Into the Depths of Fatalist

Fatalist from Ventura has just released a slab of Swedish style death metal entitled The Depths Of Inhumanity. Amongst the membership is Wes Caley, who has also participated in such notable band as Exhumed and Uphill Battle. We shall now go into the depths of the mighty Fatalist to learn more about their sonic assaults to the senses. Read on…

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Fatalist, and how long the band has been together.
My name is Wes Caley, and I play rhythm/lead guitar and vox. We started in the spring of 2006 so we have been around for a little over 3 years.

Where is the band based out of and what is your local metal scene like there?
We are based in Ventura, Ca. although I currently live in LA. The scene is pretty small there and it’s not really thriving or anything. There aren’t many places to actually play or rehearse. Luckily it’s close to LA and Orange County where there is a pretty decent scene.

How did you wind up on Ibex Moon Records?
That was all the work Neil put into put into promoting the band. He did a great job of getting us out there! Also, John McEntee may have thought we had a few catchy radio singles haha.

What do you find with Fatalist that you did not find with your previous bands Exhumed , Uphill Battle, and Stonehelm? Are you currently working with any of these bands now?
Well, with Fatalist I find it easier to write because it’s a band I started, along with Neil. Previously I joined bands that already had a label and records out, so it is refreshing to start from scratch and write the music my way, without trying to fit within the framework already laid down by an established band. The key element of this band is to keep the song structures fairly lean….not too many notes and riffs. Just what sounds right, although we do have technical bits here and there. Exhumed is on hiatus indefinitely. Uphill Battle will be doing a reunion mini-tour soon…like, totally next year and shit. I currently play in Stonehelm and our first full-length So High We Hail is coming out soon. If you like stoner doom in the style of Electric Wizard, Sourvein etc. then check us out! I also have another band that’s in it’s infancy called Highwatt, which is sorta like a Mastodon/Keelhaul/Pelican/Mogwai-type of sound. Casey Shropshire of Uphill Battle plays second guitar in this band as well.

Is there any story or concept behind the CD title The Depths Of Inhumanity?
The title and song is about war, and mankind’s selfish desire to conquer and destroy, no matter what the cost. So in a nutshell, it’s about the cruel ways of human nature. Some songs are about war, some are about death, and some are about suicide, misanthropy…..typical death metal subjects. Nothing too far removed from the normal fare haha.

At what age did you get into metal and what was the first metal record or CD that you bought?
14. I bought Obituary’s Cause Of Death on cassette tape. It changed my life! I knew what I wanted to do after that.

Do you still incorporate any of the old Swedish metal covers songs in your set that you guys used to play?
Well, we (Fatalist) never did covers really. If you are referring to “Stockholm Syndrome”, me and Leon Del Muerte never got that off the ground, which is why I decided to start Fatalist with Neil and do original tunes in the same swedish style.

Describe a live Fatalist show for those of us who have yet to see you play.
Well, we usually play naked, of course. Most of the brutality in that case is not in the sound but in the visuals. Along with the pyrotechnics and bikini dancers I guess all you’ll get is some chainsaw-grinding riffs and 4 nerds headbanging onstage, playing way too loud and pissing off the soundguy haha!

Are there any plans for Fatalist to tour?
Well, I would certainly love to tour all the time and really push the band, but unfortunately everyone has responsibilities outside of the music and you can’t just leave your job/bills/wife/etc. just to play metal haha! I mean you can, but it’s one hell of a sacrifice. Basically if we can get on a really good bill where we are supporting awesome bands then it’s worth it. We probably will tour at least a couple times next year if everything goes well. We’ll just have to wait and see how the response is to the record when it comes out.

Do you still keep in touch with any of the Exhumed members?
Oh yeah…..I still talk to all those nerds!

Who did the cover artwork for the new CD and how much input did you have on it?
Again, Neil lined up most of that. What can I say…I’m introverted and lazy! My input was just making sure that the content of the cover art reflected what the song/title was about.

Who are some other local Ventura bands that metalheads should become more familiar with?
1. Monotremata
2. Stonehelm
3. The Fucking Wrath
4. Thornlord
5. El Barbaro

Any messages for metal fans here in the Los Angeles area?
Don’t get too involved in ‘scenes’. Only support bands you really like, not just because they have clout. Keep shit real, or everything will die out. Never stop loving extreme music. It’s always going to be important. Respect the old shit too, not just the current trends. STAY TRUE!

Interview by Kenneth Morton

Fatalist Myspace

Ibex Moon Myspace