Combining influences from both the Black and Death Metal genres Australia's Mytile Vey Lorth are a powerful musical force to be reckoned with. Forming in 1999 the band has undergone some changes and has finally found their place in the Australian Metal Scene. In 2002 Mytile Vey Lorth released their self titled E.P. and have been leaving audiences gob smacked with their intense live performances. During 2005 the band started penning ideas for their latest album 'Disillusion' which was recorded in 2006 at Redsun Studios in Canberra. Due to the lack of support from the bands European label Mytile Vey Lorth decided to part ways and signed with Australiaís own Prime Cuts Music earlier this year. Over the last five years the band have been constantly touring across the east coast of Australia along side other fantastic Australian artists such as Alchemist, Psycroptic, Alarum, and Lycanthia as well as kicking it with the best of the international bands that have been trekking our waters in recent times. Most recently Mytile Vey Lorth went on tour with U.S. Death Metal greats Nile and Polandís amazing Decapitated leaving Australian Audiences wanting more. The band finally released 'Disillusion' in April 2007 and has received amazing support from metal fans and critics in Australia, Europe and the United States. The band are showing no signs of slowing down, already writing ferociously for their next album the band are also getting ready to hit the road once again later in the year. I recently caught up with Mytile Vey Lorth vocalist Steve Barton to discuss the bands latest album 'Disillusion', the joys of touring and much more. Itís time to sit back in your 'Caves of Blood' with Mytile Vey Lorth's Steve Barton Metal Fanatix: Hi Steve, thanks for putting sometime aside to speak with me today, how’s things been mate? Steve Barton: G'day Cam, things have been really good, but busy as hell with work and the band. Metal Fanatix: Let’s jump straight into the questions mate! Congrats on releasing the new Mytile Vey Lorth album 'Disillusion'. No doubt you were happy with the final product! Steve Barton: Thanks! Yes we are happy with the final product. We did think it was a little bit rushed; we could have changed a couple of things on the album. At the end of the day all is good. Metal Fanatix: Now, I believe you recorded 'disillusion' at red sun studios in Canberra! How long did the overall process take? Steve Barton: It took about two months for the final product. It got mastered a couple of times. Metal Fanatix: Steve, the album sounds killer mate and really showcases Aussie death metal at its best! What different factors surrounded the writing for the album? Steve Barton: Intensity, but at the same time we made sure we could hear everyone's influences balanced out in all the tracks. Metal Fanatix: This is important and does show through out the album! Many bands have their own way of writing, how does the process work for you guys? Do you hold writing sessions or anything?
Metal Fanatix: Steve what comes to mind when I mention tracks such as ;Caves of Blood’, ‘Whispered Curses’ and ‘Breathless Winds’ Taken from ‘Disillution’? Steve Barton: Chaos, nightmares, trapped forever in an uncontrollable future Metal Fanatix: The band have decided to go with the great Aussie record label Prime Cuts for the new album, tell me what is it about Prime Cuts that stood out amongst the rest for Mytile Vey Lorth? Steve Barton: Prime Cuts is perfect for us, the most stand out thing is the professional way that Dysie works, and he is one of the best blokes I have met in the scene. Very keen and trustworthy. Metal Fanatix: I have to agree Dysie is one cool dude! I heard there was overseas interest in signing you guys, did it just seem easier to go with an Australian based company? Steve Barton: Yes and no. Prime Cuts is perfect. We wanted to get out stuff out there and we have. Metal Fanatix: Steve let's talk about touring for a moment, you guys recently went on the road with Nile and Decapitated, how was the response from the fans? Steve Barton: The response was pretty dam good, we got good exposure, and all things have looked up ever since. Metal Fanatix: What I seen of you guys at the Sydney show I really enjoyed, after doing a tour with bands such as Nile & Decapitated who are constantly on the road, what’s the most valuable lesson you take home? Steve Barton: Keep it real and enjoy the moment.
Steve Barton: Drink a couple of beers, or chew on chewy or even a few cups of hot coffee. If it starts to hurt don’t do it. Metal Fanatix: What’s the strangest/funniest thing that has ever happened to you on stage? Steve Barton: Some bloke from another band jumped up on stage with us and pulled a massive brown eye, it was funny, but this bloke was a fucking dickhead. Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] Who have you enjoyed touring with the most and can ya share a funny road story with us? Steve Barton: We have done most of our touring by ourselves. One time I spewed up out of Smiths car window, it covered the whole car, and it looked a sight in the morning. Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] Oh the joys of drinking [laughs]! For those metal fans who still haven't had the chance to see you live, how would you describe the band live? Steve Barton: Intense blasts, fierce vocals, and passionate and aggressive riffage. A good black/death metal experience. Metal Fanatix: What do you recall from the first show you ever played? Steve Barton: Our drummer being pissed as, we didn't even finish a song it was one big fuck up. Metal Fanatix: Have you guys got any shows in the works that you would like to plug? Steve Barton: We are playing at the Festival of the Dead in Wagga. Terrorust and our band will also be playing at the Jamison Inn, November the 10th 2007. Metal Fanatix: With the new album just released what plans have you guys set out for the future, are you already writing for the next album? Steve Barton: Yes, this album was meant to be released in 2006 on a European label but they stuffed us around, so in that time between early 2006 and now, we have nearly completed another album. So it’s all happening. Metal Fanatix: That’s great to hear dude! Steve I know our readers would love to know a little more about yourself, tell us is there any other members of your family that are musicians or in the industry? Steve Barton: All of my family love music, but I am the only metal head, no one is with the industry. Metal Fanatix: Besides your amazing work with Mytile Vey Lorth are you involved with any other projects? Steve Barton: Yes I was doing a death metal band with some blokes from Tumut but they moved back home. So nothing happened.
Steve Barton: That we were touring with Obituary. Metal Fanatix: What is the one album that changed your life? Steve Barton: Battles in the North - Immortal. Metal Fanatix: If you could go on tour with any band who would it be and why? Steve Barton: I would say Hecate Enthroned, Angular or Immortal, I love there music and I think our style would suit touring with them. In Australia or wherever that’s my personal opinion, the other boys might have their own ideas. Metal Fanatix: What song would define Steve Barton to a complete stranger? Steve Barton: Oh man, I'm not sure that’s a hard one. Metal Fanatix: When you do get spare time what do you enjoy doing? Steve Barton: Reading, listening to metal, doing weights, fishing. I used to play rugby but stopped because of injury and work. Now I just watch. Go the Sea Eagles. Metal Fanatix: [Laughs] I have to disagree with your last comment but that’s a whole new conversation [laughs]! Steve Barton: [Laughs] Metal Fanatix: Mate, tell us something about the other guys in the band that we may not know? Steve Barton: A couple of them played The Metal for the Brain Festivals #5, #6 and #7. They were in the bands Cod Piece and Dement Ensemble. Metal Fanatix: Steve, what’s your take on this downloading and file sharing? Do you think it hurts artist like yourself or do you look at it as a great way to get your music out to so many more people around the world?
Metal Fanatix: Steve there is no doubt that Australian metal is alive and doing very well, besides Mytile Vey Lorth what other killer Aussie bands do you recommend we keep on the lookout for? Steve Barton: Lycanthia, Ignivomous, Chapel, Beyond Terror Beyond Grace, and I would say there is plenty more. Metal Fanatix: I agree with ya there mate! If you could put a band together consisting of musicians passed and/or present who would they be and what would you call the band? Steve Barton: Oh, Chuck from Death, vocalist from Hecate Enthroned, maybe the drummer from Confessor, or Peter from Morbid Angel. Metal Fanatix: Dude that would be an intense line-up! Mate, what is the one band you never want to hear again and why? Steve Barton: Oh there are heaps of average grind bands. Metal Fanatix: Steve thanks again for your time today mate, it has been a pleasure, all the best with the new album mate, hopefully we will see you out on the road again soon! Do you have any last words for the readers? Steve Barton: Thanks mate, yes support Australian Metal it is getting stronger all the time. The new Mytile Vey Lorth album 'Disillusion' is out now on Prime Cuts Music. To keep up with all the latest on Mytile Vey Lorth check out these killer sites!: http://www.mytileveylorth.com - Official Mytile Vey Lorth Site http://www.myspace.com/mytileveylorth - Mytile Vey Lorth MySpace Site http://www.myspace.com/insideout666ints - Inside Out 666 © Cameron Edney August 2007, February 2008 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
