EMPIRES OF EDEN
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 2nd September 2009.
Empires Of Eden is an Australian musical project led by Stu Marshall of Paindivision and Dungeon. They play heavy metal mixed with neo-classical guitar interludes and feature numerous guest musicians.
We spoke to main-main Stu about the project.
Hi Stu, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Stu: Hey Jon - Thanks for chatting to me. I am great and really enjoying some relaxation time after a busy period. Time soon to hit the beach I think...
What’s the rock scene like ‘Down Under’?
Stu: The scene compared to the rest of the world is pretty small but dedicated. There's a very strong extreme metal culture here with bands like Psycroptic and the Amenta, who are both doing big things overseas. Melodic rock wise it's pretty small.
I know it’s clichéd, but every time I hear Australian rock I expect something hard hitting and raw...but the Empires Of Eden sound is really impressive. There’s a lot of shredding and Yngwie Malmsteen neo-classical soloing. Did you set out to do something different from what people expect or did the sound develop organically?
Stu: I have to say it's been organic, but I can get exactly what you mean. The album grew from years of collected ideas that I had and really, became a project that put the artistic side before anything else, which can sound quite posh, but I mean to allow the artists performing to write their own parts without concern of commercial gain or success. There was even the thought of not releasing it, just having it for us to dig and get into. But as it progressed it felt very special. In the end, I think we ended up with a commercial product anyway, just through the sensibility in the writing from everyone.
How would you describe the sound of the album?
Stu: When we entered the studio to mix we made a decision to try something a little different than the usual kinds of sounds out there, not that we think there is anything wrong with the current tones of other commercial product, but again it's an extension of the artistic reach of the cd. The sound we were shooting for was very clean, punchy and warm and like all things with mixing, when you reach for something specific you're gonna subtract from something else. But I feel we achieved a clean and powerful sound.
You have a lot of guests featured on the album. What’s the reason behind that?
Stu: Initially, EOE started last December believe it or not. I had three months off from Paindivision and the idea occurred to record these collected songs I had written in the spare time I had, however it's grown much larger than I had thought it would. The idea for the guests came from a personal wish list of guys I wanted to work with and thankfully these guys are all friends, so I chose the three singers and then found I could compose specifically for their voices which for a writer, is an incredible opportunity, so you'll hear the different textures across the cd. This then expanded as I wanted varying feels in the solo's and it ended up blowing out to about 15 guests I think?... or close, but all in all, I was very lucky to get these guys involved. I was even able to get some Japanese guitar players who I got to know on a few tours there, just amazing talents.
Is there an actual Empires Of Eden band you can take out on the road, or is this all about the recording of the best possible album?
Stu: Well it's funny you mention it, the three singers have been contacting me wanting to tour on this album, and I have some great mates who could easily make all of this happen. We are looking into a Japanese tour now, as the band has a deal there and the response over there has been overwhelming. But right now, it's purely a recording project. I can guarantee there will be a second CD mid next year with some big surprises. So far the band is signed to Japan and Australia / iTunes but we are shopping for a label in the UK to release the hard copy.
Do you go to watch much live music yourself? If so who are your favourite live acts?
Stu: Megadeth and Slayer are touring here together in a few months, I'll be at that. It's hard sometimes to get away from the studio and see bands. But I caught Satriani and Vai on their last tours here, just jaw dropping and quite depressing at the same time...
Did you write the songs yourself or was each one developed with the respective guest musicians at the time of recording?
Stu: There were five tunes pre written and the rest was composed for the artists. I must say, I had a blast writing for these guys. When you know what a singer can do, it really opens up the creative aspect of the song. I think "Fires of torment" and "Through Eternity" were tracks that never made it to the Dungeon cd's. The track "Empires of Eden" was written between myself and Louie in about 20 minutes and was one of those great writing moments where everything just came together.
How does Songs Of War And Vengeance compare to other work you’ve done with Paindivision and Dungeon?
Stu: I'd say from Paindivision it's a completely different animal. Paindivision is a hybrid of Wasp meeting Slayer and was something I needed to do after leaving Dungeon in 2005. It's a lot of fun and we tour a bit here in Australia. Recently the band played with Armored Saint and Death Angel here in Sydney. Compared to Dungeon, there's some similarity I would say. I co-wrote the album "One step Beyond" that did quite well for the band through Europe. It was that cd, where I found the confidence to write and understand composition, and really from that time in 2004, I have written constantly and still have a folder of tunes that would be in the hundreds.. some of them might not be so good, but a few tend to surface. I always liked aggression to be injected into power metal, so there's the connection musically. Here's an interesting story, although Dungeon was a power metal band, we played a show with Mayhem a few years back when the singer was cutting himself onstage, pigs heads on spikes and stuff like that. Hellhammer (the drummer) came in after saying how much he dug it.. we were freaking...
Do you have any favourite moments on the album?
Stu: I think there's a few. During the recording my dad was pretty ill and I was feeling quite... emotional, let's say so when I was tracking the end solo of "Echoes of oblivion" and just let go completely, I remember it clearly. So there's a lot of emotional content on the cd. And I can still feel it, it's weird when I listen back . Unless I am feeling just right for a solo, you won't hear it recorded, it's gotta be when the mojo is flowing. But it's great too because my studio is connected to my home in the hills in Sydney, so I can track anytime I like. Vocally I am floored by Mike Zoias' performance on "The reckoning" we ended up using his demo take! That is him recorded at home and he just nailed it. We did takes in the studio and they sounded great, but for me, it's about the delivery and spirit of the performance. Louie's vocals on "Scars of Innocence" are very special too. The spoken word in Black endings was one of those "see if it works" moments and is something that really paints me an evil Pink Floyd moment. What if the devil infected Pink Floyd? ETC. Of course "Floyd" are gods but you get the gist. It's still an album I can listen to and enjoy, which is unlike most projects I have been involved in. Most musicians usually never want to hear the thing again.
Can you see this becoming part of a series of albums featuring various musicians under the Empires Of Eden banner?
Stu: Definitely. The feeling that this album created among the artists has confirmed it. I am formulating plans now for a follow up that will add and compliment the first cd. The guys have been contacting me about the next cd and asking when we will be doing it. I'd really like to tour this and I am sure people would really dig it, but like all things, it's money that stands in the way of touring. I guarantee we will tour the UK if we can find a promoter, we will be there.
Who else would you really like to work with?
Stu: It's interesting you mentioned that. I have approached a number of known guys for the next cd and formalising that now, but can't drop the detail as yet. A few have agreed but it's just arriving at the details and who is free. But the dream guys would be Bruce Dickinson, Dio and Kiske - I don't think I could afford them just yet, but who knows what the future will bring. The idea of writing for those guys is just too crazy to imagine.
Who produced the album?
Stu: Myself and Dan Quinlan ( Singer / Bass player for Paindivision) - We have a production team called "Hammer Brothers" and have been working together for a while. We produced the Paindivision cd's and also I have mastered some rock and Punk acts for other artists. Dan is great as he has the full mixing degree and works as a live engineer, so he balances my lack of technical ability. I always wanna keep one foot in the pool as a listener... Most people couldn't care about that extra 10k on the snare. How does it sound? is it clear? can the song be delivered to be the best it can be. It's all important, but production needs to be balanced.
Do you use Marshall Amps so it looks like you have your own branded equipment? :)
Stu: NO! hahah Mate, I am a clinician for Randall Amplifiers and ESP guitars, so it's Marshall in name only. They make of course the iconic brand but Randall is my weapon of choice live and in the studio.
What or who inspired you to get into music in the first place?
Stu: It's gotta be Judas Priest mate. 1985 hearing the Priest Live cassette - yes, cassette. After hearing the crowd scream at the start of "Out in the cold" I was hooked and that was it. Dungeon toured with Megadeth in Europe during 2005 and I gotta say some of that feeling came back to me when we were playing to the big crowds, it was a good feeling. A definite pinch yourself moment.
What are your favourite 5 albums of all time?
Stu: Not in order:- Wow this is a tough one, there's so many - Black Sabbath - The Mob Rules / Judas Priest - Defenders Of The Faith / Cacophony - Go Off! / Jorn - Lonely Are the Brave / Dio - The Last In Line
Do you have any interesting hobbies that might surprise the Rock Realms readers?
Stu: I am really into MMA / UFC and watching he fights, so I dig that. I have a family and two dogs, I really like tattooing and am looking to get a heap more. I have the desire to get inked over in London one day. Music and clinics take up most of my life otherwise.
Do you follow cricket? Would you take offence if I rubbed it in that England beat Australia in the Ashes? :)
Stu: Mate, no offence taken , I am not a cricket guy - give me Rugby Union any day, and yes, the Wallabies do tend to kick the Lions a new one more often than not ;-). My drummer was in tears the other day over the Ashes though, yeah, it's a die hard thing down here but not my cuppa tea. I respect it though.
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Stu: Mate, unfortunately work... A day job like everyone else but I am lucky, I actually dig mine. It allows a lot of freedom for music and let's me focus on my music for enjoyment and not a chore. But outside of that I'll be starting to handle promo for "Songs Of War And Vengeance" and developing the tunes for cd #2
Anything else you would like to mention?
Stu: Please check out http://www.empiresofeden.com/ to get the album hand signed and fast next day delivery for $15 (USD). All emails and messages responded to.
Many thanks again Jon
Empires Of Eden's latest album SONGS OF WAR AND VENGEANCE is out now. Check out a preview of the album (including samples) here.
