Doomed Confessionary: Chris Price (Cattlemass)
Cattlemass is a sci-fi doom metal band from Los Angeles, California.
From the dust-choked depths of the L.A. basin emerges Cattlemass, a doom metal trio with a vision as stark and unrelenting as the concrete sprawl that birthed it. Fronted by Chris Price (vocals, guitar), with Wes Styles (bass) and Kyle Abbott (drums), they deliver hellish riffs, dystopian themes and analog grit in a futuristic take on classic doom.
Rooted in the raw spirit of the early ’70s, they lean into DIY ethics; screen-printed merch, pavement promo and self-produced music videos that echo their sonic brutality. Their sound is thick with distortion and alienation, paired with lucite instruments and visceral lyrical imagery.
Their first full-length »Alpha 1128«, out in October 2025 on Seeing Red Records, is an otherworldly lament – heavy, haunted, and hewn from the ruins of tomorrow. A concept album chronicling the rise and fall of humanity through the lens of an inter-dimensional observer. Each track is a self-contained vision of destruction and mythology – from the tale of a cosmonaut infected by an alien entity, to villagers offering sacrifices to an ancient cannibal wizard. »Alpha 1128« is not just a debut – it’s a statement: analog doom for a digital apocalypse.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We’re a sci-fi doom trio, based in Los Angeles & just released our debut album »Alpha 1128« on Seeing Red Records!
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
I think tracking the album; mostly due to the limitations I had in my studio at the time. Out of necessity, the approach had to be ultra minimalist, but luckily it sort of aligned with the raw late 60s/early 70s vibe I wanted to capture. Only had a few mics & one mic pre (plus a couple crappy ones), so three mic setup on drums, one mic per guitar, one mic on bass; that was it. I just tried to embrace the constraints, instead of fighting them. For mixing, was fortunate to work with Sean Beavan (NIN, Marilyn Manson, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera). He refined the sound while staying true to the original vision. Mastering was done by Howie Weinberg (Metallica, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana) with his analog console and that really polished it off.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Definitely releasing our debut album last fall & the music video for our first single »Infecticide«.
Thrilled to have Tommy at Seeing Red to take us on, he’s been an amazing mentor & supporter throughout the entire process.
Having the whole vision for »Alpha 1128« come to life & getting to listen to it for the first time on vinyl was wild! It’s a concept album that flows through the perspective of an inter-dimensional being observing the rise and fall of humanity. You get songs about primordial gods, cannibal wizards, rogue tech & alien spores, to name a few.
Our »Infecticide« music video follows the story of a planetary expedition, where a cosmonaut encounters an alien entity. We shot it full-on guerrilla style; out in the Sonoran desert, at some of our favorite brutalist buildings and a lot of it right in our living room. You can check out the video on YouTube & behind the scenes reels of the filming process / our analog special effects on Instagram.
What was your biggest regret?
The first guitar I bought when I was 15 got stolen after a show at Boardner’s in Hollywood in the mid 00s. I’d forgotten I’d left it on stage after our set, went back to grab it & someone had just walked out with it. It was a cheap beginner guitar, but had a lot of sentimental value. With all the years of playing on it, it kind of felt like an extension of my body. For that to be gone was really tough, so definitely learned a lesson that day. It was a Squire sunburst Strat with a Duncan Hot Rails pickup in the bridge & I’d scratched out the “squi” from the logo on the headstock if anyone ever sees it!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Honestly, anytime we get to perform is a good day! But the first time we played the Whisky A GoGo, was really cool opening for Pentagram. Inspiring to perform alongside someone (Bobby Liebling) who’s being doing it for what?! 50 years?! A lot of wisdom to absorb & special to support such a legendary artist.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
How you’ll always see the headliners in the crowd, hanging out & supporting the openers. Have met so many of my heroes & in what other genre does that really happen?!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Conan, Acid King, Konvent, Dopelord, Monolord, Firebreather, Floor, Domkraft, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard, Cough.
Also, always listening to classics like Iron Butterfly, Sabbath, Beatles, Yes, Joe Walsh, Iggy Pop, Mountain, Jethro Tull, Bowie, Wendy Carlos & John Carpenter.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Seemed like everyone back home had their 2 cents about why I shouldn’t move to LA to pursue a career in music, which was obviously advice I ignored. But, it definitely gave me the perception that it wasn’t going to be easy, so I really prepared to the extreme to pull it off. I guess, in a way, the worst advice ended up being the best in the long run.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Those deliciously delectable processed tubes of emulsified meat remnants (hot dogs) from 7-Eleven, love ’em!
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Los Angeles?
The promoters, venues, bands, record stores have all been very generous with their time & support along the way!
Shout out to Daniel Dismal (Church of the 8th Day), John Gist (Vegas Rock Revolution), Brian Moy (Rock Roll Agency), Alvin Aleman (The Elegy Ensemble), Jake Perry (Whisky A GoGo), Cristina Helgoth (Sinister Sounds Booking), Bionic Records, Fingerprints Records, Headline Records, Thrillhouse Records, I Hate Records, Amoeba Records, Sick City Records, Toxic Toast Records, BooBoo Records, Grill em All, The Whisky A GoGo, Knucklehead Hollywood, The Escondite, Transplants Brewing, The Redwood & Neck of the Woods!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
April 8th w/ Weedeater, Conan & Telekinetic Yeti at the Whisky A GoGo in Hollywood, CA
April 30th w/ Elkwitch at Transplants Brewing in Palmdale, CA
And just confirmed some summer dates in Los Angeles, San Diego & San Francisco TBA!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’ll be releasing our music video for the single »Replicant« this year (currently in the editing process) & we love to tour, so hoping to really get the band out on the road as soon as we can!
How can people best support your band?
Shop our merch at cattlemass.com, we’ve got a killer new design by sci-fi/horror artist Tyler Pennington!
Grab a copy of our debut album »Alpha 1128« on Bandcamp, cattlemass.com or in-store! (check out our Instagram highlights for all locations).
Follow us @cattlemass!
Watch our music video »Infecticide« on YouTube!
Come out to a show!
Find all the links here: linktr.ee/cattlemass!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thanks everyone!
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well