Interview with Ethereal Collapse (Ryan, guitarist and vocalist, and Dave, guitarist and vocalist)

After being blown away by their self-released first full length album, we decided to get in touch with the band and ask them a few questions about the band, their label hunt and future releases. We are hoping this band gets picked up by a label soon since they are one of the best melodic death metal bands we have heard from the USA. Here is what the band had to say about our questions:

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and let’s get started:

Infernal Masquerade: Ethereal Collapse was formed in 2004 and has released one full-length album and one EP, can you tell us more about the details in between you formation, split and reunion, up until 2009?

DAVE:
There’s really not much to go into detail about. We played together for a long time. We hit a rough patch like most bands do. We all had a lot of personal stuff going on and decided it would be best to disband. About a year after that we decided we missed it and that we were going to give it another try. And that is pretty much where we are at right now, still truckin’.

I.M: What it’s the concept behind the band’s name and ideas?

RYAN:
I’ve always had a penchant for artsy, poetic stuff, and I suppose the name Ethereal Collapse was a result of that mindset.  Initially, it didn’t mean much to me; it just sounded cool, but in recent years, it has become more significant.  Many of our lyrics deal with airy concepts that cannot be fully grasped by the human mind, and the word “ethereal” is consistent with this, as it figuratively describes things that are “out there.”  In other words, they’re present yet so far away (mentally) that we can only extrapolate their properties with the faculties we have or imagine what they might be like.  There’s a clear link between the name of the band and its lyrical concepts, and even though this connection wasn’t predetermined, it’s nice that things worked out that way.

I.M: “Breaching the Citadel” was set to be released by some label, but was later self released because the band split up, can you comment more about this (if not answered in the top part)?

DAVE:
Again not much to comment on hah. We decided to disband right as we finished up the recording. The label pretty much said later and we left it at that. After we got back together a year later we realized we had an entire album that we spent a lot of time and money on that was never released. So that is what we did.

I.M: Having a very different sound than most current bands in the USA, where did you get your influences? And why are you not playing Metalcore like most bands are doing now?

RYAN:
I like some metalcore bands, but let’s be honest; most of them are terrible.  My songwriting is most influenced by various forms of melodic metal.  In my opinion, the importance of a good melody cannot be overstated, and I want our music to reflect this attitude.  Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, and At the Gates are obvious influences, but I also love the old thrash of Metallica and Kreator.  Lyrically, I’m influenced by scores of poets, philosophers, filmmakers, and screenwriters, and since I’m a total geek, I’ve listed a bunch of them on our Myspace page.

DAVE:
I am probably going to upset some people with this answer, but oh well. Like Ryan said we sound the way we do because of our obvious influences. The whole melo-death thing is what works for us so we roll with it.  However I am sick of people ripping and tearing on bands that may fall into the “metalcore” category. I personally think its ridiculous how sub-divided heavy music in general has become. I don’t particularly focus on what metal sub-genre a band may fall into. Like what you want to like. Listen to what  you want to listen to. Who cares.

I.M: “Breaching the Citadel” is a pretty solid album, and from what I can see you guys have been receiving very good press reviews, are you currently shopping for a label? Or are any labels trying to lure you in?

RYAN:
Thanks.  We’re interested in getting a deal with a label, but we’re not killing ourselves trying to “make it.”  I can’t speak for everyone else on the matter, but I’m just happy being part of a group in which I get to exercise my creative abilities and share the results with the world.  Aside from oxygen, shelter, and sustenance, that’s honestly all that I need out of life.

I.M: “Categories” is your most recent release, and it features 3 songs, is this part of a promo kit you are distributing to labels? Or why only release 3 songs?

DAVE:
It’s only 3 songs because it’s an E.P., and also because it’s a concept piece. The three songs all tie in to one another.

I.M: I’ve seen your video for “As the Mighty Fall” and it’s pretty hilarious, is this the original idea? Or where you guys dead serious at that time about the concept of it? Can you please tell us more on how it came together?

RYAN:
Thanks.  It’s definitely a joke, and I’m glad you enjoyed it!  Our friend (Jeff Davis, director) had the idea to do a video in the style of the awesomely bad black metal videos from the 90’s, and since we have quite a sense of humor, we were all about it.  So, we ventured into the w00ds of Northeastern Pennsylvania and shot it on a hot day in July.  Matt was SO into it.  If you watch the behind the scenes video (which can be found on YouTube), you’ll see how into it he was.

DAVE:
Ryan is completely full of shit. That video was without a doubt the most serious thing that we as a band have ever done. I personally have never taken anything so seriously in my life.

I.M: Any plans for a future release? Do you guys think you can handle the pressure of coming up with something as solid as “Breaching the Citadel” and “Categories”?

RYAN:
Yeah, we’ll definitely have something new at some point.  We like to take our time with writing songs, though, because that always yields the best results, and as long as we’re taking our time, I feel no pressure at all.  At present, we have three songs ready for a new full length, two songs written and ready to be put together, and several others in progress.  So, I’m hopeful that we’ll record another album within the next year.  We’re actually going into a local studio to do one or two demo songs next weekend.  They’re offering free recording time to bands as a way to get the studio’s name out there, so we decided to take them up on their offer.

I.M: Anything else you want to add to your fans and our readers?

RYAN:
Megan Fox is fucking hot.

DAVE:
I heard Ron Jeremy is directing a horror movie in which his cock attacks and kills people. I’m not making this up. I actually heard this. I think this is phenomenal. I’m not going to lie, I am pumped for it. No homo. Marvel Comics is WAY better than DC. And hit us up on the Myspace.

Thanks and good luck with all future endeavors!