Interview with Jared Anderson (January 2002)
from Metal
Side
METAL SIDE: Tell us what had been your musical experiences
before you became a member of Hate Eternal?
JARED: Well my very first real project was in 94 with Steve
Tucker, I was playing guitar in that band which was named Suffer System.
It only lasted 4 or 5 months and that's when I pursued and created
Internecine shortly after which went on from late 94 or early 95 until
late 1998.
METAL SIDE: How did happen that you met Erik Rutan and
started playing with him?
JARED: Actually Internecine finished a tour with Morbid Angel
here in the states because Vader had to drop off of the tour for reasons
I don't know. Steve Tucker made that happen and that's how I got to know
Erik and also how he saw my talent as a bassist/vocalist. Then the time
to record "Conquering" came in 99 and he didn't have anyone to
fill my slot yet so he contacted Steve and Steve told him that
Internecine had just broken up recently and I got the call, flew
straight to Florida, learned the material in 2 weeks and recorded it. It
was perfect timing for me and a huge break.
METAL SIDE: "Conquering the Throne" was released
a while ago, over two years > passed since that time so we hope to
hear the new album soon. When can we > expect it? Did your music
change in some way during this time?
JARED: We're working very hard on the new record as we speak. We
will start recording March 1st and hopefully be set to be released in
June or July at the latest. The music has definatly changed since
"Conquering" but not drastically. It's just a different level
I guess you could say but still just as violent and aggressive as our
previous material.
METAL SIDE: Erik Rutan was quite busy in last months,
working in own recording > studio and promoting Alas. Was this fact a
real disturbance in working on the > new album?
JARED: Not at all. This record is being written very carefully.
Erik has been working on riffs and songs as well as I have for the last
year or so, shit, probably even longer than that. But you can only write
so fast without being pressed I guess you could say, so I don't think
anything he has been doing has taken anything away from Hate Eternal and
our next record.
METAL SIDE: Aren't you afraid that so many occupations
that Erik and Derrek have + yours (about them we'll talk soon) will make
the normal work as Hate > Eternal impossible and this band - if
survives - will only be a studio project?
JARED: Not at all. A band like Hate Eternal can only work so fast
anyways. We put forth a lot of effort into everything we do as
individuals and musicians, and if anything was rushed it would totally
take away from the quality of what we do. As far as Internecine
surviving, it will survive as long as I survive because it's not a new
thing for me. I've got a lot of time invested into Internecine and will
continue to do so. It will never be just a studio project. I might not
do as much as far as touring or anything because of Hate Eternal and
Morbid Angel but in my off time I plan to do whatever I can with it.
Meaning touring and future records, we'll see what happens.
METAL SIDE: A question not connected with your carrier (at
least not directly): when I interviewed Erik in 1999, I asked him about
the possibility to record new Ripping Corpse album, but he denied that
could be such plans. Lately I heard three tracks they recorded soon
after "Dreaming with the Dead" (as I was told - a part of
longer, already recorded material!) - really impressive ones. So I
wonder if he told you something about the future of Ripping Corpse, if
he's going to record new tracks (he produced Dimmak' new album so is in
touch with old friends from Ripping Corpse) or to release what have been
already recorded. If he doesn't, tell him please, that many people wait
for it. Perhaps you could use a song or two under the flag of Hate
Eternal?
JARED: That's something you would have to ask Erik. I know he
wants to do a Ripping Corpse record if possible, they have enough
material from the past, I do know that. I seriously doubt that we would
ever use a Ripping Corpse song for a Hate Eternal record though. I know
a lot of people would love to hear it but that's all between Erik and
the rest of the guys.
METAL SIDE: Are you pleased with the response of fans and
reviewers after the release of "Conquering..."?
JARED: Very pleased, and I would like to thank everyone
personally on behalf of Hate Eternal. We appreciate it and we definatly
won't stop, we've only begun.
METAL SIDE: If it's not a secret, could you tell us how
many "Conquering the Throne" copies were sold worldwide? Where
do you think you're more popular, in USA or in Europe?
JARED: Well according to Earaches website we've sold over 20,000
records world wide. I think the popularity was pretty much equal in both
Europe and the States, really close as far as sales.
METAL SIDE: Do you know what ex-members of Hate Eternal -
Tim Yeung (I heard that he's involved in NY death metal project Agiel -
have you heard their music?) and Doug Cerrito do?
JARED : Tim's band actually opened for us in Rochester, NY, it's
a form of black metal I guess you could say. As far as Doug, I have know
idea what he's doing.
METAL SIDE: The confirmed replacement for Tim was Derrek
Roddy. Have you already chosen second guitarist?
JARED: There will be know second guitarist in Hate Eternal, we
have chosen to stay a 3 piece since everything went so well on our
tours.
METAL SIDE: Lately, you became a member of Morbid Angel.
How did it happen?
JARED: Well Steve decided he was leaving the band and they
already had a confirmed European tour booked so originally I was just
going to help them out on the tours and just see what would happen. The
tours went really good and that's how we reached our decisions.
METAL SIDE: You will be playing bass and singing (rather -
growling) in the most legendary death metal band of all times. Steve
Tucker whose place you took, tried to follow (especially on the last
album) the style that Dave Vincent was famous of. What are your
ambitions in this matter? Perhaps Trey and Pete have already told you:
"do everything you want when you're singing for us, but under one
condition - be like Dave", or rather "do everything you want
when you're singing for us, but under one condition - do not copy
Dave"?
JARED: Really? I don't think that Steve was trying to follow
David's style at all. I though it was completly different. Well I can
rightfully say that it's definatly not the same style because I'm now
performing both of there styles and vocally there is a big difference in
vocal structure and range. I adapt better to old Morbid personally. It's
very hard to adapt to someone elses vocals and lyrical structuring
because everyone has there own way of doing this. As far as tone for
one, range and conviction, I think a lot of people really don't
understand this. People could say, I think this guy or whoever would
sound sick in Morbid, but see filling the shoes in a band as established
as Morbid Angel isn't easy no matter who the fuck you are because you
always have critics and everyone's personal opinion of what Morbid
should sound like or who the person filling in should sound like yet
they fail to realize that change can sometimes be good if given the
chance. There are still people who won't let go of David being gone, but
think about it, with David persuing the career he's chosen now, would he
even fit back in Morbid Angel? I personally think not, that's not at all
where his heart is so there would be know feeling or vibe and that's
what Morbid Angel has been about since day one, feeling and vibe. No one
in this band wants me to copy David or Steve, perform the past songs and
classics as they were written is what I do, not copy. If I did something
different they wouldn't be the same songs, and then new Morbid will be
my style like no one else ever existed. This is the only way to approach
this with 100% confidence and conviction and that I shall do.
METAL SIDE: Will you participate in writing the material
on the next album? Are there any ideas you have that in your opinion
could develop Morbid Angel's music? Is Trey, the main composer since the
beginning, open for the cooperation in songwriting?
JARED: I just got in the band so I won't be writing anything
although I will be working with Trey on vocal structure and what will be
the best for my approach. I do have a lot of ideas for anything I do.
For instance Hate Eternal, I adapted very well to the style and that's
why I'm doing some writing for the new Hate Eternal. I adapt well to
Morbid Angel as well, so if given the opportunity I'll definatly take
advantage of it. And yes , Trey is open for ideas from everyone even
though he writes the majority.
METAL SIDE: Which Morbid Angel's album is your favorite
one?
JARED: Wow, that's tough. I would say Blessed.
METAL SIDE: All people who are fans of Morbid Angel, are
wondering in what direction you will go in the future. After fast and
furious "Formulas...", the band recorded much slower material
(for me, "Formulas..." was much better). What are your plans
for the next recording? Are some tracks finished? And finally, when the
new album can be released?
JARED: No tracks are finished as we speak but the new Morbid
will be a lot more 6 string songs and a lot more speed, this we've
already talked about, more traditional.
METAL SIDE: Trey and Pete are involved in death metal
scene since the beginning. Are they still enthusiastic in this what they
do, or rather their current activities are only a kind of routine: no
emotions, only professional work?
JARED: It's definatly professional, the enthusiasm is 100% still.
METAL SIDE: And another question asked on occasion: I
heard that Richard Brunelle, ex-member of Morbid Angel, plays in the
band called Path of Possession. Have you heard something about it too?
JARED : I know nothing about it.
METAL SIDE: Playing in Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal is
not enough for you. You have own band too - Internecine. As we heard the
material for the debut CD have been already recorded. Could you describe
us the style of Internecine?
JARED: It's very unique I would say. It has its influences of
course but it has a lot of old school feel, a lot of technicality that's
for sure. It's kind of hard to explain and since I just finished the
record I've listened to the songs so many times over and over that I'm
kind of boggled to compare it to anything at the moment. I would
definatly say unique yet very brutal.
METAL SIDE: Now almost a perverse questions (not so much
of course): some musicians are annoying when their music is being
compared to the style of other bands. For example there were reviewers
who compared "Conquering..." to Morbid Angel's style and
Suffocation (from "Despise the Sun"). Most bands would like to
think about own music as the original one what in most cases isn't the
truth. Can you honestly tell us that Internecine is the band that really
deserves to be called original? What bands could be used by the
reviewers of Internecine's album as the obvious associations?
JARED: Internecine has a lot of originality, as far as being the
band of "true originality" I would say no. It's very
technical, yet straight forward death metal done my way. It has some
influences of course, so does every record I have. I'm sure it will be
compared to other stuff out there, but if everyone would just listen to
each band and each album for what it is, I don't think this problem
would persist except for the bands that obviously rip other bands off
and try to be just like other bands, to me that is gay. Influence is one
thing, ripping off is totally different. This record is all of my
influences and the way I wanted to write it, but I'm sure reviewers will
be trying to compare it to whatever because of my status as a player and
that's fine. I just want people to get the most out of it for what it
is. Of course I want people to like it but it is impossible now days to
please everyone.
METAL SIDE: Hammerheart Records - the label which will
release your debut - on its website doesn't present any details about
the line-up but I hope that you will tell us with whom you recorded the
album?
JARED: Originally all I wanted Hammerheart not to do is put a
huge sticker on the record saying "Jared Anderson from Morbid
Angel/ Hate Eternal" or produced by "Erik Rutan of Morbid
Angel/ Hate Eternal" that's all. But somehow it turned into "
due to legal reasons we cannot mention the musicians or whatever
etc." I didn't want to use my status as a player or Erik's status
or who evers to sell the record, I want it to sell on its own for
Internecine, not Morbid or Hate Eternal if you know what I mean. It's
really not a big deal who's on the record. Actually I did all of the
guitars ,bass , and vocals with exception to the leads which Erik laid
down for me. Tony Laureno (Nile) played six songs on drums and Derek
Roddy (Hate Eternal) played the others. The guitarist/ vocalist I had
lined up from the original line up was to busy in college to record at
the time and it had to be done so I just played them, although any
touring will involve him.
METAL SIDE: Is Internecine the project that had been
created before you joined Hate Eternal or it's a fresh idea?
JARED: Yes it is, it has been around for some time.
METAL SIDE: Being involved in such effective killing
machines like Hate Eternal and Morbid Angel must take a lot of time.
Does it mean that Internecine is only a studio project or the normal
active life (especially gigs and longer tours) is being planned?
JARED: You're definatly right, I am very busy with both Morbid
and Hate but in my off time, which there is some, I expect to do
whatever I can with Internecine. The touring will of course not be as
extensive as a Morbid Angel tour but people will see Internecine and
more Internecine records.
METAL SIDE: Now more general question. I cannot not to ask
you what you think about the current condition of death metal scene in
Florida. For me, as for most death metal fans, it has always been the
hottest place for this kind of music. But it seems that the scene there
is not so vital as 10, 12 years ago. In those glorious times each year
we could hear great newcomers that were releasing very good debut albums
(1989 - Morbid Angel, Obituary, 1990 - Nocturnus, Deicide, Atheist,
Hellwitch, 1991 - Massacre, Malevolent Creation, DVC, Ripping Corpse,
1992 - Solstice, Monstrosity, 1993 - Brutality, > Disincarnate,
Resurrection, Killing Addiction, Raped Ape - to give some examples).
Later it wasn't so impressive. In 1998 and 1999 few more new great bands
released first CDs (Hate Eternal, Diabolic, Burning Inside, Hate Plow,
Divine Empire) but in 2000 and 2001 we got almost nothing new (except
for Diabolic Intent). We should remember that most of these bands were
created by musicians who have been involved in the scene since many
years. Does it mean that death metal from Florida, except for the bands
with the established reputation and the projects created by their
members, has nothing more to offer? Are there any new bands that are
worth of listening in your opinion?
JARED: I really don't pay attention to the scene in Florida, to
me it's all the same scene no matter where you come from. I haven't
personally heard any newer good death metal bands from here but maybe
there are.
METAL SIDE: What are your favorites bands? (Is Morbid
Angel one of them?)
JARED: Of course Morbid Angel is one of them, Immolation,
Gorguts, old Atrocity, Possessed, Slayer, Sabbath, Dio, Krisiun, Death
(rip), old Malevolent, Kreator..........this list could go on forever,
those are just off the top of my head.
METAL SIDE: What is the condition of death metal business
nowadays in your opinion? You cooperate with Earache and Hammerheart so
the companies that belong to strongest ones. Are you pleased with the
way they support your bands?
JARED: I'll tell you , the death metal business is tough, that
is why I do as much as I can to stay really busy and away from the
outside world. I'm really happy with everything so far but the
Internecine isn't even released yet so I don't know what Hammerheart
will do with it. So far they have been great, so hopefully it will
continue.
METAL SIDE: For many metal musicians a very important
thing is their 'image'. Some for example paint their faces, others tell
that they're necromaniacs, antichrists or whoever. Many years ago people
were commenting on Morbid Angel's picture on which they were standing
with some blondies, kneeling down to them. There were the opinions that
such image is normal for the glam metal acts, but disgraceful for
brutal, non commercial band. What do you think about this problem?
JARED: I think everyone should be who the fuck they are and not
hide behind masks or women or whatever. I'm trying to play and sell
death metal not my image and what is an image? People portraying
themselves to be vampires or fuckin satanists or whatever it is
they are into? Dressing a certain way to be seen as scary or cool? It's
all bullshit to me. I wear what I want, play what I want, act how I want
without limitations. I feel if you succumb to a certain image you're
limiting yourself to what you can do or how you can act or be to be
accepted among the people your trying to portray. I portray myself and
no one else so if people want to classify me then whatever, I think it
is gay. My power is in me, my knowledge is in me, my strength is in me
like everything else that is in me, I don't need to act or be like
someone to protect my image, to me image is only disguise, and what you
are as a person, which people don't even look at or care about anymore
is where the true power lies.
METAL SIDE: In last question, I used the words - 'non
commercial'. Do you think that death metal is typical non commercial
kind of music? Can it be generally treated in such categories?
JARED: Sure. Death metal isn't for everyone and definatly not to
the masses for they don't even understand. If the whole world listened
and loved death metal imagine where we would be....haha. It's kind of
funny and scary at the same time.
METAL SIDE: I wonder if it really matters for you how many
copies of your album will be sold. Let's imagine the situation (really
hard to believe) that the sale of Internecine, Hate Eternal and Morbid
Angel is disastrous. Does it mean that you will say: OK, I quit, no
money, no playing?
JARED : I was playing death metal for years before I received
anything so I definatly would not quit. Of course I hope it sells and
people love it, but it doesn't reflect on my playing or quitting.
METAL SIDE: Would be a serious temptation for you to
change the style to attract the attention of wider audience? Some
European death metal bands like Entombed started the carrier playing
very brutal music but later they completely lost the connection with own
roots. In USA there's one drastic example of such downfall - Fear
Factory. What do you think about such bands and this phenomenon?
JARED : I think it is a shame but some people find a different
feeling doing something else, maybe a better personal feeling and I
guess that is all that matters. Sure I've been disappointed with some
bands changing but what can you do. I personally don't picture myself
changing but to say "NO" defintly not, that's absurd, who can
see the fucking future. I don't plan to, let's put it like that.
METAL SIDE: Thanks for all answers and good luck with
Internecine, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal. Perhaps a traditional last
word for the readers?
JARED : No problem. Don't follow trend or flocks. Be yourself and
do what you like and what is pleasing to you. That's all.