At Invicta, we recently had the chance to sit down with the charismatic and controversial, Frankie Palmeri of Emmure. Who was nothing short of courteous, sincere and honest during the short time we had with him. Below you can find a series of questions we conjured to pick apart the Emmure frontman’s brains and get deeper insight into the latest Album “Look At Yourself” as well as their latest Tour in the United States.
I: We applaud the critical acclaim and success you have found upon the release of “Look At Yourself”. It appears the formula you have currently is working extremely well, especially with the addition of Josh Travis, Josh Miller and Phil Lockett. Looking back on the album creation process, how has this journey been for you ever since you first sat down and planned what this new album would sound like?
F: Thank you. When Josh and myself would sit down and talk about the record, the major question he would always bring up is; “What do EMMURE albums sound like?”. My response was always the same; “let’s just make some dope shit”. I never put boundaries on what an EMMURE album should or shouldn’t be. I go with my gut feeling on the material I hear and start from there. This record is the first record I am truly 100% proud of. I feel like it’s the record I was always meant to make and I am just lucky enough to be a part of such a great team right now.
I: Do you have any plans to re-schedule the cancelled tour and return to the UK this year?
F: Yes, 100%. We will be announcing something soon.
I: What has been your favourite part of touring in the US currently and why? What has it been like playing alongside bands such as After The Burial, Fit For An Autopsy etc?
F: Well, my favourite part of touring in general is the fans and the shows. I love to perform, I love to connect with the people. Touring in your backyard so to speak kind of always feels like summer camp. It’s a good time. ATB and FFAA are solid bands to tour with.
I: Slightly generic, but what song has been the most enjoyable to perform live? What have the crowd reactions been like upon performing again with the new line-up?
F: For me it’s ‘Torch’, I love to play that song. Hearing a huge crowd sing a long and just how hard that song hits, it’s a special one for me. The room usually explodes when that song hits.
I: What does the album “Look At Yourself” mean to you? What messages have you tried to embed into the lyrical narrative? Do you feel some of the audience has misinterpreted the inner meaning of some tracks? For instance, a lot of people have felt you have directed a great deal of angst towards your former members?
F: There are moments on the record lyrically where I talk about the breaking down of my relationships with my ex band mates. But, the record doesn’t serve as vehicle to direct my feelings only towards others, but also myself. It’s like a full 360 degree examination of myself and the world I was in, up until the creation of ‘Look At Yourself’.
I: What made you stop performing tracks from “Slave to the Game”, is there a personal reason behind this?
F: The album is trash. I know people like ‘MDMA’ , and that song is pretty good. But, I think the other 90% of our discography deserves the focus in a live setting.
I: How have your influences and tastes changed as you have grown older, as I know Limp Bizkit is cited as one of your key influences when you were younger?
F: Loved Bizkit in ‘98, and I love Limp Bizkit in 2017. It’s all quite subjective. My taste is broad, so, I am constantly influenced by new things as well.
I: Finally, how do you feel personally about this album post launch, are you happy with the reaction and how well it was received, is there anything you feel you would change upon reflection?
F: I couldn’t be happier with how the record is being received. Anything I would change? Not at all.
We wish the guys in Emmure the best and hope to catch them in the UK soon enough.
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