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Artist: Vesperian Sorrow Date Added: 04/04/06 More Info: Vesperian Sorrow Official Website, ARSE Introduction, ARSE review of "Psychotic Sculpture" Interview by: Lou If you've had the chance to glance through the various reviews and stuff here on ARSE you may have notice me mention Vesperian Sorrow once or twice. This band is fantastic - check them out! ....But, please take the time to read the following interview with vocalist Donn Donni... Lou: For any of our readers who aren't familiar with the brilliance of Vesperian Sorrow - How would you describe the music that you guys create? Donn Donni: We choose to label it "Dark Symphonic Metal". It has influences of death, and black, but it is neither solely one or the other. It's pretty intense music, with melody, and alot of intricate guitar parts. Our music can be brutally bombastic one minute, and very melancholy the next. We like to mix it up. Lou: How's the search for a keyboard player going? Donn Donni: We haven't had much luck as of late. There are just not that many keyboard players that are into our style of music in our area. We currently are using a sampler for all the keyboard arrangements, which personally I like better. If one comes along than so be it. Lou: Could you give us a bit of information on the new album, "Regenisis Creation" (released 10th February)? Is it in the same vein as "Psychotic Sculpture" or have you changed direction at all? Donn Donni: I think that RC, is our most mature release to date. All the musicianship has developed even more than on our previous releases! The guitar work is more advanced, and intricate. The keys that Kris laid down are way more interesting at times on the new album. My vocals are a little rawer this time around, and that's how I wanted it. We are very proud of the new album, and are already looking forward to topping it with the next one! Lou: Why was the release date pushed back so much? Donn Donni: Delay, after delay, after delay.... Every time we set a release date some sort of problem would arise, be it tracking problems, mastering delays, or manufacturing issues. I tell you Lou, we've learned to never announce a release date until the final disc is in our hot little hand! Lou: Will "Regenisis Creation" be easily available in the UK? I found "Psychotic Sculpture" by pure chance in a second hand record shop and I haven't found it anywhere else since. Donn Donni: Honestly, not to sure if it will be or not at this time! We are going to try and circulate it as best we can all across the globe, and I'm sure we'll get it licensed in the UK. We will sure as hell try our best! Lou: What's happening with the record company situation? Why did you part ways with Displeased Records? Donn Donni: Displeased were good for us in the early stages, but now it's time for us to move on to bigger and better things. Those were some of the coolest guys, but they just don't quite have the resources to promote our band to the next level. After doing alot of research, we decided to keep our bank roll in our own pockets and release it ourselves on our own label, "Underscape Records"! Lou: Who writes the songs for Vesperian Sorrow? Are they written by the band as a unit? Donn Donni: We do write the songs as a band, but the main songwriters are Kris and William. They pretty much write all the guitar riffs, and Kris all the keys, and the rest of us may come up with an idea or two to add to it. I take care of all the lyrics.
Donn Donni: Well, we did do the 'ol hanging the mic in the center of the practice room thing, but the first actual song we recorded was a song called "Embrace the Fallen Moon". We did it to cassette on a Tascam 4-track. I played guitar and bass, and my vocals were all the low death metal style. Kris did some guitar and bass as well. I have to say, I believe that recording is long since gone. < Lou: Who designs the artwork for your album covers? Donn Donni: For "Beyond the Cursed Eclipse" we designed it ourselves. We had a friend who knew Photoshop pretty well, and he helped us piece it together. "Psychotic" was designed by a professional designer by the name of Daniel Long: novembre.ws With "RC", we went with Morgana: iberianblackarts.com Lou: "Psychotic Sculpture" seemed to be a very intricate piece of work with lots of layers and strings etc. How long did it take to record and how does this compare with the latest album? Donn Donni: To actually record "Psychotic", it took us an entire month. We booked the studio for 30 days, and we were in there every day. It was a long haul, but well worth it. We brought in some string players to lay down some cello, and violin parts. For our latest release, we recorded it ourselves in our own studio. It took us a lot longer due to the fact that we don't have any time constraints. We would listen, and then redo parts over. It's really cool having the flexibility to record yourself. Lou: I'm currently counting down the days until you guys play in London on the 29th April. Is this the first time you've played in England? How did this gig come about? Donn Donni: We are very excited, and are counting the days as well. It will mark our first time to perform in, or even venture to London. We have performed in Germany in 2000, but never in the UK. Paul with "Arcane Promotions" asked us if we were interested in playing his "Infernal Damnation" fest, and we immediately agreed! His band, Thus Defiled played with us here in Texas, and we struck up a good relationship. Lou: Do you know which songs you are going to include in the set list for London yet? Will you take requests (I'd personally like to hear "Astrodramatica")? Donn Donni: Not sure yet the set, but you can be rest assured we will play all of our best material to date. We will definitely play "Astro" just for you! I fucking love that song! Lou: Do you include any cover versions in your set? Donn Donni: No, we have never performed a cover live. We did learn Dissection's "Where Dead Angels Lie", and Edge of Sanity's "Dark Day", but we never got around to playing them in front of anyone.
Lou: Will you be touring anywhere else in Europe? Donn Donni: In addition to the London gig, we are playing the following day, (4-30) in Birmingham at the "Crucifest" show. Only two shows while we are in Europe, but that is fine with us. We have just been wanting to visit the UK for so long now, and we get to play a couple of shows! Lou: I've noticed on your website that you've shared the stage with some pretty big bands (King Diamond, Cradle of Filth, Opeth...). Which was your favourite band to share a gig with and why? Donn Donni: Definitely Cryptopsy! Those guys are so cool, and they put on one of the most intense performances ever! We played two consecutive shows with them in Canada, and both were outstanding! Opening for Nevermore here in Austin was very cool as well. Lou: What's your favourite song to play live? Have you played any of the songs from the new album live yet? If so, how did the crowd react? Donn Donni: I would have to say "Quest of the Exiled". I feel that is the best song we have ever written, and live it is just so damn fun! We pretty much have only been playing songs off the new album. The crowd seems to really be into the new material. We do always throw and older one or two in there as well. Lou: If you've read my review of "Psychotic Sculpture" you'll know that "Psychotic..." has found itself a lovely spot in my top ten records of all time. What are your top ten records? Donn Donni: Reign in Blood Ride the Lightning Powerslave Bonded By Blood Coma of Souls In the Forest of the Dreaming Dead The Spectral Sorrows Storm of the Light's Bane Clandestine Heartwork Can we make it the top 100? (-No, that's cheating - Lou) Lou: How did you all get into metal? Was there a particular band or album that made you think "Ooh, this metal stuff's pretty good" (or something to that effect!)? Donn Donni: Believe it or not, it was Twisted Sister's "Stay Hungry" album. I heard it, and saw the video for "I Wanna Rock" and I was hooked! Then when I was fourteen, I went to an Iron Maiden concert here in Austin, and when I saw Bruce Dickinson I was like, I wanna be that guy! Lou: Do you have any other bands (other than Vesperian Sorrow)? Donn Donni: Nah, VS keeps me so damn busy, I don't have time for any other projects right now. I do want to start a brutal death metal band, where as I play guitar. An old school punk band would be alot of fun as well. Lou: What's in store for Vesperian Sorrow in 2006? Donn Donni: Plenty of touring, performing, and writing mew material! We want to promote our band more than ever before! I feel that VS's time is here and now, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get our band to the greatest heights imaginable! |
