This band was formed when Juan, the singer, and I quit another band called Lords of Chaos. Actually it was his band. I was just helping them out after my band Entropy broke up, but after Juan’s band split up, we found some new guys and started Vile. That was 1996. Maybe the end of 1995.

Man, it has zero relation to Cannibal [Corpse]. It was just one of 20 names we had on a dry erase board for a while and it was the only one we could all agree on. When Cannibal [Corpse] came out with their album Vile about 6 months later we wondered if we should drop the name, but decided against it, ‘cause it took so much to agree on that name. Our original logo was made out of some shitty font from a Milwaukee Metalfest poster. We cut out the word “Live” and turned it into Vile.

I don’t see it as a quantum leap, but it is a fairly major jump. Depopulate was quite different from our first album, Stench of the Deceased, and so The New Age of Chaos is also quite different from its predecessor. But it is all my writing. For the most part, all Vile albums are. So there should be some continuity there. Depopulate was more influenced by Hate Eternal and the tendency to play fast. If we were to play those songs with a slightly more relaxed feel, you’d probably hear how they are somewhat similar in style. But also with this new album, there is a new bassist that changed the sound a bit. The singing is more like its own entity over the music instead of going with it. There’s more blatant melody, and the songs are arranged just a bit more coherently. I was not so interested in being super fast and progressive, but I wanted to make songs to have the proper flow and fuck the speed thing.

The bands I grew up on like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, even Slayer, had tons of melody. Melodies give each song an identity. Our other albums have melody too, but it is less blatant. Also, on the other albums the melody was often played in a low register so it didn’t stand out as much. I was just looking for a way to keep our sound, but also change it enough to give this album its own personality. Yes, I have also been influenced by Dimmu Borgir, Mutant, Behemoth, Marduk, etc. I was looking for some variety because all this American death metal was starting to sound the same to me.

I’ll have to listen to that record. I know of it, on the Martyr Music Group label. [The first one is, the second one is on Seasons of Mist]. I know Derek Roddy drummed for them. But I have not heard it yet. Yeah, those bands I mentioned are influences. I also like the Necrophagist Epitaph record a lot, even though it is not what we do in Vile. It is really hard for me to find new music that’s intriguing in this genre lately. I know it is out there, but with so much junk clogging up the system, it is hard to find.

Sure you could say that. I asked him to do more dual vocals. In the past he did those parts but not as much. He wanted to record what he could do live. And since we’re just a single vocalist band, he didn’t want to have too many overproduced vocals. Also, since he was proud of his lyrics, he tried to make them more understandable. And finally, he records of lot of other types of bands at his studio, so I think he was recently influenced by vocalists that are more traditional singers this time around. Also, we have to remember his vocal hero is Bruce Dickenson so that plays a part too! Haha.

It is both. I think having melodic solos makes each song even more unique. Being an old schooler it’s a must for my band. We have always had great solos. Since Aaron Strong is not in the band anymore, I needed to have guest solos. Whoever is the permanent lead guitarist for Vile in the future will try to play these solos in a similar way.

Famous? I didn’t see that. I’m not famous, that’s for sure. I run a CD mastering studio called Imperial Mastering. And I master tons of death metal bands but as a producer goes, I’m just now starting to get my name out there. I have always produced Vile records, but in the past Juan was a 50/50 contributor. This new one is produced fully by me though. Also, I have produced bands like Origin, Goratory, Vore, Impaled (demo), Exhumed (demo), Sons of Chaos and others you probably haven’t heard of. Now my facility is totally set for full productions, so I am looking for new projects.

It is kind of always been like that. But I downplayed that fact. Jack is a good friend of mine. He lives across the street. I’m not sure who the ‘actual’ drummer is! Haha. Tyson played on the last 2 albums and Reno Killerich did the touring. One day I’ll get it stabilized. But as long as the albums and live performances are pro, I’m cool with whatever.

I’m glad you asked. It’s a tricky situation. Juan is the writer of the lyrics. His point of view about the Iraq war and the general “War on Terrorism” is kind of basic. Kill them before they kill you. My point of view is more nuanced. I am trying to read about Islam, about the history of Middle East and try to understand this whole issue a bit better. I do agree with him that we are coming to the point of kill or be killed in the near future though. And that Islamic fundamentalism is the biggest threat to our personal safety and to our culture at this time. I was worried that the lyrics would offend some Muslims, but these are the words he was writing, and I could either take them or get another singer.

Downhill in many ways. I think Americans in general are being dumbed down by our school systems, bad parenting, and by the media and politicians. It seems obvious that western culture in general is on a down swing. As far as the ‘War On Terror’ goes, you can be sure that we will get suicide bombers here eventually and that the extremists will acquire a nuclear or biological device and use it on us eventually. Europe will be even more affected and sooner. BUT, even though this is happening, you and I are still living more prosperously and better than most any human in history and we have to be thankful for our positions in the time line of humanity.

I couldn’t tell you in a paragraph. But I could tell you I’m not what you might perceive me to be from the outside. I’m a curious person by nature. I’m artistic in general. I’m a nuanced thinker and I don’t get off on the obvious things in life. I guess I’m a changer in general as well. And my main goal is to continue changing and growing as a person and not to worry about how I do it or where I go, but just that I do.

I think that last paragraph is a good ender! Haha. I thank you for the interview. I look forward to doing more touring with this band and to get this new music out there. I promise that Vile will be as tight and professional as possible and we will not disappoint! See you out there!

Thank you Alex.