Credit: Michael MullerThree Days Grace's new album, Human, is the band's fifth record, but in a lot of ways, it feels like a debut. Not only did they reunite with Gavin Brown, who produced the band's actual 2003 self-titled debut, but the new album also is the band's first release with new lead singer Matt Walst, brother of bassist Brad Walst.
"It's definitely a new beginning, there's a new energy in Three Days Grace," drummer Neil Sanderson tells ABC Radio. "But at the same time, Matt being our bass player Brad's younger brother, we grew up together and we've collaborated together as well."
In addition to sharing a familial connection with the original Three Days Grace lineup, the younger Walst co-wrote some of the band's material, including songs on their debut. While the rest of the band members had a familiarity with Walst as a songwriter, they were blown away by his showmanship abilities.
"Our first show with Matt was in front of 8,000 people co-headlining with Shinedown, and the first note...the pyro went off and he came out flying," Sanderson says. "I remember the rest of the band we looked at each other and were like, 'Well, this guy's on fire, we need to step it up,' and the crowd reacted. A live show is a push-pull of energy, and Matt brings so much energy."
Walst and the rest of Three Days Grace are currently putting that energy on display while they're on tour in support of Human. The new frontman counts the track "So What" as his current favorite Human song to perform live, precisely because of its energy.
"It's just upbeat and you can get the crowd jumping so easily," Walst tells ABC Radio. "The words are pretty easy, so they get screaming it pretty easily."
Sanderson, meanwhile, is particularly fond of the band's latest single, "Human Race," which he describes as a "bit of a departure" from the band's normal output.
"I'm happy that it's our newest single because it's not a traditional arrangement but it still has power, but it is delicate in parts," Sanderson says. "It's a nice fresh breath of air live as well."
"It's a bit of a break from a drummer's perspective, too," he adds, laughing.
Three Days Grace's North American headlining tour will run through April 23 in Dallas, Texas.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.