Interviews: Absolon

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal/Symphonic Metal artist, Absolon from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the artist on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Actually, it’s a name I ran across in a Stephen King book. It was spelled Absolan in the book so, I changed the A to an O just because I thought it looked and sounded cooler. I had totally forgotten there was a terrible sci-fi movie by the same name. (Laughing)

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I was into what they call classic rock now, in the 70s, and then got into heavy metal in the 80s. I’ve been a metalhead ever since.

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

I created Absolon back in early 2013 or thereabouts and brought guitarist supreme Ed Dumas into the project right from the beginning. He and I had been together in a couple of bands before Absolon so, I knew I wanted him to play guitar on this new project. After we released the debut album, Darkness Riding, we went about putting together a full band to play it live. It seems like we went through a number of drummers and bass players. Haha. I moved to Illinois from Florida in October of 2021 so, of course, the band dissolved. We played a lot though when we were together and built a pretty good sized fan base. I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll put together another band in Illinois or not. I would like to play live again because I spent so much of my life performing on stage and miss it.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Ed was really into Dream Theater.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I started writing almost as soon as I picked up a guitar back when I was around 14 years old. Of course, I didn’t write very good stuff back then but got better over time. I had always been good at mimicking different styles and genres of music so, it started with my love for the Beatles. I wanted to write Beatles-type music in these early years. Then when I got into Styx, I started writing in that vein. Then, when I got into Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Queensryche, that’s when I found my songwriting niche. I found I had a knack for writing metal. It touches me in a way other genres don’t.

6. Where was your last gig?

At a club in Florida called The Haven. Big stage with a great sound system and awesome lights. We always had a good crowd when we played there.

7. Where would you like to act?

I have always dreamed of playing the Budakon in Japan.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Queensryche, no question.

9. Whom not?

Honestly, I’d play with just about anyone if given the opportunity.

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

(Laughing) Every time I step onto a stage I have a little apprehension, even after all these years of performing. I wouldn’t say technically stage fright, but I definitely get those butterflies in my stomach. By the time I’m into the second song, I’m lost in performing, so in the zone, so to say so, the fear and apprehension are gone. It takes time to get past stage fright when you’re first starting out. You just get out there and do it as much as you can until it becomes secondhand, it becomes fun. I feel at home on stage in front of an audience, but it didn’t happen overnight.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

In the early years, it was the Beatles. I strived to sound and play like John Lennon. After that, the late ’70s into the ’80s would be Styx, Priest, and, most importantly, Queensryche. As a singer, those three bands really influenced my vocals in a big way. Dennis De Young from Styx was where I learned to actually sing, using vibrato and increasing my range. Up until then, I sang like Lennon. Rob Halford from Priest pushed me to start hitting those insanely high notes. I strengthened my head voice or falsetto. But it was, no doubt, Geoff Tate from Queensryche that had the biggest influence on me. With Tate, I found the style of metal vocals I wanted to shoot for. You know, clean, powerful, and operatic. To this day I still get the Tate comparisons, although I don’t think I sound exactly like him. And I can’t hit those super high notes so much anymore like in the old days. I was also influenced by a lot of other classic rocks band as well for sure.

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

Honestly, I can’t think of anything super weird. Autograph a shirt while the fan was still in it. (Laugh)

13. What do you think of your fans?

To put it simply, there would be no Absolon without the fans. I’d have no musical career without the fans and their support of what I do. The fans are everything. It really is that simple. Any artist that thinks or believes they’d be successful without the fans to support them is plain old stupid.

14. What do you think of our site?

Very cool site. You got a lot of stuff there that kept me surfing for an hour or more. I like it.

15. Something to add? 

Absolon recently signed with Sliptrick Records. So, they’ll be releasing the new album A Portrait of Madness soon. Your readers can also check out our video for Blinded by Lies on YouTube. We'll be releasing another video in the near future. If you like old-school metal, you’ll like Absolon.