TALAMASCA INTERVIEW
From USA hails the new force of power heavy metal - Talamasca. Theyve just released the great new disc "Ascension" which should appeal to all fans of Fates Warning, Helstar and Queensryche style metal. Benjamin asked Andy Paredes a couple of questions :

Interview by Benjamin A. Genach
What is your opinion of your new album compared to the old one?

"We are satisfied with the work on Ascension. On our first CD Projection, much of the music and lyrics were written before Brad (Schuler, bass) and Steve (Gentz, vocals) joined, so this was the first time all members had influence in the development of the songs. Musically, I think it shows a more accurate reflection of the band personality rather than just Matthew (Belanger, drums) and I. As far as the production, I feel that we have made improvements in the recording and mixing process. A lot more time went into the pre-production and writing of this album than the first, and having more experience in the studio helped knowing what to expect."

I have had a hard time to figure out what bands I can compare your music with! What is your definition of your style?

"I would say that we are the combination of a number of influences. We share similar influences such as Queensryche, Fates Warning, and Helstar. Each person in the band also has personal influences that enter the band at some point. Our combined influences range from classic and progressive metal to Gothenburg to classical, to fusion, etc. We try to create dynamic changes in the music (i.e. from loud to soft), texture changes (from single notes to chords, or thin to thick), tempo changes, and key changes."

Since the debut CD came out what did you think has to be done differently in order to survive in the metal world?? What have you done differently this time around?

"The biggest difference for us has been the use of technology to present the band better. This album used digital pre-production and mixing as opposed to the analogue mixing of the first CD. The marketing of the band has also been improved with new technology as well. In the old days you had to read interviews, write to a band, or be a member of a fan club to get information. The internet has been very helpful in getting us in touch with magazines and webzines, and people interested in this type of music can visit our homepage and download MP3s, read bios, song descriptions, see when/where we are playing, etc. This has been especially helpful for us with European listeners, with us living in the States where this music is not as popular as it is in Europe."

What are your expectations for the new album?

"The new album will hopefully be an improvement over the first album in terms of writing, recording, marketing, etc. as well showing the growth of the band in the last couple years."

What is it that makes you want to play progressive metal instead of the " Nu-metal", which is very hot in the States right in the moment?? Do you think that there will come a lot more of this genre music in the USA?

"This is what we have been doing for years and (hopefully) continue to do for quite a while. It is easy to jump on a trend to get instant recognition, but I do not think that bands that follow trends ever get received as well as bands that do what they believe in. Bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Queensryche, etc. did not change their sound when it might have been more financially profitable to do so, but they maintained their integrity and were able to be commercially successful as well. I think that the Nu-metal trend will fade fairly soon and something else will replace it."

For the artwork of your CD you've used Niall Parkinson (who has also worked on different covers for Intromental Management bands like Sinphonia, Manticora and Platitude) - he is not famous (yet), so how come you chose to use him? What do you think of the cover he made for you?

"Niall had done some work with DCA Recordings (our distribution company), and came highly recommended. We received some samples of his work and were very impressed with his attention to detail and presentation style. We were very pleased with the artwork Niall designed and hope to work with him again in the near future."

How do you picture Talamasca in the years to come??? Will you continue, and will it be with the same line-up or do you believe there will be changes - also musically??

"We will continue to write, perform, and record material with the same line-up as long as we can. We would like to keep the same members as we have a great time working and writing together, but we would never want to hold someone back if they needed to leave the band. Musically we would like the band to get a little heavier, but I do not foresee and drastic changes."

How come you?re not signed on a BIG label? I mean, a lot of bands from the US playing this style of music have chosen to sign with metal-labels such as Metal Blade, Century Media, Massacre, Nuclear Blast who all have a good standing in the European market.

"After Projection was released we did get a couple of inquires from a couple of small labels, but no solid offers from anyone. We may be a bit unknown to have attracted notice from a label, or not be enough of a certain style for some labels. Getting signed to a label would help financially (we pay for recording and manufacturing ourselves at this point), and would really help in getting our albums out to a larger audience in terms of wider advertisements campaigns and distribution in larger stores rather than specialty shops and mail-order catalogues."

How do you see the metal scene today? In Europe, USA and the rest of the world?

"Personally I prefer the metal scene in Europe to the States. Europeans do not seem as concerned with image as they are with the music, and tend to like heavier music that is more challenging to write and perform. I know that parts of Asia have a very strong metal market for the anthem and speed metal bands, I do not know how we would be received there."

Any plans to ever come to Europe to tour?

"We would really like to perform in Europe, we will have to see what type of recognition we receive from the new album."

Do you have anything else to add?

"People interested in Talamasca news, performance scheduling, music, and updates can visit our homepage at www.talamasca.cc"