EMMURE Frontman Says Former Members 'Lost The Passion For Playing' In The Band 'A Long Time Ago'

Metalcore heavy hitters EMMURE will release their new album, titled "Look At Yourself", on March 3. The follow-up to the 2014's "Eternal Enemies" marks the first release from EMMURE's new lineup, featuring vocalist Frankie Palmeri alongside guitarist Josh Travis (GLASS CLOUD, ex-THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA),bassist Phil Lockett (ex-THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA) and drummer Josh Miller (ex-GLASS CLOUD).

Palmeri spoke to Hot Metal about the constant lineup changes which have plagued EMMURE since the band's 2003 inception. "Obviously, I'm the only sole survivor of the original lineup," he said. 'In the original lineup, and it isn't even the lineup that quit the band, the original lineup, no one even knows who the fuck those guys are, so it's always been just been me kind of and always like making my vision come to life in some way, or at least trying to pursue this mission in some degree. So I have gone through a lot of changes and had to work with all kinds of people, and this latest incarnation of EMMURE, to me, is the only way it should be, and I would probably allow it to be from this point on. There won't be lineup [changes] after this, pretty much is what I'm saying. I think the main purpose of the band is a vehicle for me creatively. So it's always going to be like that, regardless of who's in the band."

EMMURE pulled out of a series of U.S. shows in October 2015 "to focus on other things," which was then followed by bassist Mark Davis, lead guitarist Jesse Ketive, rhythm guitarist Mike Mulholland and drummer Adam Pierce leaving the band. Davis later told AltPress.com about his departure from the group: "There is no time or room for negativity in life. If someone is bringing you down or holding you back from your full potential, it's time to cut them out, no matter how much you may love them."

Palmeri told Hot Metal about Ketive and Davis's departures: "I think that that relationship ran its course in every way possible, both personally and professionally. To me, they lost the passion for playing in EMMURE a long time ago."

Asked what it is that has driven him to succeed despite all the turmoil, Palmeri said: "I love what I do, I love that I feel like I am reacting with people and knowing that what I am doing is resonating with somebody and really gives me a sense of purpose. Without music, I don't really have that, so that's pretty much what drives me. That's the way I wake up every day — it's with the intention that I will continue to make art in music in some capacity, regardless of whether it be metal or whatever the fuck, whatever the medium is. I just love playing, I love touring, I love the music, what we've accomplished, and sadly it happens that the people I was with didn't feel the same way. So, there we are. So here I am with a whole new lineup and, as far as I'm concerned, it was the best thing that ever happened to me."