Static-X's fifth album, Cannibal, was released on Reprise Records on April 3. This new record finds the electronically laced, self-proclaimed pioneers of the Evil Disco sound returning to their earliest roots with a thrashier 1980s sound reminiscent of their first release, Wisconsin Death Trip. Cannibal still sounds very much like Static-X, maintaining all the cybernetic, industrial, metallic crossover, making them one of the most unique bands to ever hit the stage. Wayne Static, the vertical-haired guitarist, vocalist and chief songwriter, wanted a leaner and meaner sound than they have had in years. "From the recording process to the way it turned out, this record feels old-school for us," he says. "I think it's the most metal record we have ever made and it's arguably the heaviest record we have ever made."

      Cannibal marks the first time the band has had the same lineup for two albums in a row. Original guitarist Koichi Fukuda has stayed on and allowed the band to actually have some killer solos on new songs, and touring drummer Nick Oshiro, formerly of Seether, has committed full time to Static-X. Rounding out Static's quartet is the ever-present and energetic Tony Campos on bass and vocals. Campos was busy singing and playing bass for a Spanish death-metal side project called Asesino, featuring former Fear Factory/Brujeria guitarist Dino Cazares, during down time between Static X tours.

      I spoke with Tony Campos and got the scoop on the latest from the Static camp. They were the last band announced to round off the main stage for this summer's 12th annual Ozzfest. Playing right before Lamb of God and Ozzy is definitely going to make the tour a smash.

     InsideCx: I gave Cannibal a good listen, and frankly I'm blown away by how thrash-sounding it is.

     TC: Yeah, it's definitely more stripped down and raw. The idea was to write some really heavy riffs and put some disco beats over them. [laughs]

     InsideCx: What is the new title, Cannibal, all about?

     TC: We thought that the title of the song "Cannibal" would make a good album title. The song itself is about Wayne's view on people eating meat. He is a vegan, and to him it's almost the same as being a cannibal, so it's his twisted view on eating meat. It does not really make any sense to me! [laughs]

     InsideCx: Are there any specific topics covered in the lyrics that you want to address?

     TC: Static, lyrically, has never been one of those bands to preach or argue politics; there are plenty of bands that do that! We have always just been about having a good time and getting away from that s**t!

     InsideCx: When it comes to writing a Static-X album, is it a collaborative process? I know from our previous discussions that you are heavily influenced by thrash metal.

     TC: On previous records, Wayne has pretty much written all of the music and lyrics and I might have snuck a lyric or a riff in. On this record I actually sat down and did some real writing and came up with riffs for three of the new songs. You can defiantly hear it on "No Submission." That is a straight-up thrash song.

     InsideCx: You have had some success with Asesino. What is it like to do double-time in two bands?

     TC: It keeps me busy and playing. If I were to sit around between Static-X tours, I'd lose my mind. It keeps the creative juices flowing.

     InsideCx: Will there be more Asesino shows during the next Static down time?

     TC: Asesino has already got offers to go out in Mexico and South America, so depending on how late Static will tour into the end of the year, if I have the time I will definitely do it!