1. Hello my friend, pleasure to have you on Rotten Pages ´zine. How are you doing today? Let us set the scene first. Where do we find you right now? Please describe your surroundings.
We are good. Feeling Positive. We are sitting outside of our practice space. A half abandoned duplex near a highway in the city.
2. Let us start out by learning a little bit more about the members of Vigil, perhaps you can tell us about your personal musical background?
Taylor, our bassist, has been playing in various metal acts for 18 years. Specializing in black metal, grind, dbeat. Priding himself on being a little more active musically than most bassists. As for Jess, this is the first band she has done vocals for. Taylor and Hayden have been playing together for nearly a decade. Hayden has had several great projects over the years.
3. So as a band that plays thrash metal, which are the major bands that had an influence on your music? And do you only listen to the U.S. thrash metal bands?
Mike, one of our guitarists and primary riff writing force is influenced by a lot of classic straight forward thrash acts like Demolition Hammer and Nuclear Assault as well as more punk acts like Sacrilege and Discharge. As a group our music interests span wide. Taylor [bass] loves a lot of european tunes, a certain gray bleakness comes out of eastern europe he likes a lot. Big into hip hop as well. Hayden, our other guitarist, is into tons of international thrash like Violator, Krushhammer, Azotador and Strike Master. Jess gets a lot of influence from Morbid Saint, Annihilator, and a healthy serving of European black metal.
4. Your debut demo was released a few weeks ago. What can you tell us about it and how was the response from the underground media and the fans to the couple of tracks you already released?
We are very proud of this short release, we worked hard with some of the best producers in Richmond to make it happen. We have had a great response from all over the world.
5. I feel that the song-writing is intense and sophisticated, the songs are really chock full of crushing riffs. How do you feel the sound evolved since your inception?
Our drummer Mark and Mike worked on the material for almost two years before other members joined fine tuning every detail. Once us other members joined we added our influences and styles to make the final product. As we discover each other's strengths I expect it to only grow from there.
6. When you write music, is it a group thing or is there someone who writes all the music and someone writing the lyrics individually?
Mike constructs the songs generally, then brings it to the group. Then as a team we fine tune adding and subtracting to make the best finished product we can. Jess has taken care of the lyrics so far, but that is subject to change. It could be interesting to have everyone contribute to what the band really has to “say”.
7. Jessica, your vocal performance on the album is intense, to say the least, can you tell us what they are supposed to convey?
Most of the lyrics are about social issues that we as a whole face every day. I am hoping to convey at least how a single small person feels living in a society that is not built for them. Being a woman, you are given a different perspective on so many things - a perspective you don’t hear a lot in music. I just want to give that a voice.
8. What kind of role do the lyrics play in the concept of VIGIL? How important are they?
Vocals were the last thing that was added to the band. It is important to me(Jess) to not just be a “female fronted band”. We wanted to create something that everyone can relate to, lyrics that talk about things that everyone has dealt with or been through. We want folks to have a deep, visceral reaction when they hear it. A pure anger that stems from the struggles of everyday life.
9. Your demo has been released on Cassette format. What are your thoughts on the resurgence of cassette tapes as a physical format for music?
It’s pretty interesting that tapes have come back around, but something had to change due to the price and time difficulties with pressing vinyl. Tapes are much cheaper and faster to produce, easier to distribute. I love the nostalgia of it - I’ve had a belt clip Walkman for years and I’m glad it’s seeing some use.
10. How much of a DIY scene is there still left around the world that can support you if you want to tour or release an album on your own?
There is still a significant DIY scene here along the east coast of the US. Having so many large cities close together breeds a lot of opportunity in that regard. I [Taylor] have booked bands from as far as Budapest so I feel the DIY scene still holds its own and communicates across the world.
11. What is required to deliver strong thrash metal record? How demanding are you in your music in order to squeeze the maximum?
I would say one thing that pushes our music is really making the most of every second. Taking the time to dig into the details delivers a better project. Every member analyzes the work of the other members and communicates thoughts or ideas. Thrash has been so good for so long that in order to deliver a strong thrash album you really need to bring something intense or exciting to the table.
12. What in your opinion is the difference between old school thrash (first & second wave), “old school”thrash (the revival) and modern thrash (the rest)?
While every individual has different opinions on the thrash micro-genres like Pizza Thrash, Classic Thrash, or Black Thrash I don’t think it's a difference but more like growth. As more artists got into thrash over time they brought their own different influences that brought new elements. Seeing newer acts integrate euro blackened or hardcore influences to thrash are a great example.
13. Whats your current equipment you play? And guitars?
Taylor [Bass]: On the bass side of things I play a 76 lawsuit bass through a Mesa Subway 800 head into a Hartke 8*10.
Mike [Guitar1]: Jackson Soloist SLX, Marshall DSL 100
Hayden [Guitar2]: Fender Strat, Peavey 6505
Mark [Drums]: Tama Drums, Sabian AAX Cymbals
14. Being a US band, what sort of marketing ideas do you use to get your band's awareness in places outside of USA?
All you can do to spread the word is to reach out to folks that seem to be doing good things and see if they are interested. Lots of connections are random people that heard your music somewhere or someone you found to reach out to. Compilation and podcasts such as yours are perfect opportunities.
15. How do you define “underground” and where do you see yourself and your band in it?
Underground acts tend to maintain a certain punk rock attitude when it comes to certain aspects of the music business. For instance, if a venue is asking bands to ‘pay to play’ a big show or take a cut of their merch sales an underground band will say “fuck that” and create their own show in a basement. I would definitely classify ourselves as Underground. We aren’t going to grovel, kiss ass or pay money to get attention.
16. So, what’s coming out next? Anything you want to divulge from the vault of your future plans?
We are working on writing more music with the intention of dropping a vinyl next year. We are gonna keep it moving and work hard.
17. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
We are grateful that all over the world there are people like you keeping the scene alive and supporting the art.