29th May, 2023

Your brutal last release, Proselytism, was released while the pandemic was still affecting a bands ability to tour properly. Were you able to get many shows in to support the album?

Touring intially after the release was really difficult. I think we had a total of three tour cancelled post release due to either COVID outbreaks or logistical difficulties due to the knock on effects of the pandemic. Whilst things have started to pick up, we won’t lie in that it’s been really difficult to promote this release live. It’s gradually getting easier, so hopefully we continue on this trajectory!

How was the album received by the metal community?

I think overall it was received really well. The feedback has been that it’s been a drastic improvement on our prior work, and that’s something you always want to be looking to achieve.

How would you personally describe Zeolite’s current sound?

I never really know how to answer this to be honest. We get called everything; deathcore, djent, tech death, death metal. I don’t even know myself. I think we’re just death metal, or even just as simple as heavy, with a layer of dissonance or dread smeared on top.

How did you first discover and get into metal?

Not necessarily, no. I just decided I wanted to play guitar when I was around 17, so I was actually quite late to it all.

How did you learn to play your guitar?

All of us in Zeo, aside from Jon (bass), are self taught. I’ve never had a lesson, I just learned songs and looked up tutorials on YouTube!

Your favourite tracks to jam to that aren’t yours?

Any Lamb of God song is great. So much fun.

How often do you practice your instrument? Is it playing along to songs, working on specific techniques, etc…?

I periodically do and don’t practice. Prior to a tour or a show I’ll practice the set a lot and any hard passages. Back when i was learning it was daily, now it’s just mainly practicing actual songs we play live. In the past it was covers, techniques, and my own songs, but I don’t have time for that now, hahaha!

What jobs do you have when you aren’t playing with Zeolite?

I’m actually a radiographer, and have been for around ten years. It’s a great profession I can highly recommend.

Is it hard to juggle work and a touring schedule? Are your employers ok with you taking leave to tour?

Work is usually fine with everything; I’m very lucky.

Worst touring experience?

One of the worst was also one of the best, oddly enough! We got caught in bushfires when touring with Vulvodynia in 2019, and ended up stranded in a back-waters country pub for a night. We ended up just heavily, heavily drinking with the locals. It turned into a really fun night.

What do you do in your free time? Hobbies outside of music?

I really like staying fit, so gym and running, and gaming. I love all of Fromsoftware’s games, so I’ve sunk many, many hours into them.

What’s the last show you saw that you weren’t playing at?

Last show I think was Into the Fall festival in Melbourne? I was so excited to see Gatecreeper and Stabbing. Amazing artists

Who’s your bucket-list artist to tour with?

Hmmmm. Touring with Aborted again would he amazing, great people and great music. Either that or Ingested, or
Humanity’s Last Breath. Just any band who’s music I really, really love.

Cats – lovable family members or Satan’s spawn?

Cats are the worst. They smell, they’re assholes, they’re selfish.

Specifically, what gear do you play?

I myself play ET guitars, Dunlop picks, Bareknuckle pickups, D’addario strings and a Kemper profiler live.

Who designs your artwork for releases, shirts, tour posters? Do you use the same designer each time? Do you dabble in the design aspect yourselves?

It’s hugely varied who we use. Sometimes yes we design ourselves purely to save money and for efficiency, but each design is given to the best designer as chosen on a case by case basis.

What companies do you use to produce your merch?

Voodoo print – the best in Australia! Shout out to our mate, Jake.

What does 2023 have in store for Zeolite, and Pat Haas?

You’ll have to watch this space. We have a lot were working towards at present, but you have to wait to see what exactly that entails.

Pat Haas : @pat.c.haas