Immolation’s first release ‘Dawn of Possession’ became an instant classic. With their latest album ‘Failures for Gods’, they have certainly deserved an interview with VM. Guitar player Bob Vigna was kind enough to answer all my questions. First let’s find out how he’s doing right now…
Everything is going great right now. We just got home from our tour with Six Feet Under in the States, and it was a really good one for us. We picked up a lot of new fans and had a great time. The Six Feet guys were totally cool too and their crew helped us out a lot.
Excellent. And how do you look back on last year’s European tour?
That tour was great as well. We did that one on our own and did it full force with our light show and all. We did about 20 shows throughout Europe, all were good, even the light crowds kicked ass!! We will be heading back in August to do a few dates on our own and also do the Wacken Open Air as well as a Belgium fest. Can’t wait!
Actually, neither can I. I saw you in Tilburg, and the night before that you spent some time at a party, right? How was that?
It was awesome. We hung out with a lot of cool people in an outdoor field with a bonfire and all these bands playing. It was really cool, a great way to start the tour in true metal fashion!
Something completely different… how’s it going with the composing of new material? New stuff yet?
Yes, we will now be getting the new album together and get it recorded. Then we will be doing a couple of fests in the States, followed by the European trip in August, then we will tour with Morbid Angel in September in the States, so we have a lot going on now. The new material will be very dark and unholy of course!
Many people see your debut album ‘Dawn of Possession’ as a Death Metal classic, and so do I. Does this haunt your mind? Is it a burden for you?
No, not at all, it’s a great compliment, because we feel that we have been improving with each album, so that’s a good thing!
I hope to see another Immolation album soon. It usually takes you quite some time to release an album. Any special reasons for that?
Well, like I said we are working on new material now and will try and release this new one at the end of the year! Good music takes time!
Well, that’s true. Another thing: the lyrics. They’re mostly anti-Christian. Why, and what’s your point of view on the subject?
Well, we take many points of view, if you read the lyrics you’ll see what it’s all about.
I actually do wonder where your musical inspiration comes from. I mean, is it just other music or also stuff like movies, books etc.?
It comes from our minds, we are inspired by lots of things, different music, we just do what comes naturally. We always try and be as original and innovative as possible.
Is it difficult for you to still write original music?
Sometimes it’s hard, it’s always challenging for sure, but we like challenges, we are faced with them very often.
You have your own official homepage nowadays, at www.immolationdirect.com. I’ve visited it a couple of times now, but there’s not very much info on it yet. When is there going to be some more stuff on it?
There is a lot more on it now, we will be adding to it soon as we are now back home. We like to give it that personal touch, so it takes time.
Yezzz, here we go again: the standard VM zine question: the five all-time favourite records and the five favourite new records. Always interesting…
Iron Maiden – Powerslave (Godzz!)
Metallica – Ride the Lightning
Mercyful Fate – Melissa
Possessed – Seven Churches
Necrophagia – Season Of the Dead
My Dying Bride – The Light at the End of the World
Incantation – New Unreleased
Tori Amos – Venus
Cannibal Corpse – Bloodthirst
The Gathering – Live
It seems that extreme Death Metal is totally back on its feet. What do you think about it?
Everything has its ups and downs, we just keep doing what we do and let metal take place!
That’s the spirit. Back to the lyrics: is there a message you are trying to spread with them?
Everyone can get whatever they want, whether it be the deep messages, or just the enjoyment of the music, it’s up to the individual.
Immolation has been appreciated in the underground ever since the beginning. What more would you like to achieve?
To actually make some kind of income off of the band. We have been successful in many ways, but we would like to get to the point where we can actually make this a second business in some way.
Yeah, it’s always nice making money with doing what you like most. That wraps it up, the final words are for you…
Thanks for the great support and look for us on the road this year!!!
Will do! And thanks to you for answering the questions.
