Interview & photo by Rachel Jablonski & Mike Schlabsz
On tour with label mates The Black Dahlia Murder, Hate Eternal fired up the packed Iowa City crowd who had been awaiting the show in freezing cold temperatures. The musical passion and fury resounding from the stage was igniting. Hate Eternal delivered full out metal with gigantic guitars and a great stage presence. The intensity of front man Erik Rutan was thrilling, particularly because off stage he is a very chill, nice guy. Mike and I spoke with Erik moments before the show began.
Rachel: You have a new album coming out next week on February 19th called Fury and Flames. What can we expect from this album?
Erik: What you should expect from a Hate Eternal record. Chaos, heavy, a tinge of melody, very focused musically, cohesive, aggressive…
Rachel: What was the writing process like on this album as compared to the others?
Erik: This record started with just me for awhile because Randy and Derek, who were part of I, Monarch, had left the band. So it was just me writing for awhile which was good because I didn’t have anybody to pressure or influence me; I just kind of started on my own. My old bass player Jared Anderson was going to come back to the band, but then he passed away so that really influenced the whole record massively. I guess that’s why I felt like this record had way more substance to it. I had that inspiration to make this record about him, a tribute kind of thing. That’s why I worked extra hard and did everything I could to make the best record possible. I also have Alex, Jade, and Shaune around me to help accompany so this has ended up the most massive record we’ve done.
Rachel: You now have a second guitar player live. What does that mean for a Hate Eternal live show?
Erik: It sounds awesome. I never thought it sounded mono, but it’s like going from stereo to surround sound; from regular TV to HD or something, you know, it’s just that much more special. I’ve always written everything with two guitars so to actually have it live for the first time – it’s the first tour ever, we’ve never had another guitar player. So it’s just really cool to hear everything. It’s just so much fuller.
Rachel: This tour is in part sponsored by horror movie magazine Fangoria. How did they get involved in backing the tour?
Erik: I have no idea, but it’s funny. Shaune and I used to go to horror conventions in New York all the time. We’re both from Jersey and went to Fangoria conventions for years. It’s cool they’re sponsoring the tour, but I don’t know how that came about. But it’s pretty awesome.
Rachel: What happens at Fangoria conventions?
Erik: You pick up random horror movies, stuff you can’t find anywhere. You meet some of these guys – like Bruce Campbell from Evil Dead we were able to meet one day. Shit like that. All Treki type shit, but for horror.
Mike: It’s a little cooler than Treki stuff. [laugh]
Erik: Yeah, [laugh] I think so.
Rachel: Has the terrible winter weather had an effect on the tour or traveling?
Erik: Well, two of the four bands have dropped off the tour so that pretty much says how the weather’s been. But we’re from Florida and we’re still here so… Me and my tour manager do all of the driving. My drummer’s from Canada and doesn’t have a license, my bass player is from Japan, and Shaune, the other guitar player, the first day he drove he got in a minor accident. So one accident and you’re done. [laugh] I knew coming into it that it’s February and it’s going to be rough, but the crowds have been turning out despite the cold. They’re ready for metal. I really appreciate it and it makes it all worth while for them to enjoy the show.
Rachel: What’s coming up next for Hate Eternal?
Erik: We have a week left here and then we’re going home. Then we’re headlining a tour with Soilent Green. They have a new record out that I produced. Then we’re going to Europe with Cephalic Carnage in May. Doing a lot of touring.
Rachel: When I was setting up this interview Vince from Metal Blade Records told me to catch you early because you spend an hour warming up before you go on. How do you prepare?
Erik: I just practice. I like to be warmed up when we play, I don’t like to go up cold. I just do what I do at home. I sit on the couch and just play whatever, I don’t play anything specific. I like to be on my A game. I play guitar and sing so if I mess up, we’re going to screw up and I want to put on the best show possible. I don’t ever like to go up and wing it. That shit’s important. The only thing that matters to me is that we play well.
Rachel: Well cool. We’re looking forward to the show. Thank you so much!
Erik: Thanks for the interview, hope you enjoy the show!