Diving into the gritty world of hardcore and metal, I’m thrilled to sit down with Billy Graziadei, the powerhouse frontman of Biohazard, a band that’s been a cornerstone of New York hardcore for decades. With their latest track “Death of Me” already making waves and a new album, Divided We Fall, dropping on October 17, the band was set to tear up the road on a North American tour. But things have taken a rough turn with canceled shows and unexpected hurdles. In this candid chat, we dig into the chaos surrounding the tour, the frustration with promoters, the impact on the band’s momentum, and what fans can still look forward to. We also touch on Bayway’s sudden exit from the tour and their lightning-fast pivot to a DIY run, showcasing the raw resilience of the scene.
How’s it going, Billy? Can you break down what’s been happening with the “Divided We Fall” North American tour and give us the latest on those canceled shows?
Man, it’s been a mess. We were pumped to hit the road starting October 3, but most of the dates have been pulled. It’s a gut punch, honestly. We’re still trying to salvage what we can, and there are a few shows that might go on, but right now, it’s a waiting game. We’re just as frustrated as the fans are.
It sounds like low ticket sales played a big role in these cancellations. How are you and the band processing that kind of setback?
It stings, no doubt. We’ve been doing this for years, and you’d think people would be hyped to see us back out there, especially with new music. But sometimes the numbers just don’t add up. It’s not just on the fans, though—there’s more to it. We’re disappointed, but we’re not letting it break us. We’ve been through worse.
You’ve pointed the finger at promoters for not doing enough to spread the word. Can you dive into what you meant by that, and have you dealt with this kind of issue in the past?
Yeah, I stand by that. A lot of these promoters book the show and then just sit back, expecting it to sell itself. They don’t hustle to get the word out—flyers, social media, local radio, whatever. If no one knows we’re playing, how are they gonna show up? This ain’t new; we’ve seen this since day one. Back in the ‘90s, we’d sometimes have to do the promo ourselves just to get bodies in the room. It’s exhausting, but that’s the game sometimes.
Are there any plans to reschedule these canceled dates, or is the focus just on the handful of shows still standing?
We’d love to reschedule, but it’s tricky. Logistics, venues, and timing all have to align, and right now, we’re just trying to make sure the remaining dates happen without a hitch. That’s our priority. Down the line, though, we’ll figure out how to get back to those cities we missed. We don’t wanna leave fans hanging.
With the tour hitting these roadblocks, how are you keeping the excitement alive for the new album dropping on October 17?
We’re leaning hard into the music itself. The album, Divided We Fall, is something we’re insanely proud of, and we’re pushing it through every channel we’ve got—online, streaming, whatever. We’re also engaging with fans directly on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes stuff. The tour issues suck, but they’re not gonna derail the album’s impact. We’re making sure of that.
Speaking of Divided We Fall, can you give us a taste of what fans should expect, especially after hearing the new track “Death of Me”?
Oh, man, it’s raw and heavy, just like Biohazard always is, but there’s a fresh edge to it. “Death of Me” gives you a hint—it’s aggressive, it’s emotional, and it’s got that street grit we’re known for. The whole album digs into themes of struggle and division, but also fighting back. It’s personal for us, and I think fans are gonna feel that in every track. Expect some serious headbangers and a few surprises too.
How has all this tour drama impacted the band’s energy or mindset as you gear up for the album release?
It’s been a rollercoaster. Some days, you’re pissed off and just wanna throw in the towel on the whole touring thing. But then you remember why we do this—the music, the fans, the connection. We’re channeling that frustration into fuel. If anything, it’s making us hungrier to get out there, even if it’s just for a few shows right now. We’re not backing down.
Shifting gears a bit, Bayway dropped off the tour citing “unforeseen circumstances.” From your perspective, what can you tell us about their exit?
Yeah, that was a bummer. I can’t speak for them on the details—those guys have their reasons, and I respect that. All I’ll say is losing them from the lineup hurt because they bring such a killer energy. But I’m stoked they’ve pivoted so fast to do their own thing. That’s the hardcore spirit right there.
Bayway managed to throw together a new DIY tour in just 24 hours. As someone who’s been in the scene forever, what do you think of that kind of hustle?
It’s badass. Straight up. That’s the kind of grit and determination this scene is built on. To turn around something like that in a day? It shows how much they care about their fans and their music. I’ve got nothing but respect for bands that roll up their sleeves and make it happen, no matter the odds. We’ve had to do similar stuff back in the day, so I know the grind.
Looking at the bigger picture, with all the chaos around tours like this, what’s your forecast for the future of live shows in the hardcore and metal scenes?
I think it’s gonna be a fight, honestly. The industry’s changed—ticket prices, streaming eating into album sales, and now promoters dropping the ball. But this scene survives because of the passion. Bands and fans keep it alive, even when the business side gets messy. I see more DIY efforts, more underground shows, and bands taking control of their own destiny. It ain’t gonna be easy, but hardcore and metal don’t die. We adapt, we push forward, and we keep swinging.
