Metal Mayhem: We keep being told that "Metal is dead", but Gorerotted has been so faithful playing there own music without losing any intensity. How do you adapt on such a changing climate without harming the spirit of the band?
Wilson: Well thanks for the positive response! It’s simple really – we’re usually too drunk to realise what’s going on in the metal “climate”, and we just continue to do what we have always wanted to do, and that’s make music! Sure things are changing, but there is no way the metal is dead! I’ll be making metal till the end, even if it’s me on my own, in a band called Metal Cock, and I’ll lock myself in a room with 24 cans of premium, and trigger my balls and my bell end! Hmmmm…”Cock Metal”, could we be on to the next big thing???

MM: Your new cd A New Dawn For The Dead is a bit of departure musically, what were the influences going into writing this?
Wilson: Like I said, we don’t really consider very much, like the scene at the present time, or our influences at that time! Things develop naturally, and I think that’s what makes metal such an intriguing thing, and the very reason that it will never die! I don’t wanna sound all tr00 or nothing, but we just played riffs and developed ideas naturally, either we liked it, or we didn’t – it’s as simple as that!

MM: Did the change in line up, loosing Mr Gore effect the band in any ways apart from, obviously the twin vocal style?
Wilson: It had no change on the band at all, even the dual vocals! A lot of people don’t even realise that a lot of the vocals on “Only Tools and Corpses” are actually me, and when he left the dual vocals continued, just better! HA! But on the whole, it didn’t change a thing, because he stopped contributing anything to the music before we even recorded Tools, so if anything, his departure just let us get on with it!

MM: Some people see Gorerotted as being a joke or not taking it seriously, what do you think of these comments? Obviously there are some great puns and lots of humour in your lyrics, but do you ever yearn to be taken seriously?
Wilson: That’s a typical UK opinion! We’re just back from a month’s tour with Decapitated, and believe me, we get taken seriously! Yeah, we might have a bit of humour, but why not? So many bands try to create this image or something, and in reality they are tucked up in bed by their mums, and pass out after one can of Fosters! It depends whether people are willing to scratch the surface, and if they aren’t, then are they really metal fans? On the other side of the coin, some people have asked why “New Dawn” has no humour, and is all serious – come on kids, you learned to read at school didn’t you?

MM: A New Dawn For The Dead seems to have fewer of those pun titles and seems both musically and lyrically a much “darker” album
Wilson: Like I said, yeah, it’s less of the Beavis and Butthead title thing, and things have developed musically and lyrically, but it’s still Gorerotted! Writing another “same old same old” album just wouldn’t have made us happy, and the music seemed to lean this way from when we started writing, but the old slapstick is still in there! We’ve been together writing for a long time now, and each time it will get better, as it should with any music! I’m happier now!

MM: You seem to be a band that has fun when your playing and you don’t let attitude get in the way, do you think that’s important? To just get out there and play rather than giving out a vibe? black metal bands in particular and there fans seems to thrive on trying to be as “evil” as they can which can be pretty boring and make them look like idiots, what do you think?

Wilson: Yeah man, hit the nail on the head! I love Black Metal, and I understand the importance of image and the whole show thing, but it’s not us! On record, and on stage, Gorerotted is “what you see is what you get”! People recognise that we love playing live, and believe me the amount of people who react to this positively is great! We’re dickheads on and off the stage, and I love it!

MM: Your live shows are always pretty intense but with good natured banter with the crowd, how’s the tour with Decapitated going are there fans taking to you well?
Wilson: Tour with Decapitated was awesome, but it was very mixed! It was actually a co-headline tour, and I think both bands felt something positive from that! They commented on how the crowds were better, and they saw people they would never have expected at their shows! We always give the same style of show, and unless you’re a total cock, you must be able to swill down a beer, and enjoy yourself for 45 mins! But yeah, the tour was amazing, and we had a great time with the boys from Decaffeinated!

MM: How’s Ben’s voice holding up? It’s a long tour it must be a hell of a strain!
Wilson: Ha! The Bald man had a few nights after the show where it was touch and go! But that’s nothing to do with vocals, it’s the fact that he was doing coke every night, and smoking bongs made from green peppers till his eyes bled! Don’t worry, I showed him how the pro’s do it!

MM: Searching for an identity is not an easy task. Many bands were falling into some cliché styled Metal Rather than being "original". Gorerotted have made themselves a unique band but do you think you are now getting out on the typical "Gore Metal" tag and bringing out more your own style and sound?
Wilson: Yes and Yes! We never searched for an identity, because we already had one! Everyone hated us anyway, so why try and change that! If you search for something that you are not, most people with half a brain will catch on to the fact that it’s an act, and that’s rubbish! Be who you are and people will respect that! I think we are getting there on the music front, and that’s because we just keep doing what we do – drink!

MM: Do you consider A New Dawn For The Dead as a big stepping stone for the "career" of Gorerotted?
Wilson: Each album, and each year is a stepping stone for us, and that’s the way we look at it! We’ve had a great year so far, and we’ll look to top that next year, like we did with 2004! It’ll all about development, everything in life! Enjoy your successes, but more importantly, look to where you can improve!

MM: It’s a great album and fans and critics seem to genuinely love it have you been surprised by the response?
Wilson: No, not at all! Not sounding like a dick, but I’m a fan of metal, and I would at least give it a spin if I saw it in the shops! I think the album has many sides to it, where it has the flavours of old, and steps further on, which will hopefully reach new people, and it has! Putting a sexy chick on your album cover works wonders!

MM: Finally did you ever get your bong back?!?! Where did it go?
Wilson: Nah, Dusty Bin is long gone I think! Nobody knows what happened, because we’re usually too wasted to know what the hell is going on! I hope she’s in a grave somewhere, rather than being kissed by some Junky other than our Jon! I lost my Gunther t-shirt on tour, so I hope the Polish boys have it, then he’ll be in safe hands!

MM: Many Thanks!
Wilson: Nae bother wee man, nae bother at aw!