http://www.violence-online.pl/wywiady/serpentine-path-%E2%80%92-nowy-rozdzial/
Interview is in Polish, the english version is below:
You called it quits for Unearthly Trance some time ago. When you made up your mind about that was Serpetnine Path already alive?
Ryan Lipynsky: Yes we started Serpentine Path at the same time
Unearthly Trance was still going. The demise of UT was completely
separate from Serpentine Path. UT was around for 12 years and we decided
it was time to call a day. I personally would rather go out on a good
note than slowly fade away. I’m very proud of all our records and all of
our accomplishments. Serpentine Path is a totally different beast and a
clean slate for all of us.
Serpentine Path is all three of you involved previously in UT. How did an Englishman came to a view?
Ryan Lipynsky: Well, we have known Tim for quite some time now. We
first met him when UT toured with Electric Wizard and Sons Of Otis back
in 2002 in the US. Since that point we also toured 3 times with Ramesses
in Europe so we knew each quite well by now. Recently, Tim moved to New
Jersey in a town right outside NYC permanently and we thought it was a
good idea to have a jam. From there it grew into Serpentine Path and
things have just expanded from there… Last year we did a 7” on Parasitic
and then recorded the S/T album on Relapse this year.
Tim was a
member of Electric Wizard for about 10 years. Do you think they made
huge impact on the scene with records like "Dopethrone" or "Come my
fanatics"?
Ryan Lipynsky: Yes! I think “Dopethrone” is a great
record. I personally think some of the songs on that album are total
classics and many newer bands wish they could be them, but they will
never come close. They had this raw, we-don’t-give-a-fuck vibe that
emanated from them when they played on that last US tour we did with
them. Insanely loud and intoxicated power trio. Basically, they were a
band that was about to fall apart or play the best show of their lives
in that era. You never knew what you would get from them…And it was
exciting!
Would you say SP has a possible future or it is rather a one-off? How much determined are you to make a name for this band?
Ryan Lipynsky: We absolutely have a future. We plan on doing more
recordings for sure. Serpentine Path is definitely NOT a one-off. I
don’t concern myself with making a name, I just want to keep on making
quality music that I enjoy myself. What will happen- will happen. We
will do things at our own pace and keep building and expanding upon the
ideas we have already put forth.
Your debut album offers some
of the most pummeling and crushing music you ever recorded (it reminds
me a little bit of Corrupted sound). Do you think it's the most brutal
thing you ever done?
Ryan Lipynsky: I never thought of it but I
can hear what you are saying about he Corrupted comparison. Not a band I
listen to that much, but it is cool to read what others hear in our
sound. I certainly set out to do the most brutal and uncompromising
vocals, so mission accomplished! It is important for me to make each
band I do, different in one way from the other. Serpentine Path focuses
on the more brutal and savage side of doom metal.
UT was
pretty doomy but SP is so much more doomier. Any specific records
inspired you to starting writing such a heavy material?
Ryan
Lipynsky: Yes. Tim Bagshaw inspired us to create this super heavy doom.
He comes up with some of the best doom riffs and there was only one
natural direction to go in. With Unearthly Trance, I actually spent most
of our career trying to NOT be just a doom band. We always were up for
experimenting with different textures, tempos, vocals and influences. We
were most proud of the fact that we were not predictable and dare I
say, a forward thinking fearless band.
You have recently
announced Winter member as your touring guitarist. Is it intimidating to
play along a guy who recorded such a milestone album as "Into
darkness"?
Ryan Lipynsky: Stephen has joined us full time and
will contribute music as well in the future. I think at first it seemed
almost impossible to be real, as Winter is one of the bands that
influenced me to play this kind of extreme doom when I was younger.
Especially being from the Long Island, NY area. But once I met him I
realized he is one of the most down-to-earth coolest guys I’ve met, let
alone being the guy from Winter! I think his experience and point of
view will only add to the overall sound and vibe SP will have moving
forward. It’s a great honor to have him in the band. We are all really
excited for this development. I can say that Tim and Stephen sound
deadly together playing guitars!
Beside SP you continue with
The Howling Wind and only few months ago you released the latest record.
Is it a touring band? What of your needs does this band satisfy?
Ryan Lipynsky: The Howling Wind is a band that Tim Call and I have done
for a while and it’s a really personal project. I play all the guitars
and bass and do the vocals along with Tim. For me, its important to
continue on playing this form of metal that I’ve done since Thralldom,
the blackened metal band I did before THW. I really enjoy doing these
records and not playing live as its something that I feel I can lose
myself in. THW is its own separate universe musically from all the other
bands I do and have done. We already have new songs written and plan to
keep on creating musick for quite a while. “Of Babalon” is one of my
favorite records I’ve ever done!
