Here at Lake Shore High School, Morbid Massacre is a well-known band around the school. Donovan Ripari, the lead singer of the band, made a decision that would impact their relationships moving forward. But what was almost a disbandment might make the band better than it ever was in the future.
Morbid Massacre, a heavy metal band full of Lake Shore students, was almost broken apart. The members, Donovan Ripari (lead singer/lead guitarist), Jameson Adams (Bass Guitarist), Michael Dewaele (Drums), and Aidan Streeter (Rhythm Guitar), have a lot to say about Ripari’s choice to leave and continue his career apart from the band.
Ripari was thinking about leaving the band because he felt like it was holding him and his bandmates back. “I feel like me being in the band makes it hard for me and my bandmates to play what we truly feel like playing.”
Ripari felt as though he acted upon emotion, and he acted too soon.
He is happy that he made the choice to stay. “I decided to stay because I realized that we could use those musical differences to our advantage to make some pretty good music. If I were to leave the band, it would impact the relationship we all made over the last 3 years”.
Ripari came to the realization that even though he felt held back, he was not. He decided to stay in the band because he decided that he can use his and his bandmate’s differences as a tool to create better music.
He is very excited to continue his journey with Morbid Massacre, and feels as though the decision he almost made to leave could’ve impacted him negatively.
Band member, Adams, was very upset when he found out Ripari was planning on leaving.
“I didn’t actually know that Donny was planning on leaving the band… It was more of a “Hey! I’m leaving,” like.. It came out of nowhere, and I was shocked. For a little we didn’t know how to move forward”.
Adams was upset about the fact that Ripari’s decision became public knowledge before the bandmates even knew.
“It impacted everyone kind of differently.. But for me I was very mad. Like.. He blindsided us so bad and the way he came about it wasn’t right.”
Both Dewaele and Adams agreed that Ripari had a bad way of letting everyone know that he was leaving. Even though they were mad while Ripari made his first decision, their relationship with Donny has not changed, and his decision to almost leave is not going to affect their band moving forward.
Micheal Dewaele, the drummer of the band also shared how Ripari’s decision affected the whole group. When asked what he thought about when he found out Ripari was leaving the band, Dewale explained that he wasn’t happy about his decision. “Ripari ended up joining back so everything was fine but for a while it felt weird and awkward.”
Dewale also talked about how he supported Ripari’s choice. “50/50 I was obviously upset because you know we all want to do this for a living, and like I felt like he was taking something away, but I think he realized that and joined back,” he said.
Overall, Morbid Massacre’s almost disbandment turned into a learning experience for all of them. Although Ripari’s decision caused tension and hurt feelings, it also helped the members realize how much they value their friendship and music. Instead of letting the situation tear them apart, the band learned how to use their differences to improve. Morbid Massacre came out stronger, showing that sometimes hard moments can lead to growth and better outcomes.
