The recording line-up on the new Vile album

Posted on Sep 28, 2005

by Anders

The American death metal band Vile is ready with their new album "The New Age Of Chaos", the awaited follow up to 2002's "Depopulate". The band is lead by guitarist and songwriter Colin Davis, who have struggled some to keep a firm line-up together. The recording line-up for the new album is Colin, vocalist Juan Urteaga, bassist Jack Gibson (Exodus) and drummer Tyson Jupin, but who is in the band as we speak, I don't dare to state, it seems like Colin, doesn't really know it as well. I hooked up with Colin and got a good talk about the new album and the things behind it.

 
Hails, how are things in the States as we speak?

Business as usual, haha.

Will you start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you deal with metal and how your metal adventure started?

My name is Colin Davis. I'm the guitarist and songwriter in Vile. I started listening to metal as a kid with bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, etc. I started playing guitar at the age of 16 and then at the age of 22 I decided to get more serious about it and form a band. It wasn't until 1996 that Vile formed

A small introduction of the rest of Vile will be great as well!

We are all from the California Bay Area. Vile is one of the few professional acts out here in this style. The band member situation is a little shaky now so I don't know who I should introduce besides myself at this point. That will change in 2006 though.

You are soon ready with your new onslaught on humanity "The New Age Of Chaos", how do you feel about the album?

I am really happy with the result. I did everything in my power to release the best quality album possible. For a year, the making of this album was my entire life.

What do you expect from it?

We expect more publicity than last time and we expect people to notice that it's more than just another release. It's a real effort to release quality playing and song writing with originality within the genre.

How has the press so far received it?

Well that has just begun and it's really great so far!

Have you received any response to the track 'The New Age Of Chaos' that is available online, if so how has it been?

Everyone has been very positive about this song and the other songs they have heard. I think it stands out from a lot of new death metal.  

What do you want to accomplish with your music?

It's just my creative outlet. Its one of the things I do with my life. And I do it the very best I can.

Do you have a message with the music and lyrics that you would like to get across and do you think you can make a change with music?

You should read the lyrics and decide for yourself. And a change in the world? Not a big one, no.  

Have you gotten any new influences lately? I don't remember Vile sounding as diverse as on the new album.

Yeah lots of black metal ones. Dimmu Borgir, Mutant, Behemoth. But really I didn't listen to much music while writing this album. I just want to avoid repeating myself.

Where do you find inspiration to your music?

It just comes from wanting to create things that are new. I don't want to stagnate. I am a recording and mastering engineer. I listen to every type of music there is.

How do you work when you write music and do you have to be in a certain mood to come up with music?

For this album I sat down with the computer and just put the songs together by myself with my guitar. I don't write unless I have some good ideas. There is a lot of time between each song. I throw away music that I think is too similar to older stuff.

Can you mention 3 musicians and 3 songs that have meant the world to your way of writing music and the sound of Vile?

Iron Maiden, any song off of "Piece Of Mind". Morbid Angel, any song from "Blessed Are The Sick". Slayer, any song from "Hell Awaits". I have not listened to them in years, but they gave me the idea of what a metal song should be.  

If you met a metalhead not knowing of Vile, how would you describe your music to him/her?

Well it depends on if they know the death metal genre. If they did, I could say it's similar to Morbid Angel or Death but with more groove.

Who writes the lyrics in the band and where is the inspiration for the lyrics found?

Juan Urteaga, the original vocalist wrote the lyrics for the new album. He found inspiration in the news.

How important is the lyrical side of Vile, compared to the musical side?

It used to be just an added dimension. But now it's a major part of the way the music is presented.

Can you pull out your 3 fave tracks from the new album, and guide us through the ideas behind the music, how you found the inspiration for the music and what the lyrics deal with?

You have to ask Juan about the lyrics, that's his domain. I like all the songs but I could maybe pick, 'Deafening Silence', 'The New Age Of Chaos', and 'Suicide Warfare'. I don't remember where I got the inspiration from. After I finish the song, I can't remember anything about that stuff. It comes from nowhere.

What is the idea behind the cover artwork and what does it symbolize?

It symbolizes the conflict between the West and fundamental Islam and its followers. It symbolizes the coming wars and the present ones.  

What do you want to tell with the album title "The New Age Of Chaos" and what does it symbolize to you?

It's a piece of art. Like any release. It's a collection of ideas and a culmination of influences and the additions of all the musicians involved. Its one entity created at a point in time.  

I think "The New Age Of Chaos" would be perfect on vinyl, any plans of releasing it on LP?

That would be cool! Ask Listenable Records.

How do you feel about vinyl, are you a fan of the black gold?

I don't collect it. I don't have a record player. I do like the feel of real albums though. And I like the way it has 2 sides. When you write an album for vinyl, you arrange it differently than on a CD.

Are you going to embark on some heavy touring in support of "The New Age Of Chaos", and any plans to visit Europe soon?

We'll be in Europe in spring 2006. And again at the end of that year. Lots more touring will happen for this album.

How do you look upon the future of Vile?

Well, I don't look at it too closely. I just keep writing and I keep trying to make everything associated with it the best it can be. If I keep the quality up and I stay smart with the business side, it can only go up.

Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers?

Morbid Angel - Blessed Are The Sick
Death -  Human
Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind
Slayer - Hell Awaits
Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance.

Thanks a lot for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!

That's about it. I hope to see a lot of old friends and new fans on tour. I appreciate everything people have done for the band. It's been a huge struggle for me but I know that people appreciate my attention to quality so I will keep it coming. I appreciate all the dedication that the extreme metal fans have to this music! Horns up to all you guys!