Stereoboard Talk To Sacred Mother Tongue About Current EP & Forthcoming Album 'Out Of The Darkness'
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Written by Simon Ramsay
Since releasing 2009's bone crunching debut album 'The Ruin Of Man', Northampton based heavy metal monsters Sacred Mother Tongue have gained an army of loyal followers, including Metal Hammer magazine who branded them as “The most convincing young British Metal band to emerge in a long time”. Following such hefty praise and several high profile festival appearances the four piece gang – Darrin South (Vocal Powerhouse), Andy James (Guitar God), Josh Gurner (Bass Dude) and Lee Newell ( Drum Thumper) – have been hard at work on their sophmore album 'Out Of The Darkness', which is due to hit shelves early next year. A taste of that record was recently unveiled in the shape of a highly praised EP entitled 'A Light Shines', and at present the guys are also busy running a pledge campaign to fund the release of a future live EP. No rest for the wicked indeed. We caught up with frontman Darrin to talk about the new material, the evolution of the band's sound and why they could be playing at your wedding reception sometime soon!
Hi Darrin. Congratulations on your new EP 'A Light Shines'. It's absolutely superb and has been getting great reviews. What was the reason for releasing it this year, prior to your second album coming out in 2013?
In short, it's a stop gap release. It's been a good while since we released 'The Ruin Of Man', and I'm sure people were wondering what we've been doing. The new album is fully written and 80% recorded, but it was impossible to get the final 20% finished before the end of 2012. So we decided to release a handful of really strong tracks from the stuff we'd already completed. The live song also makes a good bonus for people who buy the EP, as it obviously won't appear on the forthcoming album. Overall I guess we just wanted to say 'yes we're still here... and check out what we've been doing!!!'
Your vocals on the new EP have more of an emphasis on 'clean' singing as opposed to the previous mixture of melody and 'screaming'; why did you decide to make that change and is that style continued on your forthcoming second album?
It seems to be a popular subject, both with interviewers and fans. You just can't please everyone and I've even been mistaken for 'the new singer' several times!! Truth is, when we wrote the first album we were new to this band, were concerned about what market we were aiming for and what sound we wanted to achieve. I enjoy screaming because it adds brutality, but I feel it's over used by too many bands. If the song calls for it, I'm all for it. However if it's used as a throw away section by singers who either can't think of anything else or can't sing that well....then I say that's a cop out. Rock and metal is supposed to be forceful, but in a melodic way. It should capture you lyrically, and the lyrics should lend themselves to a fitting melody that is in some way moving. You can't sing along with your head back and fist to your groin during brutal vocals, it's just not the same. Plus, I was so inspired by the new material Andy had written that I found myself bursting with ideas. I was flooded with melodies, and lyrics with meaning always go better with melody. I was also more confident as a writer this time. I'm not as fixated on being liked, so I wrote everything the way I wanted to hear it. I'm sure Andy did the same, and hence how Sacred Mother Tongue inadvertently 'found' our sound.
Tell us about the recording of 'A Light Shines' and 'Out Of The Darkness'. Firstly, who you chose to produce the new material, and do you record 'live' as a band or knock out your parts individually?
We used Scott Atkins for both processes. 'The Ruin Of Man' came out well, but we knew where we'd gone wrong and where we could improve production wise. Working with Scott is our first choice no matter what. He's not just an engineer, he's a producer, and he understands us as people and as a band. With Scott you get pushed to the absolute limit with what you write and what gets recorded. He's such a slave driver but we trust him and keep working relentlessly until he's happy. We always get the feeling he has a vested interest in the band, and therefore wants it to be the absolute best it can be. He also pushes himself, is always learning new tricks with the equipment and won't settle for anything that doesn't sound massive. We really pushed him on this new album too. We wanted the bass and drums to sound a certain way, as we'd figured out what they were lacking on our first album. The result is enormous and all the instruments are so loud, but so clear at the same time. The vocal production sounds a million dollars, and I'm so satisfied with it. I reckon it rivals some of those big vocal producers who work in the mainstream.
As for the actual process, we recorded the drum tracks as a band, just for feel really. Lee can feed off the stuff better when he's hearing booming bass and pounding riffs and the energy in his playing is far greater when it's laid down in more of a 'live' way. All the other parts are recorded separately, in a relaxed environment. It takes the pressure off the rest of us, and we can can just relax and get into it. You don't have to lay it all down in one take, so why pressure yourself into doing so?
How are your songs written and who comes up with the initial ideas? Does it begin with one of Andy's riffs or a lyrical concept? For example – how did 'Evolve/Become' develop?
'Evolve/Become' is actually the exception with regards the way we write. Andy had recorded several demos with killer hooks and awesome riffs, but I couldn't get any of them to work as songs. The flow wasn't right and, from a vocal point of view, I was blocked for inspiration. So with those songs almost in the bin, Andy and Lee jammed out sections and literally wrote 'Evolve/Become' in the studio. Convinced it was a winning tune, the drums were laid down alongside a rough rhythm guitar track. That was the first time I heard the complete song and at that point I found the inspiration for the vocals - and of course when it came... it came good. I couldn't wait to lay this song down and knew it was gonna be big. The other guys didn't hear a thing until I'd recorded the final vocals that appear on the EP.
Usually the writing process is a bit simpler than that. Andy writes and records complete song demos, with bass and programmed drums, and gingerly sends them to me before anyone else. Sometimes I cut and edit the song until it suits me better, then he'll re-record it, and other times he's just got it bang on from the off. At the point it's a finished demo, I write melodies and lyrics to fit the mood of the song. I don't usually get inspired until the track is at this stage.
What would you say is the biggest difference between your new material and 'The Ruin Of Man'?
I think our level of maturity is the main thing that's changed. I mean sure, we've spent more time on production, put more effort into recording and there's no screaming on the new stuff. But I think all of that is purely down to the fact that we've matured as people and musicians. We've also had more time to work each other out and understand how everyone in the band works professionally. There's a far more relaxed attitude with our ideas, and a far, far better trust for each other as musicians, which means less bickering and, that in itself, makes it easier to resolve any musical differences. I honestly think if we'd recorded and released a second album within 18 months, as we'd first intended, this maturity wouldn't have been there. The inter-band bond wasn't ready and we didn't have the confidence or the freedom to do what felt right for each of us. When you take the handrails down, the creative juices flow much better and you write from the heart. Which let's face it, is how it should be. If we hadn't let our relationship flourish the second Sacred album would have been very different. I think we'd have churned out more of the same, almost a continuation of 'The Ruin Of Man'. And we'd still be 'looking' for our sound.
The new EP contains a live track recorded in China – how did you get that gig and what was it like playing for so many people in a foreign country?
It was a massive experience and gave us a taste of how we'd be received on an international scale. It was also a really random thing to happen to us, as I'm sure many people thought. Our management at Transcend were contacted by a Chinese promoter who organises tours all over the far east for some huge Metal groups. It seems he was into our band and after a years worth of lengthy negotiations he organised a tour for us, which also included a sightseeing trip around China. The reception was outstanding too. The Chinese love their metal and they seem to have very little of it, especially from overseas. I think we made a good number of friends over there and it was definitely an historical experience for Sacred.
You've had some other great live experience over the last few years – how was it playing at Sonisphere and Download with bands who must have been your heroes?
We've played Download twice now, second stage too. Which was a real boost as later that day I saw Mr Big, Alice Cooper and Papa Roach play the same stage! It's always a rush to meet your heroes and even better to play on the same bill as them. Sonisphere was an awesome experience as it was still early in our career and we really didn't know what to expect. Plus, we were billed to play at the same time as Skindred, who let's face it, are an amazing band for a festival. They're a huge crowd pleaser so we could've been playing to no one. As it turned out we had a killer show, the crowd was near capacity and it went down a storm. It was kind of a shock, and a definite boost for the band's morale.
You've recently signed to EMI – How's that working out and what are you hoping to achieve with them backing you?
It's great news for Sacred as we have an awesome team behind us who don't just manage the band as a product. They have real belief in us when it comes to the direction we're taking, as well as our attitudes and inter band relationships. It seems very hard to get backing these days from people who are good at what they do, and aren't just out to make money from you. EMI are a favourite choice for me personally because they've worked with all sorts. Sacred sits in a limbo area where we're not soft enough to be a pop rock group, but not heavy enough to be a hardcore metal band. I think our music is heavy, but with a commercial and melodic edge to it. EMI are perfect for marketing that and have been great so far. We couldn't be happier.
Has being on a bigger label put you under any pressure to be more commercial and has it shaped the new material's more accessible, melodic sound?
Not at all, we've never taken orders or directions about our sound. It's been a natural progression, whereby we stopped 'trying' to write songs and just wrote them. The finished result is what you hear in our new material. The band have matured as writers and we've learned to trust and respect each other so much more. And that's made our sound more accessible and commercial. It's not been deliberate.
You've never hidden your ambition, saying you want to play stateside and see the world. What's the current game plan with regards making that happen?
The music industry is an ever spiralling ladder that can take a long time to climb and we're steadily making progress. But unlike some of those overnight success bands I think our persistence, along with holding onto our musical integrity, will provide a career with genuine longevity. That's really the only plan - to keep doing what we do - without trying to rush it. Our new EP is being really well received, and the follow up album will be released early next year. I guess as long as we keep releasing good stuff our fan base will grow and the band's momentum will continue to build. We just have to keep grounded for now.
What will it take for a metal band to break big in the same way Iron Maiden did in the 80's and Metallica in the early 90's, and do you think it's still possible for modern metal acts to get that kind of commercial success and headline huge arenas/stadiums in this day and age?
If I'm honest, I can't see another Maiden or Metallica. There was something special about that time, in terms of the fan's attitude towards those bands, and the music industry in general. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to see the day a great metal band gets that kind of success, but everything is different now. The internet has given people a really easy way to hear music, to talk to bands and follow musicians personally. It's no longer the same kind of treat to go and watch a group. Plus, the money situation these days makes it so expensive to go out to your local venue, never mind paying stadium prices. I think the only way it could happen is with a kind of revival of something really special. It needs to be a band who have a new sound, whilst also showing something that reflects those iconic acts. They need to be singer fronted, screaming just isn't gonna do it on that scale. The band needs to be packed full of heroes from the off, bursting with talent and flair. Guys who are just dudes, cool as fuck without trying. Steve Marriot or Phil Lynott cool... real rock stars!! They'd also need to be marketed in a huge way, with some big budgets behind them. And their music needs to have some kind of built in copyright self destruct that prevents it from being uploaded to the net!!
You're currently running a pledge project to fund the release of a Live EP – What was the reason for doing that and how's it working out?
We are short on cash, as we always have been. Our label pays for most things but there is a limit to the pot and we're seriously stretching it. Everything has gone into getting the album finished and released. The idea for a live EP actually came from an outside source, and after mixing 'The City Is Crying' (The live track on the Light Shines EP) we got a taste for how good it could sound. So the plan is to get it released shortly after the new album comes out to keep the momentum going. But money is gonna be really tight so it probably wouldn't happen for another year without the pledge. There's more to it than that, of course. The idea we can support a charity, meet and greet fans and have them directly involved in the making of the EP is such a cool feeling. Some of the items that are available, there's just no way you would get hold of them without the pledge campaign. Hopefully the fans will see we're doing it for them, and not just as a money making scheme. Most pledgers will receive a copy of the EP as part of the pledge anyway, so it's not gonna make us rich!!! Imagine having your favourite band come and play live in your house, or booking them for your birthday, or wedding. It's not the sort of thing we'd normally do, but it's gonna be a lot of fun!
Your fans are eagerly awaiting the release of 'Out Of The Darkness' - what can they expect from the album – in terms of song titles, stylistic choices and the overall sound of the record? What can you say to wet their appetites?
They'll have to wait to hear the overall sound, although the EP is a decent taste of what it will be like. As far as lyrical content and song titles go, I'll explain the concept behind it. The album was originally going to be called 'A Light Shines Through The Darkness', and I have this whole light and dark theme running throughout the record. We obviously changed the titles when we decided to split off with an EP and an album. With light and dark I examine all the things around us that make us live in darkness or unhappiness. Some of these songs are from personal experience, and some are just my observations about the society we live in. There is dark everywhere, and there are so many things that should change. I'm not preaching, I hate that. I'm simply channelling my observations and experiences into my music. I believe that to come 'Out Of The Darkness' you've gotta find that light. It can come from the most unlikely place but it's out there. It's the old cliché that no matter how dark it may seem, somewhere a light will shine and guide you / all of us, out of the dark.
Sacred Mother Tongue's current EP 'A Light Shines' is out now. Their new album, ‘Out Of The Darkness’, is set for release in early 2013. Sacred Mother Tongue hit the road with Welsh metallers Revoker next month.
Nov 11th - Dundee, Beat Generator Live!
Nov 13th - Birmingham, 02 Academy 3
Nov 14th - London, Islington 02 Academy 2
Nov 16th - Northampton Roadmenders
Nov 17th - Cardiff, Bogiez
Nov 18th - Wrexham, Central Station
Nov 19th - York, Duchess
Nov 20th - Southampton, Joiners
Nov 21st - Bicester, Courtyard
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Hi Darrin. Congratulations on your new EP 'A Light Shines'. It's absolutely superb and has been getting great reviews. What was the reason for releasing it this year, prior to your second album coming out in 2013?
