The debut album Total Party Kill from FIGHT DICE, a collective of musicians drawing inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons, has landed online. Featuring members from iconic indie bands such as BRAID, HEY MERCEDES, THE PROMISE RING, and MARITIME, this project brings a fresh blend of stoner rock, punk, metal, and post-hardcore while wearing its love for the legendary role-playing game proudly.
The album is now available digitally and on a limited-edition “Dragon Fire” LP via Forge Again Records.
The band will be making local appearances to support the album’s release, with shows scheduled in Milwaukee and Cudahy throughout September and October.
Total Party Kill merges heavy, sludgy riffs with the epic narratives familiar to D&D fans. The project is clearly influenced by ’90s rock, recalling the sounds of labels like Man’s Ruin Records and Amphetamine Reptile. This unique blend of chug punk and post-hardcore is a natural fit for anyone who enjoys both gaming and gritty music.
Reflecting on the band’s formation, bassist Todd Bell said: “During the pandemic, we were immersed in playing D&D together online to ward off boredom and stay socially connected. When we could meet more regularly, we began jamming as a makeshift ‘band’—just another way to stay sane while our other projects were still on hold.”
He continued: “We started working on musical ideas we had lying around, and soon we were all in drop D tuning, sludging along. With loads of D&D-inspired content for the band’s direction and lyrics, we booked a show, settled on a name, and that’s how FIGHT DICE was born.”
FIGHT DICE, formed in 2022, includes Jay Gilkay (Evel), Todd Bell (BRAID, HEY MERCEDES), Dan Didier (THE PROMISE RING, MARITIME), Brett Schwandt (Evel, Ceilishrine), and Eric Arsnow (Tigernite, Devils Teeth). Their debut album, Total Party Kill, offers a 26-minute journey into a world of neo-stoner and noise punk, evoking the intensity of Dungeons & Dragons battles and the energy of a rowdy live performance.
Catch FIGHT DICE live at these upcoming shows:
SEPTEMBER 21 — Milwaukee, WI — Bay View Bash
OCTOBER 25 — Cudahy, WI — X-Ray Arcade (Total Party Kill Record Release Show)
FIGHT DICE is: Jay Gilkay (Vocals), Todd Bell (Bass), Brett Schwandt (Guitar), Eric Arsnow (Guitar), Dan Didier (Drums)
