Interview with Thy Will Be Done; vocalist J. Costa talks hanging with Metallica and playing the Orion Music + More Festival

Rhode Island metallers, Thy Will Be Done, have had an unbelievably eventful year. They were handpicked by the guys in Metallica to play The Orion Music + More Festival and have played alongside acts such as God Forbid and Shadows Fall. In addition to all of that, they have managed to release a new EP titled Temple. I recently had a moment to sit down and speak with vocalist, J Costa about the band and their incredible year. Here is how the conversation went.

Now that your EP, Temple, is complete, how do you feel about it and are you satisfied with the outcome?
J. Costa: One who creates oftentimes never feels that a piece is complete.

What is your writing process like?
J. Costa: We’re a band that likes to take advantage of the time we are given. So anytime we have an opportunity to jam we’re always down for that; especially if new material is birthed in the process. On a few tours, we actually had a recording rig set up in the van. The signal from our recording console went through the tape deck in the van to use the speakers as monitors so we could hear the playback while we were driving. So, there isn’t necessarily one particular process. Anytime, anywhere.

When you write do you write with the live setting in mind?
J. Costa: Sometimes we do. But not all the time. Generally we jam out parts and if we’re all feeling it, we stick with it.

Check out the song: “Earth’s Final Embrace”

You guys were picked by Metallica themselves to be part of the Orion Music + More Festival. That is quite an honor. How did that come about and what was it like playing the festival?
J. Costa: The whole experience was so inspiring. Playing in front of that many people, seeing dust clouds rise up from the ridiculous circle pits that erupted throughout our set; those are some of the best things that all bands could only imagine. We experienced it! My knowledge of the situation was that each member of Metallica hand-picked bands to perform at their inaugural ORION festival. How it came to be was that James had reached out to Jose Mangin over at SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal and asked for some bands to check out. Thy Will Be Done were one of those bands that Jose listed. James Hetfield listened to my band and liked us enough to ask us to play with Metallica; that’s just not something any of us thought would ever happen! Huge thanks to Jose Mangin for suggesting us and supporting us. We love him! We can’t thank Metallica and the event promoters at C3 enough for everything!

Did you get to spend any time with them at all? What was that like?
J. Costa: It was definitely surreal hanging out on the side of the stage, watching the band Kyng, with James Hetfield and my hermano Jose Mangin (SiriusXM Liquid Metal).

Are there any tracks on Temple that are personal favorites or that have good stories behind them?
J. Costa: They’re all favorites. It’s always difficult to choose one over the other. They’re much like one’s children I would say. And I will say they all have good stories behind them. I implore an observer to experience Temple.

What kind of touring plans do you have in support of the EP?
J. Costa: Since its been officially announced we can talk about our upcoming North American tour, presented by MetalSucks, with Shadows Fall, God Forbid and Trumpet The Harlot. We’re super stoked to finally do a full on tour with our brethren in Shadows Fall; we’ve done a plethora of one-offs and weekend things with them in years past. Grateful they invited us out. We’re also pumped to tour with our brethren in God Forbid again. Love BOTH those bands; as musicians and as people. We’re also excited to meet the Trumpet The Harlot guys too.

Any rituals before you hit the stage? If so what are they?
J. Costa: In all seriousness; it’s usually to find a restroom.

What would fans be surprised to find on your iPod?
J. Costa: Well, it’s a subjective experience. Some may find it odd to see Ravi Shankar, Elvis, The Black Crowes, Joy Division, Johnny Cash, The Black Keys, or maybe Nigels11. It really depends on the individual and what their perspective may be.

What is next for you guys?
J. Costa: Who really knows? I sure don’t. I mean, I would have never thought in a million years we’d play with Metallica, let alone be invited by them personally to play their own festival. So, I live in and embrace ‘the now’.

Check out the song: “You, the Apathy Divine”