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GOREROTTED interview by Damjan

On "A New Dawn For The Dead" Gorerotted finally managed to transform their unquestionable talent into a focused and completely dedicated musical adventure that really takes off exactly from where "Only Tools And Corpses" failed to make a significant difference. We spoke to The Wilson...

The band had some line up changes after the “Only Tools And Corpses” album. Can you tell us what was going on between you and Mr Gore?

I suppose so, it came down to commitment! We wanted to tour like hell, and write music every other day possible, and he wasn’t willing to put in the time! It’s as simple as that, we wanted to move on, and sometimes you’ve gotta make changes, and the rest as they say is history!

“A New Dawn for the Dead” successfully captures the raw sound of a live performance and, in order to achieve that, you used your live sound engineer for the first time in studio. What inspired you to choose a raw, less-polished production this time around?

We wanted things to be different, but not in such a clinical way, that we decided on a sound or whatever. The band has changed in a way, that we have learned to work together as a much tighter machine, and this came from constant gigs, and I feel this came across in the sound. We also wanted to go somewhere different, lock ourselves away from the world, and do nothing but eat, sleep and drink this album – I think it worked! In contrast to the last album, I think this sound is much more organic, but I wouldn’t say less polished!

Most metal bands relay on high-tech state-of-art production lately. Would you say that it takes away the primal soul of metal music itself?

Precisely, I mean technology is there to be used, I’m all for it, but don’t take it to the extremes that your drummer might as well not have any feet! (for want of a better analogy) Lots of things can be done in studio these days that save you time and money, but the natural syncopation in human error gives music that real, organic feel, that is lost a lot in music these days! Take the new Primordial for instance, that is 100 % human creation, and the overall effect is awesome!

The artwork of “A New Day for the Dead” is somewhat different than your usual cover imagery. Is that your way of saying that you’re changing and reaching for something new music-wise?

Yeah, its way different, but it’s also so “Gorerotted” at the same time. I don’t like using the word changed, because it’s like we had a group meeting and decided to change – it’s not the case. The band have developed as musicians, and as people, and we are influenced by the music we listen to, the music we have created in the past, and real life experiences that we hadn’t had before. The artwork reflects our “development” both musically and lyrically – I mean we have some sexy little zombie slut, which is what Gorerotted was always about, but there’s something a little more sinister lurking there! Lyrically too, it’s the same violence and aggression, but taken at a slightly different angle!

Which tracks from the new album are your personal favorites?

I dunno, it’s still so new to me, even although these songs have been a big part of our lives for the last year! We have been playing a few of the songs at our festival appearances, and I suppose that makes them more of a favorite for me, because feeling music live is what its all about! I love “Nervous Gibbering Wreck”, cause it’s got everything, darkness, melody, blasting, hardcore discordance and black metal misery! I also love “Pain as a Prelude to Death”, it’s just a real groovy tune, and it’s a personal tribute to a band which has influenced me!

Does it pay off to make vinyl release nowadays?

Vinyl is a great thing, and it should stay alive in music, and there are so many fans out there that would kill for vinyl releases but don’t get em! It’s more of a collectors thing these days, but it’s also nice to hear an album on vinyl, because the bias is completely changed from the digital sound, and you can get a whole new perspective on things! I think all drummers should listen to vinyl, then they’d maybe turn down their cymbals in the mix!!! Ha!

On “A New Dawn for the Dead” photo-sessions you used bondage imagery with a female model, which turned out quite cool. Whose idea was it?

I can’t remember who’s idea it was to go with it, but this modeling agency www.livingdeadgirls.co.uk came to us because they liked our image, and they had seen some shows in London, and wanted to do some shots with us! I mean who doesn’t want to get drunk and get slapped around by PVC clad ladies??? And it’s in the lyrics in places, so the whole torture theme fits nicely!

Also, you have a new website online… How important for you is the use of Internet in promoting the band?

I don’t think any band can go without the internet these days, and if you don’t, then your quite silly really aren’t you! It’s a brilliant source of information at your fingertips – people can regularly check out what we’re up to, shows and tours, downloads - as a fan it’s a vital resource for my own love of music! I think back to when I was younger, trading tapes, and hearing about shows from word of mouth, it was great, but the net just makes things so much easier! 

Out of curiosity…. Have you ever considered releasing a remastered CD reissue of “Her Gash I Did Slash”? That demo is quite a collector’s item and hard to find.

I get asked this question a lot, and to be honest, I think the answer is no, for now anyway! We’ve already re-recorded most of the songs on that CD for “Tools” and for our split CD on Deepsend Records, so I think it would really be bleeding the stone dry! But if fans want it, then who are we to refuse??? Let’s see what the future holds! 

You did a lot of touring in a last couple of years with bands like Vomitory, Cannibal Corpse, etc… Which band that you toured with made the strongest impression on you both on professional and personal level?

That’s a difficult one, we’ve made friends and professional contacts with so many people over the years! Vomitory were awesome guys – watching them every night never lost it’s appeal, and they like to go out on the booze, so that suits us fine! Pungent Stench have been a great band to tour with, and party with – they go back a long way in metal, and they don’t give a shit, they just wanna make music and keep doing it, and it’s a big inspiration! But let’s not forget it’s not all fun and games, cause if you end up touring with a band like Nile, let’s just say you have to put up with a certain amount of shit.

Any message for those about to see you live on the tour?

Yeah, get down the front and sweat, then party with us till it’s game over! We’ll see you on the road somewhere soon, just keep checking us out! Thanks!