Alexisonfire – "For One Solo I Was Using Eight Fuzz Pedals!"

The reunited Alexisonfire are reinventing post-hardcore - with "ancient" effects and blues-inspired solos...

- By Ellie Rogers

Earlier this year, Canadian post-hardcore heroes E Alexisonfire dropped Otherness - their first full-length record in 13 years. Mixing classic ferocity with newfound melodicism - plus plenty of wisdom gleaned from the myriad musical projects its constituent members have worked on in the interim - the album, says guitarist/vocalist Wade MacNeil, was all about "getting rid of the rules we'd created".

The band had a single serious chat before recording ensued in earnest. As Wade recalls: "The one conversation we had was that we're lucky to still have this in our lives, that we shouldn't take it for granted and that we deserve to do it in a way that makes us all happy." As they head out this month on a UK tour, Wade is pleased to report that "everything about Alexisonfire feels very good these days," and confirms with a definitive "yeah!" that the band is back for good...

After the long pause between albums, how has it felt to have made such a triumphant return?

It's been different from any other music I've ever released. The response has been so overwhelmingly positive. Honestly, it's a bit shocking. When you make creative decisions, you do so knowing they will be divisive and rub certain people the wrong way. This is different. Honestly, it's a bit strange!

When this band was on hiatus you replaced Frank Turner as singer in Gallows. Has this, and other projects you've been a part of, influenced the way you now approach making music with Alexisonfire?