US Groove Metallers INCITE Talk Winter Tours, New Guitarist Eli and Christmas with the Cavalera’s

US groove metallers Incite are set to return to the UK this week for a full UK tour so ahead of the dates we caught up with Richie Cavalera about touring the UK in the Winter, their new guitarist Eli and Christmas with the Cavaleras.

When the band hit the UK this week, they’ll be “Built To Destroy” as their music video demonstrates:

So, you’re kicking off 2020 with a UK tour, what can fans expect from the shows and what are you most excited about?
Richie: “Ya, we’re fired up about a headline tour in the U.K. and Europe to start this New Year! Fans are going to see a special show each night that’s for sure. We have 2 killer support bands in Death Remains and Sworn Amongst who are definitely going to get the pit raging. We’re going to be playing a lot off our new album Built To Destroy, along with a lot of tracks from the old stuff as well, so I think the metalheads are going to be rocking all night. You won’t be disappointed thats for sure!”

And this will be UK fans first opportunity to see new guitarist Eli, what brought about that change ?
Richie: “Eli was a huge positive for this band, his attitude, his vibe, his playing is all on the same level as the rest of us and just completes Incite so we’re beyond pumped to see where this band will go. As for the tour unfortunately Eli won’t be making the U.K. part of the tour so metalheads will have to wait till Summer too see him shred with us. He has some prior obligations before he could join us fully, his first show will be Nantes, France on January 21st, we got some bad asses to fill in for the shows! As for Dru, the 3 of us just felt a different vibe over the past year, it’s like any relationship things change and changes need to be made, no hard feelings and we wish him the best and see nothing but huge things for Incite going forward.”

What do you think Eli brings to Incite and what can fans expect from him ?
Richie: He brings a huge excitement for us as a band in every way, attitude, vibe, reputation, work ethic, and obviously shredding. His talent is incredible so to have that as a part of our arsenal is just kick ass, we’re just ready to see what’s next for us. The U.K. fans are going to see Incite at 100% on every level, I think it’ll be more about the riffing rather than the illusion of shredding.”

You’re still touring support of Built To Destroy, given time for the album to bed in, what do you think about it now ?
Richie: “I’m not in a hurry to make a new album, this one still has a lot of people that haven’t heard it and that’s going to keep us busy most of the year touring. This one still feels new to me and it rules to play live and to me still has the power a year later which is awesome. I think it’s our best record as far as production and happiness with the final result compared to albums in the past.”

Incite released their crushing album Built To Destroy on January 25, 2019 through Roadrunner Records:

Have you started working on any new material with Eli yet ? When can we expect anything new from the band ?
Richie: “Not yet. This time has really been to get him comfortable with all our past material, it’s 5 albums to learn so is not easy that’s for sure. One thing that makes us bad ass is our tightness live so that is a lot of our focus just getting it all dialled into where we feel that connection. It’s only been a few weeks and it feels fucking huge. We want to use 2020 to jam and play live together and build a vibe between us all before the writing. We know that process will come and we’re going to continue to be a kick ass metal band.”

Was there any initiation ceremony to introduce Eli into the Incite family ?
Richie: “Lennon and me smoked a ton of joints but, no, not really, just a shit ton of hugs and laughs and some kick ass jamming. We’re chill dudes so we want him to feel relaxed and comfortable, not like he’s our band slave and shit. That’s not how we treat it especially with someone we were dying to have in this band. There’ll be some tour drinks when the time comes.”

Last time we saw you in the UK was at Bloodstock, what are your memories of that day ?
Richie: “Some of the best times ever as far as my music life goes. We were determined to play this festival and it was everything we could have dreamed of. Hella metalheads, cold, raining and mud so the vibe was perfect for us to kick the weekend off. Hopefully we’ll get to come back and rock it again.”

You know the UK in January is going to be freezing? What essential items are you bringing out on the road with you to help you with our lovely Winter weather ?
Richie: “I got my first ever real winter jacket for Christmas just because of the U.K. tour. It’s freezing for sure, but it adds to the whole experience so I love it. Fish and chips taste good no matter the weather. My long johns are crucial for survival also, they save my skinny ass.”

Family is a huge part of your life Richie, on that note, how will you/did you and the rest of the Cavalera family celebrate Christmas ?
Richie: “The wife and me made the journey from Vegas to Arizona to spend it with my family. It was like I always remember, pure chaos. No one does Christmas like my parents and now that the house is full of grandkids it makes the experience something that will last a life time.”

Thanks for your time Richie. Apart from the UK tour, what has Incite got lined-up for 2020 ?
Richie: “Ya we’re heading to Mexico City to play with Amon Amarth and King Diamond at a massive festival so that will be killer, than we hit the US for a headline tour and hopefully back to Europe and the U.K. for some festivals. It’s going to be another busy year but that’s what it’s all about rocking out. Thanks for the support and spreading the word. Thanks to the metalheads and smoke weed every day.”

Built To Destroy is out now and you can pick up your copy here.

Tour Dates:

01/11 – Bournemouth – The Anvil
01/12 – Bridgewater – Cobblestones
01/14 – Chesterfield – The County Music Bar
01/15 – Edinburgh – Underworld Bannermans Bar
01/16 – Leeds – The Key Club
01/17 – Manchester – The Star & Garter
01/18 – Nottingham – Alberts
01/19 – Exeter – Cavern Club
01/20 – London – Islington O2 Academy

Here’s an example of how crushing Incite are. Go on, check it out, “Resistance” is futile!: