VileDriver Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit abut the band?
1. We're not your usual metal dudes. The drummer listens to a lot of free jazz, the guitarist a lot of RnB and Drum N Bass, and the singer, well, the sickest metal out there really. We get together only to bust out tunes, and rarely see each other otherwise.

2.How would you describe your musical sound?
2. I describe our musical sound as a collage of our favourite sub genres of Metal, and decorated with advanced phrasing and grooves derivative of jazz and funk.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. The lyrics are very generally about inner anguish, inner struggle, and shit-slinging against opposers.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'VileDriver'?

4. The name VileDriver was a unanimous vote, which kind of encapsulated speed and evil, and proudly represented metal with the name and logo alone. Apparently there's a video game character in Megaman by the same name....and that's A Ok with us.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
5. Most of the best shows happened at our home base of Toronto, at Coalition. It's run by metal enthusiasts that attracts metalheads for every event. I think my favourite show was the most recent Ontario Death Fest 4 - Every one was up front and excited by our set, and were both friends and members of the other bands, who totally get the tech metal message. There's a YouTube video filmed by Capten Zomby that captured the first two power-packed tunes at
https://youtu.be/-MuAQcGShgc.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?
6. We have a CD release show Dec 15 at the Geekery in Niagara Falls, and a CD release show Jan 19 2018 at Coalition in Toronto. We aren't a touring band, so one needs to come to see us

7.The new album was released on 'CDN Records', are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?
7. I'm exasperated by how much support CDN Records gave to VileDriver, as well as Black Market assisting in the media and promotions. It's been an amazing experience working with them, and they've given Canadian metal a fighting chance

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of brutal and technical death metal?
8. Feedback has been unbelievably encouraging and positive. We're very excited not only to provide our contribution to the pond of extreme metal, but to contribute to entertain and inspire with many follow-up releases in the near future.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
9. Musically we have already upped the game in respect to technicality. Songs on our first release are songs written about 3-4 years ago. We won't let anything out of the gate unless its full potential has been realized. Once we have the hook-in-your-mouth, we're going to lead faithful followers on an incredible musical journey of unexpected twists and turns, and humour. Yes humour.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
10. I think generally we enjoy bands like Decapitated, Dying Fetus, Ion Dissonance, Cryptopsy, Dumpster Mummy, Origin, Nile, Mr. Bungle....those are the bands we admire.


11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. The drummer is a photographer and explores the visual arts. The guitarist lifts weights and very much enjoys Drum N Bass and Rnb bands. The singer brings up various species of reptiles.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Final thoughts are, that we very much acknowledge the listeners looking for something outside of the normal, the people with minds open enough to appreciate music that doesn't fit a normal structure. And, like free jazz, you have to let go of the control and let the music lead you on a journey. It doesn't matter if you like Mudvayne or Meshuggah.....we're all still speaking a special language, and we'll be there to continue the tradition of underground music when the underground music isn't so underground anymore.