Mind Equals Blown

Interview: Matthew Pantelis of Veil of Maya

I recently caught up with Veil of Maya’s bass player Matthew Pantelis on the Atticus Metal Tour II w/ Unearth, Stick To Your Guns, The Ghost Inside and Carnifix.

MindEqualsBlown: Your new album [id] comes out in two days. What should we expect  and how does it differ from previous work?

Matthew Pantelis: Everything over the past six years done better in a shorter amount of time. We only got two and a half weeks to do the whole cd, but we are all capable of writing in such a short amount of time. I’d say expect everything you should from Veil of Maya.

MEB: What is the meaning behind the name of the album?

Pantelis: Well, [id] is part of the Freudian theory. I didn’t really name the album the other guys were into it.

MEB: Cool. So what’s with the different colored album art for [id]?

Pantelis: There are four colors, and each of the colors represent each of us.

MEB: What color of the four represents you?

Pantelis: Silver.

MEB: Your music has been described as “brutal”, what does “brutal” mean to you in terms of music and do you agree?

Pantelis: I think there are things more brutal than music out there, like war, but I mean music with lyrics about people killing each other and stuff is pretty brutal (laughs). Some of it’s a little psycho, though.

MEB: Definitely. Now, how did you get started playing bass?

Pantelis: For Veil of Maya? They asked me to and it was pretty sweet since I am a fan, but I started getting into the instrument itself by watching Rage Against the Machine and listening to Jimi Hendrix.

MEB: How long have you been a fan of VOM?

Pantelis: Since “All Things Set Aside” came out. It’s an honor to play with them.

MEB: Who is your favorite band?

Pantelis: Definitely Rage Against the Machine.

MEB: Who do you look forward to playing with on tour?

Pantelis: Unearth, I listen to them all the time, they’re really awesome.

MEB: I’m about done here, is there anything else you would like me to add?

Pantelis: Just to buy the album and keep the support coming!

Veil of Maya’s sophomore album “[id]” was released April 6. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/veilofmaya