PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Technical brutality is the order of the day with the lads in Vile Regression. This is their first time participating in Metal 2 The Masses Ireland and they’ve made it all the way to the final. We caught up with guitarist Barry Christie and discussed how the whole M2TM experience has been.
For people hearing about Vile Regression for the first time. Tell us about yourselves?
We have been active in some form since 2007, but in the current incarnation for less than two years. Like most bands we do shy away from subscribing to genres, but we’d like to think of ourselves as playing modern death metal with a technical and progressive approach, designed to challenge ourselves and listeners, and that above all, we put on one hell of a live show….. And we have beards… The beards are important!
Congratulations on reaching the Final of Metal 2 The Masses. Personally, I feel that everyone in the final is a winner but if you were to be chosen to represent Ireland at Bloodstock, what would it mean to your Vile Regression.
Barry: Representing Ireland at Bloodstock would mean so much to us, both personally and professionally. We’ve been striving towards becoming an international act for a number of years now. We pushed our last EP ‘Empires’ heavily, promoting it in the UK and mainland Europe and thankfully received a lot of favourable reviews from the likes of Metal Hammer, Zero Tolerance Magazine and other metal press. Playing Bloodstock would give us the platform to build on that momentum and set us towards becoming a touring act in Europe. It would also be a proud moment to play alongside our friends in Dead Label and Conor McGouran (guitarist in Xerath) and have the opportunity to fly the Irish flag with them. It really is hard to overstate the impact Bloodstock would have on us.
How has the overall M2TM experience been this year for your band?
Barry: The experience has been extremely positive for us! It’s forced us to up our game considerably as we’ve been competing against some really strong bands. Both heats we’ve taken part in have been extremely competitive and we’re humbled to have made it through to the final. Taking part has also driven us to up our promotional efforts online and we have benefited a lot from the exposure generated by the M2TM promotional work. It helped get us on the radar of Architects who asked us to support them at their MCD show in The Academy. So M2TM has definitely helped us grow already. The competition has also exposed us to a lot of new listeners since both heats have been so well attended. I’m sure the final is going to surpass that again!
What would you say to bands thinking about applying for next year’s competition?
Barry: I would say go for it! It’s a chance to really push yourself and your band and get to meet and network with some of the best Irish metal bands around. As well as promoters and photographers such as: Jet Rocker Events, Overdrive, EHT promotions, Down the Barrel Photography and Krank. Regardless of how far you make it in the competition, the exposure you gain is more than worth it. The shows are also highly professional and well promoted, so there’s a lot to gain from being involved in the competition.
Has there been a memorable moment that stands out in your mind at the shows to date?
Barry: The first thing that comes to mind is probably memorable for all the wrong reasons! Right before our drummer was due to be at the venue for our semi-final heat, we got word saying he had been in a car crash. Fortunately he sustained no injuries and was able to make it to Fibbers to play the show. I sent a message asking if he was okay and asking if he would be able to make it to play the gig. His response was ‘I’d have to be dead not to play!’.
So, taking part in this competition means a lot to us and we’re not going to let anything get in the way of our chance to play at Bloodstock this year! Having said that, we’d like to avoid any life threating incidents on the night of the final…
The reception we received while playing that night was also very memorable. The crowd were insane. We’re looking forward to more of that at the final!
In 5 words, describe what we can expect from you at the final.
Barry: Energy. Passion. Intensity. Melody. Riffs.
If you could pick one song from your arsenal to let the uninitiated hear what your band is all about, what would it be?
Barry: I’d have to go with one of our brand new songs, ‘Of Sentience and Reason’. It’s actually the first song we’ve written for a full length album that we hope to begin recording by the end of this year/early 2016. We’ve only played it live twice. Once being at our show with Architects in The Academy and we also played it at our semi-final heat. The response to it has been great. It’s got a lot of the different elements that make up our sound and it’s probably the best indication of the direction the band will take in the future. It’ll definitely be part of our set for the final and hopefully help us secure a slot at Bloodstock!
See Vile Regression at the Metal 2 The Masses Final on May 9th – Check Event Page for details below:
https://www.facebook.com/events/687440701353369/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Vile Regression
Baz Christie – Guitar
Kenn Christie – Bass
Robb Behan – Drums
Padraig Croke – Vocals
Brian Brady – Guitar
