Interview with Joel Collins of BLOODJINN

The new album from Bloodjinn titled This Machine Runs On Empty just hit stores earlier this month on March 6th. With a new guitarist in the band, and a tour under way, look out for these guys to take you by storm. We were able to get their attention for a little while to fire off a bunch of questions, and it turned out like this:

FoundryMusicJosh: Bloodjinn just released This Machine Runs On Empty. In comparison to your previous records, how do you feel about the new album?


Joel Collins: “This Machine…” is basically the beginning of Bloodjinn in this era. Our previous records, Murder Eternal and Leave This World Breathing were written by different members during Bloodjinn’s past. Those members had a different writing style of chaotic/random arrangements. The new era of Bloodjinn is a more formulated, tighter style.


FoundryMusicJosh: When reviewing the new record, I had a hard time deciding what sub-genre of metal that you guys fit into. I ended up saying “Metalcore-influenced Death Metal”. What type of metal do you consider Bloodjinn?


Joel Collins: We just say metal. We’re easy going.


FoundryMusicJosh: Mike Watts, Jamie King, and Troy Glessner have done a lot of phenomenal work over the past few years. What was it like to work with these guys on This Machine Runs On Empty?


Joel Collins: Absolutely amazing really. All three came through in their areas and made the record what it is. They helped us so much in the production and pretty much nailed exactly what we were going for.


FoundryMusicJosh: While I enjoy the genre, the term ‘Metalcore’ has often been considered a negative thing. What do you think about the labeling of metal?


Joel Collins: I think there are differences, but really metal is metal in the end. Doesn’t matter if its white or black, soft or hard, it’s all still pink on the inside.

FoundryMusicJosh: I recently read that Joel’s brother, Justin, was a part of Bloodjinn originally. Could you shed some light on why he left the band?


Joel Collins: Justin left the band to pursue a marriage. He was unable to go full time and  he stepped down to take time to adjust to his new lifestyle. He’s currently playing drums in the band Eldora, which features 2 other ex-Bloodjinn members. He was also the drummer on the past few KillWhitneyDead albums. We love Justin.


FoundryMusicJosh: Bloodjinn plays very powerful music. What/who are your influences? What do you consider to be the main lyrical themes?


Joel Collins: Each member brings different influences to Bloodjinn. They are so wide ranged, but it works out really well. Lyrically, it’s mostly approached in topics dealing with relationships, whether good or bad. Everyone goes through the ups and downs in life, and that’s what usually fuels us.

FoundryMusicJosh: With the release of This Machine Runs On Empty, and playing large metal festivals (Hellfest, Furnace Fest) in the past, the band will obviously be touring. What are Bloodjinn’s plans for this summer?


Joel Collins: We will definitely be on the road. We are doing a full US tour in May/June with Vanna (Epitaph) and 12 Gauge Valentine (Solid State) and then shortly after, we will be doing another run with Threat Signal (Nuclear Blast).


FoundryMusicJosh: I’ve recently spoken to Joe Duplantier (Gojira) and Jens Kidman (Meshuggah) and they both talked about not listening to a lot of metal in their spare time. What do you listen to in your spare time?


Joel Collins: All of us are really open minded guys. We like a lot of alt-rock and some of us even listen to hip hop. There are always the classics and our favorite records that we listen to on a rotational basis.

FoundryMusicJosh: Writing, recording, and touring can be a very stressful process at times. What do you do to unwind from that stress?


Joel Collins: We like to go out with our friends and throw down when we are able to. Most of us enjoy relaxing and our personal time, but usually at the end of every night, we’re still focused on the band in some form or fashion trying to be productive.


FoundryMusicJosh: Plugs?


Joel Collins: Ear or Butt?

The necessary links, for all your Bloodjinn cravings:
Official Site
MySpace

And if the link wasn't peppered in enough for you:  BUY THE NEW ALBUM!