Verbal Deception, Calgary’s kings of pirate metal, first formed as a trio in 2002, and in 2005 this humble writer was press-ganged into playing bass for the progressive, death-infused folk metal band. Okay, so I volunteered, but “press-ganged” does sound so much more pirate-y.

It was a formidable time of getting grogged at great gigs and pillaging full venues, but eventually scheduling conflicts – like my wedding clashing with the band’s first tour being one, and increasing commitments to my other band at the time, Caveat, being the other – resulted in us parting ways in 2006, though on excellent terms, I must add.

My replacement on the high seas of Verbal Deception was bass wunderkind Matt Petti, joining guitarist/vocalist Kresho Klarich, keyboardist Walt Fleming and drummer Jordon Bourgeault on their quest to an epic follow-up of the band’s full-length debut, “Aurum Aetus Piraticus” [Scarab Productions, 2006].

Having taken most of 2008 off gigging to concentrate on writing the new album, with the exception of a few select shows, the swashbuckling sailors are almost ready to head into the studio.

And since my lovely editor thought it would be interesting for me to interview my former bandmates – which it was – I recently sat down with three quarters of the band. Bourgeault was in Europe at the time, quite possibly looking for new European breakthroughs in moustache wax…

Contributor Terry Baldwin locks in the pirate-y grooves with Verbal Deception while Kresho Klarich shreds it up in the foreground at the Ship & Anchor March 1, 2006.

How is the new album coming along and when can we expect to see it?

Matt Petti: The new album is coming along slower than we had expected, but I’m a firm believer in not rushing anything. We’re working towards our goals and hope to start the recording process within five to six months.

How does the new material compare to “Aurum Aetus Piraticus?”

Petti: We’ve been exploring new styles and elements we can use for our songs, but we are in no way getting rid of the pirate theme; it’s something we definitely want to keep. I would say some of the major new elements mix up a heavier sound with more eventful drum and bass patterns and, in keyboards, you’ll hear some even more exotic instruments. “Aurum Aeteus Piraticus” delivered a pirate theme, but in this adventure, we’ll prove that exploring the pirate sound is not a linear path.

Are any of your side projects influencing the writing at all?

Walt Fleming: My solo self-titled project is far different in sound than Verbal Deception. In it, I project some odd note challenges for myself that, over time, are periodically resolved, garnished, and trimmed, keeping it’s feel far-out, and making a more listen-able picture, just like a bogus, extended, customizable crossword puzzle, where at the end you’ve got words like “darlsla,” “fenatotalgly” and “prutale,” and in the end they all cross-joined in good humor and made something you can pronounce. So if anything, it’s an exercise, and I’d say no preference of style has leaked from it to Verbal Deception, but the benefits for us from working on my very own stuff are that I can see further possibilities in new music challenges of no specific nature.

Petti: Similar to Walt, my other project [Illuminated Minerva] sounds completely different from Verbal Deception. My role as a bassist is very different in both bands. In Verbal Deception, my role is to keep things heavy and low with hints of melody. In Illuminated Minerva, I still try to keep things heavy, but I tend to “go off” more and branch out from just playing finger-style. I like to incorporate slap technique and some two-hand tapping licks.

You’ve played a number of big shows in the past, including opening slots for bands like Korpiklaani, 3 Inches of Blood, Zimmer’s Hole. Are there any that stand out more than others?

Kresho Klarich: Opening for Finntroll in Toronto stands out as a great experience. We got invited out a few months in advance, so the build-up was crazy. We flew out with our guitars and keyboards and believe it or not, drums too. Jordon took the skins off his drums and stacked them all inside one another. West Jet said his hardware bag was the heaviest thing they have been able to check in at 99.4 lbs. We played middle of the bill with just us, an opener and Finntroll. The place was sold out, and the crowd was really into our tunes. We had a blast.

What’s your best road trip story?

Klarich: There have been many good times and some really shit times. Although, I’ll never forget making the back room of a bar in Timmons, Ont. into a wrestling ring between Wolven Ancestry, Nesfastis Dies and us.

What advice would you give to a band considering touring for the first time?

Petti: Three out of five times, it ain’t gonna be pretty. Be sure you do your research, and make sure the promoters are doing their jobs. It’s tough, but you’ll really learn and enjoy what it’s like being on the road. The more you head out on the road, the bigger the crowds are when you return.

Matt, you have quite a hand in all of the Scarab Production shows. Has that changed the way you approach your own shows and tours?

Petti: Working with Scarab has changed my whole outlook on booking gigs. I’ve been in the promoter’s shoes, and I know some good ways to interact with them to get good results right off the bat. Communication is the key. I also know that any kind of long-range promo, be it online advertising, or even building the poster yourself, can help greatly. Plus, it builds a good rapport with the promoter so they will want to deal with you again.

What shows do have coming up?

Fleming, Klarich, Petti: No shows are booked as of yet. We are keeping a clear schedule until we complete the next album. That way we can focus on the writing 100 per cent and not have to worry about having a set prepared.

Anything you’d like to add or anyone you’d like to thank?

Fleming, Klarich, Petti: We’d just like to send a huge “thank you” to all those who have given us their constant support from the beginning until now. We can’t wait to show you some more new material.