“I want to keep writing fresh songs, be consistent, and have consistency like Slayer or AC/DC. They keep going forever and ever. As long as you keep putting out a good product, I think that’s the main thing, not to get lazy. Bands get lazy and lose their fire.”

Join in this late night conversation, as we get up close and personal with one of the members of the reigning kings of Progressive Death Metal, Canada’s Into Eternity’s lead/death vocals and guitarist Tim Roth. This interview took place after the bar closed for the evening (2:00 AM on a Sunday, well Monday morning to be exact). Roth discusses touring which includes THREE separate U.S. tours in one year, what he would like to see change in the Industry, who he's a fan of...

Karma: First, I’d like to say thank you very much for doing the interview.

Tim: No problem!

Karma: I think your sound is a hybrid of death metal and symphonic prog, accompanied by four vocalists.

Tim: [Smiles] Yes.

Karma: Ultimately, you can best describe your unique sound better than I can, please elaborate.

Tim: That’s exactly what we’d call it. We’re like half progressive half death metal progressive and the fact that we use shredding, clean vocals and then death metal because we have the blast beats and of course the death vocals. We just call ourselves progressive death metal.

Karma: Good to see you’re touring again.

Tim: Yeah, thank you!

Karma: The band doesn’t get out of Canada much in the recent past.

Tim: No, not in the U.S.

Karma: How is this tour going especially in comparison to Prog Power V [2004 in Atlanta, GA]?

Tim: Much better actually, like Prog Power was okay but we different member, we had a different singer and he only had a week to get ready for that, then we took him to Europe. We did Europe three times this year but we haven’t been to the U.S. since 2003, so it’s been 2 years. Now that we have the lineup solidified for sure, this time and they all want to tour. This tour has been killer! [Smiles] Every night a great… [switches gears] that’s also because the record [Buried In Oblivion] is selling, so we seem to be doing well.

Karma: That’s awesome to hear!

Tim: Yeah, it’s encouraging.

Karma: Then you guys are doing a fall tour with Stratovarius?

Tim: We just got that, thank God! Then in June & July, we have the Hate Eternal tour, like Hate Eternal, Krisiun… That’s like a really cool, heavy package and then we can also hit the power metal [crowd] with Stratovarius. And of course with this [tour] it is just straight up metal and like folky kinda metal with Amorphis. We want to hit every type of market, which is tough for a band to do. Luckily, we have the different styles where we can do it.

Karma: Now you have the time and opportunity to do so as well.

Tim: We’ll have three U.S. tours this year, which will be cool.

Karma: You’re making up for loss time! [Chuckles]

Tim:  Yeah, we have to! [Laughs]

Karma: What is your secret? How have you been able to make this kind of music consistently for well over five years through lineup changes, from the beginning with the self titled…?

Tim: Yeah, from the beginning, well we have the clear vision that we want the clean harmony vocals like with the hooks; we always have to have some kind of hook in our songs. Then we want leads in our songs because no one does them, so we have a formula in every song. We want to have that good mix of death metal and progressive metal; so we’re gonna keep doing that until people are sick of it! [Contorts countenance then chuckles]

Karma: [Laughs] I doubt that is going to happen! Being from Canada, you guys have a great deal of awesome bands from your country, Kataklysm, 3 Inches of Blood…

Tim: [Smiling] ...yeah!

Karma: Who would you like to see get more exposure?

Tim: I think metal in general! [Laughs] There’s a cool band… of course there’s Cryptopsy and Kataklysm. Annihilator is a band that I grew up on and they haven’t played the U.S. in so long; they are a straight up thrash band. But a band that me & Rob [Doherty] both grew up with was Sacrifice. They were a phenomenal thrash band on Metal Blade, they put out four albums, and they are killer! I wish more people knew about them, but just the metal scene in general. Strapping Young Lad, as you mentioned 3 Inches of Blood and everyone else. The bigger that any one of our bands can get, is good for the scene.

Karma: Absolutely, speaking of your labelmates, Strapping, they have a new album coming out soon…

Tim: Of course, with Alien, I’ve heard some it, its killer!

Karma: “Love” is awesome!

Tim: Yeah! [Smiles]

Karma: How is your local scene?

Tim: In our hometown, it was tough, like four years ago when we played not that many people would show up. But as soon as we got signed with Century Media, there’s more metal bands coming up now. We try to get a little bit of inspiration that you can do it, even though we live in the middle of nowhere and no A&R rep could ever come and see us, so we had to send them packages. I just think if you just push at things hard enough, eventually things will come to you. But, you can’t give up of course.

Karma: Stepping back a bit, you mentioned you grew up on Sacrifice and Annihilator, what else did you listen to growing up?

Tim: Yeah, like Sacrifice, Annihilator… Bay area thrash is what I grew up on Testament, Megadeth, Forbidden, all the old thrash metal bands. I grew up with Death and of course, death metal became big with Death.

Karma: Right, now speaking of death metal is that the direction the band is going in as far as your latest release [Buried In Oblivion] is concerned? It seems you are staying with the death metal vein and straying away from earlier prog prevalent sounds.

Tim: Yes, definitely! We’re taking from the sound we have now and we have the new members they’re gonna contribute. We’ve written seven songs for the new album; it seems to be heavier, faster and of course Stu will be singing. He’s got those high, crazy falsettos that makes me [closes eyes and scrunches up face] wince sometimes! [We both laugh] It will be cool having him on board.

Karma: Is there a scheduled release time for it?

Tim: The label hopes to have it this year but the album is still selling every week so that’s why they have us on more tours in the U.S. to finish up the run. So now it will out in Februaryish of next year is what we are hoping for.

Karma: Which song is your favourite off Buried?

Tim: The first one “Splintered Visions” because it starts with a guitar solo and you’re not allowed to do guitar solos these days because it’s not trendy, so it’s cool that the band let me do that. [Smiles]

Karma: Since we are on the subjects of guitars more or less, what was your first guitar and where did it come from?

Tim: My first guitar was an Ibanez, which I play now. I’ve been playing it for seventeen years. I’m trying to work out a deal with them right now.

Karma: Oh, okay.

Tim: But my dad bought it for me for graduating and stuff, it was for high school. He is to blame for all of this, really! [We laugh]

Karma: Now that’s awesome!

Tim: My mom said, “I’ll give you a year to play this. It’s going to be in the closet and you’ll never play it again!” and I said, “No, I really want to do this!”

Karma: And you never put it down!

Tim: No, never did!

Karma: It’s good to prove your parents wrong sometimes!

Tim: They learned a good lesson! [We both laugh]

Karma: If you could collaborate with anyone, with whom would you like to work with?

Tim: If I could work with Dave Mustaine from Megadeth since he has always been a big influence. There’s this band called Spiral Architect, from Europe.

Karma: Yeah, yeah…Norway.

Tim: Yeah [Laughs] They are the most insane musicians I have ever heard and then I would take the bassist [Eric Langlois] or the drummer [Flo Mounier] from Cryptopsy because he’s the fastest with the blast beats.

Karma: Whom are you listening to in the genre right now? Whom are you a fan of?

Tim: [Smiles] Nevermore is my favorite band right now, they are incredible. Warrel Dane would also be the singer in that all-star lineup and Jeff Loomis, the guitar player, so I think that would be the perfect, the perfect combination. But Nevermore is my favorite band.

Karma: That is a tasty lineup!

Tim: Yeah!! [Smiles]

Karma: What are some of your non-musical influences?

Tim: As in everyday or movies and stuff like that, I don’t do much besides surfing the internet, going to movies and music. It sound stupid, but I pick up the guitar everyday and I try to write, so music’s my main thing.

Karma: That doesn’t sound stupid at all! It’s how you stay on top of your game. 

Tim: Yes, definitely!!

Karma: So what do you think needs to change in the Industry?

Tim: [Outburst of laughter and disgust comes forth] Bands need to, uh, go to shows and have their rider and everything taken care of. Sometimes we play these clubs and the promoters haven’t promoted. Tonight was great! Like this place, they fed us, gave us beer and everything we needed. It would be cool if musicians could make more of a living off of music, that’s definitely the main thing.

Downloading, I don’t have a problem with. I don’t think that needs to change for a band like us because the other day we had kids tell us that they downloaded our music then they heard about the show. They came to the show, heard us live, and they all bought the CD. So if it wasn’t for downloading, they never would have [come] to the show and heard about us. I can see for a big band like Metallica or something, they already have their fan base so they don’t need that. For a band like us, [inflexion of voice changes to PSA mode] I say keep downloading kids! [Pointing his finger] [We both laugh]

Karma: What impression/mark would you like to leave behind for Into Eternity fans?

Tim: I want to be a band that can [stay] consistent, that isn’t a band that’s going to “sell-out”, do one album, and change their style radically then lose our fan base. I want to keep writing fresh songs, be consistent, and have consistency like Slayer or AC/DC. They keep going forever and ever. As long as you keep putting out a good product, I think that’s the main thing, not to get lazy. Bands get lazy and lose their fire!

Karma: This is so true! In the future, what does the Into Eternity fan have to look forward to?

Tim: Of course, the three U.S. tours and then we’re going to keep writing, have an album out in February, do Europe and the festivals, then come back to the U.S. Now that we’ve got the lineup and ready to tour, we’re going to keep going.

Karma: Awesome!! Here’s a quick Speed Round Questions, some silly some not, who know this may wake both of us up.

Tim: [Laughs] Okay!

Karma: What’s your mantra?

Tim: On our website we have “Keep it Metal”, so that’s the main thing. I think you should believe in yourself and have that inner strength and follow your dreams, that’s what we did! Even when people tell you don’t do it, like they told us a million times but if you are persistent, I think things will come to you in life.

Karma: Yes, definitely!! Spiritual or religious?

Tim: More spiritual but like inner strength, I mean I went to a Catholic school all my life. I did all of the Catholic things and learned all about religion for thirteen years, but now…I mean religion can be good and bad, you know. People giving their money, but everyone wants hope. For me its inner peace and inner strength, that’s the main thing.

Karma: Favourite color?

Tim: [Points to Century Media sweatshirt] Black! [Smiles]

Karma: Do you speak another language?

Tim: No, I don’t.

Karma: If you could speak another, which one would, you choose.

Tim: I would like to speak all of the languages; it would really come in handy. Like when we go to Germany, I’m always mad that we can’t speak. When we go to the French part of Canada, I can’t speak French. I would kill to speak Spanish too because down in the lower States it seems like that would come in handy too.

Karma: Oh, yeah, it would.

Tim: I don’t know. Well if you learn Spanish, you kinda know French too, so I guess maybe Spanish.

Karma: Okay, do you play another instrument?

Tim: I can play bass and I can play drums, and of course I sing but guitar is my main instrument.

Karma: Do you tend to use sarcasm a lot?

Tim: [Chuckles heartily] Everyday! Every single day and Europeans don’t understand sarcasm so we have to be careful when we are in other countries. But we live on sarcasm.

Karma: What’s the most daring thing you've ever done.

Tim: We’re not daring people but maybe when you quit your job and go on tour for two months and then you have to go home and somehow pay the bills, I don’t know if that’s daring or stupid!

Karma: I think it’s daring and very brave for living out your dream and making it come true!

Tim: Yeah! [Smiles]

Karma: Top 5 favourite movies?

Tim: I like all mob movies Good Fellas, Casino, all the Godfather movies of course, Donnie Brasco. I’m a big fan of the whole mob mentality, I think it’s the power of Don Vito!!

Karma: Yeeeaah!! [We both laugh] Guilty pleasure song/CD/artist?

Tim: Ohhh, [snickers] I’m a big Avril Lavigne fan.

Karma: Really?

Tim: [Purses lips] She’s got these hooks in her songs that just…you can’t go wrong I think. I don’t want to admit that to anyone… [At this time Chris Parlon and a couple of the other members from Beyond The Embrace walk by] …and that I am in love with Chris, from Beyond The Embrace. [Chris blows a kiss to Tim] [Uproarious laughter ensues]

Karma: How many candles did you blow out on your last birthday and on which day?

Tim: 29, and my birthday is the same day as Randy Rhoads birthday, 6^th December but I’ve already outlived him.

Karma: That’s right!! First job?

Tim: I worked retail, for about six years. I was in the ladies department and men’s department and I had really long hair to my waist and the ladies would ask me where the pantyhose were and I’d turn around, and they were always like [re-enacts look of shock on customers faces]…

Karma: Be taken aback I’m sure.

Tim: [Laughs] Oh yeah, they were taken aback!

Karma: Speaking of long hair, what made you cut it?

Tim: Mother nature! [Removes baseball cap] [We laugh heartily]

Karma: First self purchased album.

Tim: It was probably… Oh, that’s a tough one. I think I purchased the AC/DC collection back in the day, because that was right before thrash. Then I got into trash, early Testament, Metallica like Master of Puppets.

Karma: Do you possess a special talent?

Tim: Yeah, I can do a baby impression of a newborn. Wanna see it?

Karma: Of course!

Tim: But, I need your paper for a minute [referring to my notes] [Takes my notebook, cradles it and scarily nails it, perfectly]

Karma: [In complete and utter amazement] That was GOOD, scary, but good! WOW!! [Everyone in the vicinity stops to stare at Tim]

Tim: [Laughs hysterically] And they all stop! They all thought it was a newborn in here.

Karma: If you could, commission a band to do a cover of an Into Eternity song, which one would it be and who would cover it?

Tim: Oh! [Elation crosses his countenance] Well, I would get Nevermore. I’d love to see how they would do with one of our songs. Let them do “Spiralling Into Depression” because it’s more melodic and not a lot of death vocals.

Karma: Oh, that would be awesome, that is such an excellent choice.

Tim: [Nods head] I think it would easier for them to handle.

Karma: [Smiles] How ‘bout your favourite comfort food?

Tim: I’m addicted to Coca-Cola, but that’s my one vice. It’s stupid but addicted to, but I am.

Karma: Well I am too so that is one addiction I can understand!

Tim: I know, it’s ridiculous!!

Karma: Favourite alcoholic drink?

Tim: I prefer straight beer or wine. [Chris within earshot of us is passing through again as the band was loading out] Especially nights with Chris, I mean we’ll just sit with a nice bottle of wine and it’s a good time. [Laughter ensues]

Chris: Yeah!! [Chris seductively raises eyebrows] [Laughter fills the area]

Karma: If you could take a bath with anyone, who would be your perfect bath mate?

Tim: Wow, that’s a good one. May be one of those pop stars like Christina Aguilera, Michelle Branch or Averil, one of those pop chicks. Any of the pop stars!

Karma: Now you have…

Tim: …[blurts out] Beyoncé! [Look of satisfaction over takes his being]

Karma: 3 CDs to round out your Bubble Bath Soundtrack.

Chris: Beyond The Embrace.

Tim: I guess I’d have to play some Beyond The Embrace, Amorphis and Single Bullet Theory because of this tour. I’d want to think of them while I was taking a bubble bath with one of them! [Snickers]

Karma: [Laughs] Oh that’s great! If you could ask this Speed Round of Questions of anyone, who would you like to answer them?

Tim: If he were still alive, I’d like to ask Chuck Schuldiner, from Death because he was definitely a huge influence on me and one of my favorite guitarist. But alive, I would ask James Murphy another ex-guitarist that played with Death and everybody else.

Karma: Oh, awesome choice! Any final words?

Tim: Check out Into Eternity.net and I hope to see everybody out on tour and thanks a lot for the interview! [Smiles]

Karma: [Smiling] Oh, thank you!

I'd like to thank Tim again for speaking to me at such an odd hour of the morning and to Dan at Century Media for setting it up.