The latest release from the Canadian alt metal band The Veer Union is Reinvention. Guitarist Ryan Ramsdell fills us in on the record, tour plans and other topics.
Chad Bowar: Was there anything unique about the songwriting process for Reinvention compared to your previous albums?
Ryan Ramsdell: Not particularly. We’ve made so many albums at this point that what makes each one special is the moment in time — and the time we spend making it. We do our best to just enjoy it, because you never know how much time you’ve got left on this planet. There are always things you remember while making albums, and moments you forget. We just focus on the song at hand and work on it. When you’re constructing a song, as it comes together, it tells you what it needs. This album was an enjoyable one to make.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
Oh man. We all have a lot of different memories, but for me… whether it was in the studio, over the phone, or on Zoom. Probably the chorus of “Caught In The Crossfire.” It came together really quick and organic. The chorus, anyway. Crispin rang me up, “Dude, I got something sick.” He already had the melody locked, had the line “Caught In The Crossfire,” and we just hammered it out. Strongest memory of the whole thing.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
I’d probably have to say time. Sometimes things come together fast. Usually there’s one song on every record that we throw together at the last second — we’re burnt out, just trying to finish. But generally, you can’t rush creativity. For example, most of the time we start with the chorus. Nail that, then work backwards. You get the verse perfect, and suddenly the chorus doesn’t hit like it did. That’s when the rabbit hole opens. But that’s the process — the song starts telling you what works, what doesn’t, what it needs. Easier said than done, though.
How has your sound evolved from Manifestations?
Manifestations was the record where we started to really cross over into more metalcore — we’d always been fans of heavier stuff that than we had put out. We started out rock, sure, but the heaviness kept creeping up on us, year after year. And when it hit, our fans were right there with us. Reinvention, that’s was just us being honest. We’ve evolved, yeah; as people, as musicians, as friends who genuinely love each other. The world’s changed. We’ve changed. But as for our core, the core’s stayed the same. Hope. Always hope. And we ride whatever edge the world gives us — together.
What lyrical subjects do you tackle on this one?
On this record, even though it’s our heaviest yet, we really wanted to keep the lyrical message rooted in what we’ve always been about. So while the melodies/screams and instrumentation went places we’d never gone before, the words stayed true to our core. Hope. That’s the thread. There’s a ballad or two about heartbreak – the usual. But we didn’t dive too deep into social commentary, not on purpose anyway. If the world’s ugliness creeps in, it’s only because it’s already in our lives. But at the end of every song, you’re still supposed to feel possibility.
How much attention do you pay to reviews?
We do pay attention to reviews — but only to a certain extent. It’s nice to see good ones, and often hilarious and good for our egos when someone’s tearing us apart. But honestly, if you’re only getting praise you’re probably not doing it right. We definitely listen to our fans. We definitely hear what people say. But at the end of the day, we make music for ourselves. We care about the fans— we want them coming back, we wanna grow. Still, after all these years, if we aren’t happy, we aren’t doing it.
You filmed several videos for the album. Which was your favorite shoot?
Shooting videos for this record was tough. We don’t really like making them. I mean, sure, we laugh, mess around, have fun hanging out, but the process? It’s a lot. Work. Planning. Takes. All of it. We filmed “Caught in the Crossfire” outside Stanley Park, Vancouver, February. Freezing. Shot the first “Sea of Fear” same day. By the end we couldn’t feel our faces, fingers, toes. “Crossfire” came out great. “Sea of Fear” sucked — redid it. “Meet Your Maker” — first time, Glenn wasn’t in the band, a few things wrong. Went back. Reshot. Fun. “My Empire” — inside. One take. Clean. “Venom in My Veins” — armory, Vancouver. Blast. But the second round of “Meet Your Maker”? Best day we had.
How important are videos in the promotion process these days?
Videos remain a key central part to any campaign. When visuals align with the audio — when they amplify rather than illustrate — you create something people can’t look away from. That’s obviously where you want to be. Budgets have certainly contracted over the last several years, the streaming economy squeezes everyone, but if you can still deliver a piece of art that feels authentic, that resonates; it makes you look larger than life and helps tremendously.
How did you come to sign with Arising Empire?
We really liked the bands that AE were putting out and when we were talking to our management about it, they had an in and the rest is history.
What are your upcoming tour plans?
We’ve got some tour stuff coming up this year that will be announced very soon.
Where haven’t you played live that you’d still like to get to?
We’ve wanted to come to Europe for years. We were ready to come over and then Covid hit and we had to cancel. We love our European fans and we will make it over there soon.
What’s the coolest site/attraction you’ve been able to visit while on tour?
Oh man, we’ve seen so many incredible places, we are so fortunate. Probably the one that finally got checked off my bucket list was Washington DC. We played there during the Manifestations run. We’d always play Baltimore but somehow never made it over to DC. We were always in such a rush, driving from show to show, never even stopped to visit. The night we finally played, it was amazing. And even though it was super late after, we dragged ourselves out and saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House. Absurdly quiet. Felt like we had the whole city to ourselves. Honestly, one of the best nights ever.
Who are your all-time top 5 favorite Canadian bands (of any genre)?
Rush, Alexisonfire, City In Colour, Big Wreck and Three Days Grace.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
Motorcycles, boating, being outside, guns.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Thanks so much for sitting down with us. We really appreciate you giving us your time. Massive, heartfelt thanks to every single fan who’s been with us from day one — and a huge, excited shout-out to everyone hearing us for the first time. Please go grab Reinvention — out February 20th— and if you can, come sing/scream along on tour later this year. Would mean the world.
(interview published February 19, 2026)
Watch The Veer Union – “Venom In My Veins” Video
