2004.05.05 The Ultimate Eric Forest Interview
The ultimate Eric Forest Interview
© 2004 Voivod.net / Ken Blackmore. All rights reserved.
The Beginning:
VV.NET: Hi Eric, let’s start from the beginning of your days with Voivod: The band you were in before joining the ‘Vod, Liquid Indian, what was their music like? did you do the same type of vocals you did in Voivod? did you guys record any material?
Eric: A cover band for £££$$$, Thunder Circus was a cover band then (an) original band. The style was between Iron Maiden / (Judas) Priest/ Anthrax I would have to say. My voice was a lot cleaner at the time. Then I said ‘fuck it I need to sing with more balls.’ So I learned how and fortunately pour moi it was at the right time before Pierre Paradis called me.
VV.NET: How long was it between the time when you joined Voivod and your first live show with the band?
Eric: It was about 3 weeks.
VV.NET: Was it tough learning all bass and vocal parts?
Eric: I had to learn about 13 songs on bass and vox then play it at the same time. It was tuff but I made it happen. Things were not perfect, but I passed the test!!!!!
VV.NET: What is the favorite tune you created with Voivod? (i know you like them all, but you must have a favorite)
Eric: Insect kicks ass. There are a lot of good ones but ya, Insect
Ken: Which Voivod album is he most proud of, Negatron or Phobos?
Eric: I am proud of all of the albums. As well as KRONIK and LIVES. It was a really cool learning experience from day 1 to the end. Now I just apply what I have learned to what I do now………As far as music and the Business side of things.
Ken: Negatron and Phobos are two of the heaviest albums in Voivod’s career
– how much of that is down to Eric?
Eric: Well my voice and influences are what they are. I added a certain mix to the chemistry. The three of us just did what seemed natural . My opinions were understood and accepted when it came down to writing etc. Though it always was their band. In some ways I felt like the new guy till the end. But it was what it was in a way. It was an honour and priviledge to be a part of VOIVOD. I lived and learned a lot.
VV.NET: Describe us the song-writing process with Voivod, was it mostly jamming, or was there a lot of tapes being exchanged?
Eric: Mostly jamming. Though I did not name PIGGY, RIFF MASTER -P for nothing. He had most of the ideas and the rest just fell into place.
VV.NET: What was the first song you wrote with Voivod?
Eric: Insect
VV.NET: I am listening to a fan recording of Voivod live in 1994.08.27. It only has Nanoman, but no Insect… if Insect was the first song you wrote with Voivod why was Nanoman being performed?
Eric: Nanoman was kind of already written. I just sang it my way, style etc. That is why
VV.NET: Did Snake actually ever sing Nanoman?
Eric: I don’t think so. Ivan, (Doroschuk) the singer of Men Without Hats wrote the lyrics for Nanoman
VV.NET: There is nothing in your favorites album list (mostly Classic Metal) that would indicate the Death-styled vocals you do, so is it just a natural thing or have you been influenced by Death Metal bands as well?
Eric: I am a big fan of the band Warrior Soul believe it or not. That mixed with a little Sepultura,Voivod and that was that. I am not a huge Death Metal fan. In fact I still listen to AC / DC, (Black) Sabbath, (Deep) Purple, and for the record I do not like SAVATAGE . I meant the SABBATH, SABOTAGE……..
I love good thrash metal and some death metal, but when the snare drum goes BA BA bA BA BA too much that’s when I have change the tunes.
Ken: Being ‘the other’ guy in a well-known band, (such as Blaze Bailey of Maiden and Derrick Greene of Sepultura), were you worried of the stigma that comes with it, like not fully being appreciated by the fans?
Eric: No not really I gave it my all, an honest effort and whatever happens happens kind of spirit. I put 100 percent into that band. If fans liked what I did then cool .If they did not then so be it. It was honest so in the end I gave it my best. To me that is important.
VV.NET: You toured with Voivod quite extensively. Is there a particular place or venue that stands out in your memory?
Eric: LA, NY, Amsterdam, Australia, France, too many good times to mention
VV.NET: What was the most memorable live concert you performed with Voivod?
Eric: Supporting Iron Maiden in Montreal definitely, 2nd would have to be the Dynamo Festival 1996
VV.NET: What was your favorite Snake-era song to perform live?
Eric: I would have to say Tribal Convictions was my favorite
VV.NET: Were your last shows with Voivod the ones you performed in Australia?
Eric: Yes they were killer shows I had a great time down under. I hope to play one day there again with E-FORCE
Ken: From a fan’s point of view it’s always heartening when the original singer comes back into the fold, yet – and this is Ken Blackmore speaking, I liked your voice and work with Voivod and I was sad to see you leave.
I’ll get to E-Force soon but honestly, after the years you put into Voivod and not forgetting your accident were you not pissed off at being asked to leave?
Eric: Thanks for the compliment. Was I pissed off???? Yes and no.
Let’s just say that certain issues should have been discussed in FULL detail in our last band meeting. But they were not. I think the communication channels were not on the same page. Perhaps because my french language was not up to par. My fault I admit. Certain realities did DEFINITELY get distorted. I am a bit bitter on how the separation happened. Though am I pissed because I got replaced by the original singer and the x bass player of Metallica? NO…….
I knew that there could have been a day were this would have happened. That’s what happens when you join someone else’s band. That is why I formed E-FORCE. Instead of being the last in line, I am now the first.
VV.NET: Was it tough being out of the band and “back to zero” as they say?
Eric: : FUCKING RIGHT!!!! Tres difficult but you know the saying what does not kill you makes you stronger ……that is life.
Ken: Nearly a year after its release how does Eric rate the album ‘Voivod’ now, and would he like to see the original line-up with Jason go for a more heavier sound?
Eric: It sounds like the original VOIVOD to me. Very honest. I have only heard a few tracks but it sounds good. As far as them making a heavier record I am sure I can speak for thousands of people and say FUCK YA!!!! ! But that is up to them to decide what they do in the future.
The present
VV.NET: Eric, a lot of Voivod fans want to know what you have been up to since your departure from Voivod
Eric: Surviving, living in general. Writing songs and believing in myself trying to focus and keep the faith you know what I mean?
Ken: You started E-Force almost immediately after leaving Voivod. I can understand the need to get back out there and record but the Phobos-era comparisons to Evil Forces are many – do you feel you should have waited
Eric: NO.writing songs are like chapters of your life.You know what I mean???
Capture the moment. Yes there are similarities but that is what happens when you play with players such as PIGGY and AWAY for 7 yrs. Why wait? time is of the essence. Life is precious.
VV.NET: How did you go about finding members for your new band E-Force?
Eric: I have been friends with the other guys for a long time. It was a matter of writing some songs and taking it a day at a time.
VV.NET: How many different line-ups of E-Force has the band gone through?
Eric: A few. Dan Lauzon, Bryan Donahue have been replaced by Dennis Roussel, Yann Ploquin as I now reside in France. Louis is still with the band. A matter of time before he relocates……
VV.NET: So your drummer is actually going to relocate with you? It is tough for Canadians to legally relocate to France?
Eric: Yes so it is the plan. It is very difficult pour moi, I got married so it has made things easier. For Louis he will get an artist permit so he can work etc. It takes time to solidify, but all should go well
VV.NET: What is the current E-Force line-up?
Eric: The current line up is as follows:
Eric Forrest – bass / vox
Louis Levesque – drums
Denis Roussel – guitar (x soul erosion)
Yann Ploquin – guitar (x soul erosion)
VV.NET: What was behind your move to Toulouse France?, i mean Toulouse and France in general is not exactly a hotbed for Metal Music, did you leave the entire
Eforce band behind in Canada and recruited a new French band?
Eric: Due to personal and business reasons is why I have relocated.
The $$realities in this business are not what most people think. It is very hard these days.
Toulouse may not be the most happening place for metal in the world but I am within a 12 hour drive of Germany etc.
I like the scene here better than North America.
Do not get me wrong I like North America, (metal music) is just more accepted in a bigger way over here. ex. Wacken festival!!!! etc.
I got married to Nathalie Denaclara (fmr89.1 / havana-cafe)
VV.NET: How did you meet your wife Nathalie Denaclara?
Eric: In Montreal. She studied at a university. We met at a Nevermore show at the Foufones (Electriques). It has been about almost 3 yrs.
VV.NET: So, is your wife is a DJ? how is she involved in the Havana Cafe? The Havana cafe seems to be a really happening Club
Eric: Yes at FMR89.1 in Toulouse. She is part responsible for booking the good bands at Havana-cafe like Cannibal Corpse / Impaled Nazarene / Loudblast and of course E-FORCE!!!!!
They basically chose from a list of bands, which ones will draw people depending on the date etc. just like any promoter would do anywhere.
VV.NET: Don’t you think the move is going to affect the band and your career?
Eric: Yes I do think it will affect the band in a good way. It costs a lot of $$ to travel and tour.
(The) Canadian market is very small as far as how many bands there are and places to play.
Over here it is a different story. To do a tour living in Montreal you are talking say, 4 return tickets and transportation $$. Now we just jump in the van and go. You know what I mean . If it is Germany, France, Holland whatever. It is closer and cheaper to tour. Europe people are not so manipulated like the new trend metal etc.the flavour does not change every month. People still like metal no matter what year it was released..
VV.NET: So, what is like living in France? how is it different from living in Toronto?
Eric: It is fucking paradise over here!!!!!! People, the food, everything is very positive. Good energy.
VV.NET: How is your Français?
Eric: SHIT!!!!!!I am taking school classes to better my french though it is tres dificile pour moi. But I keep trying. In time I will have it. Or be getting divorced and moving back to Canada, ha ha!! Just joking…….
VV.NET: Have you done a lot of live gigs with E-Force?
Eric: About 3 shows, all in Montreal
Future confimed dates:
May 21st 2004, Impaled Nazarene / Scarve/ E-FORCE Havana-cafe Toulouse, France
June 4th 2004, BWBK Festival Cleveland, USA
Sept11th 2004, Raimes Festival, France
VV.NET: Will you be performing Voivod songs live with E-Force?
Eric: : YES!!
VV.NET: Are you guys going to do any of the many Metal festival in Europe?
Eric: Raismes Festival sept 11th 2004. We tried for the Wacken / Grasspop as did 8 million other bands with no luck. There are a lot of metal bands that the promoters can choose from. Perhaps next year we will see!!!!!!
The album: Evil Forces
Ken: I enjoyed Evil Forces and, Voivod comparisons aside it’s a damn good album. Where can you see Evil Forces in two or three records time?
Eric: Faster, heavier, more dynamics. just better overall. Writing and performance-wise. I now reside in France. Toulouse to be exact . I have a new line up and it is fucking killer, I can assure you.Just wait till you see the new band and hear the new compositions. If you liked “EVIL FORCES” then you are in for a good ride on the next one.
VV.NET: What kind of vibe were you going for in ‘Evil Forces’? any sound in particular?
An honest heavy vibe. Basically we all put some work into it and our influences speak for themselves. Never really said lets try to sound like this or this. Just wrote some tunes and fit certain subjects accordingly for
each track.
VV.NET: I do hear a significant difference between your second demo sound and the sound of the Evil Forces album. It seems like the industrial influences have been removed from the demo and replaced by a more traditional bottom-heavy metal sound. Was this done on purpose?
Eric: The industrial thing comes from most of the songs were written with a drum machine first. So after a bit of jamming it all kind of worked out for the better.
E-FORCE is not an industrial band. It is old school thrash metal or cyberthrash. There are so many terms it is hard to keep up. Just wait till you hear the new shit…!!!!!!!!HEAVIER and FASTER!!!!!
VV.NET: How long did it take to record the album?
Eric: 10 days to record and about 3to mix and master……It was a budget thing, which is why the record sounds the way it does.
Overall I am very pleased and proud of the outcome….
VV.NET: Does Eforce have a record contract or was ‘Evil Forces’ a one off deal?
Eric: We have a three album deal.
VV.NET: Was ‘Evil Forces’ self financed, or did the record company pitch some money in?
Eric: The label Season-of-mist paid for it all; which of course get recouped from the sales….so far so good!!
VV.NET: Any departing word for Voivod fans?
Eric: I would like to thank all of them for giving myself, Piggy and Away the attention which we received. It was a great time .An honor and privilege to be a part of. No question about it. I lived and learned a lot. Believe it or not but a lot of people love the Negatron and Phobos records. Some have told me it is their favorite out of all of their records. Those are very big words to say. Considering what the band has achieved in the past and present. So thanks to all for the compliments and support.
If you liked what I did with Voivod, I can guarentee it that you will dig my new band and new line up of
E-FORCE….And a special thanks to Piggy and Away for giving the the chance and opportunity in the first place. All the best and good luck!
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