Virage is a newly created metal project featuring a variety of vocal styles layered over top of heavy guitar riffs.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Ethan Bonin-Vocals
John Reynolds-Guitars, Mixing
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Virage? How long has the band been around?
Virage got started when I(John) met ethan while jamming with a few guys from work. Ethan came over and said he could do some Job for a Cowboy–esque vocals and he KILLED it. Ever since then I had been writing material for an album but had no vocals to any of it. On a whim I invited ethan over and things just fell together. We’ve been together since June of this year 2014.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The name comes from a PS1 video game called Legend of Dragoon. These evil creatures named Virage were used to fight against dragons by the winglies. It’s the only name we’ve decided to use at this point
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
I write most all of the guitar/bass/drum track stuff and mix it. Ethan writes the vocals. But we help each other out with most everything. He’ll be like “oh dude add this note here” or I’ll be like “you should sing it like this or that.” We are both really accepting of criticism. We just want to make the most badass/metal tracks we can, so we rely on each other opinions. Our first album is going to be heavily Greek mythology based. Don’t want to give too much away more than that.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
John: I listen to a lot of different metal, which influences my playing style. I really like the alternate picking styles of Black metal bands like SepticFlesh or Behemoth but I also really like heavy riff playing like Lamb of God of Pantera.
Ethan: My influences for vocal styles for the first two demo tracks are really influenced by Randy Blythe from Lamb of God. I really like his vocal style. In the future I'd like to be more diverse. I really like the hardcore vocal style and I'd like to find a way to incorporate it. I don't think that will be too hard. I like to use pitched yells similiar to Darkest Hour.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
John: Starting a band is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve played guitar for years and have tons of music lying around, its about time I put it to use.
Ethan: Before I joined the military back in 2010 I was in a little music project back home in Iowa and I'd what really inspired me to be in a band is when I went to one of my friend's concerts in Iowa City in May of 2010. He's a pretty good motivater watching him progress in his music career. He's in a band now called Ghosthive, as the vocalist, and he definitely is keeping me motivated with the things he's doing there.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We haven't had a show yet. We're still trying to get a full line up.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Well with the lack of highlights probably this interview.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
John: Touring with a mixture of bands would be awesome. Kind of like a festival or something. All different types of metal in one venue.
Ethan: Underoath before Aaron left, The Devil Wears Prada, Job for A Cowboy, Miss May I in 2010, Slipknot, and Cannibal Corpse.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We really appreciate you giving us the opportunity to do this interview and keep an eye out for teaser for the album we're in the process of making. Thank you.