This interview was conducted by Philip A. Wickstrand with vocalist/guitarist James Malone at Branx in Portland, OR on December 11, 2010.

ARSIS are a band that can be thrown into any number of Metal subgenres - Death Metal, Tech Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Melodic Tech Death Metal, Insert Made Up Subgenre Name Here Metal, etcetera. But no matter what they are labeled as, one cannot forget the indisputable fact that they are damned good at what they do and that they do it with passion. Their fourth full length album, Starve for the Devil, was released in February, 2010 by Nuclear Blast.

Phil: First of all, how's the tour been so far?

James: So far, so good - last night was exceptional in Seattle, we had a really great time, so a few highlights on the tour so far. But yeah, going well.

Phil: Do you find winter touring to be more difficult than at other times of the year?

James: Yeah, it's definitely a little more stressful I think, just with the concern about weather and whatnot. It definitely can be intense at times, but on this tour anyway, we managed to meeting anything that was too dreadful, so that was good.

Phil: Doing most of the driving yourselves?

James: Well, we have a tour manager/driver, so between he and I, we get it done.

Phil: How would you say that this tour was compared to the one with ARCH ENEMY now that you're headlining?

James: Oh! [laughs] Apples and oranges, really. You know, ARCH ENEMY draws like a huge crowd, so these are definitely smaller shows but the crowds have been energetic and the people that are there are there to see us, so that's good then.

Phil: Do you find it difficult to stay healthy on tour? 'Cause I know you've had some heath issues.

James: Oh yeah. I manage better now than I have in the past, so I just try to pay attention to things. I wish I could work out more on tour, but you know, I guess you need a break every now and again.

Phil: It's been a little while since Starve for the Devil came out, so how do you feel about the album now that you've had a little bit of time to step away from it?

James: It's my favorite ARSIS album. I definitely think we kind of captured the essence of what we… I think we achieved the goal that we had set out to do with that album and I'm proud of it. Stand behind it a hundred percent.

Phil: Do you have much in the way of new material ready?

James: Nick and I have been writing a few things here and there, but nothing really substantial at this point. You know, we've been touring and just trying to get this album cycle done before we start really worrying about writing another album.

Phil: So nothing like full songs; just bits and pieces?

James: Yeah, yeah… well, maybe three or four full songs written and then some ideas.

Phil: What kind of new ideas have you been toying around with lately?

James: Um… I guess kind of taking what we did with Starve for the Devil and just trying to expand upon it, really. I may have a few tricks up my sleeve. We'll have to see.

Phil: What are thoughts on filming music videos - is that something you enjoy or do you simply see it as another means of promotion?

James: I think they're fun. Like, I really tried to have a good time with the "Forced to Rock" video. I think the joke went over a lot of people's heads, but it was just meant to be ha ha funny. Aside from the fact that it was like fifteen degrees in that room I had a good time filming it, I guess. Just kind of fun. Hang out for a day, be idiots, you know.

Phil: How much input do you have as to what is filmed for the videos themselves?

James: The "Forced to Rock" video anyway was definitely my doing, so I guess I can take full blame for the way that came out. But we've worked with a gentleman named Dave Brodsky for the past two videos… or the only two videos anyway, for both "We are the Nightmare" and "Forced to Rock" and we just bounced some ideas off him and tried to find a location that works with what we want to do. So definitely input from the band.

Phil: Recommend a book for our readers and then explain why you recommend that particular work.

James: Oh, wow, that's a good question. Hmmm… probably the last book I read was called "Touched with Fire." It's about manic depression and the artistic temperament and it's just really well written for a psychology/self help book as far as it's interspersed… it has scientific evidence and whatnot that intersperses poetry from Lord Byron, etcetera, etcetera, just to emphasize points. It's just really well written and interesting and if you're into music or a musician yourself, you'll probably see a little bit of yourself in this book, so definitely check it out.

Phil: What are the plans over the next year for ARSIS?

James: Just try to get out there and tour as much as we can, maybe start really seriously writing, doing some pre-production for the next album.

Phil: Do you have any other tours lined up currently or just in talks for things?

James: In the talks for a couple things, so yeah.

Phil: Mainly North American or European?

James: Probably overseas, more than likely. Yeah.

Phil: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

James: No, just thanks for the support, paying attention to what I do and we definitely appreciate everything. Thanks a lot.

Interviewer: Philip A. Wickstrand

December 16, 2010

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TO THE TOP

Formed: 2000 
Virginia Beach, Virginia  USA
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Genre: Tech. Melodic Death Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

James Malone:  Guitar & Vocals
Nick Cordle:  Guitar
Noah Martin:  Bass
Michael Van Dyne:  Drums

DISCOGRAPHY:

A Celebration of Guilt (2004)
A Diamond for Disease EP (2005)
United in Regret (2006)
As Regret Becomes Guilt (2007)
We are the Nightmare (2008)
Starve for the Devil (2010)

Arsis