Interviews: Spectral Darkwave

This is a new interview with the Symphonic Death Metal/Doom Metal band Spectral Darkwave from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or came out just like that?

For she (the band) is named after our ship traveling across space and time. Her voyages in collecting horrors most foul have made up the contents of the first two albums. The band is a vehicle for storytelling, so we named it after her. ))Gives her a bang on the hull((

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We are a mixture of our influences, but we were always chasing a sense of scale and our deep, shared interest in science fiction horror. From growing up listening to video game music on the Commodore Amiga and the orchestral score from things like Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan, It's what we always pursued. Then someone gave me a copy of Blackwater Park and it all made sense - death vocals! 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Well, The Engineer and I are genetic clones, the gunner was press-ganged from the musical equivalent of Craigslist, he thought he was just going to be playing bass but it turned out far worse for him. Actually much better than any of us ever expected.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Very mixed. I can be found listening to an awful lot of Rammstein lately but love slow chunks of medieval-sounding doom wherever I can get it, similarly, The Gunner has a taste for Draconian and French torture doom, and The Engineer, as drummers always do, likes anything prog - he's been hitting Sleep Token pretty hard lately.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The last 2 albums have been about collecting stories from history or near history that tell of the unspeakable desires that only humans are capable of. The band is about fantasy-made flesh, so we like to tell stories rather than moan about our internal states. We also ensure that the sounds in the song evoke the story in the mind's eye of the audience.

6. Where was your last gig?

As we had played Bloodstock the previous year, we were invited as guest headliners and judges at a Hitchin Metal 2 The Masses show at a lovely venue called Club 85. We take our judgment very seriously, knowing firsthand the work that goes into providing a show.

7. Where would you like to act?

In our music videos probably, we do like a theatrical flourish throughout our work, any excuse to give people a more fantastic, escapist experience. If you mean to perform, then we are trying to spread our show far and wide - so are looking at as many stages as possible over the next 2 years in support of our current album 'At Outer Dark'

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We most enjoy giving people a surprise, but some kind of support with a Behemoth or Septic Flesh would go down lovely one day. People that are willing to enjoy the fantasy and look into the grim void of space.

9. Whom not?

We don't get exclusive as to whom we play with - but any bands that are too testosterone fuelled and would rather throw beer than guzzling mead and fine spirits in the name of unholy powers would probably not be the best fit.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

From some experience - Be prepared. Practice so you make no more than 3 mistakes in half-hour, as nearly everyone does at whatever level. They'll feel huge but be imperceptible to an audience. Allow yourself those mistakes - you won't make them next time!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We've always admired bands with a sense of scale, seeing early videos of bands such as Metallica's Cunning Stunts on a shuriken-shaped stage and at the same time watching peak period Rammstein play the MTV music awards back in the early 2000s was formative - it gave me a glimpse of what could be achieved in live music.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

To sign the back of their outstretched cock. In fairness, they're very civilized.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think they are committed and strike a nice balance between highly intelligent and lost in nerdom. This makes us most pleased. They are kindred spirits. It's been great to meet so many cool people on the band's journey, one of the best bits in fact.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it's a super valuable resource to get underground bands up and out there as it's so very hard to cut through in the saturated music industry. We appreciate your interest.

15. Something to add?

You can find all things Spectral Darkwave stashed on our website - https://www.spectraldarkwave.com/ It starts with horrific music videos that form a nice introduction to the tales we tell and then where else you can find us on the interwebs.