Interview - EVOKEN
Evoken should need no introduction, but if you do need one then see here.
Drummer and founding member Vince Verkay did us the honour of answering these questions.
1. You've announced that you will be releasing a new album this year, what can we expect from it (as compared to your last album, or in general)?
That's correct, the release date will be announced in two weeks. Of course it's Evoken, so all the elements you expect to hear are there, but this album is by far our most ambitious. It's not an album you can listen to once and understand everything. It's complex, yet it doesn't confuse the listener. People will hear some new ideas added because it serves a purpose within the songs.
2. Everything you’ve released to date has been outstanding, and you've been together more than twenty years, how have you managed to keep the bar so high?
I appreciate that, thank you. There's nothing special we do, but we always make sure nothing is rushed. If it takes two or five years it doesn't matter to us. It has to affect us physically. It's not so much about the 'riff', but about atmosphere. The enjoyment felt when the hairs on your arms stand up. Listening back to a rehearsal just recorded and hearing anger that makes you clench your fist, as if you can crush a tree with your bare hands, is something we never lose. We never set out to write part two of a particular album, it has to separate itself from our past records. We are becoming more open minded with each release. If it's a slow riff or a faster riff, it has to affect us. We're not five guys who listen to all the same things, each guy brings their own unique vision. To me, that's our most important advantage.
3. It sounds like you’ve always been on completely the same page artistically, though. Did you know each other a long time before forming, or were you brought together by shared love of the same music?
It depends on which line-up, but for the most part we were friends before being in a band together. John and Don we never met before they joined the band, but Dave and Chris were friends with us before joining. Both played in other local bands, so it was a natural fit when they joined. Chris actually filled in for Nick at a show years ago. It's both friendship and a shared love of this music that keeps things together. We've been quite fortunate over the years to work with great musicians. They all share the same vision, especially over the past ten years. We're all close friends. So many bands go on the road then wind up hating each other. When we're on the road, that's when we have the most fun.
4. It’s a clichéd question, but who are your main influences (if indeed you feel you have influences)?
Not clichéd at all. When I started out playing in a band I always looked forward to reading the influences of musicians. Each guy has their own unique influences, so I can't speak for them, but the influences that are responsible for the creation of Evoken are numerous. Some examples are Disembowelment, Winter, Autopsy, Thergothon, King Crimson, St. Vitus, Dead Can Dance, MDB, Paradise Lost, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Monumentum, Rush, Pink Floyd, The Cure and Type O Negative.
5. How do you tend to write your music? In the same room together, or online?
A little bit of each. Someone writes something at home, we'll play it at rehearsal over and over again, trying variations to see what works; or just come up with ideas at practice. I don't recall ever having to create online. Nothing can come close to being in the room together, to feed off that energy or vibe. When a band is in the same room, without saying a word and falling right into place, nothing can replicate that. You can always hear when a band does everything online, no matter how well something is mixed you can hear a separation.
6. Are the lyrics ever written before the music?
It's been done before, but it's been years since that happened. The lyrics are usually the last thing written. The music's atmosphere dictates the lyrics and their meaning.
7. Is there any chance you’ll be playing in the UK any time soon?
I would be shocked if we didn't. We have only played the UK once and it was really fun. It would be fantastic if we could play with any or all of the big 3 of doom/death. Not to minimize playing with any band, but for us it would be special to have that experience. After having the honor of playing Rotting Misery live with Greg a couple of years ago, it would be great to play with those guys. We're all still blown away that we played a classic Paradise Lost song with the mastermind who wrote it. Add to that Hamish being at the show in support, I guess we should be content with that...
More interviews: Ov Shadows / Morast / Assumption / Scour / Spectral Voice / Morta Skuld / Solothus / Memoriam / Ataraxy / Soulskinner / Necrot
