Vital Remains

Band: VITAL REMAINS
Country: USA
Style: blackened death metal
Questions by: Andy Harris
Answers supplied by: Joseph Lewis (bass, vocals)

When did VITAL REMAINS form? And what was the main inspiration to form a band?

- Way back in '89, Paul and Tony started it all, then Jeff came in, then the rest of us. I think the main inspiration was having the sheer love of music inside each one of us, you know, we wanted to play music since the time we were born to this very day. It was in our blood to play music, when we were all old enough and responsible, we took our instruments very seriously. We all practiced hours every day on our own until eventually the time came for all of us to meet and construct VITAL REMAINS. I think all inspiration comes from deep inside. You gotta want something and work for it, sweat for it, bleed for it, it will happen. You just have to believe in yourself, you can do anything!

Tell us about the ŤLet Us Prayť CD! What do you think about that release?

- That CD was released in December of 1992, it was our first full length CD release by a major record label. It sold really good, got a lot of great reviews. It opened many doors for VITAL REMAINS and it introduced us to the planet on a worldwide basis. And it got released in America, and we ended up doing a tour with AUTOPSY (R.I.P.) and INCANTATION! We got to see many cool places and meet a lot of friends!

What led to the Osmose deal? Are you happy with their support? What do you think of other bands on the Osmose roster?

- The Osmose deal happened after the termination of our previous deal. We were basically looking for a company who would really give us the promotion we needed to have our music reach as mnay countries as possible, and heard by as many ears. I feel they will do a good job of promoting us. We will see how it develops. I really like some of the bands on Osmose, I like IMMORTAL and IMPALED NAZARENE a lot. DARK TRANQUILLITY are gods! MARDUK shred fucking heads. Wow, Osmose has many great fucking bands. ANGELCORPSE, PYOGENESIS, etc.

Tell us the reason for the departure of Jeff Gruslin. How do you feel about the situation?

- It all came down to Jeff quitting one day. And we wanted to maintain a steady line-up of musicians and Jeff quite on a couple of previous occasions. We never knew when he would just quit, it happened out of the blue each time. Each time we didn't know what to do because he would always come back. Eventually, it came to the point where we didn't want to deal with it anymore, so the last time we decided if he wanted to come back we had to turn him down, and move on. We didn't have the patience or time anymore, to waste trying to figure out what we'd do for a vocalist. All in all, I wish things could've worked out better but that's the way it is and I have to accept it. Now we'll move on, and wish Jeff the best.

What are your favorite releases? What do you think is the most promising band these days?

- I have way too many to list but here are just a handful... INFERNAL MAJESTY (ŤNone Shall Defyť), MORBID ANGEL (ŤAltars Of Madnessť), BLACK SABBATH (ŤVol. 4ť), KISS (ŤAliveť), Ozzy Osbourne (ŤDiary Of A Madmanť), SLAYER (ŤShow No Mercyť)... the list goes on forever... There's a band from Burriville, Rhose Island called ICHOR. They practice in the same building as we do. We played a show together in March of '97. They fucking rip fucking ass man! They should have a demo out real soon! It's gonna shred your balls to ground beef!

Tell us your thoughts about the current death metal scene in America...

- Certain parts of the country are way better than others. It slowly generates more and more followers every day. I definitely think it's going to have it's Ťhey dayť soon. It's survived ever since I've been into it and probably even longer. But myself, I'll always enjoy discovering new brutal bands, going to shows, and supporting the scene!

When does VITAL REMAINS plan on touring and who will you tour with?

- We'll be on tour starting April 9th, in New Orleans and going on through May 2nd finishing in New York. We'll travel throughout Texas and the west coast, as well as the mid-western states. We'll be touring with INCANTATION and I believe we'll be opening for GRIP INC., at the Whiskey in LA., which should be really exciting. I've never seen Dave Lombardo play for any other band but SLAYER. It should be a true experience. We're also scheduling a second part of the tour by adding on ANGELCORPSE, which is set to kick off in July and run through August (including the Milwaukee Metal Fest), then September we should be heading across seas to de-materialize Europe with another Osmose band!

ŤForever Undergroundť is the title for your upcoming release on Osmose (already released and kicks ass! - ED). Tell us how you came up with the title and tell us something about the music.

- Tony basically came up with the title, and it really speaks for itself! The title track to the album speaks of how we are true believers of the music and the underground scene. We wanted to give the listener something they can sit back and listen to and know that they are a part of what we are and what we're all about and to be proud that they are a part of the underground. The other songs are ŤBattlegroundť: the story of a brutal ancient army taking over a holy kingdom. ŤI Am Godť: the true meaning of worshipping yourself as your god and living by your own laws and no others. ŤEastern Journeyť: depicts the question , 'why?' And the last song, ŤDivine In Fireť: is about pure lustfulness of the flame. Finding your inner self and soaring to another world inside your mind. It should be released sometime in April.

Last comments...

- Thanks for your interest. Look for the new ŤForever Undergroundť CD out on Osmose in '97! Hope to see you all on tour this year. Remember, stay forever true, forever black, Forever Underground!

VITAL REMAINS
(contact through Osmose Productions):
B.P. 57
62990 Beaurainville
FRANCE