PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
I caught up with Dallas Toler, guitarist and vocalist from Nile by email for a interview about the band, their new album ‘At the Gates of Sethu‘ as well as their plans for the rest of the year.
Can you introduce Nile for the readers?
Nile is Karl Sanders, guitar/vox Dallas Toler-Wade, guitar/vox George Kollias drums, Todd Smith Bass/vox
How would you describe the band?
We are a band that is achieving something masterful
What has changed since you first started out in 1993?
Well there has been some line up changes since 93, and the band is much better and heavier now
What has been your biggest challenge as a band and how did you overcome it?
I don’t think we have seen our biggest challenge yet. Life tests us all.
Any particular gig story or memorable experience you would like to share?
One of my favourite memories was in 2005 on tour with King Diamond. We were playing outside in San Francisco at a club called the pound. Karl looks at me while we were playing onstage, and points at the sky. It’s at night, the moon was shining through some really creepy moody clouds, That show was one of the most full of vibe shows We have ever played I will never forget that night.
What do you like the most and least about today’s metal scene?
The thing I like the most about the metal scene today is that we have one. The least thing I like about the metal scene these days is some of the people with their internet balls talking shit on bands they never even listen to because they have nothing better to do but play on the computer all day and steal from their mothers purse.
What are your musical influences?
Rock, Metal, Classical, Movie soundtracks mostly.
How did you come up with the idea of ‘At The Gate Of Sethu’?
It’s a song lyric actually. The lyric happens at a climaxing part of the album so we wanted to make it the title.
Nile is based around the Ancient Egypt-theme, did you have any influences for the upcoming album, who/what are they and how did they influence you?
We are not just based around Egypt. There are many others like the Tibetan book of the dead or H.P. Lovecraft and many other topics to choose from. Just because the name of the band is Nile doesn’t mean we have to write about Egypt all of the time. Does Iron Maiden only write songs about iron maidens?
Do you have a particular writing process for songs or is it different for each song that you come up with?
Every song is a different beast all together, so there are always new things that happen when writing. The one thing for sure that is the same about the writing process is that the lyrics are written first, then the music. That helps us see musically what the songs should feel and sound like.
Is there an overall subject or theme to the new album or is each song about a different matter?
All of the songs on At the Gate of Sethu are individual songs with different matters.
What made you pick Seth Siro Anton to produce the artwork for the album?
Seth does amazing work, and is a really cool guy. Even in the early phases of the art he was sending us we were all very into the edgy approach he was taking.
What is your favourite track from the album and why?
I don’t have a favourite song I love the whole thing equally. Being in the band gives me a different perspective. We worked very hard on every part of the record like we always do because we love what we do.
‘At The Gate Of Sethu’ is your seventh full-length album, do you have a favourite track/album from your previous albums?
Not really. Each song and album is reflective of what we were into and going for at the time as a band.
What bands do you recommend keeping an eye on from the rest of the world?
Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hour of Penance. Great brutal bands!
What are your plans for the rest 2012?
Summer European festival tours. We are also going to Russia for the first time for 3 shows. After that we will be going on tour with Kreator, Morbid Angel in November, December.
Are there any messages that you would like to pass on to the readers?
Thanks so much for being into this type of music. Stay Metal.
Thank you Dallas for taking the time out to fill this interview in.
Ella’s review of ‘At the Gates of Sethu’ read it here
Links
http://www.Nile-Catacombs.net
http://www.Facebook.com/NileCatacombs
http://www.Twitter.com/NileCatacombs
http://www.YouTube.com/user/NileCatacombs
