Interview to John Kevill of Warbringer

Interview by Luis Landeo
Hello John is nice to meet you, for me is a real pleasure make this interview because I follow the band since 2009, when I had the chance to get the first albums: "War Without End" and "Waking into Nightmares", and say welcome to play in southamerica, specially welcome to play in Peru, but for start this interview I will ask why only Warbringer will play only in peru? and what do you expect in your first time in my country?
Hey! We've been trying to play down in South America for years. We can only go where there is arealistic show offer. We are doing these two shows in support to Massacre in Peru. We also have a headlining show in Bogota, Colombia on the same trip. Hopefully we will be able to do more South American shows in the future.

I would like talk about some of the beguinning of the band, warbringer is signed with: Century Media, but you got two propositions to sign with: Metalblade and century media after of a gig with your friends of Toxic Holocaust, why you choose: Century Media, and not: Metalblade? how is work with Century Media label? and I bet you was in extasis after of sign with them, cuz now in this days is difficult find a label.
We thought either would be a strong offer, since we were a garage band at the time, it was definitely awesome to have not one but two offers. I don't want to get into the business, but we are happy with our decision to sign to Century Media, they've helped put our records and our name out there, so we are able to go play our metal for the fans all over the world.

Like curiousity because nobody asked this: why the name of Warbringer? and do you have in mind a re release of: "War Without end" because in february was the anniversary of have released the first full lenght 5 years ago? 
The band is called Warbringer because we bring the war! A good name for violent and agressive music like ours. Since we've gotten away from some of the war themes, although we will always touch on that on at least a track or two. We are not glorifying war, but rather the atrocities of it and other negative aspects of mankind. The debut album "War Without End" is still available so I don't think it needs a re-release yet (maybe for the 10-year anniversary?), but we are doing some shows in California in May to celebrate where we will play the whole album. In Peru, I just want to see some wild heavy metal maniacs!

I know you worked with great producers like: Bill Metoyer (Slayer, Sacred Reich), Gary Holt (Exodus) and Steve Evetts (Sepultura), how do you feel you about worked with them? and what can you tell of their works? 
I enjoyed working with all of these guys! Bill is responsible for a lot of great old school metal, including the early works of Slayer (and a TON of other bands), Gary knows a thing or two about how to make a guitar sound really crush, and Steve Evetts is a very precise guy in the studio who really brings out the best performances in the band.

With who was better work? 
I think all of these guys have been great! I think that our newest record sounds the best also because the band has continued to improve our musicianship on each record.

In 2011 you released the third full length entitled: "Worlds Torn Asunder" at difference with the two first full lenght this album have better evolution with respect of sound but how was work on this album? what great or bad experience can you tell about 
I loved working on this album, we just met a couple times a week for about 6 months writing and it went at a very comfortable pace. Then we spent a month living in a hotel near the studio and just recording every day, we had the time so it was a pretty laid back pace and no rush but Steve really made us work and get the best performances. I love how the record came out as well. We plan to work with Steve again in June to record our 4th album.

The Thrash Metal wave is back nobody have a doubt of that, we see many big bands like: Metallica, Megadeth, returned with great new works and the show of big 4 (Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth) and we see other bands returned like Hirax, and new bands appear and are in stage like: Evile, Violator, N.W.D., Epicurean, but how do you feel you about Warbringer is the band leader of the New wave of Thrash Metal with Evile? and how do you see the grow up of this new thrash metal wave? 
We are just some dudes who like to play metal! It's good that thrash metal is back in the metal scene, it's an awesome style of music that should be continued. We don't necessarily like the retro tag or the way every band gets compared to the originals. We try and bring our own take on thrash and bring a lot of influences from other genres and keep it aggressive.

The lyrics in first album was about war, the second full length was about: violence and nightmares, the third album are about "world threats", so John how do you write your lyrics? and do you take your ideas for make some kind of "conceptual" album? 
It depends. The songs on the first album were some of the first lyrics I ever wrote, so my aim was mostly just to write badass sounding metal lyrics. After that I tried to move to different themes on the second and third album without losing the badass and catchy factors to the lyrics. None of our albums are really a concept, as all the ideas come from all over the place. Something I've read, something I watched, a conversation I had, it can come from anywhere.

The band shared stage with: Finntroll, Napalm Death, Kreator, Soilwork and Exodus, and this april with Massacre, but in this years touring what things you learned with them? specially with Exodus. do you have in mind a split album or split dvd with Exodus?
We've had the pleasure of touring with a lot of great bands, we have been lucky! Touring with Exodus is fun in particular, we have gotten wasted and partied with those guys a number of times, and there has been drunken stage diving going on. But Exodus was also our first US tour and they really took us under their wings and taught us a lot about being on the road, putting on a good show and more. We've toured with Exodus twice and played a few festivals together. We'd like to do more touring with them. Usually what you learn from a veteran band is watching them on stage, seeing how they conduct the show, go between songs, and handle the crowd.

By the way the band have a new line up, only: John Laux and you are the only found members why this big change of line up? and people know the brother of John Laux played in the band, why andy left the band for second time? and how was the selection and casting of the new members? 
It's been hard to keep a solid lineup becauseof our continuous touring and differing personalities, as well as people's personal lives. John Laux and I started the band, and I feel that we are still true to our essence as long as both of us are here. Fortunately I am proud to say that now in 2013 we have the best live lineup and best musicians that this band has ever had, and we are ready to come and thrash the hell out of you guys!

Thanks for answer this interview with great answers and for end this interview do you any last words for Arsenal Del Metalero readers and peruvian fans? 
Keep it metal, come out and see the shows, looking forward to raging with all the crazy Peruvian metalheads this April. 

To know more about Warbringer: 
http://www.facebook.com/Warbringermusic