/5052-1_bc9b.jpg "interview Perseverance (AUS)")
WHITE NOISE PRODUCTIONS: Hello, and thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to answer a few questions for us! Let's start with a little information about yourself, and the project(s) that you are currently involved with - can you give us a brief idea of who you are, and what you are currently working on..?:GARETH SANSOM: Thank you for the oportunity. I am Gareth Sansom, I have had involvement in Heavy Metal bands and projects in Melbourne for around ten years now, and am currently performing Vocals and Keyboards for the Depressive Black Metal band, PERSEVERANCE, as well as working on material for a Black/Thrash project under the title, IMPERIVM.
WP: I understand that you have been involved with a number of projects over the past few years, most notably Black and Doom Metal bands, WOOD OF SUICIDES [Katzenjammer Rec.] and ADAMUS EXUL [Dark Spirit Dist.]. Can you give us a bit of an idea as to your involvement with, and the idea behind these bands, and why you have decided to shift your focus primarily to PERSEVERANCE?:
GS: WOOD OF SUICIDES is a Black/Doom Metal band involving members from the Death Metal band, DISSYMMETRY and Doom Metal band, TROD. It is the first project under which I have been involved in the writing and release of a full-length CD, 'the Wood of Suicides' on the label, 'Katzenjammer Records' and the band in which I 'cut my teeth' as a vocalist and live musician. I found a great deal of value in working with this band, which allowed me to first develop the songwriting skills which have continued with PERSEVERANCE, and in which I have had the freedom to develop greater concepts and ideas than the typical Heavy Metal themes of earlier bands I had previously worked with.
ADAMUS EXUL is a Black Metal band whose sound is more in the vein of contemporary Scandinavian Black Metal, and with the original lineup comprising members that have now since moved on to other interests, we have recorded the full-length 'Death, Paint a Vision', a collection of fast and highly polished songs with no set theme. Unlike WOOD OF SUICIDES, my involvement in this project was relatively detached, and this is reflected in lacklustre lyrics and performance which I can't say I hold in very high regard, and the project has since become something that I try to distance myself from as much as possible.
I have left both of these peojects to pursue work and interests more suited to my ambitions and ideas.
WP: Now, we have heard the new PERSEVERANCE CD, 'Silence, Forever; Endless' and can immediately hear a clear improvement in production sound and composition, can you give us a little background on the concept for this CD, how it differs from your first release, 'the Fading Light' and what fans who are hearing the album for the first time might expect from the release?:
GS: The concept for the CD, 'Silence, Forever; Endless' began in 2009, and was initially an idea which I had developed for a follow-up release under the WOOD OF SUICIDES monicker. I have long had an interest in the categorization and social implcations of mental illness, as well as a curious interest in Australian institutions that were designed for the care and rehabilitation of those afflicted, visiting hospitals such as LaRundel in Bundoora and the Beechworth Mental Hospital (Mayday Hills) on several occasions. The album centers around a young girl (Naomi Adeline) who has been interred at the Beechworth Asylum in the very early 1900's, following a brutal murder-suicide involving members of her own family. While under observation at Beechworth, Naomi herself becomes the victim of the savage will of either a ward of the hospital or another patient (this will be revealed in detail in the second CD in the series) and the CD ends with her traumatic abuse, and a further descent into the lower levels of mental fracture.
'The Fading Light', by contrast is and was a more personal account of conflicts and difficulties that I have experienced, such as chronic depression, self-abuse and alcoholism in the later 2000's. Upon completing and releasing 'the Fading Light'. and while much of what I have personally dealt with is no longer relevant, I felt that there was still a great deal of value in employing PERSEVERANCE to explore these ideas further and give voice to a darker element of humanity that most prefer to ignore. I am confident that while our sound and ability might have improved a great deal since 'the Fading Light' particularly with the addition of a live drummer and input from other members involved with the project (Rhys Mathew is credited with writing a majority of the material on this album), there still exists the same intensity in the sentiments throughout both albums.
WP: To a more personal level; we can't help but have heard stories and incidents involving the band, PERSEVERANCE over the past few years, and yourself personally. There has been a great deal of controversey and division over the band's politics, and your own personal affiliations, can you clear the air on any such allegations and opinions?:
GS: I have long held the belief that if you are charging yourself with the task of creating work that is within a genre as extreme as Black Metal, it is a responsibility as an artist to commit to addressing and exploring with an open mind every relevant possibility and experience that can contribute to your work. Regarding Black Metal in particular, and since the earliest manifestations of the genre, I am committed to the idea that you can never allow yourself to conform to boundaries set by others which might impede your ability to develop and express legitimate and plausible work, and have over the years immersed myself in a number of belief-systems and sub-cultures that have assisted me in developing a clear and honest perception of humanity and the world which is expressed through PERSEVERANCE and IMPERIVM.
I have b
een confronted by ideas and have had preconcieved assertions challenged by this, and while I resent the categorization that I or any current project that I am involved in are 'Satanic', 'Degenerate' or 'Racist', I am aware that there are people within the Heavy Metal crowd that find it difficult to afford understanding and value to these experiences and ideas, and find it easier to simply label who I am and the bands that I am involved with in a way that they can easily grasp. I am not going to waste my time answering to allegations, I will only invite you to re-evaluate the genre that we are working within and question what it is that you are expecting here; Black Metal is and always has been extreme, provocative and underground, if you are looking for music that won't challenge the norm or what the current regime defines as 'socially acceptable', then maybe it's just not for you.
WP: We've taken a quick look at the back-catalogue of your work and invovement in other projects at the METAL ARCHIVES website, is it safe to say that such involvements then are more or less at an end, or can we expect to see another credit for any of these such projects in the future?:
GS: PERSEVERANCE is not a political band, and never will be, but while we have developed a set structure and ethos as a band, I can't personally dismiss that future work I take on-board will shy away from whatever influence and ideology I feel best compliments it's development. Anything is possible.
WP: What is the songwriting process behind PERSEVERANCE? Can you explain how the music and lyrics are arranged by the band, and how a final structure for the project's music and ideas are reached?:
GS: 'The Fading Light' developed first as a series of 'riffs' and progressions that I had been toying with over several months in isolation. This entire album was written in a dark room and on an unhealthy diet of alcohol, cigarettes and whatever drugs I was able to get my hands on at the time. It's a dark CD, and I am confident that the general sound that we were able to achieve reflects my personal state at the time pretty well, and so for all intents and purposes is a text-book Depressive Black Metal album. After the writing process for the CD was completed, I gave Rhys a call, and we began fleshing it out in rehearsal, before sequencing the drum parts and taking it all to Konrad at Special K Studios to put together.
'Silence, Forever; Endless', on the other hand was acknowledged from the beginning as a concept album, and as such the three of us (Rhys, Damien and myself) worked to create an album that reflected the story that I had developed, employing new elements such as synth and the service of Vocalist Jennifer Lewis to add what was needed to complete the picture. Generally speaking, PERSEVERANCE songs are brought into the studio by Rhys or myself, and chipped at by everyone in the band to fashion it into the best state that we can.
WP: PERSEVERANCE have been fairly quiet in so far as live tours and events are concerned. Aside from 'the Fading Light' tour of Australia's East Coast in 2010, gigs have been few and far between for the band. Can you explain why this is, and whether it's likely we will see more of the band at venues and events around the country in months coming?:
GS: There are a number of factors which have contributed to the low frequency of live performances. The departure of our first Bass Guitarist, Patrick Cook left us unable to perform throughout 2011, and it's only recently that we have been able to fill his shoes with Patrick Horgan, and commit to a few live events in 2013. Another factor which has limited our ability to commit to interstate events and touring is that while we are all behind this project, and Rhys and I are constantly contributing new ideas and material for future recordings, personal situations and commitments, as well as our involvement in other bands and projects leaves us with limited space and time to put a show together.
We will be performing our next event at 'HELLRAISER V' in July, with Canberra's HELLBRINGER and BASTARDIZER from New South Wales. My advice would be that if you are interested in seeing PERSEVERANCE live, make an effort to see us then. I would like to arrange a tour for PERSEVERANCE into Europe, the U.S. and Asia in 2014, but as we have already had to knock-back an offer for a tour in South America this year, I will be seeking commitment from the other members of the band before announcing anything publicly. There are plans to induct a fifth member and live Lead Guitarist into the band's lineup in 2013, so this might also complicate matters.
WP: The PERSEVERANCE live show is an experience, we have read in other interviews with other members of the band that there have been incidents involving blood, band and crowd violence and bodily-fluids shed at shows, and there has been a general air of uncertainty as to what is expected, can you define the nature of a live show, and perhaps give insight into why the band behaves as they do when performing your material?:
GS: When we are performing live, we try as much as possible to capture the chaos and self-deprication of our music, and so generally speaking and at any point in a performance, there is a good chance that any number of us are heavily under the influence. I feel that to do justice to what we are creating, committing to a performance with any other objective than total insanity would simply be impausible. Therefore, a PERSEVERANCE performance will always involve complete disregard for the affections of the audience, promoter and venue, and as a fan you can expect nothing less than a totally accurate and credible performance.
We have had altercations with members of the audience and each other while performing due to the intensity of our approach to the task, and I can confirm that on more than one occasion we have pushed ourselves over the line to
WP: We've taken a quick look at the back-catalogue of your work and invovement in other projects at the METAL ARCHIVES website, is it safe to say that such involvements then are more or less at an end, or can we expect to see another credit for any of these such projects in the future?:
GS: PERSEVERANCE is not a political band, and never will be, but while we have developed a set structure and ethos as a band, I can't personally dismiss that future work I take on-board will shy away from whatever influence and ideology I feel best compliments it's development. Anything is possible.
WP: What is the songwriting process behind PERSEVERANCE? Can you explain how the music and lyrics are arranged by the band, and how a final structure for the project's music and ideas are reached?:
GS: 'The Fading Light' developed first as a series of 'riffs' and progressions that I had been toying with over several months in isolation. This entire album was written in a dark room and on an unhealthy diet of alcohol, cigarettes and whatever drugs I was able to get my hands on at the time. It's a dark CD, and I am confident that the general sound that we were able to achieve reflects my personal state at the time pretty well, and so for all intents and purposes is a text-book Depressive Black Metal album. After the writing process for the CD was completed, I gave Rhys a call, and we began fleshing it out in rehearsal, before sequencing the drum parts and taking it all to Konrad at Special K Studios to put together.
'Silence, Forever; Endless', on the other hand was acknowledged from the beginning as a concept album, and as such the three of us (Rhys, Damien and myself) worked to create an album that reflected the story that I had developed, employing new elements such as synth and the service of Vocalist Jennifer Lewis to add what was needed to complete the picture. Generally speaking, PERSEVERANCE songs are brought into the studio by Rhys or myself, and chipped at by everyone in the band to fashion it into the best state that we can.
WP: PERSEVERANCE have been fairly quiet in so far as live tours and events are concerned. Aside from 'the Fading Light' tour of Australia's East Coast in 2010, gigs have been few and far between for the band. Can you explain why this is, and whether it's likely we will see more of the band at venues and events around the country in months coming?:
GS: There are a number of factors which have contributed to the low frequency of live performances. The departure of our first Bass Guitarist, Patrick Cook left us unable to perform throughout 2011, and it's only recently that we have been able to fill his shoes with Patrick Horgan, and commit to a few live events in 2013. Another factor which has limited our ability to commit to interstate events and touring is that while we are all behind this project, and Rhys and I are constantly contributing new ideas and material for future recordings, personal situations and commitments, as well as our involvement in other bands and projects leaves us with limited space and time to put a show together.
We will be performing our next event at 'HELLRAISER V' in July, with Canberra's HELLBRINGER and BASTARDIZER from New South Wales. My advice would be that if you are interested in seeing PERSEVERANCE live, make an effort to see us then. I would like to arrange a tour for PERSEVERANCE into Europe, the U.S. and Asia in 2014, but as we have already had to knock-back an offer for a tour in South America this year, I will be seeking commitment from the other members of the band before announcing anything publicly. There are plans to induct a fifth member and live Lead Guitarist into the band's lineup in 2013, so this might also complicate matters.
WP: The PERSEVERANCE live show is an experience, we have read in other interviews with other members of the band that there have been incidents involving blood, band and crowd violence and bodily-fluids shed at shows, and there has been a general air of uncertainty as to what is expected, can you define the nature of a live show, and perhaps give insight into why the band behaves as they do when performing your material?:
GS: When we are performing live, we try as much as possible to capture the chaos and self-deprication of our music, and so generally speaking and at any point in a performance, there is a good chance that any number of us are heavily under the influence. I feel that to do justice to what we are creating, committing to a performance with any other objective than total insanity would simply be impausible. Therefore, a PERSEVERANCE performance will always involve complete disregard for the affections of the audience, promoter and venue, and as a fan you can expect nothing less than a totally accurate and credible performance.
We have had altercations with members of the audience and each other while performing due to the intensity of our approach to the task, and I can confirm that on more than one occasion we have pushed ourselves over the line to
deliver what we feel fans are entitled to in paying to see us play. Our music is raw, dark and aggressive, and I feel that a live PERSEVERANCE show reflects this one hundred percent.
WP: Of the live shows that the band has performed, have any supporting or headlining bands taken your interest personally? Can you give any recommendations for other live and studio projects currently active in the Australian scene?:
GS: For me personally, bands that I have come to respect and admire from events we have shared the stage at include Brisbane bands LUSTRATION and 308, Melbourne's SANGUINARY MISANTHROPIA, EVIL INTENT and ORDER OF ORIAS. In so far as bands that we have not had the chance to play alongide just yet, Canberra's HELLBRINGER, Sydney's BASTARDIZER, DENOUNCEMENT PYRE and NOCTURNAL GRAVES come highly recommended. There are a great deal of bands and projects in Melbourne and Australia which range from below-average to just plain god-awful, but it's well worth a bit of research to seek out the good ones. It's only unfortunate that the majority of audiences in Melbourne and the rest of the country are equally unworthy of the work they are doing.
WP: In both 'the Fading Light' and 'Silence, Forever; Endless' we have noticed the use of quotes and sound-bytes from a number of sources, can you give us any insight on where these samples have been taken from and their significance to the band's releases?:
GS: In 'the Fading Light', and from memory, we have used samples from the films 'Silence of the Lambs, 'Hellraiser' and Gaspar Noe's 'Seul Contre Tous' ('I Stand Alone'), as well as snippets from an open mike speech by performers un the U.S., and a film chosen by Konrad at Special K Studios. Throughout this CD, samples have been used which both support themes conveyed in the album's lyrics, and which support passages in our music complimentarily. 'Seul Contre Tous' is an excellent film, and many sentiments, at least from the first half of the film reflect the mentality of 'the Fading Light' very well.
Samples used in Silence, Forever; Endless' are confined to the first part of the instrumental, 'Pendulum', and are taken from the second 'Hellraiser' film. These samples were selected due to concept similarities, and we have edited sections which are most appropriate to the concept chosen. The use of samples and 'sound bytes' in our music is primarily to lift certain progressions, and we will continue to source these as the overall sound of future work dictates.
WP: What are the future prospect for PERSEVERANCE? Will there be a follow-up to the concept developed in 'Silence, Forever; Endless', and can we expect that the band will carry-on beyond the resolution of this idea?:
GS: At this point in time, we have decided to commit to completing the 'Asylum' concept, and following our live performance in July, will be returning to the studio to work on new material for a third full-length CD. Without any significant delays, I am confident that we will have this finalised before the end of 2013, and will be returning to the live circuit with the new CD early in the New Year.
We have discussed the future of the project at length, and I can say with conviction that PERSEVERANCE will continue to develop and release music well beyond another CD, and with a growing audience and a bit of luck, we will be hoping to take part in the first international tour for the band later in 2014.
WP: I understand that you are a heavy fan of Science Fiction and Political literature, have you any plans to produce any works of your own, and can you recommend any titles and authors for others who might share your interest(s)?:
GS: I have been an avid reader for all of my life, and definitely have prospect for the publication of my own work in the next few years. I am currently working on a Science Fiction novel, 'Thousand Year Empire', and have been contributing work for a collection of short-stories that I am hoping to release late in 2014, under the collective 'the Pathos Anthology'.
Authors that I have a great deal of respect for, and whose work I have been enjoying for many years include Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Keith Laumer, Edmond Hamilton, Robert Heinlein and many more. I would credit the collections, 'the October Country' and 'the Illustrated Man' by Ray Bradbury to be two of the biggest catalysts for my early interest in darker themes and storytelling.
I do tend, however to make a conscious effort to steer-clear of author's whose work I would classify as 'pedestrian', admittedly by virtue of their fan-base more than anything. Authors such as Stephen King, Terry Pratchett and Raymond Fiest. Whilst their work might have some merit, I find it difficult to reconcile the idea that great writing can be reflected in a broad and eclectic embrace by the masses, much in the same way as I notice that such massive proportions of the population find value in the ideas of organised religion. Great art should be difficult to digest, and should never appeal to the common denominator, as the great mass of the people just cannot possess the ability to relate to and absorb more complex themes and ideas. I guess in this way, I would consider myself a pretty particular reader.
WP: Well, that's just about all we have time and space for here, do you have any parting words for fans of PERSEVERANCE, or words of warning for those opposed to who you are, and what you are working on?:
GS: Thank you for the opportunity, and I will say to anyone that has yet to pick up a copy of the band's CD's, they are available NOW through DARKLUST DISTRIBUTIONS and the project's 'Band Camp' page. I will also take the opportunity to thank METAL OBSESSION and PBS 106.7FM for their promotion and support, and for PERSEVERANCE fans everywhere for their ongoing support.
WP: Of the live shows that the band has performed, have any supporting or headlining bands taken your interest personally? Can you give any recommendations for other live and studio projects currently active in the Australian scene?:
GS: For me personally, bands that I have come to respect and admire from events we have shared the stage at include Brisbane bands LUSTRATION and 308, Melbourne's SANGUINARY MISANTHROPIA, EVIL INTENT and ORDER OF ORIAS. In so far as bands that we have not had the chance to play alongide just yet, Canberra's HELLBRINGER, Sydney's BASTARDIZER, DENOUNCEMENT PYRE and NOCTURNAL GRAVES come highly recommended. There are a great deal of bands and projects in Melbourne and Australia which range from below-average to just plain god-awful, but it's well worth a bit of research to seek out the good ones. It's only unfortunate that the majority of audiences in Melbourne and the rest of the country are equally unworthy of the work they are doing.
WP: In both 'the Fading Light' and 'Silence, Forever; Endless' we have noticed the use of quotes and sound-bytes from a number of sources, can you give us any insight on where these samples have been taken from and their significance to the band's releases?:
GS: In 'the Fading Light', and from memory, we have used samples from the films 'Silence of the Lambs, 'Hellraiser' and Gaspar Noe's 'Seul Contre Tous' ('I Stand Alone'), as well as snippets from an open mike speech by performers un the U.S., and a film chosen by Konrad at Special K Studios. Throughout this CD, samples have been used which both support themes conveyed in the album's lyrics, and which support passages in our music complimentarily. 'Seul Contre Tous' is an excellent film, and many sentiments, at least from the first half of the film reflect the mentality of 'the Fading Light' very well.
Samples used in Silence, Forever; Endless' are confined to the first part of the instrumental, 'Pendulum', and are taken from the second 'Hellraiser' film. These samples were selected due to concept similarities, and we have edited sections which are most appropriate to the concept chosen. The use of samples and 'sound bytes' in our music is primarily to lift certain progressions, and we will continue to source these as the overall sound of future work dictates.
WP: What are the future prospect for PERSEVERANCE? Will there be a follow-up to the concept developed in 'Silence, Forever; Endless', and can we expect that the band will carry-on beyond the resolution of this idea?:
GS: At this point in time, we have decided to commit to completing the 'Asylum' concept, and following our live performance in July, will be returning to the studio to work on new material for a third full-length CD. Without any significant delays, I am confident that we will have this finalised before the end of 2013, and will be returning to the live circuit with the new CD early in the New Year.
We have discussed the future of the project at length, and I can say with conviction that PERSEVERANCE will continue to develop and release music well beyond another CD, and with a growing audience and a bit of luck, we will be hoping to take part in the first international tour for the band later in 2014.
WP: I understand that you are a heavy fan of Science Fiction and Political literature, have you any plans to produce any works of your own, and can you recommend any titles and authors for others who might share your interest(s)?:
GS: I have been an avid reader for all of my life, and definitely have prospect for the publication of my own work in the next few years. I am currently working on a Science Fiction novel, 'Thousand Year Empire', and have been contributing work for a collection of short-stories that I am hoping to release late in 2014, under the collective 'the Pathos Anthology'.
Authors that I have a great deal of respect for, and whose work I have been enjoying for many years include Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Keith Laumer, Edmond Hamilton, Robert Heinlein and many more. I would credit the collections, 'the October Country' and 'the Illustrated Man' by Ray Bradbury to be two of the biggest catalysts for my early interest in darker themes and storytelling.
I do tend, however to make a conscious effort to steer-clear of author's whose work I would classify as 'pedestrian', admittedly by virtue of their fan-base more than anything. Authors such as Stephen King, Terry Pratchett and Raymond Fiest. Whilst their work might have some merit, I find it difficult to reconcile the idea that great writing can be reflected in a broad and eclectic embrace by the masses, much in the same way as I notice that such massive proportions of the population find value in the ideas of organised religion. Great art should be difficult to digest, and should never appeal to the common denominator, as the great mass of the people just cannot possess the ability to relate to and absorb more complex themes and ideas. I guess in this way, I would consider myself a pretty particular reader.
WP: Well, that's just about all we have time and space for here, do you have any parting words for fans of PERSEVERANCE, or words of warning for those opposed to who you are, and what you are working on?:
GS: Thank you for the opportunity, and I will say to anyone that has yet to pick up a copy of the band's CD's, they are available NOW through DARKLUST DISTRIBUTIONS and the project's 'Band Camp' page. I will also take the opportunity to thank METAL OBSESSION and PBS 106.7FM for their promotion and support, and for PERSEVERANCE fans everywhere for their ongoing support.
r>
Interview done by White Noise Prod, posted by opeth59
You must be logged in to add a comment