| Waylander | The Blood Divine |
| Waylander | The Blood Divine |
Wolfbitch: How did the whole Celtic metal think come about?
Michael: It's always been there, that's the whole Waylander vibe.
Dermot and Ciaran & Den started it off and got some prick to play bass for
them... oh yeah, then I joined. But right from the start it's always been
there. The first tune Dermot wrote was 'Born To The Fight' which is very
Celtic
Wolfbitch: Where did the name come from?
Michael: A David Gemmell book Waylander, excellent read.
Wolfbitch: What have you been up to lately?
Michael: got drunk!
Kev: How long ago was it you found out Century Media were interested
in you?
Michael: About a year roughly. A year of trying to get somewhere with
them.
Wolfbitch: How's tha material for the debut album shaping up?
Michael: It's basically written. We've got two songs off the first demo,
'Once Upon An Era' and all four songs off the second demo, but I assure
you they'll sound slightly different. We've got two new songs as well, one's
quite acoustic and the other's very heavy. There's also "King Of The
Faeries" which is a traditional tune re-vamped.
Wolfbitch: What are your plans for the near future?
Michael: Signing a fuckin' contract! Just basically get things sorted, get
an album out. We're getting really pissed off waiting around. We're passed
caring who we end up with. We have got other labels interested as well as
Century Media.
Kev: Do you think it's going to happen with Century Media?
Michael: I don't know, I suppose so. I mean with all the crap that they
put in the magazines I'd like to fuckin' think so.
Wolfbitch: Which bands are the band into?
Michael: The band on the whole have very wide tastes. The influences are
basically Irish traditional bands and 80s thrash & heavy metal bands.
Personally, I'm into the classics like Maiden, Priest, Sabbath (Ozzy era),
Slayer, Bathory, Bolt Thrower, Pink Floyd, and many other weird and wonderful
sounds. Irish band the Horslips are well worth checking out if you haven't
already heard them.
Wolfbitch: Where do the band see themselves in five years
time?
Michael: In five years time hopefully we'll have at least three albums
out. Our third album hopefully is gonna be a fuckin'..... [several suggestions
from me and Wolfie - Kev] ah fuck, what's the word!?! [lots more swearing and
suggestions - Kev] I can't think of the word! FUCK! er,
CONCEPT!!. A concept album based on an ancient Irish tale of the T&aca;in
which is where an ancient warrior of Ireland kicked ass basically! The
Horslips wrote an album called 'The Tain' and we're sort of basing it around it
with more heavy metal different sort of approach to it. In five years time
hopefully we'll be getting a few more people than we had tonight!
Kev: Do you like fruit machines? (I was being drawn to one)
Michael: I'm into video games, but not fruit machines. [one day... -
Kev]
Kev: Oasis's new album came out today. Do you think they're a bunch of
wankers?
Michael: Yeah. I think they're just trying to be fuckin' outrageous and sort of
'your mother doesn't like it' sorta thing. It's all giving the V signs. Fuck
sake, Blackie Lawless was doing that when he was fuckin' two! It's nothing new,
I mean they haven't done anything original at all: it's the Beatles, it's
fuckin' any 60s band 70s band put together and SLAP, you've Oasis. I work in a
sports shop, and we get tapes to play over the fuckin' shite and they're
absolutely crap, and there's always Oasis on them, and I haven't heard anything
original yet.
Kev: Part b to that question. Do you think
they're on their way down?
Michael: I fuckin' hope so.
Kev: I heard on the radio this morning there was only about 10 people
outside HMV waiting for the album and they were expecting like a thousand or
something!
Michael: When our third album comes out we'll have a fuckin' thousand!...
hopefully... with a bit of luck!
[interupted by the A-Team theme tune!]
Thanks Michael. Hope to see you back in Glasgow soon.
Back to top
<Mega> So Welcome Daz and Steve of The Blood Divine
<DazBD> Hi there Mega, how ya doin' la?
<partIII> What's the origin of the name "The Blood Divine"?
<And_Ru> does that mean that you are religious ?
<zax> Do you guyz like any major metal bands, just like metallica...
<C0LA> hi! im from russia and always wonder if you guys will ever
come here? we have TONS of doom metal fans here! thank you.
<Winter_> Are we gonna have a deluxe edition of the new album as we did last time?
<GothiK> Will u guys (or any other Peaceville bands) EVER tour South Africa?
<Split> Darren, is it true that you viewed ANATHEMA as your backing band?
<Figiel> According to the bands that you like: do you like any band from Poland?
<zax> Are you enjoy various styles of music? What are your fave
metal bands? Do any of these bands influence the musicianship of TBD?
<C0LA> to Darren - what do you think of new anathema stuff? would
your new album be really more commercial?
<Equitant> My question is: "I am not overly good at interpreting
lyrics. Are there any anti-christian lyrics featured on "Awaken"?
<And_Ru> Although we haven't heard the new album, we are lead to believe that it isn't as doomy as Awaken, is this a style change, or just an album that "had to be done" ?
<zax> Would U play in China if invited to? Do u ever heard of any
Chinese metal bands?
<partIII> Is it true that you are not going to recruit a new guitarist, and if so, why?
<Solitude> what is you re fave metal album?
<GothiK> The CD booklet says you designed the cover to
Awaken. Care to explain what it means/is all about?
<Figiel> Darren: Are you going to change your singing style (e.g. get rid off growling)?
<zax> How about the times in India?
<partIII> Do you prefer to perform /live/ or to record /studio/?
<Tot> Darren, what's your favorite drug?
<And_Ru> Steve: as Bassist, how do u see your role as a song
writer? eg, with reference to Steve Harris, who basically writes all his
music in reference to the bass guitar
<C0LA> to Steve - do you ever play fretless bass guitar or Chapman
stick and if so do you think these instruments give you more valuable space in band's sound? (esp. in metal)
<zax> Steve: Hammy once said : " the current metal scene seems to decline ..." , do u think so?
<CATHEDRAL> Is music your only outlet for artistic expression, or are their other things? Like painting, sculptures, architecture, and if so, are we to see these topics "Awaken" themselves on future THE BLOOD DIVINE albums ?
<partIII> Will Paul's departure affect your music, will there be a change in direction due to this ?
<Winter_> What do you think of My Dying Bride's new direction?
<partIII> Do any one of you play in bands other than tBD?
<GothiK> These Deepest Feelings(my fave song) - is it from a personal experience? and is Ruth a friend of the band?
<Grotesque> Do you find inspiration in things around you, such as forests and such, or do you inspirations come from within you without the outside stimulus?
<C0LA> What gear and what instruments do you use on stage?
<Figiel> Maybe it`s silly and stereotypical question, but can u
tell me (us) what does inspire you to creating such a music. Literature (if
so - name the autors, nature etc.)?
<zax> Do you all share particular interest or goals as individuals and musicians?
<Winter_> How would you describe TBD's role in (doom) metal
music?
<Equitant> Q2: The photography featured in the CD booklet of
"Awaken" kicks arse in my opinion. Are we going to be treated to many more great images with the forthcoming "Mystica"?
<partIII> On PentecostIII, your lyrics drifted to an almost
inhuman monumentality, but with Awaken you seem to have returned to a more
personal, simple, and sad atmosphere, why so, would you agree to that?
<partIII> To achieve commercial succes, would you rather A,
have your hair cut B, wear make-up C, have your tongue pierced D, marry into The
Kelly Family?
<zax> Who designed the TBD logo?
<vermis> To what extent were the former members of Cradle of Filth involved in the composition and recording of "Dusk and her Embrace"?
<GothiK> Do you guys rate your success in financial terms/fan base/personal joy/other?
<Tot> Darren, do you play any instruments?
<Winter_> Do you like Dead Can Dance (my fave band)? What do you think of their work?
<partIII> Since you stayed friends with John Douglas, could you
tell us what's with him (and why he quit Anathema)?
<blahblah> how many records has awaken sold so far?
<C0LA> How long did the recording take in total? and how does the band feel about the finished product?
<Grotesque> What band woudl you most like to tour with? i.e. what
bands soudn would mesh well with yours in the live setting?
<Mega> Is it true that you recorded The Osmonds song for the forthcoming Peaceville X compilation and if yes, what's the title and did you record one or more covers ?
<partIII> Was Pagan Angel the first band you played in?
<C0LA> Do your songs change and grow on tour as you become more comfortable with them?
<CATHEDRAL> Do you enjoy the recording stage? How do you do it?
all in seperate rooms, or as a group?, how many takes did u take ? Isn't it
true that most songs that make it onto the album are done after only one or
two takes?
<GothiK> Does some of the more darker bands' excessive 'imagery'
strike u as a cheap sensation trick, or do u see it part of this
genre?
<C0LA> To Darren - you've been seen by many as the figurehead of
the band. To what extent do you 'lead' the band and decide it's image and sound?
<partIII> Sorry, but are we to understand that Basil(b)isk was
your first band or what?
<zax> I'm an editor of a chinese music magazine "Music_Extreme" ,
say some words for the Chinese metal fans pleaes.
<C0LA> to Steve - What is your approach to putting down the bass
work for the albums? Are the rest of the band open to your ideas?
<Winter_> What's your opinion about the following portuguese bands: Moonspell, Heavenwood, Inhuman, Desire
<zax> What's your opinion on Paradise Lost?
<Mega> so if you have not recorded the cover songs yet for the PV "X" compilation, have you decided which songs you are going to cover ?
<C0LA> What do you feel is lacking in alot of today's music?
<GothiK> Looking back, and awaiting what might come, would u
rather change it all, rather have been a lawyer, doctor or is this where u
want to be?
<Winter_> er...still regarding Moonspell and Heavenwood, how do
you feel about the music they play? (that was my point)
<zax> Do you like cocteau twins ( my fave band )? BTW: Sorry, I
can't agree with you opinion on Tibet.
<partIII> Is Anathema a touchy subject with you?
<CATHEDRAL> On a less serious note, which one of the spice girls
do u want?? *lol*
<partIII> Had it been the '70s, would you have ended up as a
punk-rocker? Punk-rocker, who fights the system...
<GothiK> When living your dream(like u guys r) does it become a
'work-like' thing(music), or does "Sex, Drugs & Rock'nRoll" keep a man
wanting more?
<Mega> are there any plans for a headlining European tour to promote "Mystica" ?
<COLA> What kind of listening audience do you think you'll bolster
in the next couple of years? Whos is going to buy your new LP?
<CATHEDRAL> is Mystica a worldwide release? or are certain coung to have to wait? and YES, FREE TIBET from the iron fist of a gun
<GothiK> If the Aliens come and make u guys run the United Nations, what can we expect?
<C0LA> When will you be finished opening for other bands? ;-)
<Winter_> Do you spend much time listening to your own music? How
much does it fulfill your listening "needs"?!
<Mega> >C0LA* What's your overall feeling on bootlegs?
<vermis> to Daz: looking back in the past do you think there was a
big difference between Anathema gigs and The blood divine ones? Honestly,
in which band did you enjoy yourself the most while playing live?
*** SATAN (***@p55-pochard-gui.tch.virgin.net) has joined channel #peaceville
<C0LA> Do you have plans for a live album?
<C0LA> What do you guys play when you're jamming?
<partIII> What was the BEST present you ever got?
<Winter_> Are there any plans to release a TBD video (similar to
the Anathema and My Dying Bride stuff)?
<GothiK> Any movies that u guys are really impressed by?
<SteveBD> No more questions, we're running out of time guys. can we just say a few things?
<Mega> ok thanks a lot Daz and Steve for joining us
<DazBD> Big apology to Mega tomorrow from Daz, I'll send you an e-mail
<Mega> feel free to check out the official TBD site www.lut.fi/~mega/muzac/TBD/
<DazBD> Equitant stayed up for it and this could be his last day (or
night) on the net
<Mega> thanks also for Hammy for the arrangements
<DazBD> Thanks to Mega especially
<DazBD> Bye all... peace & tranquility... in unity we shall
rise... free Tibet
<Mega> cheers lads !
The Blood Divine
<Mega> And welcome the rest of you. You know how what to do if you
have questions for either Daz or Steve
<Mega> so have fun and let those questions flow
<Mega> thanks I am just fine...a bit tired and fine listening to "Mystica" :)
<Mega> take your time in answering those questions as I won't flood new ones until you are done
<DazBD> We bleed divine blood, so it seemed natural
<DazBD> Aw-rite there fieldy
<DazBD> I have faith, but I do not adhere to any particular religion. I, and the members of The Blood Divine all have our own philosophies that are unique
<DazBD> I used to like Metallica, and there are some other "mainstream" metal bands
that I dig
<DazBD> There is a lot of DOOM in our lives also, so it seems we
would do well over there, eh?
<DazBD> "Mystica" is a deluxe album full stop so it will be as it is for now. Maybe one day there will be a deluxe deluxe edition
<DazBD> Yes we will if you can afford the air fares
<DazBD> No way, thats what they felt - maybe because I am more MAN than they are
<DazBD> We don't really know any bands from Poland
<DazBD> Yes, we all have a varied taste in music.
<DazBD> Fave metal bands are: Kyuss, and I don't know if you can
just call them metal, but we all love Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, etc
<DazBD> The rest of The Blood Divine aren't really into the new
Anathema stuff but Eternity is quite good. Our album is heavier, but I
wouldn't say it is more "commercial". I say "Fuck commerciality!!!"
<DazBD> Steve speaks.....
<SteveBD> There are no songs written specifically against any one
religion or philosphy, although we against any dogma that seeks to tell
one how to think or live their lives. We believe in freedom of
thought.
<SteveBD> It's just a natural progression of style. We
didn't make a conscious effort to be less or more doomy, we just wrote
what felt right for us at the time
<SteveBD> Why are you inviting us? Afraid I can't say I know much about the Chinese scene. Any suggestions of bands we might find interesting?
<SteveBD> We decided to continue as a five peice, rather than try to fill Paul's shoes.......
<SteveBD> We like the space of being a five piece. Sometimes, less is more, y'know?
<SteveBD> daz is coming
<DazBD> Fave metal album of all time is a BIG question......
<DazBD> I love old Iron Maiden and Ozzy-era Sabbath.... and they
were all classic albums in my opinion
<DazBD> Its an expression that came from me in a way that the lyrics do....
<DazBD> I like photography as an art in the way that we all like
music as an art
<Mega> (my comment, yeah darren's voice is smooth and clear on "Mystica")
<DazBD> I'll continue to write from my heart, I'll continue to
sing from my heart...
<DazBD> Maybe I will learn to express myself in more ways to get
the emotion and feeling across in more ways...
<DazBD> That may include the exploration of different styles of
singing...
<DazBD> But I think my voice is generally finding itself more on
Mystica
<DazBD> Mmmmmmmm... yeah, how about the times in India? Reeeeal nice
<DazBD> I prefer to play live because I can see the enjoyment in people's eyes as we play the music....
<DazBD> and that feels very special
<DazBD> I also enjoy the studio because I can focus on the sounds
I am making
<DazBD> Naughty question Tot, there may be kids reading !!!
<DazBD> Steve speaks
<Mega> shoot it Steve!
<SteveBD> I had some of that mugwump jissom that Burroughs wrote
about in the Naked Lunch. Good shit man, good shit...
<SteveBD> We all write collectively, playing off one another...
<SteveBD> I have played on a fretless bass, and it's an instrument I'd like to experiment with more. Maybe on the next album, who knows?
<SteveBD> It is, it needs a change... or at least it needs to advance
itself
<DazBD> We like art in its many forms...
<DazBD> Any freedom of expression is theraputic
<DazBD> What you will get from our albums will be mainly good,
honest MUSIC
<DazBD> I don't think we will change direction...
<DazBD> We'll just continue to write stuff that we feel
<DazBD> Do they have a new direction?
<DazBD> Not anymore
<DazBD> Yes its personal experience
<DazBD> I know Ruth from a few years back, in Liverpool. But I
don't live there anymore, so
<DazBD> I wish there was some forests around me where I live
<SteveBD> I use a Fender Jazz bass and an old Marshall Supabass valve
head... Paul uses a Gibson sg and a Peavy amp... Was uses Pearl drums and
Zildjian cymbals... and Ben uses various keyboards, a Hammond organ, a Korg
analog synth, a roland...
<SteveBD> I'm not sure how the books I read directly affect the
music, although I guess it informs your general world view and
sensibility... I read a lot though... I like Bukowski, Burroughs,
JGBallard, Henry Miller, lots of different stuff...
<SteveBD> Daz and Was like football... Daz's favourite goal
was one Kenny Dalglish scored against Everton in '85's 3-2 win...
<DazBD> We're not just a (doom) metal band, but do relish in a slab of DOOM from time to time.....
<DazBD> It all depends what bands one considers doom and what bands I
consider doom
<DazBD> Those arses were kicked, yeaa??
<DazBD> I am more pleased with the Mystica cover
<DazBD> Yeah, in a way you're on the right lines
<DazBD> ...and Mystica is more progressed
<DazBD> Have my tongue pierced
<DazBD> Its changed now anyway so it doesn't matter
<DazBD> They were full time members of the band at the time and they
wrote a substantial amount of it
<DazBD> Personal joy....
<DazBD> When we sell loads of records we will be personally joyful
<DazBD> I can play my penny whistle and my tambourine
<DazBD> Yeah, I like Dead Can Dance, and I like their work
<DazBD> I obviously don't know the full story regarding why John was kicked out of Anathema/decided to quit
<DazBD> All of them
<Mega> Is that like 10 copies ? :)
<DazBD> about 666
<Mega> oh you had some help from the subterranean guy
<DazBD> Yup
<DazBD> Mystica took just over 4 weeks to record and we are enraptured by the finished product
<DazBD> The Osmonds, The Doors, Joy Division, stuff like that
<DazBD> Not yet
<DazBD> We haven't done our cover songs yet
<DazBD> Basil(b)isk
<DazBD> Yes, very much
<DazBD> We enjoy the recording
<DazBD> Everyone records their instruments live and then Ben and
myself add to it
<DazBD> A lot of the material off Mystica was recorded in one or two 'live' takes
<DazBD> Yes GothiK
<DazBD> I don't Cola
<DazBD> Yes partIII. That was the original name of Anathema
<DazBD> Free
Tibet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<SteveBD> Yeah, I mean no one tells me, y'know, play this
line or shit... the writing process is very democratic
<DazBD> We played in Madrid with Moonspell (and Bruce Dickinson,
Peter Green) and we played with Heavenswood in Portugal...
<DazBD> When we meet the guys from Moonspell we are on good terms and they seem to be good blokes
<DazBD> I don't know Inhuman though
<DazBD> I'm not a big fan of Paradise Lost but there doesn't seem to
be much wrong with their latest album
<DazBD> We're working on some right now, but until we feel for
certain that they are the right tracks I wouldn' like to say
<DazBD> Passion, truth, honesty, integrity, all the good things
<DazBD> We all prefer to make art than be part of all that
<DazBD> I still have a fight with the system
<DazBD> I don't know the music enough because I don't really listen to them so I cannot make fair comment
<DazBD> Yeah, I like Cocteau Twins but I definitely think you should
free Tibet, mate
<DazBD> Zax, Cocteau Twins want to free Tibet
<DazBD> Depends where you touch me!
<DazBD> I want all of them, strung up
<SteveBD> I was a punk rocker in the seventies... I was the first kid
in kindergarten to get a mohawk
<SteveBD> Well, like they say, if you enjoy doing it then it isn't
work...
<SteveBD> watch this space... when there's any news it'll be on
Mega's site
<Mega> thanks and I hope that too :)
<SteveBD> hippies, druggies and alcoholics
<Hammy> it's worldwide eventually - but some places HAVE to wait...
<DazBD> Dope, rock n' roll and fucking in the streets
<DazBD> When we start headlining
<SteveBD> I dunno, I'm not really vain enough to sit around listening to my own music... well, not quite anyway
<SteveBD> It dosen't really bother me if some guy makes a few quid
off a live tape so long as the quality is okay and people aren't getting
ripped off, you know?
<Mega> any TBD bootlegs available guys ? :)
<SteveBD> People are trading videos and stuff... I've seen a few
<DazBD> I can remember The Blood Divine gigs in a less hazy kind of way
<DazBD> Welcome SATAN.. I knew you'd be back to tempt me
<DazBD> No Cola
<DazBD> Music, mostly
<SteveBD> A 'Millenium Falcon' when I was a kid. Have you seen the
new Star Wars toys? The Millenium Falcon has got better stickers now
<SteveBD> We haven't made any yet so...
<SteveBD> Oh loads... I like Stanley Kubrick, David Cronenberg, Francis Ford Coppolla, David Lynch, directors with an individual vision, y'know? And just about every film Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson have made are pretty good.
<SteveBD> Equitant, what time is it?
<Equitant> 4.09am.
<Mega> I hope you enjoyed this session and that there will be a new one in the future
<Mega> go ahead and feel free to say something for the ones who bothered to show up
<Mega> thanks and no problems
<DazBD> Thanks to everyone....
<Mega> I will update it in near future with the albumcover I just got
as well as this session log etc
<Mega> and also enhance it to make it more special etc
<Mega> and I am quite sure there will be more Peacevilel artist joining us in near future
<Mega> no problems and it was my pleasure really
<Mega> the guys from channel #doom-metal thanks the lads as well
<Mega> stay heavy !
<Mega> vitun raskasta metallia !
<Mega> :)
<DazBD> vitun raskasta metallia 2U all
<Mega> dazbd: you got it lad ! Back to top