Chris Ramos: Vocals
Justin Ton: Rhythm Guitar
Ricky Garcia: Lead Guitar
Vincent Amador: Bass / Rhythm Guitar
Lorence Chanch Meraz: Bass
Yogie Rodriguez: Drums
Process of Elimination, Dead Heat‘s first album for Metal Blade, sees the Oxnard, California-based band reaching a sonic and lyrical apex across 11 heavy tracks, produced by the band with Paul Fig (Deftones, Trivium, Jerry Cantrell). “Perpetual Punishment” opens the record with gentle guitar before kicking into aggro/hardcore mode. “We chose this song to start Process… because when it hits, it’s hard, and has a great flow,” states singer Chris Ramos. “Lyrically it’s about not wasting your time in life because tomorrow simply isn’t promised. It’s a key theme I always try to portray in lyrical form, or even in random stage banter. I feel like it’s what’s keeps me going on every day.”
“By My Will” and “The Order” are other standout tracks. While recording “The Order,” Dead Heat experimented with vocal approaches, ending up with a “bounce to it that reminds me of The Icemen mixed with Anthrax,” Ramos says.
“‘The Order’ was actually the last song written for the record,” adds lead guitarist Ricky Garcia, who was more involved in writing Process… than on previous records. “The influence came from Sacred Reich’s The American Way and the strum pattern of White Zombie’s ‘Thunder Kiss ’65,’ and of course, some of that Slayer touch.“
So where do Dead Heat and Process of Elimination fit in 2025′s diverse metal world? Everywhere. “We are whatever people want to call us, be it hardcore, thrash, metal or wherever listeners decide we fit in, we’re that, as long ya feel it,” declares Ramos.
Forged in 2016, Dead Heat is constantly evolving. “I feel like unconsciously the music has become more complex with the songwriting and how we play live as well. We all naturally wanted to become better musicians and it shows in our music and live presence,” says guitarist Justin Ton. “Our music with a metal/ hardcore twist, but I’d say we intentionally leaned more and more metal in our sound.”
Process of Elimination follows the 2023 Endless Torment EP, and the new record ups the ante, a continuation and progression musically, while thematically it often touches on Dead Heat‘s disdain for the powers that be. “Lyrically I wanted to touch on a bit of everything, with every song about a different topic,” explains Ramos. “I feel like I was able to articulate a better understanding of what I was trying to express previously on Process…“
“We are against all racist bigotry in this country,” furthers Ton. “Most of the band is of immigrant descent. We also seek for the world to stop supporting these corporate/political monsters that only seek out personal gain and nothing else.”
Sonically Process of Elimination stands out from the band’s discography, and when they played a few new songs live on their tour with Cavalera Conspiracy, the as-yet-unreleased songs were met with moshing and circle pitting. Understandably. “Everything from the riffs to song structure and even adding in more thought-out electronic interludes to help break the pacing from the sonic assault of the guitar songs,” says Ton.
Garcia and Ton take guitar influences from Slayer and Sepultura but we also both add our own personal influences in the songs on Process: “I drew a lot from Dark Angel and Demolition Hammer while also sticking to my Hardcore tendencies with Leeway and Cro-Mags influences,” Ton says.
For his part, Garcia cites Kreator, Megadeth and Pantera as influences, giving props to Marty Friedman and Chris Broderick for solos.
Over the course of their existence, Dead Heat released a split with New York heavyweights Mindforce, two full-length albums, and several EPs. Touring warriors, they’ve done road work across the United States, Europe, and Japan. “The way we are received overseas becomes greater and greater every time we go back, but nothing is like a crowd back home,” they say.
“The language barriers are a challenge but our music speaks more for itself when we’re in different countries.” Of late, Dead Heat have played with Bodycount, on the Drain, Terror, Angel Dust, and End It tour, along with a successful run supporting Municipal Waste, Ghoul, and Necrot on the inaugural Brainsqueeze Tour.
Process of Elimination finds Dead Heat at the top of their powers. “Dead Heat has changed in so many ways since the start of this band, but we’re the same beast, just a different animal. We have the same musical aspects but with different attitude towards the outcome which makes all the difference,” concludes Ramons. “We unconsciously changed from a force on a roll into a well-oiled machine.”
