Hour Of 13 is één van de interessantere doom metal bands op dit moment en na de release van hun tweede album ‘The Ritualist’ zocht ik contact met Chad Davis die verantwoordelijk is voor alle muziek en het inspelen van de instrumenten. Helaas kon Chad de vragen niet voor onze deadline in behandeling nemen dus nam zanger Phil Swanson de moeite om de vragen die we enigszins herschreven te beantwoorden.
Hey Phil, good to see you back with another Hour Of 13 album. A lot has happened since the release of the debut in 2007 right? So let’s talk a bit about that. First of all after the debut it seemed you left and Chad got a new band together. Now you’re back as a duo again. What happened there? Well people can keep asking and the answer will always be the same, to point fingers in any direction would not be a benefit to anyone involved. Chad and I both have a tremendous amount of stress in our personal lives. For me it got to a point where the stress was bleeding into Hour Of 13 and it just wasn’t happening for me at the time so I left. As time passed I was able to iron some things out with both Chad and in my personal life and I was comfortable enough to return. Really personal stuff that has no bearing on the music of Hour Of 13.
You also had a problem with your former label Shadow Kingdom Records from what I could read on the internet. It’s not really clear what happened though. Care to explain? It’s not clear because I like to keep my business dealings between me and my business partners. Some assholes like to use the forums as their personal soapboxes and cry like little bitches when they don’t get what they want regardless of their initial agreement. But like I said business is business and I’d like to keep this interview about music and my business dealings private. I think our relationship with Eyes Like Snow and the numerous other labels and bands I’m involved with speaks volumes about my character so I wouldn’t believe everything you read.
You now have a deal with Germany’s Eyes Like Snow who did a fabulous job releasing ‘The Ritualist’ on both CD as well as vinyl. Are you satisfied with the cooperation so far? Extremely satisfied! Eyes Like Snow has been a tremendous support and completely professional. Everything has been as promised and without a hitch we can’t say enough good things about Eyes Like Snow.
It seems the opening track ‘The Gathering’ was originally done by your other band Upwards of Endtime. What’s the story behind that? Originally Chad and I were discussing doing a couple songs from our previous bands to cover for a 7 inch. Chad heard ‘The Gathering’ and really dug it. It was originally intended to go on the Vestal Claret demo but never made it. I always felt it a bit out of place for Upwards of Endtime and needed a better presentation. Chad apparently felt the same way, so much he wanted it to open ‘The Ritualist’.
Musically you seem to be inspired by the old style of doom from bands like Pagan Altar, Pentagram, Witchfinder General and so on. Tell us a bit more about your influences. For me not so much Pagan Altar or Pentagram... And let’s face it, virtually no one had even heard Pagan Altar up until more recently so for me I would never point to them as an influence or inspiration. Witchfinder General on the other hand most certainly and more importantly Angel Witch and of course Black Sabbath. But also many other bands like Coven (thrash), Christian Death, Mighty Sphincter, the first Mercyful Fate EP and Satans Massacre. But if your talking about the music alone Chad would better point you.
Chad is and has been active in several other bands too like Demoncy and Father Befouled; musically quite different acts. So it seems he has a wide taste in music and can be seen as a multi-instrumentalist. Maybe you could tell what Chad sees as his main instrument? Guitar firstly and drums I would speculate as I know he’s is very particular about any live session guitarist that may enter the picture. They have to be right in the pocket with him if they are going to share his music with him.
Any interesting news on any of your other bands (both yours and Chad’s)? I know Chad’s working on some Set material and the third Seamount record is completed and awaiting release. I just released a doom record with Howie Bentley (Cauldron Born) called Briton Rites (see the review of this album elsewhere in this issue-PB). I also have some live shows scheduled in the US with NightBitch.
You are active in lots of bands too, even a band based in Germany. Is it easy to get together and work on Hour Of 13? I mean, how does it work for you guys? That may be a bit of a trade secret... But I work all my bands the same even my local band NightBitch. All the writing and recording is done the same for me and in house. I only rehearse with a band when it comes time for live performances.
The lyrical aspect seems to be quite important too. Can you elaborate a bit on that matter? I don’t know if that’s true or not? To some degree I guess? I definitely don’t want to rehash the same old hat. Though at the same time I’m just expanding on what Alice Cooper was doing. Just trying to shock some peoples sensibilities. But the lyrics on the first record were much more thought out and written without the music. ‘The Ritualist’ is a concept record but lyrically put together in simple terms with the priority being on the melodies and the words just picked to fit the phrasing. So it wasn’t a real deep thought out process of lyric writing, more about fitting the flow of the song.
Next to the new album you also did a 7" for Finland’s Svart Records. I haven’t heard that one yet as it’s on its way from Finland as we speak. Could you tell us a bit about this EP? (In the meanwhile I received said 7” and a review is in this issue-PB) It’s more of a promo for ‘The Ritualist’ with the song ‘Possession’ and a gratuitous Saint Vitus cover. I mean really big thanks to Svart for that being the first to release an Hour Of 13 seven inch we were really looking forward to that. That was just awesome of them to offer that out for us and we couldn’t have been more than happy to work with them. We actually have two-three more seven inch records in the works to promo the third record so keep an eye out for those.
Over here in Europe there’s a growing demand seeing you guys perform live one day? Will this ever happen? Well we were already to take that on but while there is a bit of a buzz wanting Hour Of 13 live but that’s all it is a "bit" and so far we haven’t had any offers that would allow us to do that at this time. So we are still in a holding pattern until everything is right to make that happen. Sorry it’s just the reality, these things take a lot of time and effort and to do that its really gotta be the right time to make that effort and we haven’t seen any evidence that the time is now.
Right, that’s all from my side. Anything else you might want to add? My apologies if I’m a bit blunt or come across a bit angry tonight. It’s just another of those stressful times and I promised you I get this done, so while it’s not the best night to do this interview I didn’t want to hold you up any longer on it. Thanks so much for the chance to share hope you got the answers you were looking for.
Well, you’re only human and in the end I think it turned out informative enough, so thanks for answering!
Chad is and has been active in several other bands too like Demoncy and Father Befouled; musically quite different acts. So it seems he has a wide taste in music and can be seen as a multi-instrumentalist. Maybe you could tell what Chad sees as his main instrument?
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