Interview with guitarist Tony LazaroInterview with guitarist Tony Lazaro
When one thinks of Vital Remains and their career thus far, the one word that comes to mind is quality. Over the course of five full length albums, Vital Remains (the core of guitarist Tony Lazaro and drummer Dave Suzuki) have written epic death metal anthems which proves they are sincere in their craft. Many people were impressed when Vital Remains secured the services of Deicide frontman Glen Benton on the new album, Dechristianize. Once again Vital Remains finds themselves on a new label, Olympic, but this is easily their best offering to date. It's faster and more intense than anything they've previously done. Here is guitarist Tony Lazaro.
Do you feel Dechristianize is your best work to date? Why or why not?
I do as we put so much into this record from the harmonies to the song structures to all the lead work. It's got everything we had and then some. Our most dynamic I think. We both feel we went through an unholy war to get this album done but it was worth it all in the end. We survived. Hail victory.
How did you come to get Glen Benton to sing on your album?
I had asked Glen if he would do backing vocals on it a couple of years ago. He said he would and so I gave him a pre recording of it. When things didn't work out with our singer, Glen offered to help us out by doing all the vocals. The rest is history.
Each Vital Remains album has more depth than your average death metal band, how do you manage to attain such a sense of purpose with your music?
I take my music very seriously. I never write a song based on a time frame. I write a song and when I feel its done I stop- I always try to put as much into a song as I can. If the song is six minutes or ten minutes it does not matter to me. What does, is that I'm okay with the results. In the end I have to live with it forever. I'm very proud of all my hard work over the last fourteen years with just Vital ,along with the other bands I was in over the last twenty years as it has lead me to this level of musicianship.
To me, Vital Remains is a band about quality. It may take a few years for an album to come out but it appears that you take great care in delivering the best product possible- is this an accurate assessment? How are you able to make sure quality is so important even with limited resources?
I would say yes. We are not the type of band to just put out a record every year that is empty without any thought. It would just feel like an assembly line to me to do this. I hear a lot of bands that put out albums every year and some may sound really good. But for us I think it would sound rushed and pre mature. It just wouldn't work for us. And our fans know that myself and Dave give nothing less than 100% always. So where we might be limited perhaps by a small studio or a small budget, we still make sure we give our best performances on the record. To me that's what matters most in the end not always the production.
What is the secret to your longevity?
Staying true to the music I love and to my beliefs and never letting anyone bring me down, influence me from doing what I'm on this earth to do or hold me back. Also never following the musical trend but instead putting that much more into everything I do. And finally just going always with my Satanic instincts.
You have always been clearly anti-Christian, what in particular makes you so outspoken against Christianity?
I think for me I was born this way. But when I was growing up I went to a catholic school. I would always get bad vibes from the sisters and the priests. Every time I would ask a question like where is God? Why can't I see him? I would get wacked with a ruler. So I grew to hate them and this religion that gave no answers or hope to anyone. I remember when I was younger, taking the cross from my wall that I would often smash as a kid on the floor up to my attic one night with a friend and burning it to a crisp. Well my mother flipped and said she would tell my father but she never did. As I got older I realized how much damage the church had done in the name of their God. To me they have destroyed cultures and committed ethnic genocide to millons of people, more than all the wars together from one side of the world to the other. Why? Because if you didn't want to worship their God then you would be killed. I guess we are not supposed to question? Are we just apes that can't think for oursleves? I know I'm not. I think if it wasn't for free thinkers and truth seekers(Early Satanists) we would all still be living in the dark ages. I think it's the cancer of mankind. We Shall Forget About God. Dechristianize.
Do you think your lyrics can provoke someone to second guess and to think about their religious beliefs?
Perhaps, but we don't try to. We write for oursleves and for the way we feel but whats wrong with people exploring there options? Maybe even questioning there faith. If there were nothing other than one choice where would that leave you? Fucked.
Will you be touring and if so, who would be doing the singing?
We shall tour in support of this album. We will have to wait and see- you never know?
For years Glen Benton has been controversial in the metal underground, I'm not sure if the general public has been able to see who he really is, from your experience with him, how would you describe him as a person?
He's a cool motherfucker with a great sence of humor. He is also true to his ways and when crossed can be fucking evil. Watching him in the studio just gave me a whole new found respect for the guy. What a pro and his work ethic in the studio was just awesome.
Why is it so difficult keeping a steady line up with Vital Remains?
I think it's tough to find people that can commit 100% for a long period of time. They may start out dedicated but then find themselves having to work and balance a personal life and then the band. I think it becomes to much of a committment to which they can't balance it all out. I know what is priority to me and so does every girlfriend I have ever been with. It's music first, them second. We also have been to quick to take people into the band in the past. We have decided to not do that anymore. We will just hire people for the tours and if they work for it maybe down the line we will let them in. It's up to them to earn it like any other job. Dave and me can do all the music by oursleves so we are Vital Remains and if the right person comes along and works for it maybe he can be a part of Vital Remains as well.
How much a part of your life is music? Do you consider yourself a die hard fan of metal? Do you play on a daily basis?
It's my whole life. My life style is metal. I don't just listen to metal at home on weekends. I go to all the local shows and support the metal scene as well. I try to play everyday if I can. I have guitars all over the house for me to just pick one up if I get an idea.
What is your full time job? Do you enjoy your work?
I'm not really working right now. I just work side jobs here and there when I need to. But when it comes down to touring I never even think about it. I just say to my boss I'm going to Europe for a month. To where most will say no you're not. Then that follows by me grabbing my tools and saying later man. The only thing I enjoy is playing music but if I have to work I just get up and do it. Whether I like it or not I will do it if that's what it takes to pay my bills and put food on the table.
What does the rest of this year hold for Vital Remains?
Doing a lot of press and hopefully touring as much as possible to support this album.
Final comments?
Thanks a lot for the interview. Best of luck to you. Look for our new album Dechristianize out April 22nd on Century Media/ Olympic Records. Hails to All The Vital Legions for all their support. Hope to see you all on tour. Hail Satan.
Discography:
2003... Dechristianize (Olympic)
1999... Dawn Of The Apocalypse (Osmose)
1997... Forever Underground (Osmose)
1995... Into Cold Darkness (Peaceville)
1992... Let Us Prey (Peaceville)
1990... Excruciating Pain (Wild Rags)
Current line-up:
Glen Benton... vocals
Tony Lazaro... guitars
Dave Suzuki... drums
| TTM reviews of albums by Vital Remains: | |
 | 2003 - 'Dechristianize' |
