Interview with Metal Hammer Magazine (Germany) - November 2009
*I don't want to ask why it took so long to record these songs, but I ask: Why especially now was the perfect time to realize this album?
Although much of the groundwork for “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” had been laid (in terms of the recording) throughout 2005-2006 (and conceptually as far back as 1995!), there was a lengthy break during which all of us needed to attend to other things – some related to WHW, but mostly familial in nature. After a significant amount of downtime, I felt distanced from this material for a plethora of reasons and this disconnection was further intensified by the dawn of a new relationship – one that I wanted to give an honest chance to, without the challenges that WHW presents (it demands so much of me, that many relationships, both platonic and romantic have been destroyed because of this…not to mention the many other sacrifices I’ve made). Unfortunately, despite having given all of myself, this proved to be not enough and after some of the happiest moments of my life, all this disintegrated, leaving me lower than I’ve ever been. This was exacerbated by the fact that both my brother and mother had been diagnosed with cancers in the last 18 months. I was destroyed in a way that I’d not experienced in 19 years and unsure of whether or not I’d ever find my way out of this deeply personal hell. Finally, it dawned upon me that the only thing that saved me from something this dark in the past was WHW, and by this time, I truly FELT the music in a profound way again…thus, it was time to complete the album…out of personal necessity…to face my fears, fight my own demons, and cleanse my soul. It was in fact, a successful endeavour because of the depth of soul-searching and honesty involved.
*Now your big work is done, the dream, heart and soul of While Heaven Wept and Tom Phillips has been recorded, one of the best Epic Metal albums ever – nothing better could follow. Aren't you afraid to go further with WHW, because you possibly are not able to realize a better or same overwhelming album than this?
First, thank you for your kinds sentiments regarding “Vast Oceans Lachrymose,” they are truly humbling and very much appreciated. Actually, there is no fear of this whatsoever due to two very legitimate realities: one being the fact that each WHW album is it’s own entity that never attempts to compete with or reprise those that have come before. Secondly, the next album, “Fear Of Infinity” is 100% complete compositionally already; before the song “The Furthest Shore” grew to the magnitude that it did, most of the material on “Fear…” was intended for “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” - as “VOL” started to define it’s own identity, subsequently the same transpired for the follow-up. The fact is, the band collectively feels that “Fear Of Infinity” is an even stronger, more diverse album as a whole, and as musicians, these songs are our absolute favourites to play. I am quite sure that just in the way “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” was somewhat shocking for many people, “Fear Of Infinity” is even more so, yet it is equally cohesive, inspired, genuine, and simply the further revelation of facets WHW has always had, but never revealed until now.
*The variability of "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" is impressive, from epic and progressive elements to Thrash and Doom characteristics – even pure Seventies-Rock like Wishbone Ash comes in my mind when I listen to it. How did you realize this mixture as a harmonic whole? Wasn't it difficult to "break rules" and form so much musical energy and variety to a self-contained single work?
Our musical inspirations have always been vast and many from the very beginning, so the resultant original compositions are very natural in their diversity; it may seem as though contradictory musical forms are juxtaposed against each other in the music of WHW, but all of us within the band certainly recognize the parallels clearly (or perhaps we’re just crazy, haha!). Regarding the formation of the “VOL” album, just like all those prior, the music itself dictates everything and we simply yield to what it requires. Do consider that WHW has now existed for 20 years, thus we’ve amassed quite a bit of material during this time; sometimes songs might be strong unto themselves, but not cohesive in the context of a particular album and subsequently may be set aside for years until their a different album renders their inclusion obvious. Consider the material contained within “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” spans the range between 1993 through 2009, and I think this will clarify just how clear the visions of each album are.
*Water and the sea are of a remarkable fascination for mankind, also for you – you often use your affinity to this impressively force of nature. What do you think is the inner relation of mankind to the sea and/or water, besides that our body consists 90% of water?
With regards to the sea, I think for all of humanity the allure of it in part, has to do with the humbling and calming effect of realizing just how small we really are in the grand scheme of things. Additionally, the ocean has become synonymous with human emotion and experience, in the respect that its very nature offers to us an endless array of metaphors we all can relate to. And let’s not forget the aspects of exploration, “conquering the unknown” …the adventures of the sea. Despite living a couple hours inland, I’ve always felt a need or compulsion to make my way to the sea as often as possible, and I suppose it’s rather obvious that this has left quite an indelible mark upon me; a colleague recently articulated that he can even hear the ebb and flow of the water within the actual music of “Vast Oceans Lachrymose.”
*Desperate, sad, hopeless… which intensity these emotions hold that they inspire you(r creativity) so much? What fascinates you in sinister feelings, or: what prevents you from writing lyrics about "clear" themes, some good emotions like love, friendship etc.?
The music and lyrics of WHW directly correlate to real life experiences, relationships, genuine emotions – they always have, and always will. Often this has meant WHW has been a vehicle for coping with negative emotions, in essence confronting them and subsequently purging them so that in regular day-to-day life I’m not such a miserable bastard (and really, I’m not)! WHW beyond being an aural diary is in fact something of a therapy, a release…a healthy way to express feelings that would otherwise be overwhelming. This isn’t to say WHW is one-dimensional…there IS a range of emotion, and one might notice the aural paradox of our music being incredibly uplifting and utterly gutting at the same time. For the record, I’d like to think some progress has been made in the form of “Vessel” – which clearly is the most hopeful song in the entire discography (though, many people have said it’s the most depressing on the album…another paradox perhaps?). Further, there’s no doctrine stating WHW is only a vehicle for anger and grief…it’s just unlikely that it will ever be utilized to express overtly positive things simply because we have other outlets for that, musically and otherwise.
*Are you for yourself a sad person in general? Do you think too much about mankind, nature and earth, or have you experienced too much tragic things in your life, that you have to express or handle with your music and lyrics?
I’ve certainly spent a significant amount of time pondering the travesties of humanity, how we’re really helpless in the face of nature (etc.) and likewise, I’ve had to bear many personal tragedies/downfalls throughout my lifetime…there have indeed been times when I’ve felt so hopeless that I wanted to be done with this life….even as recently as earlier this year…but probably the most important thing to take from WHW is that I face all these things, fight through them, and move on. I haven’t given up yet…I’m still soldiering on through life, and each experience or realization makes me stronger. Our music may not typically offer those who empathize with me much in the way of hope, but the fact that I’m still here to express it SHOULD be.
*What is the most impressive art besides music, in which you can find peace for yourself or discover new inspirations for your life (and own creativity)?
All forms of expression are valuable and valid in my opinion, but there is none greater than the art that Mother Nature herself provides. Otherwise, music is my spirituality, my religion…for every emotion, thought, experience possible there’s a composition somewhere mirroring this, thus the inspirational possibilities are truly endless.
That's all, thank you for your time!
Thomas….thank YOU very much for your support….AND the very interesting questions. Cheers and take care! – Tom/WHW