IMMOLATION Interview English

IMMOLATION
for Painkiller Mag #6
September 2002

Interview

with Robert Vigna - Guitar

Yang Yu/Metal Fan

all pics are linked from www.immolationdirect.com
by any problems refer to webmaster

How did Immolation first come together as a band?

We started IMMOLATION after our first band broke up. We began in 88 and released 2 demos over a couple of years. We just loved music and were into all the heaviest bands of the time, Kreator, Destruction, Death, Slayer, Exodus, as well as iron maiden, Metallica, etc…

We started playing music because we were so into it. We would go to all the shows and it was just a natural curiosity as to playing it. We would learn as we go and began to create our own.

What kind of music were you playing at that time?

Well our first band was Rigor Mortis. We had a couple of demos out and it was death metal. A more simple version, but it was death metal, heavy and haunting.

I heard you have a concept about 4 CD covers, please tell us more about this.

Well, when it is time for a new album, we come up with the concept. They all tie in together very well. We just put a lot of thought into the concept and what we want it to look like. Andreas Marschall then brings it all to life. He is amazing!!

Some Xmedia guys named your music as "extreme dark metal", neither death metal nor black metal, do you agree with this discription? And some guys put immolation in their black metal band list, maybe you call yourselves as "immolation metal" ... which definition is more exact in your opinion?

I agree with them all. I think we have become something beyond, death/black metal…where it is hard to describe. We try hard to create something unique. So when people don’t know how to describe it,.. that is a good sign! We are IMMOLATION, that my exact opinion! haha

Your are an anti-christian band, but I couldnt find any evil-worshipping lyrics in you songs, so you are not a black metal band, are you?

We write songs that often look at religion and the down side of it. We also use the personifications of good and evil to make a point. But our music often relates to things that have nothing to do with religion at all, it all depends on how you look at it. On “Unholy Cult” we look at what is going on in the world today, it is much more broad and I think people will relate to the words. These are our best lyrics yet. The bottom line is that we do not worship anyone and we make that clear in our songs,…we try and convey the message that you should believe in yourself and not fall victim to empty faith in man made religion.

what do you think is the difference between US unholy death metal and EU unholy death metal.?

I don’t quite understand the question. I guess the language would be different! It’s still unholy so…

Can you list some bands that you like to listen to?

The Gathering, My Dying Bride, Ulver, Bjork, Dave Mathews Band …

Are there some bands you hate and like to have removed?

Why,…do you know someone who can do that?

Are there any satanists or Nazi in your band members... What is the bands position to religion and policy?

No we are not satanists, nazis or mail men. We play metal and that’s about it! I already went over our position on religion,…and our policy it to make the best music we can and tour as much as possible!

IMMOLATION was already a big name 10 ago, but in the middle of the 90's there are no good days for brutal metal bands, how do you see the change of market in relation to the trend policy of the records industry?

Well all trends come and go,..but we have always been into what we do and this music. Now we are more focused and determined to escalate this music as far as possible. People are looking for something more extreme, so we are here to deliver it! I think our music can appeal to a large audience and I think we are one of the few bands that have the capability to strike the interest of those who are not yet familiar with death, black, doom, extreme metal.

As for the record industry itself,..it sucks balls! But now that we are on two new labels that are into the music 100% we are very happy and look forward to the release of the new cd “Unholy Cult”.

Now as well brutal death and extreme black metal are still very strong in the underground. Is IMMOLATION still the same IMMOLATION since your first Album?

No, we are much different, but our roots are intact. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we still have the passion we did back then, probably more so now. So in many ways we are the same band actually. However we have gotten a lot better and wiser over the years of albums and touring. And I think it shows a great deal.

There are many new nobles on the royal brutal metal yard, do you think that you every had a real "come back"?

Oh we’ve been coming back for a few years now, and when “Unholy Cult” come out we will be touring a lot! So expect to hear “IMMOLATION” a lot this year!!!

I was very surprised to hear that you are from NYC, which is a huge city of fashion. Do you make music to attack the mainstream?

No we are not trying to attack it,…we are trying to break into it! Hahah We want to show the main stream that there is real worth while dark , heavy bands out there that have something to offer. We don’t fear the main stream,..I think there is a lot of underground influence going on in today’s popular music more than ever, which is a good thing.

How was your deal with Metal Balde in past 6 years, why do you change on to the much smaller Label Listenable? nDo you hope to be treated better?

Oh we will be treated better, there is no doubt about that! Metal Blade just did not believe in the band, so now we have Listenable in Europe, and Olympic in the US who both believe very strongly in this band and the new record. That’s all we ever wanted was a label that really truly liked the band, and now we have two!

How are your workings for the new album going now, when will it come out?

It should be out in October. We recorded “Unholy Cult” in May. The promos should be done soon. We also have tours scheduled for November (US w/Vader,Berserker and Origin), then in December, (X-mas Fests Europe). We can’t wait for that!

Will the fans be surprised by bigger changes in your music?

I think they will be surprised and delighted at the same time. We aim to please, and the new cd will be our best yet! The fans will love it as it crushes everything we have done in the past! We are always trying new things. I think this album is much more diverse and more to the point. It is like an explosion, but a very musical and emotional one!

If you were not metal maniacs, what is kind of music would you do?

We love all kinds of music so it’s hard to say. As much as I like different music, I don’t know if I can see myslef doing anything other than this…..but I would like to try something else one day for fun.

Immolation's guitar arrangements are very different to other bands. Tell us more about how do you use the guitar or any experiences, advices etc

When I write the music, I just try and be as creative as possible. I like to use the guitar and other instruments like a small orchestra. Adding different layers and creating a lot of feeling with the music itself. A lot of highs and lows. I try to have each song make a point musically and go somewhere. You need to have a destination. Once a song begins it has to have a start and an end, and you try and make a small journey in between. I have a lot of bitterness inside me too, so that helps too! hahaha

What kind of guitar are you using. Which trademark or Guitar do you like most?

I use a Jackson soloist, and a BC rich mocking bird.

In the end, what is especial words to chinses metal fans?

Thanks for the interview and support! We appreciate it greatly, it was an honor for us too!! Look out for “Unholy Cult” in October! It will definitely blow you away! Best regards!

DISCOGRAPHY