Interviews : “I feel it carries more depth than any album we’ve done before” – An Interview With Allegaeon

Coming up to the release of a new album, and just generally kicking ass and having a good time, US technical melodic death metallers Allegaeon spared a moment to chat with Metal Obsession. Speaking with vocalist Ezra Haynes and guitarist Greg Burgess, we discussed the new album ‘Elements of the Infinite’, why humour is important in life, and especially in metal, and what’s on the horizon for the band.

How are you both today?

Ezra Haynes: I’m doing great! The weather looks pretty awesome out here in Colorado and I have pounded a ridiculous amount of coffee. Thank you for asking!

Greg Burgess: Doing well, man, thanks.

First things first, ‘Elements of the Infinite’ is fast approaching its late June release dates. How is the excitement level currently with the impending release of your third full-length studio album? 

E. H.: We’re more excited now than we have been for any of our previous releases. We put a lot into this one and it seems to be pretty well received; even before its release.

G. B.: Yeah, I think we’re a little more prepared for this release than previous ones, as well. So it’ll be interesting to see how the response is.

It’s been stated on Allegaeon’s bio on Metal Blade’s website that ‘Elements of the Infinite’ promises to be the “culmination of a flurry of new ideas within Allegaeon”. How do you feel this record differs from your previous releases?

E. H.: I feel that it carries more depth than any album we’ve done before. The orchestration is pretty “next level” compared to the music we’ve written in the past. ‘Elements of the Infinite’ is probably our most aggressive album to date.

G. B.: Very true. Also, when you have a lineup change, the new guys always bring their energy, influences, and enthusiasm to the table.

What inspired you about the new lyrical concepts?

E. H.:  Lyrically speaking, the thought process and topics we choose is relatively the same. We didn’t stray from the path too much. We’re comfortable with the science type subjects we choose and think that it has been working well for us.

Since the departure of guitarist and founding member Ryan Glisan back in September last year, you’ve since enlisted the talents of both drummer Brandon Park and guitarist Michael Stancel respectively. Not only are Park and Stancel a part of the new record, but they also help form the main current Allegaeon lineup. Are you excited to finally showcase the unique talents of these two individuals to the world? 

E. H.: Most definitely. Both Stancel and B-Park bring a lot of great things to the band and I firmly believe that this is the healthiest Allegaeon has ever been. They deserve any notoriety they receive. Both of them are really hard workers.

G. B.: Dudes slay!!!

Allegaeon formed back in 2008 and in only under a year following the release of your debut, self-titled EP you were signed to Metal Blade Records. I imagine that was very surreal for you back then. Do you still find it hard to believe that you’ve come so far – both as a band and a recognised name in metal music – in such a relatively short amount of time? 

E. H.: To this day it’s still pretty surreal. I don’t think we were an overnight success by any means. Really, I wouldn’t even consider us all that successful yet. I’d like to re-answer this question when we’re selling out notable venues.

G. B.: What Ezra said. I mean, you always want to get bigger and grow your business, but at this point we really don’t feel like we’ve been that successful. We’re incredibly grateful for the recognition we’ve received so far, though. We still see a lot of ground to cover, but my guess is all bands are this way.

What is it about Allegaeon that you feel appeals to listeners and metalheads alike?

E. H.: I’d say our sense of humour. I’m a firm believer that humour can speak volumes to people in general. Humanity likes to have a good time, unless you’re Corey Archuleta [Allegaeon’s bassist].

G. B.: [laughs] Yeah, that dude is miserable!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErhgZhhXPvA 

Your latest single “1.618” debuted back in early May. I’ve got to say now, the music video for it was absolutely hilarious and easily one of the better ones I’ve seen in some time! Its unique approach to both being comedic and throwback to different subgenres – both old and new – was a unique take on a music video. You also garnered a great response from your brilliant rendition of ‘Crabcore’. What made you decide to film it in this light-hearted fashion?

E. H.: People of the internet seem to be so particular with sub-genres of metal, so we thought it would be a great idea to poke fun at everything to do with metal as a whole. We’re basically just a bunch of idiots running around in a forest hoping that someone will take notice. It was super fun to film.

G. B.: Yeah, it’s also a way to make fun of ourselves for being complete failures at the whole music video thing. It seems like every video we’ve ever done has just gone off into the nether of the internet with not much response.  Our next video we do is gonna bomb hard! [laughs] But it’ll set up the follow up in an amazing fashion.

‘Elements of the Infinite’ was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio in Colorado between February to April this year. Otero is known for his works in the past with such bands as Cephalic Carnage, the latest album by Cattle Decapitation, and more. He’s also someone you’ve worked with in the past, as on 2010’s ‘Fragments of Form and Function’. With Allegaeon being similar musically to the aforementioned bands, and after previous success working with Otero on ‘FOFAF’, was it a natural step then to employ his unique skill set once more for ‘Elements of the Infinite’?

E. H.: Of course. We’ve worked with him on our EP in 2008 and ‘FoFaF’ in 2010. It has evolved into a very comfortable process working with Dave. What it ends up being is just all of us laughing for a month straight.

G. B.: It felt like coming home in a way. What Ez said; way comfortable.

Here’s a question for Greg. It’s been noted how on this new album the orchestrations were composed by both yourself as well as Joe Ferris (Monumental Audio). Did you find the experience to be challenging, and is it something you’d say, if again offered the chance, you’d do once more?

G. B.: Joe is the man! I worked with him on Cryogen‘s record ‘Continuum’, and hearing what he was coming up with I was like, “dude, you gotta help me with the new Allegaeon record” to which he said “who?” [laughs] Yeah man, working with Joe is awesome. I send him some midi-sketches of my orchestral/choir ideas and he’d re-amp them with good sounds, flesh them out a bit with brass, and different layers. Him and I have talked at length. He’s on board for a long time coming.

And this is one for Ezra. You possess an interesting vocal technique that isn’t solidly death metal in its delivery, but rather plays off the rasps to work in key with the bands melodic tones. Who or what would you say inspires you as a vocalist, and equally as one of the bands key songwriters also?

E. H.: The vocalists that inspire me are not really of the ‘metal’ genre. There are people that I think are great, but not necessarily aspire to be. I don’t listen to copious amounts of metal, but I do love singing it.

Elements of the Infinite – out June 23 via Metal Blade Records

The lyrics found on ‘Elements of the Infinite’ are heavily centred around the theme of space and science; with songs touching on subjects such as the existence of extraterrestrial life, Dyson Spheres, the eventual mass departure of humanity away from Earth, etc. Being someone who is also highly fascinated by these particular subjects, I’m curious as to what inspired you to go ahead with an album based upon these ideas?

E. H.: That has pretty much been the go-to theme of every record we’ve done. We feel it’s a breath of fresh air not using what I’d consider “typical death metal” lyrics; which includes subjects such as murder, decapitation, fornication, intestines, funerals, and puppies.

With the release of the new album, could Aussie fans perhaps expect to see Allegaeon come to our southern shores any time soon?

E. H.: To start touring regularly outside of our country is the goal more than ever now. We hope to get out that way soon!

G. B.: I’d say it’s our main goal. We want to expand our business globally. If we have anything to say about it: Australia, here we come!

Any famous last words before we wrap up the interview?

E. H.: ALL HAIL MEGATRON!

G. B.: Thanks dude!