Furyon interview with Matt Mitchell: "The name 'Furyon' is becoming bigger than the individuals. That's important for a band"

Furyon were for me one of the revelations of the current year, even though their debut album "Gravitas" had originally released 2 years ago with the band financing it. Read below what singer Matt Mitchell said about their influences, the recordings of the new album and how the new contract with frontiers records could affect the band.

Tell us a few words about the band members, how you meet and when the band was formed.
Myself Matt Mitchell (Vocals), Chris Green (Gtr), Pat Heath (Gtr), Nickel Bowen (Bass) and Lee Farmery (Drums). We started 7 years ago. The band was formed by myself and Chris Green out of the ashes of our old band Pride. Lee, Pat and Nickel all came onboard at later dates. Lee was pretty much in it from the beginning really to be fair. Nickel 3/4 years in and Pat shortly after.

I want to congratulate you for "Gravitas" though it’s been 2 years since you first self release it. So what is the story behind the album (why you decide to self release it) and what happened through those 2 years and how you came up with a contract after all this time with Frontiers records?
Well yes we did self release but it was a 'collectors edition' and only a small order were printed. In fact we still have some and sell them at shows and via our websites. www.furyon.net. We always aimed for a proper label release. In fact, this is The 3rd time it's released as Metal Hammer magazine also cover-mounted a version of 'Gravitas' at the end of 2011. This was for UK only and didn't feature "Disappear Again".

In my opinion your album has a modern hard/heavy music direction but you can’t hide the fact that your influences are far more from only that. How you will describe the music that Furyon plays?
Furyon is heavy drop tuned music that is melodic also. You can sing along to the songs! We did want that. We have lot οf different influences from Bon Jovi to the likes of Tool and all in between.

As a new group we don’t know much of the writing process you follow, neither who is doing what during that. Can you tell us who is (are) the main music composer and who is responsible for the lyrics?
Myself and Chris wrote the majority of the Album, 90% of it anyway. Lee and Nickel had a small hand in and so did Producer Rick Beato. I wrote the lyrics and melodies.

The lyrics ...sound really dark. What they are talking about?
All the songs are about life experiences. Some of them are actually up lifting in a way. Like "Stand Like Stone" is about being true to yourself and staying strong. But yes ...rather dark in places.

The group that mainly had in mind while listening to yours was Alter Bridge and you mention them as a great influence. What is that you like their music? Do you find it like an "unexplored area" with a lot of potential in farther development?
Yes, they’re a great band! They are not as heavy as Furyon but they have great melodies and playing. Our tunings are similar. Drop C and B. Straight D.

As far as I know you have been receiving a lot of great reviews for "Gravitas". How have the fans responded to that? Do you feel different after you signed in a record label such as Frontiers?
We have had so many good reviews. We're very pleased and proud. The fans are cool, they stay by us. Since the signing it's opened our World up even more. We have the chance to get Furyon out to the masses.

What are your plans for the future? Are any thoughts for a tour? Is there any chance to see you perform live in Greece?
We would love to play in Greece. We are planning tours and writing album #2.

We have heard many good things about your live performances. Describe Furyon on stage.
It's a very intense energetic show. We try to put our all into it. I feel that 'live' it takes on a whole new dimension.

What are your expectations from the band?
We want to carry on doing what we do. Hope it sells well. The fans keep it alive and that seems to be what's starting to happen. The name 'Furyon' is becoming bigger than the individuals. That's important for a band.
 
When can we expect the new Furyon album? Have you start writing any new stuff? Same studio and producer perhaps?
As I said, we are writing, yes! Sounding great too. But, to be honest I predict late this year, early next year. As far as producers go, who knows at this stage... Would be great to do it with RB again.

Matt, thank you for your time.
Thank you.