Hails
Here is a new interview with the Canadian black metal band Versifist who released a EP. late last year "Cipher" so anyone who is into well executed and played black metal be sure to check this band out today and keep an eye out for news as they are working on new music.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
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Interview with Ross V. vocalist and bassist for Versifist done by Patrick
1.Hello Ross how are things going in Canada these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello Patrick. Things are ok here in Canada. Its a very brutal winter here but we are used to it. Versifist is black metal trio from Canada formed in 2013. There is myself on bass/vox, Graham F. on guitars and Evan W. on drums
2.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you all formed the band?How did you all choose Versifist as the name of the band?
I have known Graham and Evan for about 20 years now. We met when I was playing in a local death metal act Terratomb and they were playing(and still are) with black/thrash demons Hellacaust. Eventually Graham joined Terratomb. When that band disbanded, not long after we started Versifist.
When coming up with the name I wanted something that was an original word, a creation so to speak, and its translation its based upon the theory of the spoken word or written word is a very powerful thing. It can start wars, it can end lives etc. Whether its the holy bible or the Quran, or Hitler speaking in front of thousands of starving pissed off Germans that wanted something more, or even a motivational speaker, the word can be indeed be mightier than the sword.
3.What is the current line up of the band? And for the readers who have never heard Versifist's music how would you best describe the band's style?
Versifist has a backbone made of molten black metal but we are not limited to any sub-genre.
4.Versifist is getting ready to release their newest EP. "Cipher" how long did it take the band to write the music for these songs? Does the whole band take part or does one member usually write everything?
Cipher has been out for close to a year now and we are very satisfied with the results. It is the next logical step from the "Scripting the Catechism" release. We tend to write slowly but when a song is done we know it. Quality over quantity is suppose. Versifist is a collaborative effort between the three members. We all write music.
5.Who usually writes the lyrics for the band and what are some subjects the band writes about?
Lyrics are usually between Graham and I. Lyrics are derived from all sources of inspiration including but not limited to, some occult themes, dealing with daily life, fictional stories of our own creation, nightmares/visions . The very definition of the name of the band requires that any subject is fair game. The only exception to that rule is we don't delve into politics i.e. left /right . All are worthless in our eyes so we'll leave that stuff to scum of the earth.
6.Has the band started working on new music for the next EP. or would you like to try to write enough songs for a full length?
We are writing for our first full length now.
7.Will the band work with the label Vault Of Dried Bones or have you and the label discussed it?
Yes, the Vault of Dried Bones is our home.
8.Besides the new EP."Cipher" does the band have any other releases or merchandise available for the readers.And if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
Our first release was the "Scripting the Catechism" cassette. The initial run of 100 tapes is sold out. We are awaiting a repress.
www.vaultofdriedbones.com has some shirts as well as http://www.morbidmoonrecords.com/ .
Keep an eye on https://versifist.bandcamp.com/ for future merchandise.
9.Ross you handle the vocals for the band at what age did you start growling and screaming? Is their anything special you do to keep your voice and throat healthy?Who are some of your influences and favorite vocalists?
I have been doing vocals in this style for about 20+ years off and on. The lack of touring means I don't do it often so no "tricks" to tell. My favorites are Pete Helmkamp (Angelcorpse O.F.C), Mark of the Devil(Cultes Des Ghoules), and Sir Proscriptor McGovern (Absu).
10.Besides the vocals you also take care of the bass when did you start playing the bass? Who are some of your favorite bass players?Besides the vocals and bass duties do you play any other instruments?
I started when I was 17. I am a bit of a "caveman" on the bass. I tend to keep it simple and try to lock in with Evan's kick drum and to free myself up for a powerful vocal delivery and to serve what the song needs instead of my ego. I dabbled with drums years ago but no more. Some bass greats are Steve Harris, Roger Patterson, Erik Danielsson, and whoever did the bass on the new Cultes Des Ghoules album.
11. Versifist comes out of the Canadian death,black metal scene what is your opinion of the Canadian metal scene over the years?
Canada has some the greatest metal bands in the world such as Voivod, Blasphemy, D.B.C., Sacrifice, and Revenge. I haven't paid to much attention to any "scene" in years but those are the some of great bands.
12.Who are your all-time favorite Canadian bands and are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?
Answered above but local bands I would add are Thaumiel, Cottus and Novichok. All very different from each other but all worthy.
13.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you could recommend to the readers?
Again I don't pay a lot of attention except for in Versifist's world. The Vault of Dried Bones has a great distro with lots of great bands that we can stand proudly next too such as Sortilegia , Mitochondrion, Sorguinazia , Recluse, and Genocide Shrines. Also, Morbid Moon Records in Montreal is great distro/label.
14.In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground scene today? And what does underground metal mean to you?
Probably the short attention span of people these days causes a lot of great bands to go unnoticed. Everything is a click away, so people take it for granted.(I suppose I am guilty of this as well) But I come from the days of tape trading and buying records cause the album art was great so it meant more when you saved up to buy that "cool looking" record. Sometimes the record sucked but when it didn't, there was some magic happening there.
15.Thank you Ross for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Thanks you Patrick for the interesting questions. I hope the answers hold up. New Versifist material will come in 2018 I expect. Contact: versifist@hotmail.com https://versifist.bandcamp.com/
