For those who have been visiting this site since we began in January, you’ve noticed our tagline reads, “Your home for metal album reviews, concert reviews, and interviews.” I do a handful of album reviews every week and was able to fit in a few concert reviews before those became obsolete. So you’re probably wondering: “Where are the interviews?” We had a handful booked which were all unfortunately dashed due to this stupid virus. But the show must go on! It’s my pleasure to unveil the first ever Defenders of the Faith interview with Illinois death metal mutants, Molder. Today, we sit down with guitarist/singer Aaren Pantke and bassist Dominic Vaia as they reflect upon their biggest influences, classic horror movies, and their debut full length, Vanished Cadavers.
First off, thanks for taking the time to do this interview and congratulations on Vanished Cadavers!
Dominic Vaia: Thanks dude!
Aaren Pantke: Thanks ya!
When did the impetus for Molder begin?
DV: Aaren’s got that one…
AP: Shit…two years ago?
DV: Yeah some shit like that. Originally it was supposed to be a Vesicant reboot. Correct me if I’m wrong Aaren…
AP: Yes and no, just the name. Nothing else from the original Vesicant lineup would have remained. However, a previous member thought I should just do something with a new name. I didn’t care to argue.
DV: OG Molder lineup was Aaren on guitar/vocals, me on bass, Braulio Correa on guitar, and Josue Gutierrez on drums. You were at that first gig, no?
Unfortunately, I was not. Aaren, I know you played a similar style to Molder’s with Nefarious and played with Dominic in APExSHIT. Was it an urge to play death/thrash again?
AP: Sort of. Nefarious kind of just ended.
DV: Yeah that shit sucked when it ended. I wish y’all had more material.
AP: I had Melting Rot, but I wanted to continue doing the death/thrash thing. So I wrote 5 tunes and then recorded them. And that’s what Act of Revenge is. I selfishly recorded the entire thing by myself, but I really wanted to get the ball moving and not waste time. That was right after Braulio and Josue’s leave and right as Ramon joined the fold.
That was a pretty tight unit. You guys were together for a bout a year and put out a split with Coffin Rot.
DV: Yeah we kind of all agreed Aaren recording it all by himself in a day was the smartest move. That way, we’d have music out ASAP and can work on the new stuff or what would become the split with Coffin Rot.
How did that come about? Were you friends with Coffin Rot beforehand?
DV: That cassette group on Facebook haha! That’s where I first saw their demo.
AP: Basically, I traded Jason from Rotted Life an Act of Revenge demo for the first Coffin Rot tape.
DV: Yeah Aaren got it first and then I saw ads and other people posting about it in the group.
AP: It was one of his first releases. He showed interest in us, so chatting led to the trade. Then I hit up Coffin Rot and basically said, “Hey, you have a demo. So do we. We are similar enough. Care to do a split?” And fortunately they accepted the offer.
DV: Love those dudes! All good people!
AP: Discussion led to deciding on a two original, one cover split. Three songs from each band. That’s where recording with ex Morgue drummer Ted Van Tilburg came about.
Speaking of Morgue, you covered “Repulsive Death” on that split. I also know you’re good friends with Morgue frontman Brad Buldak. It must be somewhat surreal to have that mutual appreciation.
AP: Yeah it’s really cool. Brad is an excellent dude. He used to work at All American Burger.
DV: Brad is the fuckin’ man. He’s like an encyclopedia. Metal Archives before Metal Archives!
While on the topic of death metal legends, you recorded both Vanished Cadavers and the Necrobiome demo with Cianide guitarist Scott Carroll. How was that experience?
AP: Well really we recorded it with Cheyenne Brandt. Scott was there to drink and make sure the suck knob wasn’t too loud. But that was a fun, yet frustrating experience. Recording sucks, but the company and partying was great! She really kicked major ass and delivered something I couldn’t be happier with. And I’m proud of ourselves too…I guess.
DV: Yeah I love recording with them. It’s always an awesome time.
You’ve done a fantastic job paying tribute to the sounds of death metal past, as well as paving the way for the future. Which bands would you say are your biggest influences in regards to Molder’s sound?
DV: Autopsy, Death, Sadus, Dark Angel. Shit like that. Your go to heavy hitters. No one does that style anymore.
AP: I do a lot of the writing, but honestly, I don’t channel anything in particular. There’s definitely nuance and nots to shit I love, but I suppose I just kind of write. Old school is where my head is usually at. Love a lot of darker thrash and proto death metal shit.
Your reputation has resulted in high profile opening slots for some of those very bands such as Derkéta, Demolition Hammer, and Autopsy. What has been your favorite show to play so far?
AP: Nunslaughter was great! We got to play with Cardiac Arrest! It’s between that and Autopsy.
DV: Yeah for me I’d have to say our best and most fun gigs were Nunslaughter and Autopsy.
Both were stacked bills!
AP: Both at Reggies too. The best venue in the fuckin world!
Amen. What are some of your favorite songs to play live?
AP: None of them!!! Being self critical and having anxiety and shit definitely makes it all tough. I’m just happy to make it through a song without fucking derailing the whole thing.
I certainly understand. It was at that Autopsy show I asked your former guitarist, Ramon, if it was bittersweet being on the other side of the stage for a change. He said nope because there was no pressure!
DV: That’s Ramon for you!
AP: Yeah man, it gets to ya. But at the end of the day, it’s metal. Who gives a fuck? I’d say the oldies and “Granulated Chunks” are my favorite tunes. Gets all the freaks dancing.
DV: Fuggin’ facts! Gets the creepy crawl flowing. I’m a slut for “Condemned to the Catafalque” (when we pull it out for the set), “God’s Critters”, and “Sweet Taste of Death”.
I can’t help but ask about my favorite Molder song, “Granulated Chunks”. How did that one come about?
AP: I got real fucking high and wrote the song in my room haha.
DV: Isn’t that how you write ’em all though?
AP: Amen.
You know Iommi is pissed he didn’t write that riff in the Born Again days!
AP: I’m pissed he wrote all the others…
DV: You and me both!
Your lyrics take inspiration from classic horror movies like Motel Hell and I Spit on Your Grave. What are your favorite horror movies?
AP: Motel Hell and I Spit on Your Grave.
Figures!
AP: Reanimator, Dead Alive, The Evil Dead. The classics.
DV: For me, I like the golden age stuff like Frankenstein from 1931 or Bride of Frankenstein. I also love the 70s paranormal stuff like The Exorcist, The Omen, The Amityville Horror. Shit like that. And B movies from the 50s and 60s. And 70s trash flicks, specifically John Waters.
AP: I love the 80s. Maybe one day I’ll be doing this for VH1.
Are you willing to legally change your last name to Ian?
AP: No. Next question!
In closing, Vanished Cadavers is bound to be one of the best death metal albums of the year, if not the best. Is it too early to ask about new music? If not, what does the future hold?
AP: We have like five songs done musically. We just have to keep on tightening the screws. Maybe a split or two. Maybe an EP. Maybe both.
DV: Fuck a sophomore slump. We in it.
To quote that little girl from the taco commercials, “Why not both?”
AP: Shit, we might even just break up before we do anything else. True Chicago style.
I hope that’s not the case. If it is, I guess there’s always Maryland Deathfest 2040.
AP: Ha, fingers crossed.
It’s been a pleasure boys! Thanks again for taking the time to speak to Defenders of the Faith!
AP: The pleasure was all ours. Cheers!
DV: Always a pleasure my dude!