CONSFEARACY
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 19th July 2011.
Transatlantic band Consfearacy features members or ex-members of bands including Vicious Rumors, Metal Church and The New Black. After reviewing their new self-titled album, it seemed only right to have a chat with them too.
Singer Brian O'Connor answers questions...
Hi Brian, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Brian: Thanks Jon, we are all doing great.
Consfearacy is something of a metal super group. Who was the driving force behind the project, and how quickly did the band take shape?
Brian: CONSFEARACY formed in the spring of 2009 when myself and guitarist Fabian Schwarz (of German rock band The New Black) set out to create and perform a transatlantic style of metal and expand their musical collaborations worldwide, thus CONSFEARACY was born. Soon after, talented like-minded professional musicians joined the group’s ranks; Guenter Auschrat, bassist (The New Black, Abandoned); Ira Black, guitarist (ex- Vicious Rumors, Lizzy Borden, Metal Church); and drummer extraordinaire Timo Weis. It took about a year to finalize the line up.
Is this all about doing one record and seeing how it goes, or do you already consider yourself to be a proper band with long-term plans?
Brian: It started, as a musical concept that we felt could take off. Soon after we recorded the first songs we knew that we had something special and that it had the potential to grow into a full-fledged band that could carve a space out of the metal world for years to come. Yes, we consider ourselves to be a proper metal band that will be making records for years to come.
How does the geographical distance between the various members affect things?
Brian: Not much, the only thing that we are unable to do is little shows here and there but we are looking to do bigger and better things than the small clubs. Its not as hard as one might think to get things done with today’s technology.
How would you describe your sound to somebody who hadn't heard you before? I can hear hardcore, straight-ahead heavy metal and all sorts of other influences in there.
Brian: I tell people CONSFEARACY brings all styles of metal into our sound. I think there is a little of everything for most metalheads to sink their teeth into on the record. Little bit of the classic, thrash, death, power, hardcore and speed metal. People seemed to be intrigued by that description.
Where did the name come from, and is there a story behind it?
Brian: We felt it described our vibe, direction and image. Behind every conspiracy theory there is fear of the unknown.
How long did the new self-titled album take to write and record, and was the creation of it hard work, fun, or a bit of both?
Brian: We wrote and recorded the album in about a year and a half and it was the easiest and most fun experience I have ever had recording a record. The guys in the band have a great sense of humour and are really cool, no ego trips.
How do you go about writing your songs? Talk us through the construction of a typical track...
Brian: Fabian or Ira will have a song idea and send it to me to check out, if we all agree that the tune fits the direction we are going for, than I will start lyrics and arrangement ideas. After we have all the basic structure done we add the final solos, colour or any samples that might enhance the song then it goes to final mix and mastering.
Where do you look for your lyrical and musical writing ideas?
Brian: World events, conspiracy theories, religion, relationships, history and life experiences.
Do you do anything unusual or special in the studio to get your sound?
Brian: No, we don’t have large fancy studios with a bunch of high tech gear, we all have a small studio set up that we try to maximize our style and sound out of.
Do you have a favourite song on the album, or is it all brilliant?
Brian: I love the whole record but if I had to choose a song it would have to be “Live Again”. I just think it has a dark heavy vibe to it, with cool solos.
Do you have plans to play this music live?
Brian: Yes, we have already been offered tours but we are being very strategic with our plan of attack. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
What are you up to once you've finished answering these questions?
Brian: Going to the studio to record with my local band DEADLANDS.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Brian: Thanks for the interview Jon and CONSFEARACY is looking forward to hitting a stage near you soon! Horns High! \m/ All you metalheads out there check out our websites (links below). Let us know what you think!
Thanks again to Brian for his time. You can check out the Rock Realms review of Consfearacy's self-titled album by clicking here.
Label: Massacre Records
Artist's website(s): Consfearacy | Facebook
