GRAVEYARD
by Steven Smith
With the band’s previous release of Innocence & Decadence back in 2015 being highly welcomed by your fans, how do you feel Peace will measure up those expectations?
It’s hard to say of course but I hope our fans are going to like it as much as we do. We had a lot of fun writing and recording this album and throughout the process there was this feeling that we had something special to express and we had the right tools to do it. Like we were at the right place at the right time. When you feel that way while making something it usually turns out pretty good. The single we put out a few weeks ago seem to have been appreciated and that’s also a good sign.
How does it feel to be back into the studio making material again?
I love recording music. For me it’s the best part of the whole thing. Playing live is of course also super fun but since we’re not in the studio that often it’s kind of special. Creating something that didn’t exist before is really cool and a recording studio can be a magical space if you’re in the right place mentally. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we’re back in the studio again.
During the recording process for your fifth full-length album, would you say there are more challenges when it comes to creating the new album or was it much easier this time around?
I wouldn’t say this one was easier or harder than any other album. It’s always hard and its it’s always a very different experience for us. I mean it has to be challenging. You have to challenge yourself in order to develop. This time around we had a new drummer and we used a new studio and a new producer. All those things influenced the writing and the recording and made it feel new in a way. Still we are Graveyard and we sound like we do. I guess we’re trying to respect our past without getting stuck in old habits or forms. It’s a little tricky but it’s very important. That’s how we keep from getting too comfortable but also from making things too difficult for ourselves while making albums I guess.
The band’s influences are rooted deeply into hard rock, psychedelic rock, and some folk influences, what elements you guys feel will take center stage on Peace?
I think the album is a bit more psychedelic and a bit harder than our last one. Not so much folk or blues this time. But I’m not sure. We didn’t really discuss these things before starting to write it. We tend to go more with gut feeling and whatever feels good at the moment. Maybe that’s the reason it’s kind of hard to for us to label our own music. I would say were are still orbiting the same musical sun that we were when we started out back in 2007, we just switch planets sometimes to keep things interesting.
Since the band’s breakup in 2016 and reunited in 2017, would you say the small break from the studio enhance your determination on in the creativity department?
Yes, it was a very important time for us. Being apart and to have time to reflect on the state of things was crucial. The last months before we decided to split were not so good. The chemistry within the group wasn’t working. I think we were a bit burnt out from touring under such weird and unbalanced circumstances. So spending time apart and then finding a new drummer really switched things up for the better. Playing and writing was fun again. Now we’re really looking forward to bring the new songs into the live repertoire. And also to continue writing, recording and developing as Graveyard.
”Please Don’t” being the first single off the album, would you say the reception of it has been in your favor and will keep the fans hungry for more material?
I hope so. I feel like people like it a lot and hopefully, we can follow it up with more good stuff. We are really proud of the new album and very excited to share it with you all. To be honest I feel like it’s one of our best albums so far. Still, we haven’t done our best album yet. That one is still to come.
Thanks Metalheads Forever.
Steven Smith/MHF Magazine
