Bury Tomorrow interview: "I think drawing influences and being eclectic with different genres is the key"
20/07/2012 @ 02:05
Admittedly, modern metalcore is a really common music genre that has been ordinary played for almost a decade. However, everyday, it keeps on inspiring hundreds of youngsters all around the world, and accepting plenty of bands and releases in its circles. It seems that some of them manage to make it, while others cannot. In any case, Bury Tomorrow seem very sure about what they are doing, having espoused this modern metalcore sound, and toured constantly in almost every corner of the earth. They just released their second full length album, "The Union Of Crowns" and their frontman Dani Winter-Bates gives us some more information about this new release and the road they follow so far.
Hails from Europe's black hole, Greece! Give us a brief introduction of your band, for those who didn't have the chance to listen to your metalcore songs until now.
We are a metalcore band from the south of England that loves to have a good time and play hard.
According to what we know so far, Bury Tomorrow was created in 2006. Your first release was the self-financed EP "The Sleep Of The Innocents" and after two years you released your debut album, "Portraits", on Basick Records. You are currently signed in Nuclear Blast, probably the biggest independent label in metal, at this moment. So I have to ask you, how is it to begin as a completely underground band and then sign in such a major record label?
It has been a long process getting to where we are now, but it's an absolute honour to be on a label with such integrity as Nuclear Blast. We have all been fans of many of the label's bands and it's an absolute pleasure to be part of their roster.
Here in Rocking.gr, we have already had the chance to listen to your brand new full-length album "The Union Of Crowns", which is released on 13th of July 2012. It consists of fourteen songs that don't hesitate to combine all the elements we have listened all those years in 00s metalcore sound. Give us some more information for this new release. What has changed from your first album "Portraits"?
I think we have just made a more mature record. We have toured all over the world since "Portraits", we have gained so many new influences and been inspired by many different sounds from all across the globe. I think we are pushing our elements (heavy and light) to their extremes without obviously going to far.
In my opinion, metalcore started as a really interesting genre of the extreme sound, which had its roots on amazing bands such as At The Gates from Sweden and Integrity from Ohio, USA. However, it seems that nowadays, sometimes it lacks of originality and inspiration, and only few bands have their own identity and offer something worthwhile. What is your opinion about the past and the present of metalcore?
We are a band that stems from the 'old' style of metalcore drawing inspiration from bands like Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying and Still Remains, so that is the kind of sound we are trying to bring up to the present day. However, I believe a lot of bands out there are trying their hardest to be like bands that are only just coming out, breeding of course unoriginality. I think for the younger bands, older styles of metalcore and the origins like At The Gates have been lost.
One thing I noticed to your songs is that your brutal vocals are similar to Scar Symmetry's screams and I really liked it. Would you agree?
I can see the similarity. It's the heaviness and the lows I suppose. He is a great vocalist so I'm happy for that comparison.
Which are the things in general -or even better the influences- that push your team to write music? What do you believe Bury Tomorrow can offer to the future of metalcore sound?
I think drawing influences and being eclectic with different genres is the key. As a band we listen to so many genres and we just try to draw little influences from each of them. As I said before, looking at the roots and foundations of a genre can help.
Let's talk a bit about live shows. I have seen many of your live performances in youtube and I can really admit that they are full of energy and passion. How important do you think that live shows are for a music group? Is it difficult to play like you are in the studio? It seems that you're doing it well!
We have always been a 'live show band'. We love playing in front of people and have done like this since the start. I think it's important to practice and get it as close to the studio as possible but we love keeping the rawness and intensity live. It hasn't ever really been too much of a problem translating studio work into live songs, to be honest. Playing live shows are everything for metal bands and there success.
How many times have you toured with Bury Tomorrow and where did you go? How is it to play with your friends the music you love, in almost every corner of the world?
Too many times (laughs), i believe they are too many to count. I wouldn't change the people in the band for anything, we are like a family and it is an honour to share experiences like going to Japan and America with four other people.
Will you support your new release, "The Union Of Crowns", with extensive touring? Is Greece in your plans to visit? Do you believe our current economical and social situation can be a factor to avoid our country?
I don't believe Greece's economy is a factor for not touring there, I just believe the logistics of getting there is the reason many bands don't get out there. We would love to play in Greece for sure, it's a beautiful place. We will be trying to play all around the world supporting "The Union Of Crowns".
In my opinion, this crisis is something overall and it actually takes place every single moment in every single corner of this earth, including United Kingdom. Besides, United Kingdom is an important part of now-burning Europe, and I believe that it could as well be the last piece of this fallen domino, particularly after the Olympic Games of 2012. (Remember that in 2004 we also organized the Olympic Games and, after that, global crisis hit our door). What is your opinion about this?
Who knows really, I believe spending so much money on the Olympics is a silly move but I understand the significance of having such a prestigious event in our home country and I welcome it. Tourism as well is a massive factor so hopefully it wont effect us to much. I think the government corrupt keeps goings on, play more off a factor in economic downfall.
Finally, if the Doomsday comes, will you continue to play music with Bury Tomorrow? And why the name Bury Tomorrow? Do you think that there will be no tomorrow?
If doomsday comes surely we will all be dead. If we know it's coming, of course I would play shows (laughs) go out rocking for sure. Bury Tomorrow is from a phrase 'Live for today, Bury Tomorrow' it's very similar to 'Carpe Diem', living for now seizing the day.
What's up with this weird 'royal' concept of your new album about kings, kingdoms, reigns, and crowns?
It has a couple of meanings, one we are proud to be English and we have a massive regal theme running through are country more so than most. Also the Union of Crowns symbolises coming together with our fans. Also it's cool everyone loves to imagine back to days of kings and queens, well maybe just me (laughs).
That's it guys! I really enjoy having the opportunity to talk with active bands and talented musicians about many interesting issues, so I honestly thank you for this interview!
Thank you too.
Hails from Europe's black hole, Greece! Give us a brief introduction of your band, for those who didn't have the chance to listen to your metalcore songs until now.
We are a metalcore band from the south of England that loves to have a good time and play hard.
According to what we know so far, Bury Tomorrow was created in 2006. Your first release was the self-financed EP "The Sleep Of The Innocents" and after two years you released your debut album, "Portraits", on Basick Records. You are currently signed in Nuclear Blast, probably the biggest independent label in metal, at this moment. So I have to ask you, how is it to begin as a completely underground band and then sign in such a major record label?
It has been a long process getting to where we are now, but it's an absolute honour to be on a label with such integrity as Nuclear Blast. We have all been fans of many of the label's bands and it's an absolute pleasure to be part of their roster.
Here in Rocking.gr, we have already had the chance to listen to your brand new full-length album "The Union Of Crowns", which is released on 13th of July 2012. It consists of fourteen songs that don't hesitate to combine all the elements we have listened all those years in 00s metalcore sound. Give us some more information for this new release. What has changed from your first album "Portraits"?I think we have just made a more mature record. We have toured all over the world since "Portraits", we have gained so many new influences and been inspired by many different sounds from all across the globe. I think we are pushing our elements (heavy and light) to their extremes without obviously going to far.
In my opinion, metalcore started as a really interesting genre of the extreme sound, which had its roots on amazing bands such as At The Gates from Sweden and Integrity from Ohio, USA. However, it seems that nowadays, sometimes it lacks of originality and inspiration, and only few bands have their own identity and offer something worthwhile. What is your opinion about the past and the present of metalcore?
We are a band that stems from the 'old' style of metalcore drawing inspiration from bands like Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying and Still Remains, so that is the kind of sound we are trying to bring up to the present day. However, I believe a lot of bands out there are trying their hardest to be like bands that are only just coming out, breeding of course unoriginality. I think for the younger bands, older styles of metalcore and the origins like At The Gates have been lost.
One thing I noticed to your songs is that your brutal vocals are similar to Scar Symmetry's screams and I really liked it. Would you agree?I can see the similarity. It's the heaviness and the lows I suppose. He is a great vocalist so I'm happy for that comparison.
Which are the things in general -or even better the influences- that push your team to write music? What do you believe Bury Tomorrow can offer to the future of metalcore sound?
I think drawing influences and being eclectic with different genres is the key. As a band we listen to so many genres and we just try to draw little influences from each of them. As I said before, looking at the roots and foundations of a genre can help.
Let's talk a bit about live shows. I have seen many of your live performances in youtube and I can really admit that they are full of energy and passion. How important do you think that live shows are for a music group? Is it difficult to play like you are in the studio? It seems that you're doing it well!
We have always been a 'live show band'. We love playing in front of people and have done like this since the start. I think it's important to practice and get it as close to the studio as possible but we love keeping the rawness and intensity live. It hasn't ever really been too much of a problem translating studio work into live songs, to be honest. Playing live shows are everything for metal bands and there success.
How many times have you toured with Bury Tomorrow and where did you go? How is it to play with your friends the music you love, in almost every corner of the world?Too many times (laughs), i believe they are too many to count. I wouldn't change the people in the band for anything, we are like a family and it is an honour to share experiences like going to Japan and America with four other people.
Will you support your new release, "The Union Of Crowns", with extensive touring? Is Greece in your plans to visit? Do you believe our current economical and social situation can be a factor to avoid our country?
I don't believe Greece's economy is a factor for not touring there, I just believe the logistics of getting there is the reason many bands don't get out there. We would love to play in Greece for sure, it's a beautiful place. We will be trying to play all around the world supporting "The Union Of Crowns".
In my opinion, this crisis is something overall and it actually takes place every single moment in every single corner of this earth, including United Kingdom. Besides, United Kingdom is an important part of now-burning Europe, and I believe that it could as well be the last piece of this fallen domino, particularly after the Olympic Games of 2012. (Remember that in 2004 we also organized the Olympic Games and, after that, global crisis hit our door). What is your opinion about this?
Who knows really, I believe spending so much money on the Olympics is a silly move but I understand the significance of having such a prestigious event in our home country and I welcome it. Tourism as well is a massive factor so hopefully it wont effect us to much. I think the government corrupt keeps goings on, play more off a factor in economic downfall.
Finally, if the Doomsday comes, will you continue to play music with Bury Tomorrow? And why the name Bury Tomorrow? Do you think that there will be no tomorrow?If doomsday comes surely we will all be dead. If we know it's coming, of course I would play shows (laughs) go out rocking for sure. Bury Tomorrow is from a phrase 'Live for today, Bury Tomorrow' it's very similar to 'Carpe Diem', living for now seizing the day.
What's up with this weird 'royal' concept of your new album about kings, kingdoms, reigns, and crowns?
It has a couple of meanings, one we are proud to be English and we have a massive regal theme running through are country more so than most. Also the Union of Crowns symbolises coming together with our fans. Also it's cool everyone loves to imagine back to days of kings and queens, well maybe just me (laughs).
That's it guys! I really enjoy having the opportunity to talk with active bands and talented musicians about many interesting issues, so I honestly thank you for this interview!
Thank you too.
ΔΙΑΒΑΖΟΝΤΑΙ ΤΩΡΑ
ROCKING FEATURED
