Vile pour l'album "The New Age of Chaos"

Hi Colin, I’m Keyser from Thrashocore webzine. How are you?

Doing great Keyser!



Let’s begin this interview with the traditional introduction question. Who’s Vile, what do you play and what’s your ultimate goal?

Were an American death metal band. We play memorable music that grooves. We draw our influences form bands like Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Gorgasm, Suffocation, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, and others. But we play our music in a way that is original and is 100 percent as professional as the bands that came before us. Our ultimate goal is to be considered a ‘classic’ American death metal band that is accepted with the other classic bands.



I think you’ll agree if I say Vile’s line-up is quite unstable. That’s why I would like to dwell on all the changes since “Depopulate”. Vocalist Juan Urteaga decided to left the band but fortunately recorded vocals for the new album “The New Age of Chaos”. Could you explain his decision to leave and were you ok with that?

Juan as well as other members of Vile have decided that being in this band is too much responsibility for them. They have families and professions outside of playing music and they felt they could not do everything. I am the one original member that will continue on with this no matter what. I am the main creator of the music so naturally it is very satisfying for me. Juan wanted to make one last creative effort with Vile. And Im really glad he did because his performance was amazing! I am in the process of working with some new guys for touring and I am looking for dedicated musicians to complete the line up.



James Lee from the band Origin is your touring singer. Why him? Will he be integrated as a permanent member or do you have other ideas for the frontman seat?

Actually I think that is old news now. We may work with him but it depends on a lot of things. I have a new guy that seems dedicated that I want to try out first. We plan on doing a few shows with him and if everything works out, Ill officially announce him.



You’re now the only guitarist in Vile as Aaron Strong quitted. Why did he leave the band and will you add a second guitarist for gigs?



Same reason Juan quit. Too old, and too many other things in life. Its unfortunate that these guys cannot find a way to do everything.



Tyson Jupin recorded the drums but won’t tour. Why? Reno Killerich replaces him for live shows. That’s obviously not a bad choice as Killerich is a killer (it’s a good one, isn’t it? :p). How did you know him?

He was looking for works as a session drummer a few years ago and contacted our American label. Hes a perfect touring drummer for us. I work with Tyson for recordings because he lives closer. Tyson also has some children and family obligations that stop him from touring. We sometimes work together but he cannot commit to long tours. One day soon I will have a stable line up! But either way, I will do what I have to do to make the best records I can and to make Vile an unstoppable live act. You don’t have to worry about that!!!



Last but not least, you have recruited a new bassist, Jack Gibson, who also plays in thrash masters Exodus. Aren’t you afraid that he wouldn’t be able to do his job for both bands and give Exodus priority? And by the way have you listened to the new Exodus album, “Shovel Headed Kill Machine”?

They recorded that album at Juan’s studio next door! Yeah I heard it, its quite good. Great new singer. I knew Jack would only be a studio bassist. But I wanted the best bass I could get. Our old bassist is not into this music anymore, so Jack offered to help out. Looks like the California musicians I find are a bunch of pussies doesn’t it?



Let’s move on to your new album, “The New Age of Chaos”. It’s a concept album based on a civilization war between the Western world and muslim terrorists (a vision of the near future in my opinion). Could you tell us more about the lyrical concept? Could you give us your opinion on terrorism, the current international context and the War in Iraq?

Well that’s a lot to discuss. The lyrics are brutal war like offerings that tell stories of total devastation of the enemy. They are really brilliant words. Juan did an amazing job, they really make the music even better. When you read them while listening to the music it makes you want to pick up a machine gun!

Well I think the war in Iraq was a mistake, but I also know that the threat of fundamentalist Islam is on us bigger than ever. And its time for people to wake up to the true nature of this religion. I think its possible to interpret it in a peaceful way, and that does happen in the first world, but the entire Islamic third world is fundamentalist, they hate Americans, westerners, Christians and Jews and want to convert or kill us all. People need to wake the fuck up. I would never condone violence upon peaceful people, even Muslims. But I think we need to be very, very careful because what they tell us on the news is all lies or misinformation. You need to study the subject for yourself and come to your own conclusions.





“Depopulate” was damn good. But to be honest with you, I’m quite disappointed with the new record. You had said “The New Age of Chaos” would be more diversified than “Depopulate”, with new influences such as black metal. Exept on the track “Sentenced to Live” and the fact that Juan’s vocals are maybe more often “black metal”, I’m still looking for such influences! In fact, I even consider “The New Age of Chaos” as a kind of “Depopulate part 2” as both albums are very similar.

Are you fucking kidding me? Every other review said that this new record is more diverse, more original and more entertaining than Depopulate. And I agree. I think all three of the Vile records are great. Each has its own personality and identity. But I think this album is a big step forward in the right direction. I don’t care about constant blast beats or super speed all the time. I felt Depopulate was a rushed sounding album. The grooves were there but it did not flow as well as this album. I think these songs are more well put together and are more memorable. Less chaotic I guess. I’m sorry you are not liking it. I think you need to listen again.



The final track, “Forlorn” is pretty strange. What’s its meaning?

Its an Islamic sounding piece I played with a interesting stringed instrument. It’s a sad sounding song that signifies the end of the world. Its there to add to the dark sound of this album.



Will you visit Europe and France to promote the new album?

Oh yeah. France was really good for us last time. I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll be there next spring.



You know Dave Mustaine organized his own festival, called Gigantour. If you could do the same thing, which bands will be on the bill?

Shit man, I cant say. I would try to make the line up diverse. I cant even imagine it because I don’t think Ill ever be in that position. I mean, would I have to sell out like Dave in order to make that show?



What are you listening to these days? Do you have bands to recommend?

I just finished mixing an American band called Vore that is a great band. Its a slow death metal band with great melodies and huge David Vincent style vocals. Im looking forward to Old Mans Child that Reno played on. I was listening to Lateralus by Tool the other day. Rutan’s other band, Alas. I listen to a lot of other kinds of music because by brain is so filled with death metal all the time. I run a CD mastering and mixing studio called Imperial Mastering. I do 90 percent death metal there. So I like to listen to other music when I can.





What’s your opinion on the current death metal scene? Don’t you think death metal lost too much popularity since its golden age of the early-90s? Then, nu-metal emerged. Now “metalcore” seems to be the more popular metal genre among the new generation...

I could care less for metalcore. Or most of the nu metal. There are a few of those bands that are really professional and good for that style. But its not my thing. There are way more death metal bands now than in the 90’s. But unfortunately most of them are not as good as those other bands. I think there is a lot of great stuff out there. But its just that now its so east and cheap to record a CD, so there is so much bad stuff all over the place that crowds out the good stuff.



This interview is made for a French metal webzine, Thrashocore. What do you think about webzines, downloads and the Internet in general. Do you see the Internet as the Devil or as a useful tool to promote underground music?

Its both. Webzines like yours are great for the fans. I find all my new music by the internet. But I only use it to find bands and I listen to the free promo songs. Then, when I want the music, I buy the CD. I have never downloaded an illegal song in my life and I never will. Death metal bands make so little money. And people that download the albums and then do not buy the CDs are just hurting us and making is harder for us to continue. You know the story I just told you about my band members quitting? Well if they could make a few dollars playing this music, they wouldn’t have to. So when you take away the little amount of money we make, you hurt us badly. I am all for using the Internet to discover new music, but if you listen to it and you like it, you need to buy the CD. Otherwise its stealing. Its like you coming to my house and taking something from me. I put 100 percent of my time, effort, money and heart and soul into making this music. Its very hard for me to continue on. But I do it for the love of it. Vile has existed for 10 years and I have never made one dollar with this music. In fact, it has cost me thousands. I hope to be able to make some kind of money off of it in the future though, so I really hate it when people steal from me. And also it’s the same thing for the labels. The huge major labels make millions, but these smaller ones like the ones were on, just barely survive. They are not big, bad rip offs! They just want to make a living too.



That was the last question. Thanks a lot for your answers. If you have something to add, it’s now or never!

I thank you for the interview and for putting up with my smart-ass comments! I appreciate the fact that you guys get this stuff out to the fans. See you on the road!!!