Thursday, March 19, 2015

Impalers Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

A: It's been quite a crazy year. After we completed recordings we were booked to a number of festivals in Denmark, both underground and larger ones. Some of them we even headlined. We also had a gig as support for a sold out Machine Head show, which was pretty intense. After that we were just really busy getting everything done for both the “Prepare For War” EP and the new album.


2.You have a new album coming out in April, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the new recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

A: The new one has a wider dynamic range. On our debut album it was more or less just 1-2-3 go and then as fast as possible for 3 or 4 minutes. On this new one we’ve really taken the time to both slow things down as well as speed things up. So there’s more variation, I guess you could say.


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

A: Religion is a big one on the new album. We’re very much against any form of superstition. We also deal a lot about war and, to quote the movie “Equilibrium”, man’s inhumanity to man. The things we do to each other just for profit and/or personal convictions is maddening to me.


4.The logo was the singer of 'Lich King', how did you get in contact with this musician to get your logo made?

A: Back in the late 00’s, when the new wave of thrash was at its highest, the coolest place to be was an online forum called Thrash Unlimited, based around a thrash radio station by the same name. Everybody hung out there, including all the bands that are now huge, like Warbringer, Havok, Lich King, Bonded By Blood, and so on. Even Exumer and Exodus used it, in fact. Anyway, it was on there that I met Tom, who was a big personality around that place, and an all around funny guy. He started doing art and logos for bands on there, and we just kinda contacted him. He disliked the logo himself, but I think he did a killer job, to be honest.


5.Originally the band was called 'Rigor Mortis', what was the decision behind the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Impalers'?

A: We were called Rigor Mortis for about three minutes waaaay back when we didn’t even have any songs written. I don’t know how that got out or who put it on Metal Archives, but I guess we’re stuck with answering why we were called something for the duration of only a semi-long fart. The inspiration behind the Impalers name comes obviously from the legend of Dracula, a man by the name of Vlad Tepes, also known as The Impaler. He would order captives, prisoners of war and others out on a hill to be spiked from the asshole all the way through to the mouth until they died from loss of blood or internal damage. It was too brutal not to use, so we did.


6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

A: We try to put a lot of energy into our performance. Our music is very aggressive and very fast, so we try to bring that out through our stage presence. I don’t like to be too serious between songs, though, as that seems a bit off-putting for me. I always cringe when some death metal singer growls between their songs and announce the next song in a way that leaves you unable to know what the hell the title even was. We try to have a good time, and we try to bring that energy to the crowd. We always have some kind of event cooked up somewhere in our set, where we’re goofing off a bit. It can’t be all serious all the time.


7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

A: We have some shows announced in Belgium and Denmark for April, May and July, but no continuous touring is planned, I’m afraid. We are trying to get out on the road at the end of the year, though, but hopefully we’ll find something to do in the meantime as well.


8.The new album is going to be released on Crime Records, can you tell us how you got in contact with this label?

A: It was very straight-forward, actually. Our manager merely sent out a link for a webpage containing the new album to a list of contacts, and they replied. We really liked their offer and their way of doing things. It was definitely a way better deal than the one for our first album. So we’re very happy.


9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?

A: It’s been very, very good. Especially America, Germany and east Asian countries are interested in a big way. I think a lot of them enjoy the metal that comes out of Denmark. They probably know the country from bands like Volbeat, Mercyful Fate and Artillery, and I’m sure a lot of them are thrilled that younger people are making thrash metal music in Denmark, like back in the day. I know a lot of other bands do, as well, but we’ve just had a lot of comments about how it’s awesome to see Danish thrash so killer. We truly appreciate it!


10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?

A: Not really. We try to avoid those kind of situations. It’s not really our thing to have multiple “projects”. Even calling music a project is something I’m vehemently against. You find guys you share musical tastes with, and then you hang out together, drink together and spend as much time as you can together in this “band”. That whole “project” mentality is, not only overflooding the metal scene, but also often leading nowhere as they will very probably fade into obscurity quicker than you can say “my anus” anyway. Because once they have their “need for experimenting” out of their system, the project gets abandoned and everybody forgets. Make a real band and stick it out through the storm. That will always have my respect, at least.


11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

A: I’m gonna play the safe bet and say “more of the same”. Obviously, it won’t be exactly the same, as you continuously evolve in all kinds of ways. But I really like the style we’ve hit with “God From the Machine”, so I hope, and aspire, to continue in that vein.


12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

A: The newest album I’m totally into is Tormenter’s new album, “Prophetic Deceiver”. That is just a fantastic album. Very obviously, Kreator and Sodom are huge influences on our music and continue to be so.


13.What are some of your non musical interests?

A: I always enjoy a nice book, movie or a nice debate. Seriously, I can watch debates on YouTube for hours on end. My favorite debater is Christopher Hitchens, who is also a brilliant author.  Other than that it’s just life in general. Life experiences and what you observe around you. Everything can be turned into something useful.


14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

A: I want to thank you for this interview. I hope you all like “God From the Machine” as we enjoyed making it. And hopefully we’ll see you out there somewhere.

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