Impaled Interview
Band Name: Impaled
Genre: Death Metal
Country: USA - Oakland, California
Samples: http://www.myspace.com/impaled
Dr.CB: Thanks for taking time out from your medical malfeasance to humor this interview. I'm sure you've all been busy, what with the release of your fourth full-length "THE LAST GASP" a few months ago.
Ross: It's been busy fighting off the hordes of villagers carrying torches and pitchforks requesting our demise. We just beat off a bunch of them by pouring boiling tar over our castle walls.
Dr.CB: This was released thru Willowtip whom you signed with back in August. Is this a one album deal with the label?
Ross: Willowtip has been absolutely great to work with, as we signed an abnormal deal for a five year license with option to renew. The fellows at Willowtip thought it good enough to put out an Impaled album under any circumstances, so they agreed. We also gained some leverage by subjecting the label's head mother to extraordinary rendition to Sudan and asking her a few questions.
Dr.CB: How has the reception been for it so far?
Ross: It's been quite good, and by all accounts, we buried our last album under a pile of G.O.R.E. It's already been banned in 336 countries, so I consider that a great success.
Dr.CB: The tone on this record slices and dices better than anything being peddled by Ron Popeil. I feel it echoes DEATH AFTER LIFE in some ways, but as always you keep things gorily fresh. Are there any newer recording techniques that you have utlized, or do you just keep it straight and to the point?
Ross: We definitely came into this one punching, after a sour record deal and lukewarm response on our last record from our fans. We wanted people to know we were still angry, indeed, angrier. This album is so angry! GRRRRR!!! The production was toned down, in that we went for more simple techniques to control the output. Very simple drum tracking, PODs for the guitar tone, and lots and lots of cuts and pastes. You think we can actually play our instruments? Fool! It's all computer trickery!
Dr.CB: Impaled has been a force to be reckoned with for over 10 years. Can you give a little insight about who you are and what you do for those who may not have a clue?
Ross: We play true death metal. Nothing more, nothing less. Okay, maybe more, because I happen to think we're all good looking. So we have that going for us.
Dr.CB: Can you describe Impaled's writing process?
Ross: Almost all Impaled songs are written by individual members, demoed out for all to hear, and then we learn them. We're very open to our fellow members' opinions, and songs will evolve and change as we continue to play them and iron out all the kinks. For the most part, however, they're done before we've ever played the song together. After that, lyrics are written by either Sean or myself. It's especially best when we read each other's lyrics and we can't stop laughing. That's when we know we have a winner.
Dr.CB: You have some pretty creative album cover concepts. Does anyone in particular usually come up with them or is it a collaborative effort?
Ross: Generally, Sean or I come up with the cover concepts. We hammer out the details, argue plentifully about how stupid each other's ideas are, and eventually we come out with something that makes my mom puke. Everyone in Impaled chips in when it comes time to the execution. We're a very team oriented group... that is when we're not calling each other stupid.
Dr.CB: Looking back, how does 1997 look from the present? Are you content with the impact you've made?
Ross: No, I'm not content. I want to destroy everyone around me. Someday I hope to inspire mass suicides akin to the Jonestown Massacre. So far, we've only been able to encourage the consumption of normal Kool-Aid, not the lethal kind. These days, some things are easier and some are harder. Getting your music online? Easy... getting someone to pay attention? With thirty-thousand bands doing the same thing, it's a lot harder.
Dr.CB: What would you say has influenced Impaled the most as far as musical direction and lyrical content?
Ross: Musically we're largely influenced by the early days of death metal, such as the original output from bands like Dismember, Carcass, Bolt Thrower, Pungent Stench, but equally we look to the bands that influenced those bands, like Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Metallica, etc. Lyrically, there's an obvious bent towards Jeff Walker's eloquent verbiage, but the subject matter has been inspired by works of fiction such as H.P. Lovercraft's Re-Animator and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, works of non-fiction such as the books Stiff and the work of Gunther Von Haagen, and the medical atrocities committed by the American government. They're pretty awesome, as far as atrocities go!
Dr.CB: WMA member UNDERKILL wants to know how Impaled feels about the upcoming Carcass reunion @ Wacken 2008?
Ross: I saw Carcass first on their Necroticism tour, and I don't think they could top that, nor do I have much desire to see them try. I do hope they have lots of success, as drummer Ken Owen will be receiving much needed income to help with his unfortunate medical problems.
Dr.CB: You will be appearing at the 6th annual Maryland Death Fest this year. This will be the second time for Impaled; how do you feel about being asked back?
Ross: Honored. Maryland Death Fest has become the bellwether for good death metal in America, and we're excited to be a part of it. We're also excited to get some free beer.
Dr.CB: Any crazy demands for the green room?
Ross: We asked for a bowl full of pumpkin seeds. If we don't get it, we're not fucking playing! We probably should've asked also to be paid, in retrospect.
Dr.CB: Who else on the bill are you interested in seeing?
Ross: Engorged and Coffins are top of my list this year. I'm also interested in seeing Blood Duster and asking if they have the $40 I sent them 15 years ago for a tee shirt.
Dr.CB: How do you feel about the current Metal scene in the US?
Ross: It has it's moments, but I much prefer the fandom in Europe. People are more eager to see metal there, but then, that could have to do with the localities and how wide spread America is. Or it could have to do with how dumb Americans are. Impaled is only for nerds. As for bands in America, I like what comes from the West Coast, but the East Coast not as much. Biggee Smalls, you're going down!
Dr.CB: WMA member AMERICANNIBAL asks: At what point does going against the grain become trendy? With that being said, do you feel that every form of metal is susceptible to becoming trendy? What steps, if any, do you take to stay fresh in this diluted scene?
Ross: I doubt very much that Impaled is all that fresh. We play a style of death metal that was passe circa 1994. We have fun, it's the music we like, and I guess that enthusiasm is what really comes through. The only thing that will never be trendy in music is actually enjoying what you do and create, as opposed to churning out technical crap because you think it's what people want to hear. As for "going against the grain," I think Coke and Nike and Sony trademarked rebellion sometimes in the early nineties. We owe them a lot of royalties. So you say you want a revolution? BUY OUR SHIT!
Dr.CB: Any up-and-coming bands you can recommend to fellow metalheads?
Ross: Reeker from somewhere around Eugene put on a good, green slimey show. Locally, Beercraft has been singing metal drinking songs and encouraging lots of unsafe driving home from the show. Menacer is an awesome thrash band from Portland, and locally, Hatchet is thrashing it up for us here.
Dr.CB: Tell me about some of the more recent albums you have picked up.
Ross: I got the new Dystopia recently, and it's just as depressing and heavy, and in a weird way fun, as all their old releases. They blend metal and punk seamlessly. I also much enjoyed the last releases from Bolt Thrower and Enslaved. But the best album I got recently, hands down, was Impaled - The Last Gasp.
Dr.CB: Here's a couple fill in the blanks for ya-
"I'll never forget the first time we
didn't embarrass ourselves live."
"Sean always has to
say something wicked sarcastic before a show."
"During our last tour, Jason
pet every stray dog he saw."
"Raul always seems to
fuck up when recording."
"The only way to get Ross to
play well is if you
get him drunk."
Dr.CB: Pick one album to play on a radio in your coffin for the rest of eternity. Or at least 'til the batteries run out...
Ross: The Moon Lay Hidden Beneath a Cloud - Aman Tanta Tyri. Good luck finding it. I'm hoping that inspires my longevity.
Dr.CB: Thanks a lot for letting me throw some questions at ya on behalf of the World Metal Alliance. Stop by and check us out at www.worldmetalalliance.org sometime in the future when you get a chance. Got any final statements?
Ross: Join the G.O.R.E. Corps! STAY FUCK!
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