Immolation [Brutal Death metal | USA | Interview on October 23, 2001]

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Immolation [Date of interview: October 23, 2001]
"We create unique songs which all have their own identity. I'll just use the words of George from Cannibal Corpse, "there is death metal, and there is IMMOLATION"", the appropriate words for the cult death metallers "Immolation"!, let's get to know more about the album 'Close to a world Below' and many interest things about the band by Bob!

Hails Bob, please introduce yourself to Thai Metalheads?
Bob | Immolation: Hey Sornron, I'm glad to be able to do this interview with you. It's important, in this time especially, how great it is that in music we all show such world wide unity. It goes to show you that even in a musical style that some people look at as negative, it is really, truly a very positive thing. One of the greatest gifts in what we do is that we are able to meet different people and experience different cultures, whether it be in person or even through email. It's something we appreciate. And we also appreciate your support and the support of all of our fans. It shows us that what we do in our music has a lot of meaning to a lot of people. Whether if it is in the messages in the words, or just the entertainment of the music and live shows itself, it is a good feeling for us to bring what we know is an overall positive thing to people around the world. The world is now in a new state of time, which to us makes it all the more important to continue forward in what we do. Not that music is as important at all in comparison to what is going on currently around us, but it has it's place in keeping the moral of many high, us included. It is our way of keeping life going as it should and showing that terrorists cannot stop the worlds normal civilized ways that they obviously are trying to destroy.

Can you tell me a little story about the history of Immolation? Where you guys are from and what the scene was like when you first got together in the middle '80s?
Bob | Immolation: We are just fans of music just like many of you are. We grew up listening to bands like Metallica, Slayer, Destruction, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and too many more. Music gave us a certain feeling inside and we always enjoyed seeing bands live and feeling the power. It was a great way to let out your aggression, of very positive way. And we just started playing our own as we loved it so much. When we first started with our demos things were a bit different back then,...bands had more identity and different sounds, where as these days there are many who are trying to copy everyone else. It was interesting as this style of music was growing and was very unknown. We played a major roll in bringing it here to the NY area, playing cover songs at local clubs from bands like Sepultura and Possesed when people never had heard of such bands. We even got acts as Napalm Death and Morbid Angel their first gigs here too when they were quite unknown. So it was a pretty interesting time.

How about 'Rigor Mortis' ? Have you re-released an album/demo?
Bob | Immolation: Well we never had an album, we just had some demos. You might be thinking of the Rigor Mortis from Texas that had a couple of lp's out. We were death metal and had some demos, but we gained a decent following in a lot of countries even back then. Those songs could still go over well today, they are still heavy as hell to this day.

You start up 'Immolation' in '1988' and now '2001'; you know that's for thirteen years like a unluckily number '13 yrs'. How do you feel and what do you think about it, Bob? hehehe
Bob | Immolation: I think we have succeeded a lot, the fact that we are still around today, and now even stronger and better than ever is a major accomplishment. Most bands change their style completely or break up, we continue to not only keep the roots alive for so long, but at the same time we are one of the most innovative bands in this style now. We are trying to show how heavy, dark music can be done right and progression can be good if done in a thought out manner. 13 is our lucky number!

What happened about your relationship with Roadrunner Recs? Why you moved to Metal Blade Recs.? Please tell me in your opinion. How the different between Metal Blade and Road Runner about the business affairs?
Bob | Immolation: These things happen. With Roadrunner we were younger and saw things differently, so that was that. We didn't feel they really believed in the band. But there are no hard feelings. Now we are even off of Metalblade too. You cant move forward when you do not have the full support of your label. We belive in oursleves, but we can not force our label to belived in us, they have to do that themselves, so it is obvious that they did not and that's it. Again, no hard feelings, right now we just are working on getting new people to work with and with a full team we feel things can progress. We always do our part, so now we need to get the right team players on our side.

I heard some news about Road Runner didn't help your band with the US Tour in the first album. How about that, Bro', please tell me?
Bob | Immolation: They wanted us to do another album right away, which now we see as an understandable thing. But the one thing that they failed to do was get us out in the US. We had the offer on the table for the Morbid Angel, Entombed tour that hit the states at that time. It was the perfect tour for us, but because they did not want to put up the money for it, we lost that tour. SO it was this type of thing that we were not happy about. So after that we booked and financed our own tour of the US and it turned out great.

After you released 'Down of Possession' in 1991 with Roadrunner and after that your band stay without releasing a new album for five years. How do you feel? Have some problems with line-up? Or any problems related the label?
Bob | Immolation: We just got cuaght up in a lot of things in our lives, especially Tom's business, etc. So it took time, and to find a label took time. We did do a lot in those years though, travelling around and touring etc, but we just didn't have the new album, out. So after a while and a lot of work we got onto Metal Blade and with the support of Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under we came back strong supporting our second album, "Here In After".

I ever seen some gigs or concerts that had John McEntee was helping your band during the tour. Is that the problem about the member in your band? How about 'Tom'? Why he can't tour with your band?
Bob | Immolation: Tom has his own business, which myself and Ross help him with. Tom did have a partner in the beginning, which was the perfect situation. However when his partner died in 97 that changed a lot of things and made it very difficult for Tom to tour. So we had John McEntee help us out in the beginning which was great. We've been good friends for years with him and he was into it, so it made sense and John enjoyed it alot. But it got to a point where John just could not be as available to us because he really had to devote his main attention to Incantation. So at this point we were able to get Bill Taylor (ex Angelcorpse) to join us as our permanent live 2nd guitar arsenal. He is into the music , and really has taken the challenge head on and is 100% into the whole thing. We get along very well and he is a very strong live player and guitarist. He is also just about as metal as one person can be!

How would you describe the musical progression between 'Failures for God' and 'Close To A World Below'?
Bob | Immolation: It is a very large progression. We have reached a new level of focus and percision. "Close To A World Below" defines IMMOLATION. It is a result of years of hard work, experience and lessons learned. More than ever, on this album, you can see our unique writing ability, our innovation, our dimension and our identity. It is an album that is not only a pinical in our career, it is also just the beginning of where we are heading. We are a determined band, and stronger than ever before. We are very ambitious and want to bring this style further than it has ever been before. "Close To A World Below" is our first true step in that direction.

Tell me about the art on cover of the 'Close to a world Below' album?
Bob | Immolation: We wanted to create something a bit different for this album. Something stronger in meaning, yet more simple in look. Something very abstract, but very straight forward. We also wanted the effect that everything you are looking at was camoflauged into the flames,..where you are not quite sure what you are seeing upon first glance. Andreas Marshall definitely achieved all of this in his work. It is a truly amazing piece of art.

What's the meaning behind 'Close to a world Below' album?
Bob | Immolation: It has many meanings, but the main message is to see where the world is heading, and how much religion plays a major role in that direction. After the attacks of Sept 11th, I think it is all too clear at how true that has become. Although we aim our words at the Christian religion, as this is what we were brought up with, it's message includes all religions and the abuse of them and the people involved in them. What we saw in the world recently has proved how religion can be manipulated to cause destruction. I'm sure we will concentrate on that aspect much more deeply on our next album, you be sure of that.

What do you think about Andreas Marshall's result?
Bob | Immolation: Again, he is amazing. He really knows how to bring your ideas to life, ...and I think he is often excited to work on our covers as the ideas always give him a unique challenge,...a challange he always conquers with remarkable imagery.

Your new album was recorded at 'Millbrook Sound Studio'. What do you think about this place?
Bob | Immolation: We always like to do our own thing. Paul Orofino is a great producer, and although we are the first extreme band he has ever done, in just two albums he has created such an awesome sound. He is a very down to earth person, and is easy to work with. We are very confident that he will make the next album even more powerful and beyond what people would expect from this style of music. I think he already took that first step with "Close To A World Below", as it has such a unique production.

In the new album, like you mentioned about your great producer Paul Orofion, you guys work with him again after the 'Failures for Gods' album. How do you feel about that, man?
Bob | Immolation: Again he is great, he makes us at ease and creates a more confident working environment. With us that is important. He is learning more and more of our music and where we want it to go with every album,...so together we grow in designing our sound. Although he is not a fan of this style, he sees the potential and especially with the newr material he finds it more and more interesting as we go.

Okay, about the 'Close to a world below' album. How would you introduce its to those who haven't heard it yet?
Bob | Immolation: It is like nothing you have ever heard. It is heavy and dark, but it is also catchy and atmospheric. We incorporate not only the extreme, but the very musical. We create unique songs which all have their own identity. I'll just use the words of George from Cannibal Corpse, "there is death metal, and there is IMMOLATION"

Bob, I ever read your interview and you said your favorite's bands such as The Cranberries, Portishead, Slipknot, Type O Negative, etc. You know, your answer made me surprised about the death metaller like you. Seem you really enjoy the music with all different types. What do you think about the listeners who always need to separate the kind of music such as 'I listen Death metal ,so I don't like hardcore music or pop music. What' do you think about this boring story, please show your opinion?
Bob | Immolation: I feel it is better to be more open minded. The fact that we are so open minded to music is the reason we come up with such unique things. I listen to mostly lighter music these days, ...but when you put on an IMMOLATION album,...it is IMMOLATION,....heavy, dark and unholy! There is so much music out there, to just limit yourself to one kind seems silly but that is everyone's own option. Even though some music might not be heavy like death/black metal, does not mean that it can not be dark in feel, or have some kind of emotion to relate to in some way.

We just saw B-jork here in NY last week, and it was amazing. It is always an inspiration to us to see great musicians live; it is a big part of what keeps us going.

What's the Immolation's plan to do in the future?
Bob | Immolation: We plan to get the new record out by the spring and make a major European live assault. We are working on getting on many of the big festivals in 2002 and a lot of touring.

Well, there anything else you want to say? Some last words?
Bob | Immolation: I just want to thank you again for your support and interest. Also thanks to all the fans and those who read this to see what we are about. If you haven't heard us yet I urge you to check out "Close To A World Below", you will be glad you did. Visit us at www.ImmolationDirect.com or www.Immolation.tv

Keep your hand in the fire!