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| Interview by Alex Jorgenson |
EVOKEN is a band that I have known about for quite some time. I first discovered the band upon hearing their unique version of Strange World by Iron Maiden from the Dwell Records tribute album. Since then I've been quite obsessed and haunted by some of the best doom metal the multi-verse has to offer. After a surprisingly easy attempt to get a hold of this band, I feel like a some miniature deformed creature in a lovecraftian story conversing with a giant. Anyways, here is the drummer of Evoken, Vince Verkay to speak more about the some of the recent activities with the band.
AJ: Greetings!! I just recently read about the Roadburn Festival 2010 and the band being denied the trip to Europe due to the Icelandic Volcano in early 2010. It seems somewhat ironic, this happening to a doom metal band, but what can you do right? (Update: Since this interview the band did make it over to Holland for Roadburn 2011 and appeared on stage Saturday night April 16th).
V: It seems fitting that only the eruption of a volcano could keep us from going. It was quite a disappointment, to say the least. The entire morning still fresh in my mind; the night before, I was awake later than usual, making absolutely sure I had everything for our trip the next evening. I actually didn’t sleep much that night since I was excited but, also nervous since I absolutely despise flying.
I was having my morning coffee, reading the horrible news that Peter Steele passed away when a family friend called to tell me all International flights were being canceled. I thought she was having a laugh. I figured okay I’ll bite, why are they being “canceled”? She advised me to turn on CNN, and there it was: BREAKING NEWS! All international flights to Western Europe are in the process of being canceled. My mind went completely blank, not knowing if I should shit or go blind. I think the first few hours I kept trying to convince myself I was still asleep.
AJ: Evoken's newest offering is the split release with Beneath the Frozen Soil. I was listening to the songs and they are quite depressing and dark as usual. What was the environment and mood like with the band during the creation of these newer songs?
V: There was quite a bit of excitement, since this was our first time writing new material with new members in the band (Don and Dave). We were also a bit surprised how fast the new material was coming along. These songs were written immediately after the recording for ‘A Caress of the Void’. It’s almost unheard of for us to have new songs ready to go in such a relatively short span of time. At the same time, there was a bit of sadness since Nick was in the process of moving, which meant he would no longer be a full-time member of Evoken. So, there were a wide range of emotions writing and recording this material.
AJ: With many different sub-genre's lingering around these days, Evoken seems to always get branded as funeral doom. Its not really an inaccurate description, but I feel the atmosphere goes way beyond that into something more unknown. Genre's to me are like an annoying fungus, but in some cases very necessary. How do you feel about being categorized this way?
V: Unfortunately, it’s a necessity that every band has to deal with. I can understand the need for them to assist the media in describing what they’re hearing to their readers etc. I also believe it’s completely out of control. Some sub-genres can take up an entire sentence. It also creates an abundance of silly arguments on the internet; people holding the belief that if others disagree with their conclusion, they’re morons. In metal this seems to have the greatest impact. However, it just conveys how passionate metal fans can be.
For Evoken, throughout our career, we’ve been described in a variety of categories. Being deemed black/doom to doom/death to funeral doom, to funeral doom/death. I’m quite sure this will change again with each release. I believe most bands will tell you they don’t subscribe to being categorized, and or just leave that for the media. But, when asked we have always described ourselves as a doom/death metal band. It would seem quite odd to answer someone, who may not be familiar with our music, that we are a “metal band”. To give someone such an answer would be entirely too vague.
AJ: Listening to the band for quite some years now, I've always curious about the megalithic guitar tone. It seems to coil around you like an ever embracing Iron Maiden torture device, anxious to inject with death. Anything you can reveal equipment wise about this monstrous sound?
V: It’s a culmination of time, money, and experimentation. Unfortunately, you're the winner of an unlucky lottery; interviewing a drummer so, this is something better answered by one of the guys. It would be similar to asking one of them my setup and sound regarding the drums. I’ll just refrain from possibly giving you misinformation.
AJ: I have always appreciated the fact that Evoken has a truly unique sound. The way that all the instruments blend together is pure brilliance. The uses of keyboards, vocals, and the way guitars merge clean guitar and distortion makes for some of the most haunting music ever. This creates a real atmospheric imaginative listening experience. This leads to my next question. Do you see the band having a long future ahead creating albums even farther into the unknown?
V: I would like to think so. We plan on doing this for as long as possible. Throughout our existence, we never planned the direction for any album. Our writing is solely based on what’s being written at the time. Pre-planning, in my opinion, any album before the first note is written can play against you; essentially limit the writing process and the progression of the new material. Until the songs are recorded, anything is possible.
AJ: How is life in your wonderful state of NJ? The X-Cops song Welcome to New Jersey comes to mind, when I try to visualize it. I'm sure its not all thugs and ghetto's everywhere, but it does allow me to envision a very bleak surrounding and I am sure I am not too far off when I sense some very negative energy permeating about. Does this have any effect on Evoken and how the band operates?
V: Unfortunately, the preconception about New Jersey; its people and surroundings are based on ridiculous stories and mainstream media. There’s an association New Jersey has with ghettos, empty-headed Italian-Americans, and the notion everyone in NJ has a hostile attitude. Since majority of Americans mindlessly watch so-called “reality tv”, they just accept the false information that comes with it. This in turn has a negative impact.
It’s similar to any location on this planet. NJ has its run-down, unappealing neighborhoods, but it also has ideal neighborhoods and scenery. Unfortunately, due to greed and the constant undue need for human beings destruction of nature, we are losing what little we still have. New Jersey is known as the “Garden State”, which can be looked at as an absolute joke. The amount of natural scenery declines, as the state grows in population. It’s an abomination.
I believe just life, in general, has an effect on our music, regardless of our surroundings.
AJ: I am extremely excited to hear from my one of my own band mates that Evoken is going to be appearing at the Rites of Darkness III Festival being held December 9th and 10th in San Antonio, Texas. We are hoping for a possible road trip down there for this killer event. What can one expect in the live setting of Evoken?
V: We’re looking forward to it. We still haven’t officially announced our appearance. Once we have contract in hand, signed, and returned then, we can say we’ll definitely be there. But, for now it’s simply a verbal agreement.
This will be our first time in TX, and hopefully not our last. As for our live setting: We’ll do what we always do; deliver a set equal to having a hippo pounce on your chest. Since we’re coming in from somewhat of a distance, we’re a bit limited on what visuals we can incorporate into our live show. As time passes, and we come close to the festival date, I guess we’ll have a better idea on what we can, and cannot do.
AJ: The cover art for split album is very desolate. I interpret it as creatures arriving at some recently vacant planet of nothingness finding what appears to be some mirror in the ground. Is this a possible metaphor for the concept of humanity's own destruction? What if anything can you tell us about concept of this cover art?
V: That was the result of some fantastic work done by Robert Hoyem of 'At the Ends' (Responsible for the “Shades of Night Descending” reissue). Ideas were coordinated between us and Robert. The original concept was provided by Dave, and after some tweaks here and there via the ideas of Robert, the cover was complete. Since both bands represent such a dark and desolate atmosphere, it was very important those were represented in the cover art as well; a complete package. The artwork for any album is such an extremely important part of making the album a complete package.
AJ: Regarding the composition process for Evoken, is it common for substances to be consumed or any other mind altering methods to perhaps weaken the veil thus allowing more unearthly frequencies to come through thus influencing the songs?
V: Absolutely not. We’re completely clear-minded when writing any material. I realize that some past musicians and bands have used different substances to influence their writing, but we’re the complete opposite. I think if one needs an outside influence to obtain any source of inspiration, then you’re “behind the eight-ball” as we say. What happens when you can no longer use those tools? Simple history teaches us, no matter how clever you may think you are using this approach, it will eventually end. Both completely overwhelming you and eventually destroy what you have worked for. Or simply cease to exist. Our preference has always been having both a clear and determined mind, rather than a distorted purpose.
AJ: What is your current thoughts about the future of humanity?
V: A complete change in the way we live. Humanity has plagued the earth for long enough, only to suffer VERY little consequence. As you can clearly see, that’s completely changing. I don’t believe there in a mass extinction but, a definite change in how we live, how we perceive things, and how we approach our environment. I’m completely ashamed to be a part of humanity, and have such disdain for it.
AJ: Any chance that those of us unlucky souls who cannot make it to your Texas show will be able closer out west in California or anywhere near Utah?
V: I would say there is a very good chance. We have discussed this before between each member and those outside of the band. I cannot find one reason why we should not.
