Interviews: Pile Of Priests

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Extreme Metal band Pile Of Priests from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

We wanted something unique, there are so many bands out there with the same name so we wanted to avoid that entirely. One of the main themes of our music is anti-religion, so naturally, we have no respect for the hypocrisies of Christianity and all organized religion. Pile of Priests is pretty self-explanatory, it's a pile of dead priests!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Initially, we were going for a mix between thrash and death metal, which really had a lot to do with Sean Bartholomew’s drumming style (our first drummer). The vocals have always been in death metal style, they were a little lighter and grittier in the beginning but have now evolved into deep/dark growls. We have gradually moved away from the thrash sound into more melodic and progressive styles, this came about after Sean’s departure. We believe we have moved fully into a progressive metal genre with our new album. We were influenced by rad musicians and wanted to continue creating music in the style that we loved and put on touch on it.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Patrick Leyn (Bass) and our original drummer Sean Bartholomew had known each other for a while before I started jamming with them. I was working the same job as Patrick when we met in 2009, which is when he invited me to come jam with him and Sean. Once we all got together, we became fast friends and formed the band.

4. Each band member favorite band?

Evan Salvador (Lead guitar, vocals)- Van Halen

Patrick Leyn (Bass)- Death

Evan Knight (Drums)- Voivod

Daryl Martin (Rhythm guitar)- Deftones

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Most of the time, I will choose a topic that I wish to shed light upon. Our lyrical themes are typically based on the fallacies of religion but I also write songs that deal with the struggles of the human condition. The new album differs from this because it’s a concept album for a fictional story I wrote, but while it still touches on a real message through the fantasy scenarios.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in Denver, CO USA on November 18th, 2019 opening for Nile and Terrorizer.

7. Where would you like to act?

Our dream would be to perform on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise or Wacken Open Air metal fest.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

So many bands to list but here are a few bands that we would love to perform with: At The Gates, Revocation, Carcass, Voivod, Sodom, Coroner, Mors Principium Est, Testament, The Black Dahlia Murder, Insomnium (again), Dark Angel, Morbid Angel, and many more.

9. Whom not?

I choose not to answer that question!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I can not vouch for the other guys in the band, but personally, there is usually some butterflies that pop up before a show. I wouldn't call it stage fright by any means, it's more like anticipation right before hopping on stage. As soon as we crank into the first song, I am excited and ready to give the fans a quality performance. I have a boisterous personality anyways, so being the frontman on stage comes naturally. My advice for beginners, let the audience know you are having a good time and are comfortable on stage. Watching stiff bands act awkward and non engaging with the crowd really rubs off, depleting the energy in the room. Own your performance, and let them know you mean business.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The biggest inspiration for the band, even from the beginning, has always been the late Chuck Schuldiner of Death. Chuck's guitar playing and songwriting helped shape the style of metal I wanted to create, and his unapologetic drive to always expand the sound and style of his music. That was massively influential to my impressionable adolescent mind, first hearing Death when I was 17 and them forming the band at 19. Years later, I discovered the Swedish death metal pioneers Edge of Sanity and the unbridled brilliance of their main songwriter Dan Swano. His approach to death metal along with his countless other side projects inspired my shift in focus to add more progressive elements to the band instead of being more of a cookie cutter death/thrash band. 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

While in Idaho during our 2016 west coast USA tour, a fan asked us how much it would cost to have us perform at his child's birthday party. I feared for the parent's reaction more so than that of the children.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Every band should give the same answer, we love our fans. Without the fans, we would only be making music for ourselves. 

14. What do you think of our site?

The website is great! There are so many tools to use to find out all sorts of information about bands as well as places to buy music to support artists. We are grateful to be a part of it, thank you.

15. Something add?

Support the bands you love, spread their music to other people, and never apologize for your taste in music.