Coal Chamber is rockin’ our worlds with its fresh new album and revitalized energy

Coal Chamber got its
fame in the late ‘90s, lumped into the “nu metal” scene, but also catered
towards fans of goth and industrial with a sound that was unique and
innovative. But, after three albums, successful record sales and world tours,
the band’s inner turmoil, and several members’ issues with substance abuse
caused the band to crumble around 2003. Vocalist Dez Fafara, almost immediately
formed Devildriver, and for fans everywhere, Coal Chamber seemed like it was a
distant, nostalgic memory. But in 2011, after several years to cool down and
reboot, the band reunited for several overseas festival appearances.

With a new album out
last month, Coal Chamber is back, revitalized and ready to take on the world,
right where it left off. Fafara, a longtime advocate of cannabis, took time
from the band’s current U.S. tour, to speak with CULTURE from the road, before a gig in Portland. He discussed the
process of writing songs for the new album, what it was like working with Al
Jourgensen of Ministry, why Devildriver and Coal Chamber won’t ever mix, and
his views on both legalization and the medicinal benefits of herb.

Tell us about your current tour with American Head Charge, Filter
and Combichrist!

The opening bands are
killer—more of a heavy, industrial sound. Multiple shows have been sold out.
Reactions to the new songs have been phenomenal, and the press and write-ups
have been incredible too. Spin Magazine,
Rolling Stone and others were at our
L.A. show—all with great responses.

What was the mindset or process going into writing music for your
new album, Rivals?

Going into it was
simple. When we first took Coal Chamber around the world, I listened to some
stuff that our guitar player Meegs was writing, and told him we needed to write
a record. We went all in with it, and tried to deliver something powerful, that
was still Coal Chamber. The album is something that’s extremely fresh, rather
than just some ’90s band trying to rekindle what they used to sound like.

What was it like, working with Al Jorgenson of Ministry who was a
guest on the new album?

Al has been a very close
friend for a long time. I’ve always looked up to him, because he’s an icon.
When he was available and came down to my house to be on the record we hung out
and barbecued. It was fun, and a big opportunity to work together. He’s that
bridge between heavy metal and that darker goth industrial music; just like
Coal Chamber, we looked up to bands like Bauhaus, Christian Death, Alien Sex
Fiend. Al has that duality of metal and darkness, and it worked really well.

Do you use cannabis?

I grew up with ADD, and I
still have problems concentrating. My parents had me on Ritalin for many years
when I was a kid. When I was a bit older though, I decided to self-medicate
with marijuana; I found it helped to mellow me out and open up the left side of
my brain to help me be more creative and really focus. If I’m going to sit down
and write, read a book or watch a long movie, it’s almost impossible for me to
do without smoking marijuana.

Do you support full-on legalization for medical and recreational?

Hell yes! Absolutely. I believe
in all the benefits the herb can offer. From cancer-fighting, to anti-aging to
stress-relief, there are so many properties in herb that can benefit people. I’ve
seen it first hand in my life, I watched my sister and mother get over cancer
and both used marijuana. I think within the next few years, we’re going to see
most if not all states legalize it fully. It would be just stupid not to, for
the tax revenue alone, which states like Washington and Colorado are reporting
now. The governments should use that money to fund education and rehabilitation
programs, making it serve a dual purpose and do good for people. In my life,
I’m an incredible muti-tasker, I’m a musician, I run around the world, manage
several bands and businesses, and I do it all stoned, for lack of better term.

Would you ever consider having Devildriver and Coal Chamber share
the stage in the future?

No. They are two
completely different animals, and I don’t think they can exist together at all.
The music is different, the crowds are different and the entire vibe from the
shows both bands play is different. I love them both but would like to keep
things that way, both bands separate.

Can you tell readers any future plans with Coal Chamber after this
tour?

After we come off the
road from this leg of touring, we’re heading to Brazil with Coal Chamber to do
Monsters of Rock with Ozzy, and we’ll hit Chile too. Those are going to be
insane shows. Then we’re going to Europe and probably Australia, and one more
time around the U.S. Plus, sometime this year I’m going to take a little time off
to write a record new Devildriver album, for release next year. We have a busy
year but we look forward to lots of traveling, friends, music, fans and smoke.