- Hello, Jon! Tell us about your new band In-Defilade. How was it created? - IN-DEFILADE was in a larval stage for some time while I searched for like-minded people to share its energy with. After departing from NILE I started composing songs. At the time that all of that was going on, I was a bit down on the industry and investing in my future through my regular job. That actually absorbed a ton of time, and before I knew it a few years had passed. After writing song after song, the shape of what I was conveying really started to take form. I wanted this to be a more chaotic, rage-filled type of simplicity than a precise technical project. I approached Sean "Subverseraph" Hudson of VESPERIAN SORROW, and we hit it off, and the rewriting of the inventory began. After 3-4 songs were pretty much complete, I came in contact with Shawn Bozarth and found he was very much into the music and started contributing right away. The music had finally acquired its final piece. It turned into a grinding chaotic machine!!! - What is the current line-up? - Jon Vesano - vocals / guitar / percussion; Shawn Bozarth - guitar / leads / acoustic; Subverseraph - bass / backing vocals. - How would you comment on that name? What is the meaning behind it? - It's a military term. A unit or position is "in defilade," if it uses natural or artificial obstacles to shield or conceal. Seemed fitting for the current times. In a world of oppressive theocratic hierarchies and governments slaughtering, starving, stealing all of the people's wealth to force them to do their bidding. It just fit perfectly for what I have been feeling my entire life. - How does the band's name go along with the lyrics? - It goes hand-in-hand with the lyrics. A stealthy defense is also a wicked offense. Being undetected and positioned where your adversary shows their weakness allows for an outnumbered group to attempt an uprising. RELEASE THE WICKED TO SUBDUE THE RIGHTEOUS - INFILTRATE - UNDERMINE - STERILIZE - ASSAULT. - What are the main topics raised in your songs? Who is responsible for lyrics in your band? - The topics focus mainly on the oppressive nature of corrupt powers, whether it be religious or political. They center around a person who sees all of it for what it actually is who isn't fooled by the lies they are told. They dream and plot the destruction of these powers, either by silencing the opposition or by educating the likeminded. But ultimately they feel as if its unobtainable. The frustration rises and boils over. I write the bulk of the lyrics, and Sean and Shawn collaborate in the approval and final editing of them. So we are all part of it. We each have a piece in the work.
miasmically pervades throughout in bombastic compositional prowess, explosive percussive onslaughts, and all-around envenomed atmospheres. Lyrical themes center around an anti-oppressive dream state and the eradication of mind-enslaving corporate empires. Rulers Of Famine is a colossal and radioactive slab of quality brutality, showcasing the scathing yet intelligible and multifaceted vocals of Vesano whose uncomplicated yet massive riffing styles claw straight for the jugular." - How did the production of this album go? Where did you record it? Who produced this album and who did the mastering? - This was probably the most enjoyable process of my entire musical life, creating Rulers Of Famine. Every aspect we wanted to unleash revealed itself perfectly. Rulers Of Famine was completely produced, recorded, and written by IN-DEFILADE. The album was recorded in my studio. The mastering was done by Dave Harris at Studio-B mastering (http://studiobmastering.com). He did an awesome job at keeping the music very natural and allowed it to breathe. We are extremely happy with the end result. - What can you say about the artwork? What's happening with that world in the picture? Why is everything on fire? Who is the artist? - The artwork. Now that's a whole entity of its own. Aldo Requena. His perfect interpretation of the album was on full display with the artwork. We sent him the lyrics and some songs and let him weave his craft. The fire theme is based off of the endgame in humans' inherent desire to rule with obliteration. Where wealth and power is always the desired result. Theocratic manipulation is the key to total enslavement of the masses. The more the people conflict over false hope, the more the true rulers maneuver themselves to slide into the power vacuum, and they will use whatever means they can to accomplish just that, whether it be by child indoctrination or by starving them to the brink of death. They need some alive to validate the fear they instill. Hence the single famished child while everything they know burns. - You released "Rulers of Famine" with your own forces. Tell us a bit about your label, Infanticide Records. How do you support and promote your release? Do you plan to sign any other bands? If so, what is your main criteria for the applying bands? - Rulers of Famine was fully self-financed and self-released. The label is basically for business reasons. At the moment we don't plan on expanding the Infanticide label beyond IN-DEFILADE. - Let's talk a bit about your cooperation with Nile. How did you join the band? Do you remember your feelings when you got this position? - I joined NILE when Chief, the original bassist left. I joined on in the summer of 2001, during the Black Seeds of Vengeance tour campaign. I had another band during that time, DARKMOON, to which I thought I was going to return. When Karl called asking me to help them out, I jumped all over that chance. Since I had known Karl and the rest of NILE since 1994. We used to do quite a few shows locally when I was with DEMONIC CHRIST. Once touring completed for Black Seeds of Vengeance, NILE was set to go back into the studio for In Their Darkened Shrines where I did vocals on that album. Once that happened, DARKMOON was put to sleep, and I was full-time NILE for the next 4 years. After touring for In their Darkened Shrines again, we went back into the studio in 2005 to record Annihilation of the Wicked. I did the bass and vocals on that recording. - How was it for you to work on Annihilation of the Wicked? What can you say about the team spirit? Are you still in contact with the other guys from Nile? - NILE is a pro-level outfit that takes no prisoners. They have a work ethic like no other. Recording with them is a learning experience and an absolute pleasure. Of course I have kept in contact with them. I have done some added vocals on Those Whom the Gods Detest, At the Gate of Sethu, and just did some on their upcoming new release What Should Not Be Unearthed. - So, back to In-Defilade. How often do you play live? How do people take your music at the concerts? - IN-DEFILADE has not played any shows as of yet. It's a bit tough when the rest of the members live in Texas and in California when I am in North Carolina. I know for a fact, though, that when IN-DEFILADE does hit the stage, the strike will be so ferocious that people will not forget it. I have always loved sharing that intense energy with our fellow metal bloodline . - Do you have any opportunity to come to play in Europe? How could you compare your shows you play in America to those you have in Europe? Do you have any favourite country to play? - Europe is definitely on our list to play one day. I hope sooner rather than later. I can't really say which country would be our favorite. I have played most of them, and I really can't say if one was better than the other. Haha! - Ok, Jon, thank you for this interview. Would you like to add anything in the end? - I appreciate the interview. Hopefully, one day we will meet in person. To all reading this, be sure to check out IN-DEFILADE, if you haven't done so already. - Then like our Facebook page - If you like that join our YouTube channel. - Check us out on Spotify - Buy our CD or Download from Itunes or Amazon And there will be much more to come! |