Immolation are, hands down, one of the most consistent death metal bands of all time. Each release a masterpiece, every live performance I have seen incredible. Need I say more?
Interviewed by Al Kikuras with a helping hand from Andrea Lee. Andrea's site, Into Everlasting Fire, is the ultimate Immolation fan site and the source of all of the graphics on this page.
Al Kikuras: The new Immolation album is, safe to say, one of the most highly anticipated death metal releases of the past few years. Did you feel any pressure to meet up to the public's expectations?
Bob Vigna: No, no pressure at all. We just knew that it had to be the darkest, heaviest, most unholy, most evil, haunting, and menacing album of our career, with areal serious production. So, we just aimed for that and did our best.
A: John McEntee is handling the guitar duties in place of Tom Wilkinson on your current tour due to Tom's responsibilities at his job. Is Tom still solid in the lineup of the band?
B: Yes, Tom is very much a big part of this band and is not going anywhere. We won't let him!! haha! Tom actually comes up with most of the titles and lyrical ideas, not to mention art concepts too.We just need to take the band into a bigger realm as he gets his business that he runs into the position where he can leave for long periods of time.
A: What is the writing process like for Immolation? When the time came to do a new studio album, was it like, "Well, we had best start writing some new tunes!" or did you already have songs written?
B: It was actually half and half. We had some written already. Then we booked the studio time. It left us with a month and a half to come up with over half and album. So, by the time we got into the studio, we had 8 songs. It's not the easiest process to write songs, but we work best under pressure.
A: Does the band practice on a regular basis or just when you are preparing for shows or recording?
B: We practice year 'round. We do as much as we can while working full time jobs. We just really get going and focus harder once we have a dealine to meet, whether it be tour, or album.
A: There was an enormous gap between your first two albums. Why?
B: Label problems, touring problems, finding a new label, writing songs. There was a lot going on, but the bottom line is we are here on the third album, and that's an accomplishment in itself.
A: The time that lapsed between Here In After and Failures For Gods wasn't exactly brief either. Was there any pressure from Metal Blade to get the new album done?
B: No, we actually surprised them when we booked the studio time. The artwork is what really put this album's delay a bit over the top. We recorded Failures For Gods in July of '98, and it didn't come out until June of this year because we are very picky about the packaging, and the art, so we had to wait for Andreas Marschall to get us all of his work. It was worth the wait though!!
A: Are you familiar with Chris Forbes' "Log In The Toilet" project?
B: Hmmm, I'm sure it's quite a log for sure!
A: If you could play one Immolation song for a football stadium full of death metal fans that had never heard the band before, which would it be and why?
B: Probably "Unsaved". It is unholy, short and to the point. It's probably the most simplistic song we have, yet it drives very hard and is very dark, powerful and full of emotion.We're sure it will make the top 40!
A: Are you guys currently still touring?
B: We did the MetalFest this year and it was awesome! We played up in Canada and that was unholy! We are going to Europe in 2 days, until Sept 22nd, then we hit the states fromSept 30th to Oct 24th.That should be a great tour too! We can't wait to immolatethe world, or at least Europe and the US...
A: Who created the concept for the cover art of Failures For Gods?
B: It's really all of our ideas. Tom had the main concept, and me and Ross had many ideas that worked with that concept, and we added a lot of details too. So it's really the whole band, just like the music. We write down all of the details, and give that to Andreas Marschall, and he brings it all to life!
A: One of the only criticisms of the new album that I have heard is complaints about the production. Are you completely satisfied with it?
B: If it's one thing we have learned over the years is that you can't please everybody. It's definitely the best prodcution this band has had, that's for sure, and the minor things we feel need addressing will only be advanced the next time around. It is a great sounding album, I don't care what anybody says!
A: The album definitely has a different sound than both previous releases. Did you approach the recording differently or was it primarily a result of working with a new producer?
B: You learn more each time.Paul Orifino produced this, and he has never worked with this kind of music before. Heavy Metal yes, but Death Metal, no. But he kicked ass! He was really cool and easy to work with, and he is a great producer, he brought out all of the feeling and kept the power intact. We will definitely be working with Paul on the next record for sure!
Andrea: In the song, "The Devil I Know", it seems to establish the idea that the devil is more powerful than God. When you refer to "the devil" in your lyrics, are you referring to just the evil within mankind or an actual entity - the nemesis of Jesus Christ?
B: It is the personification of good and evil. These are the icons of what we understand as good and evil, it's what way you understand what good and evil really is that we draw attention to.
Andrea: Lyrically I have noticed the term "satan" is not present after Dawn of Possession, yet you make many references to the "devil" on Failures For Gods. Is this because the content of your songs is more anti-christian versus satanic?
B: It's really anti-religion for the most part. It was just what felt worked in the music, that's all. That's just the way it came out.
Andrea: The fans of death metal bands are extremely loyal to their chosen groups, Immolation fans more so. How much influence, if any, does the fan reaction affect the bands music?
B: Oh, it is very important. We are fans of music too, so we always do our best in all aspects of this band to puy out what we feel is something of quality. We know what we expect from the music we like, so we take what we do very seriously , and the fans see that. they know we are honest in our music and they relate to it, which is the best part!
Andrea: Do you think that the proliferation of computers and the explosion of the Internet has helped in you current success? Do they think that while many sites are devoted to bands, the core and primary path to fame in Death Metal is through the club/concert circuit?
B: The internet is definitely a valuable tool in any aspect of life these days. Communication certainly is key, but for death metal, the live club scene is what makes the music special and what draws the attention. Hype , Imagery and spreading the word only go so far. It all comes down to the music in the end, and if that is lacking then it will not last. For IMMOLATION it's always music first, make that the best, and then make every other aspect of the band follow suit.
A: What did you think of the recent Emperor show in NYC? Are you a fan of black metal?
B: It was pretty good. Metal definitely occured for sure. We like Emperor. They are one of the few bands we think is worth checking out.
A: Are you sick of people asking you what "Immolation" means in interviews?
B: Yes.
A: What would you say, besides the above mentioned one, is the most annoying interview question that you've had to answer over and over?
B: Let me think, yeah it's definitely this one, " Do you think that the proliferation of computers and the explosion of the Internet has helped in you current success? Do they think that while many sites are devoted to bands, the core and primary path to fame in Death Metal is through the club/concert circuit?" Yeah, that one comes up every interview it seems. Proliferation... it's very common.
A: Another highly anticipated death metal release this year is the new Internal Bleeding. Have you heard it?
B: I heard a little bit of it... it's defintely their best sounding album!
A: Who in the band is most apt to eat until he pukes?
B: Let me think. All of us! We are all gluttons!
A: What is the first death metal album you owned?
B: Oh hell, it's hard to say. We were into Destruction, Kreator and all that, which is kind of death thrash, Possessed, early Death, early Sepultura was very dark and unholy, shit like that. That's what inspired us. There's really a lot of different stuff.
A: Any albums recently that have been a huge disappointment?
B: Yeah, but I'll let them speak for themselves.
A: I am going to name few people, bands, TV icons, etc. Please give the the first thought that pops into your head when you hear each name.
A: Frank Zappa.
B: Shmammy!
A: Malamor
B: Malomars... mmmmm.
A: Nell Carter
B: Big Shmammy!!!
A: Manowar
B: Classic!!
A: Prince
B: Queen
A: Don "No Soul" Simmons
B: Uhh.
A: Mr. T
B: Shmammmy!
A: Harvey Korman
B: Blazing Saddles! I think...
A: If you could have one person's existence wiped clean from history, who would it be and why?
B: Greg Smith because of long interviews. haha!
A: Are there any Immolation tunes that you will never play again?
B: No, we will be playing them all over the next year or so actually.
A: How about any that will always be set standards (at least, you think they will be at this point)?
B: No, we like to do different things each time.
A: When was the last time you had a really good cry?
B: Pretty recently actually. It all goes back to my childhood, you know. I come from a broken home and... oh, oh yeah... metal... right... never mind!
Official Into Everlasting Fire - ultimate Immolation fan site.
Official Immolation web site.
Metal Blade Records.
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