Interview with Metal Maniac Magazine (Italy) - November 2009

1- 'Vast Oceans Lachrymose' is getting absolutely praised everywhere. Did you expect such a huge reaction?

Actually, while we did expect some kind of strong reaction, our thoughts were such that we believed there was a great chance “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” would alienate those who were left in our audience! I say this because there are so many new elements that everyone is hearing for the first time; a new singer, music that is more diverse and unexpected, a different climate in the music industry…however, it seems our concerns were for naught – the reception of the album has been truly flattering and humbling, and I am sorry for doubting anyone’s capacity to accept our evolution.

2- The album comes well 6 years after 'Of Empires Forlorn'. Why such a long wait?

There are many reasons for the long silence: line-up changes, the need for various members to focus on their personal lives, a complete reconstruction of our musical equipment arsenal, the fact that I can only perform this music when it’s felt in my heart and soul, the dissolution of the last 2 record labels we were signed with (Rage Of Achilles and Black Lotus Records), but above all, the biggest factor determining the length of time between releases is financial; being that WHW is completely self-financed, and none of us are even close to wealthy (rather living paycheck-to-paycheck), it takes us much longer to complete an album compared to other bands (also because we have very high standards as far as production and accurate expression).

3- How would you outline the differences between the two albums?

While both albums are very much from the heart and soul, and the lyrics of both come from real emotions, life experiences, etc, musically “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” is much more diverse in that it is both more aggressive and progressive. That said, all of the WHW releases have things in common such as the epic feelings, strong melodic aspects, heavy guitars, and so forth. Essentially our influences have always remained the same and various ratios of these are inevitable, based upon where we are as people emotionally and spiritually at the time of composition.

4- This album marks the debut of Rain as lead vocals. What does he add to WHW? I think some harmony vocals on this album are really breathtaking...

Rain brings to WHW something I’ve always felt we’d lacked in the past: truly world-class vocals. Even though I wrote the lyrics and 99% of the melodies as always, his interpretation of them was incredible. I know also that ultimately we will collaborate properly – being that he’s a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter as well, eventually we will tap into this for sure. The same applies to all of the other members in the long run.

5- Is 'VOL' a concept album? Are the songs lyrically somehow connected? What do they deal with?

None of the WHW albums (so far) have been conceptual, rather thematic; musically and lyrically they could be arranged as to tell a story, but they’re primarily related in that they’re all based upon events, relationships, and circumstances in my life. Jim Hunter did point out that if one were to re-arrange the songs into a different order, it would in fact tell a clear story…but this is more of an abstract approach that wasn’t intentional. Basically the songs and music themselves dictate how they fit together, and we as a band merely yield to what they require or say to us.

6- WHW has always been labeled as a doom metal band. Do you feel comfortable with this definition? I personally find 'VOL' not really a doom album, as it's much more varied...

While there was an era of WHW where nothing could be more appropriate of a label than doom metal, the fact is, this was many, many years ago, and musically I haven’t considered WHW pure doom for a long time. You’re absolutely right – the music on “VOL” and also “Empires” really is far too diverse to be considered any one particular style or genre other than “WHW music” – which is a combination of many things: doom, prog, melodic thrash, space, classical, prog metal, ambient…even some death and black influences. Unless a band strongly sounds like Sabbath, Vitus, Trouble, or Candlemass, it’s not pure doom metal to me, and WHW does not.

7- Judging from the album credits, the songwriting and recording phase of the album has taken very long. Why? How do you work on the songs? Is there a 100% individual writing process?

Again, it’s really a matter of the music itself dictating everything; even if for example a new song is something that is deeply felt or is a favorite, it does not mean that it fits within the context of a specific album. Further, being that all of the music comes to me via revelation and not force, sometimes it takes many years before a song completes itself naturally; I’ll NEVER sit down to forcibly create anything – music and lyrics come to me when they do, without rhyme or reason…but I can say typically a strong emotional catalyst predicates a revelation. To answer the latter part of your question, so far I’ve been to sole channel and arranger for WHW, but this is only due to the fact that the other members have other bands really…someday I’m sure we’ll collaborate properly.

8- I have to say some parts - especially 'To Wander The Void' - remind me a lot of the old Fates Warning. I heard you're a big fan of that band. Is it true? What do you think of this resemblance?

Early John Arch-era Fates Warning has always been a HUGE influence upon WHW, and will always be…albums like “Awaken The Guardian” are simply magical in my opinion. “To Wander The Void” is absolutely a personal “thank you” and musical tribute to Fates Warning – all eras….without their long legacy of amazing music, I’m quite sure WHW would sound quite different. It didn’t begin quite as obviously – it was just another entry in my personal “aural diary” – but being that the outline of the song strongly recalled Fates Warning, and the melodies that I heard in my head as well, I figured it was simply meant to be as such. I hope if they ever hear these songs, they’ll also learn that they are meant as a tribute and not anything else.

9- WHW has always been very unique. Is there any other band that you could compare to you, in terms of music or approach?

I am not aware of any band that sounds exactly like WHW…on one hand you could notate the relation to other epic metal bands, some old progressive metal bands (in the early Queensryche/Fates Warning sense more so that say, Dream Theater), or epic doom metal bands…but I think the particular combination of our influences along with very personal expressions results in WHW “not quite fitting in with the rest.” I’d be more than happy to be counted amongst bands that truly don’t sound like ANYONE else…such as Arcturus, Voivoid, Celtic Frost, or some of Devin Townsend’s projects.

10- I see you're coming to Europe in February. What’s your feeling about it? What shall the fans expect?

Europe is really where WHW is most at home; we’ve never really bothered to promote or be active in North America and it was the EU that first embraced us with the release of our debut EP “Lovesongs Of The Forsaken” plus, most of our influences originated from the EU – so the path was always clear. We’re VERY much looking forward to returning to Europe in support of “VOL” and though for now, it’s just this one festival, we very much intend to return many times before the “VOL” cycle has been completed. People can expect a varied set representing all of the albums, and a commitment to deliver the best performances possible!

11- Your own definition of "doom" and "progressive"?

As I mentioned above….doom to me refers very specifically to the sounds of Sabbath, Vitus, Trouble or Candlemass and the bands that emulate them without cannibalizing them or incorporating them into other elements. Hence, various forms of slow death metal, drone, ambient, shoegazer music do not qualify as pure doom metal whatsoever, even if it is an influence…not saying they are shite or otherwise…simply that they are at best, hybrids, and WHW is no exception…we’re not a pure doom metal band by any means. Regarding progressive – this can mean two things: either doing something that is truly groundbreaking or simply the evolution of an entity. Hopefully WHW is successful in both respects.

12- Your favorite three albums (or songs) of all times?

This is an impossible question to answer due to the fact that I have so many tastes and such a vast library of music, so I’ll just give you three albums that typically rank towards the top of my favorites (at least as of today!):

Fates Warning – Awaken The Guardian
Rush – A Farewell To Kings
Cirith Ungol – King Of The Dead