SOURCE – When All Out War reunited in 2006, did anything feel different within the chemistry between the members? Did the time away from each other, and all of your collective experience throughout those years apart, help?
Mike Score (Vocals) – This line up actually reunited in 2013 and the chemistry is even better. This is basically the same line up as For Those Who Were Crucified and Condemned to Suffer so we all know each other quite well and have grown as musicians over the years. I don’t think the time apart helped, but it definitely didn’t hurt either. We all have had time to further develop our skill set. We all are great friends and this is reflected in the way we have been able to be productive over the years. I’m excited to see what is ahead for us.
SOURCE – Tell me about the Celestial Rot artwork. It’s one of the best covers I’ve seen recently, but I was curious about the creative process behind it and how you conveyed the title’s meaning to the artist, Alexandre Goulet. I know sometimes things like that get lost in communication and it takes some back and forth before things are dialed in.
Mike Score (Vocals) – We give Alexandre a basic concept and he develops it from there. We have been working together for quite some time now and he knows the direction we are headed. Alexandre and the band are very like minded so it works out perfectly. There is some back and forth, but not much. Alexandre is always really close to our vision right from the start.
SOURCE – Celestial Rot is the eighth studio album for All Out War in four years. You were able to spend extra time on the finer details due to the prolonged global pandemic situation – how do you assess the material, songwriting, and performances this time around? Where do you think the extra time and attention went to that was beneficial to a stronger, more satisfying final outcome for the record?
Mike Score (Vocals) – The extra time due to Covid allowed us to dive deeper into different influences. We spent a lot of time during Covid on the creative process. It provided an escape from the boredom and isolation that Covid created. Covid was a very unfortunate situation, but allowed us to spend a great deal of time on the writing. We dug deep and moved away from some old influences and incorporated other styles in their place. This record is much more intense than anything we have recorded previously. It’s darker, heavier, and much more atmospheric.
SOURCE – How difficult of a process is it to pick which singles will be released to preview the album? Do you ever worry about the response between satisfying yourselves and your current following while hopefully gaining newer people into the fold?
Mike Score (Vocals) – No, that never enters our minds. We pick the songs that represent the album as a whole and gives the listener the opportunity to get a taste of what the feel of the entire record is like.
SOURCE – Do you think it’s harder navigating all the platforms in social media being older musicians who didn’t grow up in that era?
Mike Score (Vocals) – Not at all. We’ve been through all the changes and have adapted to the current climate.
SOURCE – What do you consider some of the biggest challenges or obstacles All Out War currently faces in moving up the ranks to establish more of a presence and foothold with your work in the scene?
Mike Score (Vocals) – We have no interest in rising through the ranks. We have never cared about any of that. We are who we are and we don’t compromise. People can like it or not, that has never been something we’ve been concerned with. We have never felt part of any scene.
SOURCE – When you think about the concept of success, what does that word mean to you as far as being a musician – and has that definition changed from your initial years getting into the business versus today?
Mike Score (Vocals) – We have always been a band that focuses on the music and what feels right to us. We have no interest in the business side of things. Success to us means putting out records we enjoy and playing with bands who we enjoy listening to and hanging out with. This has never changed since the band started.
SOURCE – Is there anything that you’d like to say to you fans in closing?
Mike Score (Vocals) – Thank you so much for the support over the years. We really appreciate everyone who has taken an interest in the band. Give Celestial Rot a listen, maybe you will enjoy it.
Contacts:
Videos: