1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
We've been trying to do as much PR as we can to get the word out on our new album because feel we have a great product and want it to land on as many ears as possible. We're doing a small Maritime tour and hitting all the major cities in our area over the next couple of weeks and hoping to expand our audiences over the summer.
2.You released a new album in May, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the album you had released a few years back?
The music and production has definitely taken a mature step forward. It's been four years since our last release so we've been taking our time honing our craft so that we can ensure we deliver the best possible product.
3.This is the first album to be released in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap between releases?
We've played quite regularly over the years building our audience and we're hoping the leg work we've done will pay off. It's easy for any band to be forgotten if they fly off the radar so I think it's important to stay out there and play regardless of whether you are promoting an album or in the process of writing one.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?
While the album isn't a "concept" album, it certainly has a theme. The title track, The Mirror's Face, deals with being aware of yourself and ensuring that when your time comes, you can look back on your life and be satisfied with who you are and that you made a difference. Whether it's going against the grain for the greater good, questioning authority you don't agree with or simply being a good person, it's about knowing you lived a life that your proud of. While this is what the title track is about, many of the songs touch upon this theme as well.
4.4 of the 5 members use to be in Obsidian Reign' do you see this band as a continuation of your older band?
Yes, only because the majority of the members were in Obsidian Reign. Musically, Hero's Last Rite is much different than OR was simply because we're older and more mature as individuals and musicians and it shows in our songwriting compared to the albums we released as Obsidian Reign.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hero's Last Rite'?
We actually had a song from our last album (Inevitable is the End) called Hero's Last Rite that we wrote in the last few months of Obsidian Reign’s existance. The song is about the murder of Dimebag Darrel. I am/was a huge fan of Pantera and Dimebag and I wanted to put my thoughts and feeling surrounding the murder in song. When Obsidian Reign was done and we decided to carry on, we knew we needed a new name and we always came back to Hero's Last Rite. It just seemed like a logical choice.
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We've played some pretty awesome shows over our time as a band. We've opened up for Cancer Bats, 3 Inches of Blood, Behemoth, Quo Vadis, Augury and many more amazing bands. All were very cool in their own way but there's one show we played last year that is definitely close to the top for us. It was the Maritime Metal and Hard Rock Festival held in Aylesford, Nova Scotia. We played last summer and were asked to play again this year. It was, hands down, the most well organized festival we've ever done and the beauty is that it's all local bands that play. Anyone wanting to check this festival out should go towww.maritimemetalfest.com
As far as our live show, I think anyone in a band has said that they'd like to see themselves live in concert. Having said that, I can only go by what people tell us which is that we are intense, brutal and extremely high energy. We pride ourselves on our live show because we put absolutely 100% of ourselves into it and we've been told we never dissapoint.
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?
We're in the process of doing a small Maritime tour where we hit all the major cities in the Atlantic Provinces. We are certainly not opposed to taking it to Quebec and Ontario and I'm sure eventually we will but with our personal schedules, it's difficult to plan a long touring schedule. For now, we'll play to anyone that will have us on the east coast and see what the future holds.
9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
We're not really looking, but if someone shows interest and it works for us, it's certainly not something we'd turn our backs on. Currently, we're just focusing on making as much noise on the East Coast as possible and we hope with our new release in hand, we get the attention of some new Metalheads..
10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
Everyone that has heard the album has had nothing but positive feedback. We've had some amazing reviews on everything from song structure, lyrics and production and it's all been amazing! We've gotten some perfect scores which blow our minds.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
It's too early to tell since our album has only been out for a couple of weeks but we've toyed with the idea of doing something different. Maybe something a little more mellow in the vein of Opeth just to keep things fresh. We love the heavy stuff so much I'm not sure if it will happen. When we start writing again, we'll just go with whatever comes out.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We're all pretty big fans of Gojira,Opeth and old school Thrash like Testament and Exodus but we all have our own musicical tastes that influence our individual
musicianship. Personally, as the vocalist, I have a lot of love for Phil Anselmo, Mikael Akerfeldt, Phil Bozeman, Chuck Schuldiner and about a million others.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Honestly what I enjoy most is simply hanging out with my wife and son. I love and cherish their company so much that any time I get to just sit and talk with my wife or wrestle with my boy, it’s the best possible thing I could do.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Just want to say thank you to people like yourself for taking the time to conduct this interview. As well, all the support everyone has given us over the years. We have so many great friends that help and support us and it doesn't go unnoticed.
No comments:
Post a Comment