Instrumental quartet from Brighton are back on the scene after taking some time out to focus on their sophomore album and they have landed a brilliant comeback show marking the bands first gig in a while, at MammothFest 2014 which as it happens is the return of the festival since its debut back in 2010! The band were lucky enough to be added to the line-up at the last minute, following Divine Chaos pulling out of the rebirth of the festival, so I asked them about their upcoming performance and what is in store with their new album and future plans..
So firstly how was it to be added to the MammothFest line-up at the last minute, especially seeing as this will be your first live comeback show in some time?!
It fantastic to be asked to play especially after over a year off playing. We are so excited about joining the bands on the line up and feel privileged to be asked to step in .Last minute or not we want to come out fighting and try and compete with the bands around us, we have a year of pent up energy all ready to go!
As you are from Brighton, how excited are you to be a part of the highly anticipated return of Mammothfest, and what do you think it means for the Brighton and South East England music scene?
We are humbled to be a part of it really. The south coast music scene has a lot of things going for it but one of those things is an oversaturation of a certain type of band. There is nothing wrong with that, its just diversity is the thing that keeps scenes alive and Mammothfest is providing a platform for bands and fans to come together and create a community. We are so excited to be part of that.
So you guys have been working on your follow up to your first self titled album, how is the process going, and have you finished recording it?
We are still currently writing the bulk of the material so recording is distant dream and not something we have considered yet. The writing is going well and its amazing to be back in the practice room but as with everything we do its a lengthy process, lots of fine tuning and reworking until we are all happy. That can take a long time.
How do you think it compares to your debut album?
So far its to early to tell i think. The riffs are flying and chord progressions are getting more and more complex but at the same time we are much more focused. We feel we have a much more defined sound and that helps when trialling sections out. The sound is definitely go blow peoples socks off.
I'm guessing we will be lucky enough to be treated to some new tunes at your big comeback show at MammothFest?!
You will indeed! We have one new tune that we think is ready as well as the majority of a new one that we may air. Also have a little treat to open the set but our lips are sealed on that one.
Deftones and of course Pink Floyd.
Have you got any final comments or anything you would like to say to the attending MammothFest fans?
Just that we are hoping that we can put on a good show for them. We want to leave them wanting us back!
As an instrumental band, what can people expect from your live shows?
When we play we put everything we have into it and we hope our energy and passion makes up for any lack of vocalist. We don't really see ourselves as an instrumental band because of the effort and thought that goes into our melodies and rhythms. Not having a vocalist allows more space for us to fill, we can be louder and there ain't no downside to that!
Do you feel there is more pressure on you as musicians as solely relying on the instruments to portray emotions and act as a voice?
I'd say the opposite is true. We find that it gives us more room to push ourselves in our parts and the complexity of the song. Sometimes melody and tonal movements are better at portraying emotion than words and allows the listener to put their own meaning and experiences to the music.
What would you say your biggest influences are musically and creatively to create your experimental instrumental sound?Our influences range from far and wide. The obvious ones are Tool and King Crimson who have had a massive effect for all of us. We are big fans of soundtracks and classical movements and i think that has influenced us when it come to how we lay songs out. Others include Radiohead, Metallica, Beatles,
What other plans are ahead for thedealwasforthediamond?
At the moment we are just continuing to write and do what we love. We are planning on bringing in some more instrumentation and have been considering using strings live in the future.Maybe also adding another dimension by utilising live video mixing. Its really exciting.
Check out the bands performance at MammothFest 2014 playing on Sunday 31st August at 5.15 - 5.45.
http://www.mammothmetalfestival.co.uk/
Get your tickets and merchandise for MammothFest here: http://vanitasdirect.com/556-mammothfest
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