Interview - DARKENED
We interviewed Andy Whale (of Bolt Thrower fame) previously, with his Memoriam hat on.
This time we caught up with the legendary drummer to ask a few questions about his latest project, Darkened.
1. Darkened is something of a 'supergroup', how did you guys get together?
Darkened started as an idea between myself and Daryl (Kahan). We've known each other for quite a few years. We grew up liking and playing the same kind of music (punk, hardcore, death metal) but on different sides of the Atlantic. We'd talked about doing a band together for a while, but never got around to doing anything. When we started the ball rolling, it all sort of fell into place. Daryl suggested Hempa (Brynolfsson), who had some amazing ideas for songs. Hempa in turn suggested Linus (Nirbrant), who is amazing at structuring songs. Hempa and Linus also work together on the mixing side of things. The hard person to find was the vocalist. We got a few people to demo some tracks, but they never felt right. I think Hempa always knew the style of vocalist the band needed. He suggested Gord (Olson), and when we heard his demo we knew he was perfect for the style of music we wanted to create. It took a while to get everyone in place, but we've not really been in a rush to release material until we are 100% happy with it.
2. Your debut EP (Into The Blackness) is outstanding, how has the response been?
We've tried to keep the EP as underground as possible, we talked about sending it to some of the bigger labels but decided it wasn't what we wanted. So we decided to go with Edged Circle Productions (CD), Funeral Hymn Records (cassette) and Chaos Records (vinyl - release date TBC). We've had a great responses/reviews from people, it's been great.
3. Can we expect more Darkened releases in the future? A full-length perhaps?
Yes, is the short answer. We are just finishing off the vocals and bass tracks for the full-length, then we are ready for mixing. The album should be released mid-2020 via Edged Circle Productions. We don't have a title at the moment, but it's sounding great and we are pleased with it. As always, we're not rushing it, it gets done when it's done.
4. Is there any chance we'll ever see the band on tour? It would presumably be a challenge, given that you are spread across the globe.
Probably not. As well as being spread all over the world, some of the band don't really want to play shows. But I think it's a case of seeing where we are when the album comes out, let's see!
5. 2019 saw the release of a new Memoriam album as well (the third album in as many years), which is also outstanding, it must feel good to still be on top of your game after all these years?
Thankful, would be the honest answer! I've been very lucky over the years, I've had a lot of time off between bands and still managed to record some great albums. With the Darkened album this year I think I'm up to nine studio albums, as for any more Memoriam releases let's wait and see haha!
6. Who were your biggest influences when you started out?
Early punk bands UK Subs/Crass and the Ramones, Later it was bands like Antisect/Dirt, plus a lot of American hardcore bands like DRI/Half Off. Around the mid-80s bands like Venom/Bathory/Celtic Frost/Sacrilege really got me into the metal scene. Bands who inspired me as a drummer would have been Discharge and Slayer, I love that in-your-face style of drumming.
7. What has been inspiring you recently?
Bands I've liked recently include Ten Ton Slug, Fleshworks and Desdemonia. Drummers who I love to watch nowadays... that's a lot harder, there are so many amazing drummers around at the moment.
More interviews: Void Rot / Malignant Altar / Graceless / Necronomicon / Antichrist / Dysylumn / Evoken / Ov Shadows / Morast / Assumption / Scour / Spectral Voice / Morta Skuld / Solothus / Memoriam / Ataraxy / Soulskinner / Necrot
