1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
The Blessing Way began out of a desire to record my own songs that I had been writing for a few years. I had been in a band previously but didn’t really like the idea of setting up another one as I much preferred playing by myself. I always found that when I played with other people there would always be too may disagreements between band members and it got quite tiring after a while. On my first release my brother played drums for me but since then I have just programmed the drums myself and kept it as a solo project although my brother, Colin, still helps out from time to time with guitar solos and he helped me do the recording on the first album.
2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous releases?
The early stuff I was writing was very much melodic death metal sounding, it was more in the vein of early In Flames and Dark Tranquility. Then I started incorporating more classical instruments like harpsichord, pianos and choirs and the sound morphed into more symphonic black metal. There is still a good dose of melodic death metal in the music though.
3.In the 13 years this band has been together there has only been 2 full lengths and an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?
The main reason for the gap between the first E.P and the album was mainly down to a lack of funds. I was training to be a tattoo artist around that time so I did not have a lot of money to spare and when it is a solo project obviously I have to pay for everything myself. The music can take quite a long time to write as well. I usually start a song and it might not get completed for a few months due to adding parts in and taking other parts out.
4.A lot fo your lyrics cover horror and gothic tales, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Since I was young I have always had an interest in horror books and movies. Books would have been a major influence for me and still to this day I read a lot of horror novels. I am also a big fan of concept albums. The first album, From Empty Plates We Dine, was all based on the Anne Rice novel, Interview With The Vampire. The most recent album, Erik’s Lament is all based on The Phantom Of The Opera.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'The Blessing Way'?
The name comes from an episode of The X files of which I was a massive fan when I was younger and I just thought it would make a nice band name.
6.an you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
When I was searching for an album cover I came across an old painting by a French artist called George Roux. The cover immediately jumped out at me and I think it conveys the atmosphere and theme of the music perfectly.
7.With the new album you recorded most of the material by yourself but there was a full line up in the past, are you open to expanding the line up again in the future or do you prefer to work solo?
My brother played drums on the first E.P but since then I have always recorded everything myself. I have an exact idea in my head how I want it to sound and so I have little interest in working with other people. Bar a few guitar solos or vocal parts from other people I much prefer to do it all myself.
8.Back when you had a live performance did you have any opportunities to do any live shows?
I have never played live with The Blessing Way and I do not have any interest in doing so. Live performances do not hold much interest for me.
9.On the new album you also had some session work from Snowy Shaw, can you tell us a little bit more about his contribution to the recording?
I have been a huge fan of Snowy’s vocals since I heard him sing on Therion’s Gothic Kabbalah and had followed his career ever since. I noticed he was doing a lot of session work and when I began recording the new album I reached out to see if he would be interested in lending his vocals to a few songs and thankfully he liked the material and said yes. I had always wanted to have strong clean vocals on my songs and I am extremely happy with how it all turned out and am looking forward to working with him again in the future.
10.The new album was self released while you have worked with a label before in the past, are you open to working with another label again in the future?
The only way I would work with a label again is if they offered me a lot of money haha.
11.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black metal?
The first album a pretty positive reaction and I have yet to see, but I hope that people enjoy the new one just as much.
12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
I will continue to write albums in the same vein musically as the previous two but I am hoping to add even more clean vocals next time around. I can’t see the style of music changing drastically but it is always nice to throw in parts from different genres here and there so I hope to continue doing that.
13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Some of my biggest influences growing up would have been Iron Maiden, Cradle Of Filth, Meat Loaf, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Madder Mortem, Therion, Blind Guardian. I like stuff that is theatrical yet also very melodic. The most recent band I have discovered that I am a big fan of is the Danish band, Wuthering Heights. Their album, Far From The Madding Crowd would be in my top 10 albums now. I am also a big fan of certain pop bands like Abba, The Beatles, Chris De Burgh and The Doors.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for taking an interest in my music and thank you to anyone out there who has bought my music or supported me in anyway shape or form. And thank you for the interview!
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