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? Shane: We’ve been busy rehearsing the new material and planning for a small tour later in 2015. We’ve also already begun writing for the next album, so hopefully we’ll be able to get the next record out within a much shorter time frame than between “A Divine Act of War” and “Apocalyptic Promenade”.
2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past? Shane: “Apocalyptic Promenade” is a much darker and more diverse album than “A Divine Act of War”. We really didn’t set out to write it that way, it just kind of grew in that direction as it came together. There is also a great deal of influence from the great heavy metal that came out in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Darrin and I both are huge fans of Black Sabbath, Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Accept, etc. and I think as the main song writers on this album, those influences really shaped where we went. We also integrated some of the orchestral elements from “A Divine Act of War” giving this album a more contemporary “Power Metal” feel. Honestly we are very proud of this record and how each song fits in with the overall flow of the album.
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? Shane: Well, we had several stumbling blocks during the writing of this album. We had a few members leave the band following the release of “A Divine Act of War”. We also had people struggling with health issues and others with family issues that sidelined things for a while as well. Darrin and I joke that the title of the album pretty well summed up the years between “Divine” and “Apocalyptic”! The truth is though, once Darrin and I were able to sit down and get to writing the actual album, things went pretty fast. We were lucky to have Matt Hepworth on production. He was able to really nail down the sound of the album early on so that once we got into the studio, each track just kind of came together.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music? Shane: On this album we stuck to telling stories about larger than life topics like the Book of Revelation, monsters and demons, the end of the world, fantasy, etc. We also wrote the final two parts to the Warrior’s Epic that started with “A Warrior’s Destiny “ off of “A Divine Act of War” and finished with “The Warrior’s Heart” and “Legendary” on the new album. It tells the story of a warrior from his peak to his last fight and ultimately his death, his legend living on long after he has fallen in battle. With our music we like to give our listeners a chance to escape from their day to day life, similar to reading a book or experiencing a great movie. We are hoping listeners will be sucked into the story and can just forget about everything else for a while.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sonic Prophecy'? Shane: The name “Sonic Prophecy” came to me when we were kicking around names back in 2008 or 2009. I really wanted a name that summed up what we were trying to do as a band and stuck with you once you heard it. Since we are a heavy metal band that is founded on story telling through our music, the name “Sonic Prophecy” really seemed to capture what we were about .
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance? Shane: We’ve been fortunate to play some great shows with bands like Sabaton, Accept, Ratt, Cinderella, and Tyr. But what really makes a show great is the audience! When we play to an audience, no matter how large or small, that are really getting into the music, to us that is the best part of playing in a band. As for what to expect out of a live Sonic Prophecy show; we really center on the music and interaction with the people in the audience. We are believers in putting on a show ,in the old school sense, with great music, great stage presentation, and putting the crowd front and center in the experience.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album? Shane: We are hoping to get out on tour later this summer. To be honest we are not quite sure what the extent of the tour will be. Right now we are just in the planning stages, but we’ll try to get to as many places as we can. We’ll be updating our Facebook page as things get closer.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of power metal? Shane: We have been blown away by the worldwide response to our new album. It is the greatest feeling in the world to hear from fellow metal heads around the globe and to chat with them about our music and heavy metal in general. You find out very quickly that no matter where you are, what your background is, or current situation in life, that a passion for heavy metal is universal and truly cuts across all borders and cultures. We feel very fortunate to be able to share in that experience with people who have our same passion for the music.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? Shane: Darrin and I have already started writing the next album and the material we have been coming up with has taken us, again, in a new direction. The songs so far have been darker, heavier, with some thrash elements thrown into the mix. It’s a bit too early to tell how the entire album will shape up, but I am really excited that we’ve been able to continue to write material that still sounds like us without copying the same sound as the album that came before. Time will tell, but one thing is for sure, there will not be a four year gap between “Apocalyptic Promenade” and our next record!
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays? Shane: We are all fans of old school metal like Priest, Maiden, Sabbath, Accept, Saxon, Helloween, etc. We also have influences from bands ranging from Rush to Slayer to Within Temptation. Obviously we are fans of power metal as well with bands like Hammerfall, Kamelot, Jorn, Edguy, Lost Horizon, Masterplan, Iron Savior and about a million others playing through our heads on a daily basis. We also have musical influences outside heavy metal ranging from Epic music like Two Steps from Hell to rock greats like The Beatles.
11.What are some of your non musical interests? Shane: We have varied interests ranging from herpetology to mountain biking. All of us are big horror and sci-fi movie buffs as well. Most of us, living in Utah, are really into the outdoors. It’s hard to live in a state this beautiful and not want to get out into the mountains for a hike or a weekend mountain biking trip!
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? Shane: We’d really like to thank all of the metal fans and friends, wherever in the world they may be, for their support of not only Sonic Prophecy, but all metal in general. We hope we can see some of you out on the road this year and hope to hear from as many of you as possible! Thank you to ExtremeUndergroundMusicZine as well for the interview and for your support of the global metal scene! The reason the underground metal scene is alive and thriving is due in no small part to webzines such as yours.
