La sortie du troisième album de VILE était l'occasion idéale de faire le point sur l'évolution du groupe et sur le véritable tournant opéré avec "The New Age of Chaos"

VS : To begin this interview, I have to admit I didn’t know Juan Urteaga was back in the band before listening « The New Age of Chaos ». Could you explain us the reasons about his departure and return ?
Colin : Well he works right next door to me. His studio and mine are in the same building. So it's really easy. I wasn't able to find a steady permanent singer by the time we needed to record, so instead of having a guest vocalist, it seemed best to have the original singer on the album. Its unfortunate that I will need to get a new guy for tours and future albums though. He did a really great job on this album.

VS : 3. I know Jack Gibson was a friend of yours before joining EXODUS and actually that’s a good point for promotion but don’t you think some potential new fans could turn away because of this détail ? I mean metal heads are well known to have some very
Colin : I don't think it will turn fans away. I think it will attract new people. Maybe if the singer were from Exodus, well then yes, I would agree. But shit, he made out music better! After they hear the album they wont be complaining! Haha.

VS : I guess it has been frustrating to always been compared to CANNIBAL CORPSE in the past. Does it have something to do with this different musical approach you have on this new recording ?
Colin : Well I think that comparison has not applied to us for many years. When we first formed, we had another guitarist named Jim Tkacz. He was really influenced by Cannibal. So some of the original songs had a small relation to Cannibal. But on Depopulate, our second album, we didn't have a singe riff that was similar to them. We have not even played the Cannibal Corpse/Slayer style thrash beat one time on either of our latest albums. So I think the comparison is a lazy or ignorant one. Why don't they say Morbid Angel? That's who we are really influenced by! And that is far more obvious! You know Cannibal had an album called Vile. Just by coincidence. And I actually that is where people get the ideas that we are like them. I do like Cannibal though, and they are fantastic guys, it's just that they are not an influence for me as a player.

VS : I’ve read something about some specials guests on “The New Age of Chaos”. I’ve head about J.J. Hrubovcak is there someone else ? How did you get this idea ?
Colin : Yeah J.J. is a cool guy and we have talked about working together for a while. We'll see what happens. There are details we need to work out. But since our lead guitarist Aaron Strong left the band 2 years ago, I needed to get some people to play solos on the album. J.J. played 2 and a local guy named Marc Pattison played the rest. He is a friend and he was willing to work with me and let me produce the solos until we got them perfect. I'm really happy with the outcome! Now it's going to be hard to find a guy to play them live! I have started playing solos again after many years of not playing them so I can play a few of them live if needed.

VS : You’ve record your new album in Juan’s Trident Studio. I guess it has been helpful for taking time and working in tranquility but don’t you think death metal can lose some kind of spontaneousness when it’s recording this way ?
Colin : We recorded at my studio called Imperial Mastering, mostly. We used Juan's studio for the drums and he tracked his own vocals there. But all the guitars, bass, editing, mixing and mastering were done by me at Imperial. I needed to be in full control this time. Juan is running his own business at Trident and I could not afford to pay him for every day at the studio. Besides, I feel that I got a better product by recording and mixing in Nuendo at my studio. I see your point about losing the feeling. But this album was created in the studio. It was not like a normal album where all the songs are worked out at band practice then you just go in and record. I was writing all the way until the end. There was no other way to do it. And also I can only think of a few producers like Colin Richardson or Andy Sneap that could do a better job and they are WAY out of our price range!

VS : Tell me about those black metal influence you’re talking about for “the New Age of Chaos”. How do you explain the radical difference in approach between European Black metal and American one ? Do you think it has to do with the long history behind us
Colin : I don't think there is such a thing as an American black metal band. I have not heard one. I have heard some people ''trying' to play black metal in America, but failing. Yes, black metal comes from all European influences. The main difference that I hear is the melodies. That's classical. And of course the image comes form Vikings and that kind of culture. The black metal influences you hear on the new Vile, are just melodies that are, in a way, classical sounding. There are not a lot of them but they are there. Also Juan tried to use his black metal high voice more often as well. We tried to make this album completely different from the past efforts but still keep our grooves and catchy song writing. I can tell you that our next album will be nothing like this one though.

VS : It seems some metal bands have started writing political lyrics after the terrible september 11th 2001. Is this true for VILE or is that your way to take position about Iraky’s war ?
Colin : Are there a lot of bands doing this? Not here at least. I don't know of any. Maybe one song here and there,but I am unaware of any other band that has an album with a concept like this one. And for me there is no difficulty in taking a position. Islam says you either convert or die. So who's side do you think I'm on?

VS : I’ve heard the tourning line-up will be quite different from the recording one. Could you give us some details about that ? Have you finally find solutions about your line-up problems ?
Colin : Well, I'm working on it. I may be working with the singer and guitarist from Divine Rapture. Well see what happens. We're going to do a few shows in California this winter and see who stays after that. I'm just not sure who will commit in the long run. But I have a lot of options, so I know I'll work it out in time. We have tours being booked for 2006 now.

VS : At least is there any chance to see VILE on a french stage soon ?
Colin : Oh yes of course! Our best shows were in France in 2003. Playing there is a big priority! Were going to Europe in the spring of 2006 with another American band called Impaled. So yes, we will definitely see you there!

VS : Just for curiosity, what’s your actual playlist (not necessarily metal stuff) ?
Colin : Well since I do a lot of recording and mastering, I don't listen to as much music as I used to. And if I do, it's other styles. But when I find something in metal that is really good or different I will play it over and over. The last 2 Dimmu Borgir albums are amazing. Also the new Necrophagist rules. I was listening to the last Tool album recently. Old Mans Child. I'm looking forward to that one. Our touring drummer Reno Kiilerich played on it as well.

VS : Ok Colin thanks for your answers. It’s up to you to finish this interview with a last comment…
Colin : Well I'm looking forward to getting there on tour. I noticed how intense the crowds were there and how much you guys love your metal down there. It's really appreciated! I'm looking forward to spending some time visiting France, if there is a day off. And getting to enjoy the culture, food, cheese, coffee, women, hmmm, I do like France….