Ion Vein Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Sure! We just played the legendary Metro in Chicago on Feb 9th, which was awesome,
and we're preparing for a few more live dates as well as getting back in the studio to finish vocals for the remaining six tracks for the album.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer release and how it differs from previous recordings?

Well, it's certainly heavier but I guess the best way to put it is that it's a bit more to the point and in-your-face! We just started focusing more on the songs and really taking the
time to dissect them for what worked, what didn't, how it flowed, and how the energy felt playing them and what the fans would feed off of. We still wanted to keep the progressive elements and dynamics of the first two albums but they're a bit more subtle at times on the newer material.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

The lyric themes on IV v2.0 along with the rest of the tracks for the album pretty much all deal with personal struggles and life in general, how it affects us, and how we can overcome and triumph in the game of life. We truly hope listeners can take some positive energy from the songs and also use it to uplift and motivate them if they ever need a little kick start.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Well, speaking of "positive energy," that's essential where ION VEIN came from....it was inspired by the hopes that our music will send a charge of energy through your body when you hear it and inspire or just make you feel good.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Since this line-up has only been together for three shows dating back to the beginning of 2012, I'll just talk about them but they were all killer in their own right! Our first show was Feb 2012 and we opened for Testament at a club that holds about 800 people and it was pretty amazing. The next show was in Sept 2012 opening for Symphony X which was very cool as well and the most recent show was the one I mentioned earlier at the Metro in Chicago which we headlined so we had a full stage for a change. Our show is high energy, we love to feed off the crowd and just have a great time up there, we really love playing live and look forward to doing much more of it when the full album is released!

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

We don't have anything concrete right now but most certainly would like to get out for some type of touring when the album is released both here and abroad. Our dream is still to get over to Europe and South America to play so we're hopeful that happens this time.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of power and progressive metal?

It seems to be quite strong, we've gotten a lot of very positive reviews from around the globe indeed but I'm sure many are waiting for the full release so let's hope it continues to build and blow up when that happens. :)

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?

Let's see....Chuck has done several different studio projects ranging from jazz to metal, the most recent being for a progressive band called Fire Garden. Scott recently did vocals for a band called Within the Fire on their 4 song release and has done few shows with them, he's also working on finishing the final Enertia album. Rob and Rich (Knight our touring guitarist) are working on some new Twelfth Gate material and recorded with a project called Scar, Inc. I was reunited with my old bandmates in Latent Fury and we're slooooowly trying to re-record our 3 song demo from 1991 along with several other tracks that we never had a chance to record.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

The music for the next six songs (twelve total) has already been recorded and continues on the path of what we've released on IV v1.0 and IV v2.0 with a few more dynamic and progressive twist but will certainly round out the album quite well. Moving forward, I see us continuing with the heavy side of our sound and being song focused but also taking more chances and reaching for some things that we haven't achieved yet whether it be an "opus" or just some whacked out jazz-metal-djent fusion track or something...haha...the sky is the limit and with the model of releasing tracks or groups of tracks as they happen, we can certainly experiment a bit more if we'd like.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I think the early influence of bands like Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Priest, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater are still buried deep within us but newer stuff like Meshuggah, Lamb of God, and Opeth certainly provide a different take to the classic influences we've got and also maybe push us to try new things.

Let's see....well the last Evergrey and Symphony X were just on the player but I've also been listening to Alter Bridge and the Tremonti solo album, along with stuff like the latest Testament, Mastodon, Periphery, and Heaven & Hell....damn, I think I need to go CD shopping! haha

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?


I absolutely love to travel, experience new things and soak up historical places, it's definitely one of my favorite things to do outside of playing or seeing live music. I also love NFL football, NHL hockey, and also enjoy movies and reading but I don't really get to partake in the latter too often.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

I just want to say thank you so much for the support, we certainly appreciate it, and
thanks to everyone that checks out this interview, our music, we are greatful for all
of you and hope to see you on the road soon....cheers!