Vastator is one of the most classic Chilean Metal bands influenced by several art styles but specially by legends of metal like Judas Priest, Manowar and Mercyful Fate. Their shows are full of metal, leather and bangers making a real entropy! They have 5 albums and a self-made dvd with the band’s history. This interview was sent in all caps, I mean the answers, so I have to change it the lazy way. That means, I didn’t edit the answers one by one, so if there are small letters (in supposed to be big letters), then bear with it. No idea why people in South America always wrote like this! FUCKING BRUTAL DEVIL DEAL!! HAIL JUAN!!!1!!
Tell us about evolution. Not really about evolution in general but perhaps maybe about your evolution as a “musician” and getting involved in the scene. What is your opinion on the underground nowadays than it was before?
In our early days we went sound like slayer, dark angel and blessed death, on through the years our sound is mutating. All of our albums sound different and they are an amalgam of all our influences. We aren`t under a style, vastator is vastator without lies.
About song writing, how long will it take to complete a song (your song). Is it possible to complete it all in an hour, or in day, or it might even took long periods of refining the lines, etc. How do you know or when can you say that the song is finished? Who wrotes the lyrics? Do each and everyone in the band contribute their ideas?
All in the band contribute. All of our songs are collective efforts. Some songs are completed on 1 or 2 hours, but others need months!
What music format do you prefer the most; vinyl, CD, or cassettes? Do you think it is really good to release one album in these three mentioned formats? I mean, CD first then vinyl or vinyl first then CD is acceptable (at least to me), but CD first then vinyl then after that a cassette with same songs on them over and over again is something that I don’t understand! For collectors?
We love all formats because is the contact between us and the bangers. We have cassettes and cds but the vinyl are pending (would be great). The collector is a banger too!
Then what is your opinion on bands who keep on releasing “rehearsal recordings” on various formats? Is this good or what? There are some bands who are fond on doing this and releasing same “rehearsal tracks” for about 4 releases (only with different album title) and if you’re not interested buying this, “you’re nothing but a poser” like is what being said in the ad.
A collectors edition is a thing but same releases with different titles is an abuse. The mission of a musician is give art to the audience. Because they are the real scene!
Artworks… how important is this to you? Do you buy a record just because the artwork is great? What about the photoshopped “artworks” nowadays? What do you prefer; a photographed being enhanced by technology, a b/w goats, or a hand painting?
The artwork is very important to us but we prefer to use photos, logos and specially our isotype. Our brothers of metal deserve some special and personalized. We use symbols of us than an institution our art must be a mirror of vastator.
What is your opinion on bootlegs and also the massive downloading of albums in general? Do you think all these ripped audios in filesharing sites helps the band? For nowadays over-crowded scene, what’s the best way for a band to get an attention? Is originality important?
I don’t know. I think that’s no good but when i see a vastator bootleg i think that it would be more contact and diffusion.
Do you listen to other forms of “music” in general? Something non-metal like classical or industrial? Do this somehow influences you? Where do you take your inspirations when you write your songs?
My inspiration topics are sci fi, feelings of desperation, religion and myths from south american tradition. About the music i love classics mussorgsky, bach, paganini and wagner are some of my faves. The opera is a passion for me as well. Other members of the band love punk, jazz and south american folk.
What is your opinion about “life”? Do you believe humans really got “souls”? What is success, because there is a lot of definitions, specially on some people that thinks travelling all over the world is already a “huge success”? What are your goals with this band? When is the time to quit metal (ie: listening, buying, being in a band, etc)?
Our goal would be make history to next bands, to be an inspiration to others like others has been to us. I think that this step on the earth is too short, then we need to take advantage, live fast and die old.
Back to the band, what is your opinion on the use of keyboards? Is it really a problem? Do you think a metal band should not use this instrument just in order for them to stay “purely metal”? Then what is “purity” in metal? Do you think “experimenting” in music is bad? What is your opinion on the modernization of music (technical playing, etc)?
That`s no problem if the music needs. Maybe some day we use too. Experimentation is part of the search for expression and new contact with the audience
Some bands claim that they are here for a message? What do you think is that message? I mean, if these bands really want to spread a message across, then why are they releasing limited amount of copies? I don’t think that releasing 250 limited copies is enough to spread that “message”.
The music is art not a newspaper. All people must be might to interpret according their experiences. Like reading an abstract picture, doesn’t exists only one interpretation
It is also noticeable about bands being so “defensive” nowadays. Loading themselves with a lot of excuses like: “no technical playing”, “no clean professional sound”, etc. I think only a few are doing good, but the rest are just trying to be hip. Anyway, what is your opinion on all of these?
Just excuses.
Alright, we’ve come to an end. Do you have any final thoughts? Thank you for your time…
Thanks to you. It’s a pleasure to us and an opportunity to express our ideas. We are preparing a new album to all people in metal! Stay heavy!