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?
The release has now been put back to the end of this month as no proper promotion had been carried out. We are now working with Imperative PR to get the release the attention it needs. There have been a few issues to say the least with our label, but we are hoping things can improve. Since the recording, we have played a couple of gigs and we have put together a Pledge Music campaign to try to get Damnatio out on vinyl.
2.In April you had 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?
Damnatio Memoriae is one of our heaviest, darkest albums. We have done a lot of experimental music lately and we wanted to record a straight ahead album of heavier songs to showcase the
current line-up of the band. This is the first release with Gary on drums and the first full metal album with Addam playing bass. The line-up change obviously creates something different than we had before. Addam has done some writing on the album and we now have a drummer that plays double kick again. Musically, the album has a death/doom basis with our usual mix of other influences including black metal, rock and old school goth. There are no acoustic songs this time as that base was well covered with the album Preservation Restoration Reconstruction.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
The song 'Of Fury' touches on the subject of the damage done by people who think they are acting on the desires of a god or obeying someone in power to kill and destroy; that completely innocent people can have everything taken away suddenly by the actions of others.
'Highwire' is about the feeling of not knowing which path to take at a major junction in life.
'The Innocent' is about child abusers
'And so it Comes to an End' is about a relationship ending because of one partners infidelity.
Various songs are about breaking apart from someone you love and coping with depression.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'My Silent Wake'?
It can mean various things. The word 'Wake' can be taken for a gathering after a funeral or the disturbance of water after a ship has passed, among other things. The meaning is open to be
whatever anyone wants it to mean. As for inspiration, it was really just a set of words that seemed to sum up the sound and feeling of what we were doing without being too formularised.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our stage performance is very much a no-frills affair. We are down to earth people and our gigs are the same. We just play the songs to the best of our ability allowing for alcohol consumption,
being old men, and nerves.
The best gigs have been at festivals abroad, especially in Norway, Holland and Switzerland.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Nothing major so far. We are about to sign a deal with a booking agent in Holland. We have gigs at Hollowfest, Mammothfest and supporting Draconian coming up so far this year.
7.The new album was released on House Of Ashes productions, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
I think they have had a few issues lately. The intended album release was a non-starter so we knew we had to do something urgently to get the album noticed. One little mention on Facebook isn't enough. On the plus side, the album itself looks excellent and is of high quality printing and manufacture which we are very pleased with and the label have helped a lot financially. Probably best to just say at this point that we hope for more in future.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom and death metal?
Pretty decent but we do remain a very underground band. A lot of people still haven't heard what we do as we have never been signed to a big label. We do have a small loyal fanbase who have
been amazing over the years.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Gary is drummer in Amputated who are very well known. Addam plays in Striga who are a local extreme doom band. I have played in various bands, but have nothing coming up immediately with any other bands apart from MSW.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Anywhere we feel like heading is the simple answer. We have nothing tying us down to having to be what we no longer want to be and that is one of the great things about doing this on such a
small level. From the start we had the philosophy that we should just do whatever felt right at the time.
11.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?
I listen to, and am influenced by a very wide variety of music. Lately I have been listening to Bauhaus, Discharge, Motorhead, lots of folk music, UFO, The Skull, Rainbow, and many others. Lots of old favourites in there. I don't listen to a lot of newer music but still keep an ear open. Sabbath and Zeppelin have always been favourites of mine and have always been an influence as well as later discoveries like death/doom in the 90s and Dead Can Dance about a decade ago. I like everything from folk and classical up to black metal. I hate crappy pop music and find it unbearable to listen to. Addam and Gary are very much into extreme metal, more doom with Addam and more death with Gary.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I have always been interested in railways and work as a heavy haul freight driver. I am fascinated by what can loosely be termed Fortean subjects and have an appreciation for many 'old' things in industry, art etc.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks so much for writing the interview and for the great questions. Anyone wanting to find out more about the band can google us or visit my Youtube channel for a good overview of what we do.
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