Darkology is one of the top-notch bands that have appeared in the metal scene in the last decade. Having some great musicians on its ranks they’re finally back after 6 years since their debut “Altered Reflections”. Grande Rock contacted the mastermind, guitarist and composer Michael Harris and talked about the band’s second album among other things…
Hi Michael… first congrats on “Fated to Burn”! The album is stunning! We’ve named it the Best Album of June on Grande Rock!
M: Thank you so much!
Hence, what happened in the meantime between your debut “Altered Reflections” and the new album? Why did it take you almost 6 years to release it?
M: Nobody makes records very quickly anymore. And why should they? Making a record has basically become a “charity”. So we don’t do it for money. Not to mention the logistics of Darkology members: we span 2 continents. Having said that, we still managed to get this record completely recorded 2 years ago, and it’s been in our label’s hand ever since.
Which are the similarities and the differences between “Altered Reflections” and “Fated to Burn”?
M: In general I’d say the first album was a tad darker, but I’m a bit too close to this music to analyze it. It will be interesting to get our fans’ opinions on it.
This time the other members also contributed to the songwriting part – especially on the lyrics’ part right? Is it better that way or you prefer to work alone?
M: I wrote the music and Mike Neal wrote the lyrics except 3 songs (2 by myself and 1 by Sundown.) And yes, I do like having someone else write lyrics if I can trust them to do as an exceptional job as Mike & Kelly did.
How did you come up with the album title “Fated to Burn”? It’s quite dark and doomy in a way. But I guess a band named Darkology couldn’t sing about flowers and peace right?! J
M: It could be tough to make that work (ha). Mike wrote the lyrics to that song and it was his and Kelly’s decision to use the title for the album title.
Along comes the great cover art by Rainer Kalwitz (Praying Mantis, Shadow Gallery, Dare, etc.). Probably there’s also a positive sign since the Phoenix rises out of his ashes finally… what’s your say?
M: The cover art concept was all Mike and Sundown’s. You’re pretty much correct, and the skull represents a dying world.
Tell us a few things about each track…
M: “Kill Me If You Can”: Musically, I’ve had this main riff (which is based on a diminished arpeggio) for years, and finally got to use it. Sundown nailed the vox as usual, with Brian crushing his drum kit. Mike wrote the lyrics about a “demon” on death row.
“Beyond the Grave”: I had the verse written around the time of the 1st album, but no chorus. I remember writing this chorus the first night after Mike & I decided to go full steam ahead on a 2nd record. More lyrics from Mike from the eyes of one on trial for witchcraft at Salem.
“On Morrows Break”: I had this verse demo’d from awhile back, which I played for Mike, and he immediately insisted that we use. The chorus came to me fairly quickly. Mike’s lyrics are about the plight of the Vampire.
“The Eyes of the Machine”: I went for another aggressive pure metal track with Mike’s lyrics about future plutocracy.
“Quantum Genocide”: This is a groove like we’ve never used before, a simple but catchy chorus, a dangerous mid-section with a blast beat from Brian, stratospheric vocals from Kelly, and lyrics from Mike regarding science and time travel.
“The Shadows of Oth”: The “galloping groove” of the record with a really cool triplet middle section, and my own lyrics about a fantasy world entered via a “portal” in a churchyard.
“Fated to Burn”: Very heavy, yet lots of melody. Infectious chorus, yielding “I Am the Moth Drawn to the Flame”…
“21st Century Frankensteins (Nobot 2)”: A crunching triplet feel on this one with more lyrics from Mike regarding part 2 of our Nobot saga.
“Festival of Fear”: Musically, a psychotic lydian intro, and several modes in the rest. I wrote the lyrics about the ultimate freakshow – not just your friendly neighborhood “haunted house”, but a festival of exhibits yielding a new level of horror. And yes, a bit tongue in cheek, but all in good fun.
“Holy”: Melodic metal in an eastern feel with Sundown’s lyrics about those killing in the name of religion.
“Nightmare King”: Mike’s lyrics are about dream control by the ruler of the dream realms. Musically, my vision was a brutally heavy piece but with an acoustic chorus. 4 “musical chapters” in this one with tempo changes, including a “doom” section towards the beginning, all with Sundown’s killer spooky vocals and Brian showing his impressive versatility.
How did the cooperation with Chris Tsangarides occur? This time you didn’t just record, produce, mix and master the album in the US but most of it took place in Europe, isn’t it so?
M: Correct. Chris was hired by our label and mixed it in the U.K. I wasn’t present for the mix, but had many chats with Chris. He’s the best!
There’s already a lyric video for “On Morrow’s Break” & a concept video for “Kill Me If You Can” out. I also know that you’re working on another concept video for “Fated to Burn”. Do you know when it’s gonna be released? Has it finished yet?
M: The videos are very challenging because of our band logistics, and are still in production, but getting close. We’re planning on the first video being timed with the record’s release and another one a bit later.
You also toured Europe a few months ago –even though not with the “official” Darko line-up it was good, as I was informed later. What did you like and you didn’t like about that tour?
M: It was a great experience seeing Europe, hanging with the Prong & Overkill guys, and playing loud music for the masses!
How would you describe Darkology’s music style to someone that hasn’t listened to the band before?
M: Pure metal with progressive touches and stellar vocals & musicianship.
What is the thing you wish to attain with Darkology in the next years?
M: Some touring would be nice, maybe hitting some European countries we didn’t hit before.
Michael you’re a multi-talented guitarist & composer… how do you know when you write music which song is for this or that band or your solo album?
M: Sometimes I know immediately and others it’s not so obvious, so I just have to wait and find a “home” for it!
Are there any news from the Thought Chamber camp?
M: I have quite a bit of music written for TC3.
By the way what are the news regarding your new solo work? Have you set a release date for it yet? What shall it be musically?
M: I’m working on 2 solo records. One will be orchestral and the other along the lines of “Tranz-Fused” but a bit simpler & “groovier”. The first of those probably won’t see the light of day until next year, but I’m excited!
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Darkology in the first place?
M: The suffix “-ology” is a science, so it’s kind of like the science of dark music. Definitely no happy stuff going on here.
Top 3 sci-fi movies of any era?
M: 2001 A Space Odyssey; Alien; Contact…
Top 3 Horror movies of all time?
M: Scary Movie 3 (joking!); The Exorcist; Blair Witch; The Fly (1986)…
Beloved TV series that you watch this season?
M: I don’t watch TV. My fave recent shows are “Lost” and the new British version of “Sherlock”, both of which I have seen only on DVD.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
M: It makes the world a little smaller but the people a little larger, because they’re sitting on their duffs all day and exercising their wrists. Social networking is also a massive time-suck.
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Blake Lively, for obvious reasons.
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, Michael… say anything you feel like saying to your band’s fans and to our readers before we close. Thx for the music… take care!
M: Boycott mainstream radio! Thank you Thanos!
M: Thank you so much!
Hence, what happened in the meantime between your debut “Altered Reflections” and the new album? Why did it take you almost 6 years to release it?
M: Nobody makes records very quickly anymore. And why should they? Making a record has basically become a “charity”. So we don’t do it for money. Not to mention the logistics of Darkology members: we span 2 continents. Having said that, we still managed to get this record completely recorded 2 years ago, and it’s been in our label’s hand ever since.
Which are the similarities and the differences between “Altered Reflections” and “Fated to Burn”?
M: In general I’d say the first album was a tad darker, but I’m a bit too close to this music to analyze it. It will be interesting to get our fans’ opinions on it.
This time the other members also contributed to the songwriting part – especially on the lyrics’ part right? Is it better that way or you prefer to work alone?
M: I wrote the music and Mike Neal wrote the lyrics except 3 songs (2 by myself and 1 by Sundown.) And yes, I do like having someone else write lyrics if I can trust them to do as an exceptional job as Mike & Kelly did.
How did you come up with the album title “Fated to Burn”? It’s quite dark and doomy in a way. But I guess a band named Darkology couldn’t sing about flowers and peace right?! J
M: It could be tough to make that work (ha). Mike wrote the lyrics to that song and it was his and Kelly’s decision to use the title for the album title.
Along comes the great cover art by Rainer Kalwitz (Praying Mantis, Shadow Gallery, Dare, etc.). Probably there’s also a positive sign since the Phoenix rises out of his ashes finally… what’s your say?
M: The cover art concept was all Mike and Sundown’s. You’re pretty much correct, and the skull represents a dying world.
Tell us a few things about each track…
M: “Kill Me If You Can”: Musically, I’ve had this main riff (which is based on a diminished arpeggio) for years, and finally got to use it. Sundown nailed the vox as usual, with Brian crushing his drum kit. Mike wrote the lyrics about a “demon” on death row.
“Beyond the Grave”: I had the verse written around the time of the 1st album, but no chorus. I remember writing this chorus the first night after Mike & I decided to go full steam ahead on a 2nd record. More lyrics from Mike from the eyes of one on trial for witchcraft at Salem.
“On Morrows Break”: I had this verse demo’d from awhile back, which I played for Mike, and he immediately insisted that we use. The chorus came to me fairly quickly. Mike’s lyrics are about the plight of the Vampire.
“The Eyes of the Machine”: I went for another aggressive pure metal track with Mike’s lyrics about future plutocracy.
“Quantum Genocide”: This is a groove like we’ve never used before, a simple but catchy chorus, a dangerous mid-section with a blast beat from Brian, stratospheric vocals from Kelly, and lyrics from Mike regarding science and time travel.
“The Shadows of Oth”: The “galloping groove” of the record with a really cool triplet middle section, and my own lyrics about a fantasy world entered via a “portal” in a churchyard.
“Fated to Burn”: Very heavy, yet lots of melody. Infectious chorus, yielding “I Am the Moth Drawn to the Flame”…
“21st Century Frankensteins (Nobot 2)”: A crunching triplet feel on this one with more lyrics from Mike regarding part 2 of our Nobot saga.
“Festival of Fear”: Musically, a psychotic lydian intro, and several modes in the rest. I wrote the lyrics about the ultimate freakshow – not just your friendly neighborhood “haunted house”, but a festival of exhibits yielding a new level of horror. And yes, a bit tongue in cheek, but all in good fun.
“Holy”: Melodic metal in an eastern feel with Sundown’s lyrics about those killing in the name of religion.
“Nightmare King”: Mike’s lyrics are about dream control by the ruler of the dream realms. Musically, my vision was a brutally heavy piece but with an acoustic chorus. 4 “musical chapters” in this one with tempo changes, including a “doom” section towards the beginning, all with Sundown’s killer spooky vocals and Brian showing his impressive versatility.
How did the cooperation with Chris Tsangarides occur? This time you didn’t just record, produce, mix and master the album in the US but most of it took place in Europe, isn’t it so?
M: Correct. Chris was hired by our label and mixed it in the U.K. I wasn’t present for the mix, but had many chats with Chris. He’s the best!
There’s already a lyric video for “On Morrow’s Break” & a concept video for “Kill Me If You Can” out. I also know that you’re working on another concept video for “Fated to Burn”. Do you know when it’s gonna be released? Has it finished yet?
M: The videos are very challenging because of our band logistics, and are still in production, but getting close. We’re planning on the first video being timed with the record’s release and another one a bit later.
You also toured Europe a few months ago –even though not with the “official” Darko line-up it was good, as I was informed later. What did you like and you didn’t like about that tour?
M: It was a great experience seeing Europe, hanging with the Prong & Overkill guys, and playing loud music for the masses!
How would you describe Darkology’s music style to someone that hasn’t listened to the band before?
M: Pure metal with progressive touches and stellar vocals & musicianship.
What is the thing you wish to attain with Darkology in the next years?
M: Some touring would be nice, maybe hitting some European countries we didn’t hit before.
Michael you’re a multi-talented guitarist & composer… how do you know when you write music which song is for this or that band or your solo album?
M: Sometimes I know immediately and others it’s not so obvious, so I just have to wait and find a “home” for it!
Are there any news from the Thought Chamber camp?
M: I have quite a bit of music written for TC3.
By the way what are the news regarding your new solo work? Have you set a release date for it yet? What shall it be musically?
M: I’m working on 2 solo records. One will be orchestral and the other along the lines of “Tranz-Fused” but a bit simpler & “groovier”. The first of those probably won’t see the light of day until next year, but I’m excited!
It’s time for our “weird questions”!!! How did you come up with the name Darkology in the first place?
M: The suffix “-ology” is a science, so it’s kind of like the science of dark music. Definitely no happy stuff going on here.
Top 3 sci-fi movies of any era?
M: 2001 A Space Odyssey; Alien; Contact…
Top 3 Horror movies of all time?
M: Scary Movie 3 (joking!); The Exorcist; Blair Witch; The Fly (1986)…
Beloved TV series that you watch this season?
M: I don’t watch TV. My fave recent shows are “Lost” and the new British version of “Sherlock”, both of which I have seen only on DVD.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
M: It makes the world a little smaller but the people a little larger, because they’re sitting on their duffs all day and exercising their wrists. Social networking is also a massive time-suck.
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be & why?
M: Blake Lively, for obvious reasons.
Thx for talking to Grande Rock, Michael… say anything you feel like saying to your band’s fans and to our readers before we close. Thx for the music… take care!
M: Boycott mainstream radio! Thank you Thanos!