Chris Monroy: Forging Metal's Path with Skeletal Remains
In the relentless and ever-evolving world of extreme metal, few artists embody the raw passion and unwavering dedication to the old-school sound quite like Chris Monroy. As the founder, guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter for the acclaimed death metal outfit Skeletal Remains, Monroy has carved out a significant niche. He delivers punishing riffs and guttural vocals that pay homage to the genre's godfathers while forging a path uniquely his own.
During the Seattle stop of the Vortex of Violence tour, where Skeletal Remains was supporting metal titans Warbringer and Allegaeon, Chris Monroy took some time to talk with J. Donovan Malley. The conversation delved into a variety of themes, including Monroy's formative musical influences that ignited his journey into extreme metal, his somewhat reluctant evolution into a front man, the complexities of maintaining a band lineup amidst rigorous touring schedules, his songwriting process, and the profound role music plays as a coping mechanism in navigating the chaos of the modern world. This article explores the journey of a musician who lives and breathes metal, and his commitment to his craft continues to fuel one of death metal's most exciting contemporary bands.
The Spark: From Classic Rock To Death Metal's Embrace
Every musician has a "gateway drug" – an initial sonic encounter altering their trajectory forever. For Chris, born in 1991, the journey into the metallic arts was a gradual immersion, beginning with the classic rock his father favored. "I should say my dad was like one of the first ones that kind of, you know, I'd be driving around with him as a kid, and he'd be listening to Santana, CCR, stuff like that, so you know, I kind of got into like the classic rock thing," Monroy shared. His older siblings, products of the 90s, introduced him to the punk and alternative sounds of the era, including Rancid, Misfits, The Offspring, and Alice in Chains. While he enjoyed these bands, the pivotal moment came with a band that has served as a cornerstone for countless metalheads. This marked the beginning of his exciting journey into extreme metal.
"When it personally hit me, and I was like, oh this is what I want to do, and I was like serious about music, was when I heard Metallica." This encounter, specifically with the album Ride the Lightning, was transformative. "I think it was probably “Fade To Black” or “Fight Fire With Fire,” one of those. But I remember “Fade To Black” being so different from the rest. I remember that sticking out a lot."
Metallica opened the door, but it was another legendary band that pushed him headfirst into the abyss of extreme music. "Once I heard Slayer, my world changed. That pushed me into extreme music, and I think Hell Awaits is the first death metal record. You know, people say Possessed, or maybe Death’s Scream Bloody Gore, but for me, I think it's Hell Awaits. I know the vocals aren't necessarily guttural or extreme like now, but I feel like the music is fucking death metal." Before this seismic shift, Monroy's influences also included the classic heavy metal titans like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. This diverse foundation, spanning from classic rock's groove to thrash metal's aggression and early death metal's brutality, would become evident in his musical output. His influences are almost exclusively rooted in old-school death metal and thrash, with early icons like Pestilence, Death, Morbid Angel, Gorguts, and thrashers Demolition Hammer serving as significant inspirations.
The Accidental Frontman: Guitar Roots and Vocal Realities
Surprisingly, the man whose guttural vocals have been compared to legends like Marc Grewe (Morgoth) and Martin van Drunen (Pestilence) never initially intended to be a singer. "In reality, I've never wanted to sing; I'm a guitar player, and I started this band as a guitar player; I wanted just to play guitar, you know," Monroy confessed. Skeletal Remains, formed in 2011 in Whittier, California, initially as Anthropophagy, faced a common early band challenge: finding a dedicated vocalist. "We couldn't find a singer, and the other guitar player and I were like, well, we'll just share singing. But he left, so I just finished it all by myself." He took on vocal duties for their first demo out of necessity. "I decided that I would sing everything because I didn't know if he was gonna come back, so I just did it all myself."
Even after establishing a more stable lineup, attempts to find a standalone vocalist did not pan out. "We tried finding someone, but it just didn't feel right. I was just like, fuck it, I'll do it." While he now enjoys performing vocals, the "frontman" persona is still something he grapples with. "The thing I hate about it the most is the whole frontman aspect about it. I praise people who can do it, like Tom Araya, someone who can control a crowd. I admire individuals like Tom Araya, who possess the ability to command an audience. But, being honest, I can't do that–I just want to go up there and play music."
This discomfort with the traditional frontman role doesn't detract from his powerful stage presence; instead, it emphasizes his focus on the music itself. His vocal style, while powerful and rooted in old-school death metal, has evolved. He noted that band members have observed his vocals becoming more audible with each record. "With each record, I feel like it gets a little better, but it's not really anything intentional; it just happened." He admires guttural vocalists like Chris Barnes but also appreciates clarity, citing Chuck Schuldiner (Death) and Martin van Drunen (Asphyx, ex-Pestilence) as early influences whose understandable lyrics stuck with him. "I've learned with each record, and with time, I've learned how actually to control my voice. I think that's why my voice has changed so much. In the beginning, I was just trying to sound like the people that influenced me. Now I'm just kind of going up there, letting out what comes out." This natural evolution has led to a more sustainable and, arguably, a more distinctive vocal delivery, avoiding the physical strain he experienced in the early days.
Crafting Chaos: Songwriting and Melodic Undercurrents
As the primary songwriter for Skeletal Remains, Monroy is the architect of the band's sound, firmly rooted in old-school death metal. Critics have often noted the band's knack for channeling influences like Obituary, Death, and Deicide, particularly from Death's Leprosy and Spiritual Healing era, known for its fluent guitar solos and memorable riffs. While Skeletal Remains is undeniably a brutal death metal machine, a discernible melodic quality occasionally surfaces, particularly in Monroy's guitar solos.
When asked about this melodic touch amidst the chaos, Monroy acknowledged its presence. "Definitely, just probably not as good as the people that influenced me and I grew up listening to. I try my best to learn from all the greats and all the shit that I grew up listening to. We're not a melodic band, but when it comes to solos, I definitely work that in." This infusion of melody, often subtle, provides a dynamic contrast to the relentless aggression, making the solos stand out and adding another layer to the band's sonic identity.
Monroy's songwriting process has varied. For the band's third album, Devouring Mortality, which was mixed by Dan Swanö and marked a leap in production and songwriting, he wrote everything himself. He also wrote half of the fourth record, The Entombment of Chaos, solo. He admits that writing alone can be more challenging: "It's a lot harder, I think when I'm doing it by myself because I can't bounce anything off of anybody. When I don't get feedback, I tend to overthink things." However, collaborations, like with Brian Rush on the latest album, Fragments of The Ageless, can be incredibly fruitful. "For the last record, for example, having Brian was a really huge help. He was just an all-around great musician. When we would get stuck, he would be the one to get us unstuck."
The Revolving Door: Lineup Changes and The Rigors of Touring
Since its inception, Monroy has remained the sole constant member of Skeletal Remains. The band has experienced numerous lineup changes over the years, which is a common reality for many touring acts. The original drummer, Chris Reyes, left in 2014, resulting in a series of fill-ins and replacements. Founding bassist Adrius Marquez and guitarist Adrian Obregon, who were part of the band when they rebranded from Anthropophagy and released their debut Beyond The Flesh in 2012, both departed by 2021.
Monroy is candid about the difficulties. "I would prefer just to have one lineup. But, you know, it’s a busy band. We're touring all the time, and sometimes people think that this is what they want to do until they actually do it. Sometimes people realize this level of touring is too much." The demands of constant touring, being away from home, and the close-quarters living can take a toll. "It's like a relationship, you know? It's like we're in a fucking van, 30 days, 40 days together, and it's like, yeah, we're going to get tired of each other."
Finding new members often happens through recommendations from friends. While it's tough to see talented musicians leave ("It sucks because I've played with some of the best musicians ever in the game... how am I going to find someone better?"), Monroy remains resilient. "Somehow, it always works out." He acknowledges that lineup changes are ongoing, and fill-ins are often necessary. The band even played as a three-piece during the Vortex of Violence tour due to a guitarist having to step out. Despite these challenges, Monroy remains optimistic about writing new material with new collaborators, viewing it as an exciting opportunity for fresh perspectives.
Before Skeletal Remains, Monroy gained valuable experience in the Los Angeles metal scene as the lead guitarist—and later vocalist—for the thrash band Fueled by Fire, which was active from around 2007 to 2016. He even toured internationally as a teenager with them, showcasing his early dedication. This background undoubtedly prepared him for the realities of the music industry.
Metal as Salvation: Coping in A Chaotic World
In a world that often feels overwhelming, music serves as an anchor for many. For Chris Monroy, metal is more than just a genre; it's a lifeline. For those navigating an overwhelming world, music provides stability. For Chris, metal transcends genre, serving as a vital connection. When asked how he stays sane amidst the daily craziness, his answer was unequivocal: "Metal. There's nothing else." He elaborates, "Besides my kids, you know, they fucking keep me insanely busy as well. My kids and metal keep me busy enough that I don't have to focus on all the bullshit that's going on in the world."
Monroy readily admits he doesn’t immerse himself in politics and prefers to keep his view narrow: "I just try to keep my focus to a small circle. I worry about my family, my band members, my friends–whatever happens beyond that, happens." The power of performing live is a significant part of his coping mechanisms. "When I’m touring, everything is focused on those 40 minutes to an hour on stage. Being able to play my music live and be up on stage does so much for my life and mind. Honestly, that's why I've been doing it for so long, and that's why I'm still doing it – there's nothing else like it."
Despite the hardships of touring – the flying, the van life, and being away from family – that hour on stage makes it all worthwhile. "Being real here, I fucking hate touring, I hate being in a van, I hate being away from my family. But that hour on stage makes it all worth it." This sentiment underscores his profound connection with music and its performance.
The Future is Unwritten But Likely Brutal
With a collection of new riffs already brewing ("I have like, I don't know, maybe 50 voice memos of just riffs"), Chris Monroy and Skeletal Remains show no signs of slowing down. After upcoming tour commitments, the plan is to take a break and focus on writing the next chapter in the band's increasingly impressive discography, which includes their latest pummeling slab of pure death metal, Fragments of The Ageless, released in early 2024. Having signed to Century Media in 2022, which is reissuing their fan-favorite first two albums on vinyl, Skeletal Remains' reputation for preserving and evolving vintage American death metal is firmly cemented.
Chris Monroy serves as a testament to the enduring power of old-school death metal. His journey from a kid discovering Metallica to fronting one of the genre's most respected modern acts is a story of passion, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to the brutal art form. He may be an accidental frontman, but he is a deliberate and potent force in metal, channeling the spirit of the '90s for a new generation. "I wouldn't change it for the world," he stated, reflecting on his musical path. "I'm in it for good, and hopefully for another fucking 10 to 15 years or even more. Music is definitely the answer." For fans of authentic, uncompromising death metal, Chris Monroy's continued presence is indeed a perfect answer.
You can check out the band’s music on their Spotify or purchase physical copies of their music on the Century Media Store. If you are in Brazil or Europe, you can check out the band live on their current tour.
