvana, instantly setting a nostalgic tone. However, The Rote build on this foundation by gradually intensifying both the vocals and the hard rock/punk sound. The track seamlessly blends ’90s influences with a fresh, contemporary edge, creating a unique experience that feels both familiar and new.

The lyrics are stark and evocative, delving into themes of betrayal, isolation, and the dark side of human relationships. Lines like “Why did you have to kill us? And also spit us?” hit hard, capturing the anguish and anger that permeates the track. The repetition of “And set an outsider” underscores the feeling of being pushed to the margins, a sentiment that resonates deeply in the punk rock ethos.

Musically, “Lesath” blends gritty guitar riffs with a brooding rhythm section, creating a sound that’s both heavy and atmospheric. The Rote masterfully balances the raw aggression of punk with the moody undertones of hard rock, giving the track a dynamic and layered feel. The production, handled by Vince Carducci at Woodrock Studios, ensures that every element—from the biting vocals to the distorted guitars—comes through with clarity and impact.

The official music video, filmed by Lighthouse Digital Marketing and NDR Media, adds another layer to the song’s narrative. It’s a fitting complement to a song that’s all about confronting uncomfortable truths.

If this single is any indication, The Rote is ready to make a significant impact with their upcoming release.

As The Rote gears up for the release of their upcoming album, we had the chance to sit down with the band and talk about “Lesath,” their inspirations, and what the future holds. Join us as.

Interview

1. Your music blends the aggression of punk, the power of hard rock, and the intensity of metal—how do you channel such raw energy into your sound without losing the authenticity of each genre?


When I’m writing a song, I don’t really think about writing in a specific genre, I just try to express whatever feeling I have inside at the moment and turn it into a sound.

I think that once it’s done you can hear the obvious influences that I have as a songwriter, I just try to keep honest to myself.
People tend to assimilate us with punk, metal, grunge, hard rock, etc. And they are correct, because that is the kind of music I grew up listening to and that’s the music that educated me as a musician and a songwriter. So, I guess you could say that’s the way the songs stay authentic to each genre.


2. How are your live performances?


I would describe our shows as a controlled chaos, I really believe that people should go to any music concert excepting something different than what you can listen to in the studio versions, because otherwise what’s the point.

So that being said of course we try to sound really good musically, but we also give a lot more importance to the performance and the energy that we give on stage.

When we play, we try to express the sentiment these songs had when they were written and we try to do it in a way that whoever feels like they relate, can make them their own.


3. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, from any genre, who would it be and what kind of track would you create together?


This is a really tough question because I feel like the answer can change depending on what I’m really into musically at the time, right now I can say that if I had the chance I would love to collaborate with Mark Bowen from Idles, I feel like the song writing style he has and the wide range of musicality he carries would teach me a lifetime worth of knowledge.


4. “Lesath” is a powerful and enigmatic track—what inspired the intense emotion behind the lyrics, and what story or message are you conveying through it?


When I write I usually talk about a specific moment that got me feeling that the only way I could really express myself was by making it a song, and like any other songs I’ve written, Lesath is no different.

I think that the lyrics are really self-explanatory, so I’m not really going to get into what happened that made me want to say all that.

But I can say that I’ve always had this fear of being abandoned, and it tends to repeat whenever I feel really vulnerable and scared to someone, and Lesath it’s about the aftermath of that fear becoming a reality.

But you have to keep in mind that being vulnerable and scared is not wrong in any way, it’s part of loving. And that’s the beauty of this album, you have to look at the bigger picture we try to paint under all these songs and lyrics.


5. The line “Why did you have to kill us? And also spit us?” is haunting—can you delve into the meaning behind these words and what they symbolize in the context of the song?


There are many ways to express grief, anger being one of them. When someone you love hurts you, it tears you apart.

I recently felt that again, and it gave me a better perspective towards those lyrics.

Being angry is not a good feeling, makes you want to bottle up your feelings and keep your guard up, and that is not the point of the song, or the point of life.


6. With the release of “Lesath” making waves, what can fans expect next from The Rote—are there any upcoming projects, tours, or surprises on the horizon that you’re excited to share?



We are so grateful with the response to the new single, we have a lot of really good stuff planned for the near future.

The only thing I can say is stay tuned, if you liked Lesath you are going to love the rest of the album. “Mary Underwater” is releasing on September 6th. This is the work of our lives and we can’t wait for you to listen to it.

Oh, and we have some exciting news coming regarding shows. - Punk Rock Magazine

After five long years of anticipation, New York’s own The Rote has dropped Mary Underwater, an album that perfectly encapsulates the raw, gritty sound they’ve been cultivating. A mix of punk, hard rock, and metal, this album feels like a wild ride through the darker corners of the human psyche. With 11 tracks that strike a balance between heavy riffs and brooding atmospherics, Mary Underwater is unapologetically intense while offering moments of introspective depth.
The opening track, “Dress My Loss,” sets the tone immediately with its haunting lyrics: “I hear my mirrors with my blind ears and my deaf eye / I see with less sometimes.” It’s the kind of line that makes you feel disoriented, but also deeply connected to the pain and confusion in the song. This track is a mix of frustration and self-awareness, echoing the band’s themes of struggling with identity and personal loss. The instrumentation mirrors this inner turmoil — distorted guitars and tight drumming, all wrapped in an almost claustrophobic vibe.

“Wouldn’t Lie” takes things a step further with an even more intense reflection on inner conflict. The lyrics, “I live inside of me / So come and lick my fears,” paint a picture of someone who is both battling with themselves and trying to make peace with their own contradictions. The frantic energy here is amplified by the thrashing guitars and punchy rhythms, creating a sense of chaos that feels cathartic.

In “Bullnose Kit,” there’s a shift towards a more somber tone. The lines “Your arms were bottled down the drain / Your brown eyes were filled with my decay,” hit hard with their imagery of decay and emotional abandonment. Yet, despite the grimness of the lyrics, there’s a sense of resilience in the way the song builds. The repetitive phrases and the final release of energy at the end almost feel like a metaphor for breaking free from emotional stagnation.

And then there’s the final track, “The Sun That Won’t End,” which feels like a statement of defiance in the face of everything the album has explored. The repetition of “I am the sun that won’t end” becomes an anthem of persistence, even when life feels overwhelmingly cold or indifferent. The track kicks off with an acoustic guitar, then gradually amps up with some distortion, slowly building in power.

Musically, the album blends gritty guitar riffs with a brooding rhythm section, creating something that’s both hard-hitting and atmospheric. There’s a punk-infused edge to everything, but it never feels one-dimensional. The Rote’s ability to seamlessly move between hard rock power and more introspective moments makes Mary Underwater a nuanced experience. It’s an album about struggle, loss, and fighting to make sense of it all, with a sound that’s just as relentless and raw as the emotions it captures.

Overall, Mary Underwater feels like an album made for the disillusioned, the ones who feel stuck between self-doubt and the desire to break free. It’s heavy but thoughtful, and while it doesn’t always offer easy answers, it’s undeniably honest in its portrayal of the human experience. - Punk Rock Magazine