by Geir Olaisen
Greetings from Norway, thanks for letting us at Metalheads Forever get to know you better.
Hi guys thanks for having us. Much appreciated.
Can you tell us a little about how Words that burn started ?
WTB started in 2011 by myself (Roni), Ger Murphy and our then drummer. We had a vision to do something unique – something the we haven’t heard before. But this couldn’t be achieved with 3 people. So, after about a year we decided to get a second guitarist. During the recording of our first EP “Praey” our drummer said he knew a guy who he thought might work – he was right. Enter Shane.. and the sound of WTB would never be the same again. A little after “Praey” we parted ways with our original drummer and we started auditioning. We asked the potential drummers to learn a couple of tracks of praey to jam to.. Very few did! But one young fella knew the whole album – start to finish. Jason immediately became our new permanent drummer. 4 years and a whole lotta gigging later, you have the Words That Burn of today.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
I know it sounds cliche to say we “don’t have a genre” but it’s kinda true. We don’t try to confine ourselves to anything. For example, Praey was very American headcharge influenced, Regret is for the Dead is heavily influenced by deftones, the defiled, BMTH and slipknot whereas with our new demos there are more Architects, parkway drive, and skyharbour vibes interlaced throughout – but WAY heavier
How has the response and reactions in terms of the new album been ?
Honestly, it has been incredible. I still can’t believe how people have responded to it. Like, the day it came out it went to number 1 in the Irish rock, metal & mainstream itunes charts which was awesome but very weird for us. The reviews and messages from people from all across the world have been just overwhelming . It’s incredibly humbling to hear that your music has any sort of effect on anyone. It truly makes it worth something.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Absolutely. In a really good way (well, i think so anyway!) Over the 4 years we have been together we have pulled influences from bands we like individually and collectively. When we started in 2011, we were all over the place – american head charge, biffy clyro, mudvayne – which might sound like a combination that works… but it really doesn’t haha. As we matured as a band we somehow got to where we are now. And we are very happy with that!
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
Originally I brought most of the material to the band but a lot of what I had written needed a second guitar. As Shane started putting his mark on songs the sound evolved and now he writes most of the music. Shane has an amazing talent for writing riffs. Sometimes I don’t know where he gets his ideas from! When he brings the initial ideas to the band Ger and Jay put their spin on the demo to tighten it up and I go into my head and try to come up with something to say! So we all have critical input in the end product. It’s a process that work really well for us so it we can’t wait to start demoing a new album to see where we go from here!
So do you have any Closing words for our readers and tell them why they should check out Words That Burn?
Firstly, because it would make 4 guys from the north east of Ireland very very grateful. Secondly, If they want something that they can sing along to while smashing things… Regret is for the Dead has it all!
So what are the band plans for 2017?
2016 was such a great year for us we wanna push it and go even bigger. So we’re currently booking our tour for next year and hopefully secure some big shows in there. So keep an eye out and we’ll let y’all know in the coming weeks.
Thanks for the interview and good luck in the New Year
Thank you very much Geir.
Roni
Geir Olaisen / Metalheads Forever Magazine
