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Interview with Eric Forrest
of E-Force
October 2008 by Chris Davison |
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Eric Forrest may well be best known for his
work with the seminal Canadian thrashers Voivod, but now living just
across the channel in France, he's been busy with the excellent
E-Force and the formidable Project: Failing Flesh. I managed to
cadge a few minutes with the man himself and quiz him on your
behalf...
Hi Eric, thanks for agreeing to an interview!
Before we get started properly, can you tell us how things are going
with E-Force at the moment?
Hey Thank-you!!! Things are going very well……as good as they can be.
Those that understand the music business realities know what I am
taking about. So all in all I cannot complain…… + Alsvid
(ex-Enthroned) is our new live in concert drummer…as well as another
guitar player live for maximum destruction!!!!!!!
It seems that the metal press has been heaping
praise upon “Modified Poison”. Did you expect the reviews to be so
positive? How much attention do you pay to critics?
It’s great to hear all the positive reviews about “Modified Poison”!
I mean, I believe in the material that was created and to hear good
comments, etc. Is just amazing….So, so far so good. Apparently,
Thrash is back whatever, but it has always been no.1 for me + this
album, adding some killer guitar solos basically any metal fan of
thrash metal with a side order of “shreddzilla”, this album is for
you! Critics? Not always, just the good one’s ha ha!!
What was the reasoning behind your re-location
to France? I know that there is strong metal scene over there, but
many French bands don't get widespread exposure. Are there any
French bands that you think deserve more widespread exposure?
Due to personal and professional reasons…My girlfriend, now
wife/co-manager Nathalie Denaclara is originally from France. She
got fed up with Montreal and said “you wanna move to France?” So,
from my Voivod experience, I thought yes!
Europe rocks!! Lets go……..Yes I know what you mean about the French
exposure etc…Any bands? Yes E-FORCE!!! Ha ha…Um, Well Gojira, Dagoba,
Fatal, and a few others are making some news…There is a lot of
talent in France but for those that do not know, its not just your
songs and style that take you places. But how the marketing is done
as the business is very competitive. But that’s showbiz for ya…..c
est la vie. |
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What's the “back story” behind E-Force? How did you guys get
together? Is the song-writing process with them any different to
other bands you have been involved with?
Well ,the first line up co-wrote “Evil Forces “together. When I
relocated, I went through some different member changes, did a tour
in 2005, and then some more changes. Which led to creating “Modified
Poison” with Cyril Berhnard. Who is a guitar player from the guitar
hero style of metal.
I explained my vision and direction of what I wanted to do etc. and
he followed the path. Creating some riffs saying “oh, you mean like
this?” and I would say” YES! Just like that”….I wrote all the
lyric/subject matters and composed a few on my own. Plus co-wrote
some tracks with Cyril……
Other bands? Well, working with Away and Piggy was obviously the
best experience in terms of writing ,recording, touring etc.
Although, Tim and Kevin of P:FF are very professional I must say.
Really great people to work with…..
In E-Force I have more control of what I want to do musically and
subject issues. In Voivod and P:FF, I kind of just follow/followed
the leader kind of vibe…of which its all good. You never stop
learning no matter what conditions are at hand.
You're probably best known for your tenure as
front man of the seminal Voivod. (On a personal note, Negatron is
one of my favourite albums of all time), I won't dwell too much on
those days, but how fondly do you remember your time in that band?
Thanks for the compliment! Well, It was an honour and privilege to
be in Voivod. I lived and learned a lot. Now, I just basically take
what I learned and apply it to E-Force and P:FF.I have many
souvenirs from my Voivod days of which I will never forget. I was
very lucky to play with them, tour the world 6 or 7 times, make 4
records + not every band gets to play big festivals like the Dynamo
96 or support Iron Maiden. (Ed Hunter tour 99 in Canada). So that is
life and so on……
E-Force aren't the only band that you're
involved with, of course. You're also the singer for the fantastic
Project: Failing Flesh. What's on the horizon for them, and how
different is it for writing for P:FF than E-Force?
We will do another P:FF record next year. In E-Force I have more
responsibility. In P:FF all the music and subjects are composed. I
just go to their studio in the USA for about a week, co-write the
lyrics and sing till its all cool. Despite P:FF have not sold
millions, its really great to work with professionals like Tim and
Kevin. When you work with great people ,they bring the best out of
yourself,. So it’s all good! |
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There is a resurgence of interest in thrash at the moment, though to
my ears most of it is disingenuous and trend-ridden, while E-Force
sound authentic and powerful. What's your take on the new breed of
thrash bands like Evile, Bonded by Blood and Gama Bomb?
Well the cycles change. Popular music comes and goes, as trends do
also. I think it’s great to see new thrash bands get attention. As
well as cool guitar solos are popular again Plus the grunge thing is
dead, thank god. It’s funny to see the trends come and go but that’s
life. I think really as an artist, you have to follow your own path.
It should not matter if your style is popular or not, but if YOU
like it, that is all that should matter. Playing music you love not
because it’s trendy etc.
You're sufficiently famous to have your own
Wikipedia page! Do you ever take a pause for breath and wonder,
“what the fuck?”
Wow! I did not know that…..Thanks. Well, I have been very lucky but
do not consider myself famous. Perhaps more fortunate than others,
then again not as fortunate as some others. I guess its all how you
look at things. Rock and roll is a vicious game, but I am very happy
to know that I can keep putting out records and still have fans
despite how many record sales whatever. The music business is over
populated with bands but over all its nice to be respected to a
certain extent.
Every band you've been involved with has had a
somewhat more cerebral take on heavy metal than most of your peers.
Is it important for you to have offer sophistication with the
heaviness?
Well, I kind of just do what feels right despite whatever category
it is and all that. I don t think too much what style it is or
whatever but just do it! And enjoy it for what it is.
Any Final Comments
I would really like to thank all the fans past and present for their
support over the years!! and hope to see you all on tour again 1
day…… For those that do not know, Kevin and Tim of P:FF appear on a
track off the “Modified Poison” record called “Wired” and Alex
Colin-Tocquaine (Aggressor/Loudblast) and I co-wrote a track called
“Perfexionist”.+ I re-recorded a track from the unreleased Voivod
demo 2001 as a tribute to Piggy called “Victory”……and for more
Voivod news, 1 day (not sure when) their will be another Voivod dvd
mk2 with Away/Piggy/E-Force with videos/live footage (Dynamo 96) and
the unreleased Voivod demo 2001. Plus Away has invited me to play
some bass tracks on the next and final Voivod recording. Along with
Blacky/Jasonic/Snake/Away and of course Piggy’s contribution to make
the ultimate tribute to Piggy and the Voivod legacy.
I personally recommend you all at the very
least pitch up and watch Mr Forrest should be appear at a venue near
you – and strongly suggest to all real thrash fans that E-Force is
the thrash release of the year.
Check them out at...
www.myspace.com/eforceband
www.myspace.com/projectfailingflesh |
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