HMTV Canada Interviews Into The Moat

 www.metalblade.com

HMTV Canada: Hi Into The Moat, Congratulation’s on the release of “The Campaign” through Metal Blade Records.

Kit: Thanks, this record has been one hell of a journey.

HMTV Canada: I think “The Campaign” will break and sound barrier of a low-level flying jet the power in the vocals, guitar riffs and drums are extreme can you tell us how the song tracks lead the listener on several campaigns of conflict corrupting society?

Kit: Each song on this record depicts war and conflict from a different view point.  “From 1,000 Meters,” for instance, touches on the thoughts going through the head of a sniper.

HMTV Canada: What motivates or inspires the band to write these intelligent lyrics on social worldly issues and do all the band members contribute to the lyrical content?

Kit: We all have been fascinated by war for a long time.  Our original bassist/lyricist actually left the band to join the Marines and that further cemented the concept.  And with this record we wanted to show conflict from a more personal manor than just the outside opinion of chaos and destruction.

HMTV Canada: One song track that stands out is Advocate V Activist reminds me of Green Peace efforts campaigns to stop nuclear reactors from being built they been stopped by many Advocates in the past, but I’m curious about the song The Fuhrer does this represent the antichrist depicted in Armageddon?

Kit: Funny that you mention that about “Advocate V Activist,” I actually got the idea from Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” to write a satire on modern warfare.  “The Fuhrer” is about a general who is about to send his soldiers into the battle.  He knows that they must go to complete his mission but also knows they will most likely not return.

HMTV Canada: Out of all your song tracks from “The Campaign” Album which song is the most personal conflict the band feels strongly about?

Kit: “Grunt” is probably the most lyrically intense.  It is that only song on the record where that character actually dies.  And death is the ultimate personal conflict.

HMTV Canada: I like how the bands lyrical content educates the listener on social issues and the imagery is strong will you be creating any musical videos from “The Campaign.”

Kit: We haven’t even thought about a video yet.  I suppose that all depends on Metal Blade and how the album is received.

HMTV Canada: I can’t wait to see them because I was blown away by your video “Empty Shell” from “The Design Album” the war scenes in this video seem real and lots of emotion and powerful energy came out from the band’s live performance, where on location was this video filmed at and whose brilliant idea can be credited to the war scenes in this video?

Kit: This video was actually a hell to shoot.  The footage of us was shot somewhere in a warehouse in Los Angeles.  We actually didn’t have a bassist at the time so in the video is our merch guy, Stefan Kain, pretending to play bass and the other half (after Stefan became very ill) is of our original bassist, Johannes Naranjo (the Marine I mentioned), pretending to know the song.  As for the war footage that was all the mighty workings of Dan Dobby (the director/producer of the video).  The guy in the video was actually the camera guy if I remember correctly.

HMTV Canada: Can you describe the new organic sound of this Album such as the layering of the song tracks or instruments to give Into The Moats music a more dynamic sound?

Kit: One main thing with the guitars that makes them sound more organic is that they were not double tracked as they were on the last record.  “The Design” had a mix of a Marshall JCM 800 and a ‘90s Mesa Dual Recto.  The two amps combined to fill in where the other lacked.  On this record I choose to use one amp only, my personal set up (a rack mount Mesa Dual Recto through a VHT 4x12 w/ V30s) with the help of an Ibanez Tube Screamer. Being that I am the only guitarist of the band now it was forced to get more creative with my writing on leads, harmonies, etc. which eventually got me to write 3rd and 4th guitar parts on a few parts of the album.  The beginning of the record starts with a lone guitar backed by the reverse of a chord the 1st guitar plays.  It is then joined by a 2nd and 3rd clean riff.  Also, the end of “Law of Conservation” is a layering of four different riffs.

HMTV Canada: Do all the band members share the same influences in their music and do they like to experiment and try new things with their sound?

Kit: We all listen to about the same stuff.  Some of us are a little more open than others but I would say we come from similar musical backgrounds.  But I would have to say that Matt and I get a little more out there than Earl and Nick.  Many days during the writing process we would just get into space jam sessions with his Moog and Theremin which sadly did not make it to the record due to time constraints.  This record could have been a crap ton weirder if we had the time.

HMTV Canada: Are all Into the Moats music production mixed and mastered at Mana Studios by producer Erik Rutan how did Into The Moat land the opportunity to work with Erik?

Kit: Matt befriended Derek Roddy (ex-drummer for Hate Eternal) years ago and through him we were introduced to Erik Rutan and the rest is history.  Erik engineered, mixed and produced the record, but it was mastered at West Side.  We love working with Erik.  He’s a hard ass that knows how to get everything out of you and capture you at your best.

HMTV Canada: Who are the superb Artists that design Into The Moats Covers for their Albums and Logos for their merchandise?

Kit: We have known our current artist, Brett Slutsky, since high school.  He designed the layout for “The Campaign” and the two shirts that can be purchased from Metal Blade Records right now.  He’s a very creative dude that I highly recommend.

HMTV Canada: While touring in the past with super bands like Black Dahlia Murder, The End, A Perfect Murder and Soylent Green to name a few which music festival, country or tour comes to mind as being one of the bands favorites?

Kit: As much as we will always love those and the other bands, nothing will ever top our time in Japan.  It was the best experience of our lives.

HMTV Canada: Will you be touring soon to promote “The Campaign” and will this include live footage of Into The Moat on stage performance in videos?

Kit: There has been a lot of talking about touring over the past few months but our school and work schedules are very busy and we have yet to nail anything down yet.

HMTV Canada: What is the bands career objectives or goals for 2009 will they include writing new songs and more tours?

Kit: Right now, we are just playing it by ear as they say.

HMTV Canada: Before we wrap up our interview does Into The Moat have any shout outs to friends or fans?

Kit: We would like to thank Brian, Mike, and everyone at Metal Blade, Erik, Brian and Otani at Mana Studios, Brett Slutsky for the art, Adam Santucci for the photos and all our girl friends, family, friends and fans that have supported us the whole way.

HMTV Canada: I want to thank, Into the Moat and Metal Blade Records, for this interview opportunity. Horns High You Rock. HMTV Canada

Kit: Thanks for taking the time-Kit Wray.