| Interview with Robert Vigna By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Immolation has been around for a little over 17 years. What would
you consider to be the bands greatest moment?
you consider to be the bands greatest moment?
Robert Vigna: It’s hard to say,...at this point I would have to say this new album and
ep! I mean, just the fact that we've been able to do this for so long, see the world and
meet great people. And now , at this point, still being able to put out some of the best
music we've ever done,...I think that is a great achievement in itself.
ep! I mean, just the fact that we've been able to do this for so long, see the world and
meet great people. And now , at this point, still being able to put out some of the best
music we've ever done,...I think that is a great achievement in itself.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired you to become a guitarist and how long have you
been playing?
been playing?
Robert: I’ve been playing for about 20 years now,...but I wouldn’t say it was a
constant thing. I often write and record when we have stuff to do with the band and
touring etc,...but that’s about it. There's a lot of times I don’t pick up the guitar for
months.
I was inspired by alot of the music I grew up listening to,..Metallica, Maiden, Slayer,
Mercyful Fate, and so many more. I just was really into the music and thought it would
be great to create something original.
constant thing. I often write and record when we have stuff to do with the band and
touring etc,...but that’s about it. There's a lot of times I don’t pick up the guitar for
months.
I was inspired by alot of the music I grew up listening to,..Metallica, Maiden, Slayer,
Mercyful Fate, and so many more. I just was really into the music and thought it would
be great to create something original.
Blissfulviolet: What are some of
the bands musical influences?
the bands musical influences?
Robert: We have a lot really. From
the early bands I mentioned, to the
likes of early Sepultura and
Possessed, and to be honest a lot of
non-metal music plays a big roll in
what we do too. I am really open
minded about the music I listen to. I
can listen to Death Metal one minute
the early bands I mentioned, to the
likes of early Sepultura and
Possessed, and to be honest a lot of
non-metal music plays a big roll in
what we do too. I am really open
minded about the music I listen to. I
can listen to Death Metal one minute
and then throw in a Jazz album the next. It all depends on what I feel like listening to.
Blissfulviolet: The new album, ‘Shadows in the Light’ has just been completed.
How did the recording process go and when can we expect to see this release?
How did the recording process go and when can we expect to see this release?
Robert: It should be out in May on both Listenable in Europe and Century Media in
the US. The process went very well. We went up to Millbrook Sound Studios again
with Paul Orofino. This is the 5th album with Paul and we really had a good time with
it. Once again we pretty much wrote everything within a month or so. But we did have
extra time to rehearse it all which was good. However most of the overlay melodies,
solos, and overlapping rythmns were created on the spot. I like to just hear how
things sound and try things out in the studio. If it sounds good we keep it.
the US. The process went very well. We went up to Millbrook Sound Studios again
with Paul Orofino. This is the 5th album with Paul and we really had a good time with
it. Once again we pretty much wrote everything within a month or so. But we did have
extra time to rehearse it all which was good. However most of the overlay melodies,
solos, and overlapping rythmns were created on the spot. I like to just hear how
things sound and try things out in the studio. If it sounds good we keep it.
Blissfulviolet: How would you describe the new albums sound compared to
previous releases?
previous releases?
Robert: It's Immolation. It’s heavy and dark, but big sounding and powerful. It's clear
where you can hear everything that’s going on,..but it is not sterile. It has a lot of
atmosphere and a very unique sound.
where you can hear everything that’s going on,..but it is not sterile. It has a lot of
atmosphere and a very unique sound.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired ‘Shadows in the
Light, and is there a story behind the albums
title?
Light, and is there a story behind the albums
title?
Robert: We were inspired by what we see
around us, by all that’s going on in the world
today. That song really deals with the enemies
we have deep in our soil here, embedded,...
laying low and waiting for their opportune
moment to do us most harm. A lot of what we do
lyrically can be looked at in a lot of ways. We
have our meanings and ideas, and then people
draw their own idea from that. Although I can
explain all the songs, its actually more
around us, by all that’s going on in the world
today. That song really deals with the enemies
we have deep in our soil here, embedded,...
laying low and waiting for their opportune
moment to do us most harm. A lot of what we do
lyrically can be looked at in a lot of ways. We
have our meanings and ideas, and then people
draw their own idea from that. Although I can
explain all the songs, its actually more
interesting to see what other people come up with as to what our music is saying.
We've head a lot of different things about a lot of our songs, and some people get it,
but others find something different in the messages, which is kind of cool. That’s what
music is, its art and people draw their own conclusions as to the meaning.
We've head a lot of different things about a lot of our songs, and some people get it,
but others find something different in the messages, which is kind of cool. That’s what
music is, its art and people draw their own conclusions as to the meaning.
Blissfulviolet: Do you have a favorite track off the new album? If so, which one and
why?
why?
Robert: I like them all really, I think the 2nd track, "Passion Kill" is a really good one
though. Very intense, and very catchy,...has a lot going on , but keeps it's groove.
Full of all the Immolation trade marks! haha I think that one is going to be a fun one
to play live!
though. Very intense, and very catchy,...has a lot going on , but keeps it's groove.
Full of all the Immolation trade marks! haha I think that one is going to be a fun one
to play live!
Blissfulviolet: Immolation will embark on a European tour staring in May, What
other bands will you be sharing the stage with and will a U.S. tour follow?
other bands will you be sharing the stage with and will a U.S. tour follow?
Robert: We'll have the great bands Krisiun and Grave with us, as well as Dawn of
Azazel & Leng T'che! It should be an awesome tour! We know most everyone on the
tour so it will be a blast and a very heavy line up! As for the US we are working on it
at this time, but nothing solid yet. We hope to do something really cool though...
Azazel & Leng T'che! It should be an awesome tour! We know most everyone on the
tour so it will be a blast and a very heavy line up! As for the US we are working on it
at this time, but nothing solid yet. We hope to do something really cool though...
Blissfulviolet: Where do you feel
Immolation has a stronger following,
Europe or the U.S.?
Immolation has a stronger following,
Europe or the U.S.?
Robert: I think it's pretty balanced. I
think we have great fans in both areas.
We do very well in Europe and do really
well here in the states. I would say it's
pretty even for us!
think we have great fans in both areas.
We do very well in Europe and do really
well here in the states. I would say it's
pretty even for us!
Blissfulviolet: What projects does
Immolation plan on working on after returning from the tour?
Robert: Well I'll go back to work, haha! I work a lot, sometimes 7 days a week, so
after being gone for almost 2 months I'll have lot of catching up to do! I work in stage
lighting and sound for events in and around New York City,..so I am just about as
passionate about my work as I am about the band. But once we get back,..we will
start getting some new stuff together soon. After doing this new album I really want to
keep the new material rolling!!
after being gone for almost 2 months I'll have lot of catching up to do! I work in stage
lighting and sound for events in and around New York City,..so I am just about as
passionate about my work as I am about the band. But once we get back,..we will
start getting some new stuff together soon. After doing this new album I really want to
keep the new material rolling!!
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments you wish to spew to our readers?
Robert: Thanks for all the support! We really appreciate it! We look forward to
getting out there on the road and bringing our music to you personally! Look out for
the new album in May and soon new 3 song EP/DVD over the summer!
getting out there on the road and bringing our music to you personally! Look out for
the new album in May and soon new 3 song EP/DVD over the summer!
Immolation has been creating killer fucking death metal for over 17
years. Thanks to guitarist Robert Vigna for letting me in on all the
details of Shadows in the Light, Immolation's new upcoming release.
years. Thanks to guitarist Robert Vigna for letting me in on all the
details of Shadows in the Light, Immolation's new upcoming release.