Vile has been constantly releasing quality death metal albums since 1996, but it's they're latest offering, "The New Age Of Chaos" that will, I expect, catapult them to death metal's major league, the band's guitarist, producer, and song writer – Colin Davis, took the time giving me the lowdown on the new release:
1. Hi There! I'd like to start with the new album, first, I think its amazing, one of the best death metal albums I've heard in years, did the album turn out the way you intended it to be?
A: Yes I’m quite happy with the outcome. Of course its impossible to be 100 percent happy but I am more happy with this release that I was with past releases.
2. What is the meaning of the title, and where did you come up with the whole war related theme?
A: 2 Well The New Age of Chaos refers to a time in world history where there can be no peace anywhere. With the way world economies work and with advances in communications technology, there are no isolated areas anymore. We are all connected. And in the future we will be even more connected. So a war that effects one civilization effects all others as well. Juan Urteaga, our vocalist came up with the title and almost all the lyrics.
3. The album is very well produced, who did the sound for it, and in what ways is it different then Depopulate?
A: I produced this album alone this time. In the past Juan and I shared the production duties. But unfortunately Juan is no longer able to tour with us and is now leaving the band, so we decided that it was best if I took over all important tasks from here. And it worked out best this way because there is no arguing! The drums and vocals were recorded at Trident Studios, Juan’s business. And the rest of the tracks and all mixing and mastering were done by me at my studio, Imperial Mastering.
4. What is your own take on the subject of current world-terrorism, and extremist Islam?
A: Well obviously as members of western civilization, we are coming into a time of even greater risk. The beginning of a worldwide Jihad against non-Muslims has been declared by the extremists and we cannot predict what will happen. I have tolerance for Muslims and for all people, but when they single us out as targets, we are now on the defensive and a fight will ensue.
5. The album contains a lot of black metal related riffing, was the genre an influence on you? Any specific bands?
A: Specifically Dimmu Borgir, Mutant, and Behemoth (Thelema 6). But also Dark Funeral, Emperor, and the tighter and more professional black metal bands. Really I don’t listen to a whole lot of black metal but I just used their ideas of combining classically influenced melodies in the music. Also Juan tried to do more high screams to compliments these melodies. So it does have a more black metal sound than our past releases.
7. Can you give us a short sum-up of the band's bio?
A: The band was formed in 1996. We have recorded 2 demos and now 3 full-length albums. We have had one main group of musicians with some replacements for most of the band’s career but some tours had guest members. No with the recording of this new album there is a new recording bassist and the upcoming tours will be with all new members. I hope to have all new members fully committed to the band by the end of 2006.
8. You take a long time in between releases, why is that?
A: Mostly because of band member problems and also the fact that some of the main members have jobs and families and shit like that. Now after this release that will change and I hope to be able to release an album every 2 years. I would not want to go any faster than that though. One of the reasons why all the Vile albums so different from each other is because of the space between releases. Our brains are in completely different places by the time we get to writing new material. So that’s a good thing I think.
9. Are band members involved in any other musical projects?
A: The album bassist is Jack Gibson and he is in Exodus. Other than that no side projects for us. There are two guest musicians on this album though. Marc Pattison and J.J. Hrubovcak. Marc is a local guitar instrumentalist that’s been a long time friend of mine. And J.J. is in another band called divine Rapture, also on Listenable Records.
10. The rhythm section is extremely strong this time, how did you recruit the current bass player and drummer?
A: Like I said Jack is the album bassist, and we have known each other for years. He lives very near my studio so it was easy for him to come over and record. He is a really tight player and has a lot of knowledge of other styles of bass playing. Tyson the drummer is the same drummer on Depopulate. He is not able to tour with us because of his family, but I really like his style so I like using him on the recordings. Eventually when the line up solidifies, that will probably change. But for the recording of this album, I got some really excellent talent involved. It’s the tightest music we have ever written or recorded.
11. You recently did a complete American tour, was it your first one, and how was the experience for the band?
A: 11 We have done 5 full tours as a band. It's still not a lot I know. I will be changing that soon. But the last tour was with Cannibal Corpse and it was a real success. It really got our music out there and was just another layer of experience to add to the band. Thanks to Alex Webster for getting us on that tour!
12. Do you have plans for a European shows in the near future?
A: 12 We will be there in March/April 2006. And probably again towards the end of the year. I will be doing 3 – 4 full tours per year for this new album so we will be getting to Europe a lot. We want to try to hit eastern Europe a lot more during 2006 as well.
That's it, thanks for taking the time doing this interview!
Alon Miasnikov
