UN: "The Rebirth of Tragedy" stands out like a sore thumb among the vast number of metalcore albums these days. Do you think that it was a conscious decision on the part of the band to try and distance yourselves from the rest of the scene? Obviously you are still a part of it, but musically you guys are definitely going down your own path with this record.

Twelve Tribes: we definitely made an effort to stand out on this record. we made that decision years ago, before hardcore really reached the state where it is today. we want to be in this for more than a couple years. we've already devoted so much of our lives to playing music, that to fade out when a popular trend runs it course is out of the question. anyone can see that that's what's going to happen to this trend in hardcore. im not sure when, but very soon it will reach its peak, and in a couple years, no one will want to be associated with it. so we're doing our part right now, to make sure that doesn't happen to us.

UN: The album was almost two years in the making. Was it important for you guys to just take your time and make sure you had the band sounding exactly the way you wanted it to? Did you feel like you guys had a lot to prove on this record? To yourselves, if not anyone else?

Twelve Tribes: yes, we had a lot to prove to ourselves AND everyone else. there was a lot of pressure, because after being gone from the scene for so long, we knew we had to come back strong. the pressure worked against us a lot of the time i think. with the new album we write, id imagine it will go much quicker. we have higher expectations, we're a lot more familiar with each other, and can realistically spend a lot more time writing. getting together and writing / rehearsing music can be pretty hard when you have to work 40 - 60 hours a week. right now, we're together all day, everyday. music is really ALL we have to focus on.

UN: Two of the original members rejoined before the writing of this new record. Do you think this added new elements to the record that might not have been there otherwise?

Twelve Tribes: it was just the perfect touch. it made everyone that much more comfortable around each other. at this point, we've all known each other for at least 6 years. we've all influenced each other through the years musically, in terms of . . . checking out what the other was into musically. that has a lot to do with it because we all have a similar point of reference and influence. but yes, the new members are the best. we all couldn't be happier with the people in twelve tribes.

UN: Did you guys have Trax East in mind when writing the album? Eric seems to be one busy man lately. But every band he produces just comes out with amazing sounding albums. It seems like he knows how to get the most out of bands. A lot of bands really show a huge progression with an album he has produced. Do you think he helped get the most out of the band?

Twelve Tribes: we didn't really have Eric in mind. that was something Carl from ferret suggested. his band Nora had just recorded at trax east and they were really happy with how it came out. we wanted something polished, and that is what Eric's recordings sound like in my opinion. really crisp and clear. we wanted the listener to be able to hear the more subtle harmonies, but at the same time keep the drivingness of the rhythms. Eric took care of all that. its just second nature to him. he's worked with so many bands over the years, the man just has it down. what we appreciated most was Eric's patience. when you're recording music you've been babying for a couple years, things can get a little tense when things aren't coming out like you want them to, or like you thought they would. Eric kept the atmosphere light and made sure everyone was happy, and no ones opinions were getting left out.

UN: Would you say it was a conscious decision to keep the hip hop influences rather subtle? They are definitely there, but it's not as blatant as rap metal. It's more subtle, for instance showing in vocal patterns or just the intonation of the vocal approach itself. I think it adds a great deal to the bands sound.

Twelve Tribes: I don't know if there was a decision to keep it subtle. we notice through reviews and message boards and stuff, that some people are turned off by some of Adams vocal parts. but its not rap metal by any means. it think what distinguishes the two is the lyrical content. if Adam was saying "yeaaaah boy" or that kind of whack shit. then yeah, i can understand why kids would slam us. but we don't. we like Adams vocal style. we all listen to a ton of hip hop. why leave such a huge influence out of our music? it wouldn't be a fair representation of who we are.

UN: While on the subject of the vocals, the vocals on this album are pretty much all over the board. You have the heavier stuff, but there is also a lot of clean vocals and even varying degrees of the heavy vocals. Would you say that this is a record that definitely pushes the bands sound forward vocally? It seems to be the most dynamic material so far from the band.

Twelve Tribes: yes. we tried a lot of new stuff on this record. Adam only sings a couple lines total on the eulogy cd's. he has a great voice and its very powerful when he sings, so we tried to incorporate it a lot more.

UN: I was wondering if you could go into some detail about the name of the record. The art makes me think that it might be a religious or political statement, but I'd be more inclined to think it was a personal statement.

Twelve Tribes: it can be interpreted however one wants. we make an effort not to be too straight forward and say a song IS about this. I’ve been really disappointed before when I thought I connected to lyrics in a certain way, and heard, or read in an interview that the song was about something completely different. its based off some of the philosophies of Niche. we also came to find out its a VOD song. we honestly had no idea, even though some of us love VOD.

UN: You guys are on one of the most diverse tour packages of the summer. Do you think that being out with some high profile bands will help spread the name Twelve Tribes? You guys must be excited to get the chance to tour with Candiria. They are still on top of their game even after all they have gone through over the years.

Twelve Tribes: we're really exited to leave on this tour. Candiria is one of our favorite bands in general. they're amazing musicians, writers and performers. we hope to learn a lot from them. I think we have to be really careful who we go on tour with. a lot of the crowd who are into heavy music nowadays just wants to hear breakdowns. we don't really do a whole lot of that, and sometimes don't go over to well with those kids. so yeah, a diverse lineup is the best possible thing we can do at this point.

UN: Will you guys pretty be road warriors until you are ready to work on new material? Ferret bands are known for their exhaustive touring schedules.

Twelve Tribes: you can pretty much plan to see us out on the road for the next year +. that's the only way this will pay off for us. some of us have jobs that pay A LOT more than what we're making now. we all quit before we left and decided not to come home until we could make a living (somewhat) off of our music. plus, that's what our label expects of us. they work countless hours promoting our cd and working for us. it would be a raw deal for them if we just sat at home on our asses.

UN: Is success something that the band is going after? Heavy music is pretty much at an all time high in popularity so it's good timing for The Rebirth of Tragedy to be released. But with an album like this, that the band put so much time into, is it just more satisfying knowing that you created an album that shows a band really clicking and success isn't import ant?

Twelve Tribes: well . . . honestly, creating an album that shows a band is really clicking doesn't pay your insurance, or phone bill or anything you know? we want success on our own terms. we want to be successful with what we've created. not with what anyone else dictates to us. but on the other hand yes, its very satisfying. we all have the best lives right now. we hang out all day, play in some really nice clubs all over the country, with a bunch of kids our age, who are all into the same stuff. none of us work jobs we hate. no one has to clock in, or worry about corporate management checking in on them. we're not banking by any means, but we eat good, and travel good and have a great time. that's how i measure success.