Interview with Aberration Zine, Spring 1995

Okay, back in '89 you were called Dream Wytch, what kind of music did you play back then? Why did you start this band? What happened to the original members?

The music we performed as Dream Wytch is very similar to what we play now. In fact, songs like "Shores Of Desolation" and "The Mourning" date back to that time. Basically, we combined elements of neo-classical, doom, and progressive metal with early death thrash. The main difference between Dream Wytch and While Heaven Wept is the de-emphasis on thrash in the latter. Chris Galvan and I formed Dream Wytch to explore a more vast musical territory than our previous band, Polaris, who were strictly power metal. Aside from emulating other styles, we also wanted to emphasize emotion and technicality equally in Dream Wytch. Chris wanted to explore jazz guitar in depth, and subsequently quit to focus on that. He went on to study at Berklee College Of Music in '94. His brother Brendan, who sang with us in the early days, left to join The Fifth Season, one of the best progressive metal bands I've heard. They only recorded one demo, and then broke up unfortunately. Drummer Jim Chappell, who also played in Polaris, stayed with us until '91, when he took up the bass guitar. Being influenced by the likes of the English Dogs and Minor Threat, he left to form a band of similar ilk. I think they've got a 7" and a couple demos. Bassist Chad Peevy joined in 1990, and followed me into Parasitic Infestation during the fall of 1992. And that leaves me, from the original line-up. I've always had my heart in this music and this band. This group is my means of expression.

What were your influences back then? Tell us about your previous band Polaris.

Fates Warning, Coroner, Queensryche, Celtic Frost, Trouble, Candlemass, Yngwie Malmsteen, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, King Diamond, etc; mostly progressive, doom, and classically influenced bands.

Chris, Jim, and I were all members of Polaris at various points. We all contributed to the material to some extent throughout Polaris' existence. Polaris was mostly an educational experience for me, in terms of working as a band. It also gave me the chance to work with people of great talent like guitarist Fernando Thompson, bassist Pete Dechat, and of course Chris and Jim.

You are now While Heaven Wept. How did you get this great name?

The moniker While Heaven Wept like all of our songs is based on personal experience; my life has been blackened with downfalls and disappointments - tragedy after tragedy. This was the only reality I knew for years. Finally I found solace in someone. I truly believed I'd found heaven through hell, yet forces beyond our control pulled us apart, and then one day, I awoke to find that my dream was over. All faith lost, she was gone. Her last words came to me in a letter…her acknowledgement of the hopelessness drove me to tears. With my sadness streaming downward, the sky erupted in sorrow, raining tears upon me. I watched my dreams die While Heaven Wept.

How does While Heaven Wept differ from your other bands?

The primary difference between While Heaven Wept and my other bands is the reason it exists. This band exists entirely for the purpose of emotional expression. This basis in emotion and other extra-musical ideas, rather than a style of music makes While Heaven Wept unique. Also, because we are not limited to a category, we can utilize elements of several musical genres. We incorporate traits of gothic, new age, environmental, classical, atmospheric doom, progressive rock, and ambient into our compositions. As we continue to develop, all of these elements will become more integral and prominent.

How come the band hasn't released anything prior to '94?

We didn't release anything before the "Into The Wells Of Sorrow" 7" because we never had a chance to record the material. Over the past 6 years there have been over 30 line-up changes, which has always hindered our ability to function, let alone progress.

Your 7" is different from the new promo; why aren't you doing the death vocals anymore? Why did you release the "Into The Wells Of Sorrow" 7"? How was the response?

When Brendan left in '90, and I assumed the vocal position, I did the vocals in the death vein because at the time, I was very angry and influenced by much of the early death metal. I was also uncomfortable singing proper. After a while, I realized that the emotions I was trying to express were being obscured by the guttural style, so I started taking vocal lessons. The whole purpose of While Heaven Wept is clear expression and I felt that the death vocals hindered this. Nevertheless, I did death vocals on the 7" as an acknowledgement of our past, with only a hint of our future. We released the 7" for our friends, supporters, and everyone who had been waiting since day one. The 7" was not meant to be a representation of us now. The people for whom it was released liked and appreciated it, so that is all that matters to me, however I am not sure about the reaction worldwide. I know it sold very quickly, without advertising or promotion from us.

Did you like the 7"? Why?

No, I don't really like it that much. I think it is good for what it is, but it isn't at all representative of us now, and I know many people misconstrued us as a death metal band, which we are not. In fact, I don't even consider it to be our debut; I look at it as more of a souvenir and a thank you to our friends, that's it. As long as people understand this, then I am cool with it.

Your '94 promo is excellent. Any label interest from it? How was the response? Any problems in recording it?

Actually, we never sent it to any labels, because we knew we'd re-mix it for release on our own label. The response is unbelievable; I was surprised to get such a positive reaction to such negative music. It seems there are those who like us more than we like ourselves! Granted, there are those who preferred the 7", but by far the response to the promo was greater. We had thousands of problems! Aside from the technical problems and defective equipment, we recorded and re-recorded some songs even 3 times. You see, I'm a perfectionist and that definitely had an effect on the amount of problems we had. I'm still not completely satisfied but I had to compromise, or we'd never get "Lovesongs Of The Forsaken" out.

How long did it take to record it? How much did it cost?

We recorded it from Jan. '94 to June '95, with one break Oct.- Nov. During this time we recorded the compilation track "The Mourning," the 7", the "Lovesongs Of The Forsaken" CD single, plus a few extra songs. It cost about $3000.00 for the total amount of time spent in Neptune. This may sound ludicrous, but we composed a fair amount in the studio, learned how to use its equipment, and recorded a lot of material.

What are your lyrics about? What are your views on life? Religion?

All of the lyrics so far have been about my time of bereavement, the reality of desolation, what is to grieve forever, the death of the purist of loves, the loss of all hopes, and the plea for death - the only mercy. The lyrics are everything I never had a chance to say and everything I need to express. They are the cries from a living sepulchre. Life is a process of dying. We are dying from the day we are born. Some of us die spiritually before our bodies expire, making life unbearable. Enjoy your existence while, and if, you can. As for religion, people can believe whatever they want to believe, whatever provides them solace. My religion is music…music has always been there for me, enlightening me and providing me with a sanctuary. Unlike people, gods, and virtues, music was never let me down, and I will never forsake it. Without music, I would be long dead. Anyway, my views are quite complicated, so if someone really wants to know, they can ask me personally.

Who wrote the songs and how long does it take to write a song?

I've written all the lyrics, music, and arrangements thus far, but Jon Paquin is definitely integral to their final form. It varies as far as how long it takes to compose a song; I don't sit down and say, "I'm going to write a song." I compose through revelation, so some songs take years to complete, while others take a day or so.

What is your favorite song to play? Least favorite?

"This Tower Fallen" which has not been released yet. It's very fast and involved musically. It is almost like a guitar concerto. Really, I enjoy playing all of the songs because they provide catharsis for my negativity. As for a least favorite, I guess I don't really have one. If I were pressed to pick one, it'd be "Shores Of Desolation," only because it is the least representative song in our catalog.

I hear you have a CD coming out. Please inform our readers of the release date, title, etc.

The "Lovesongs Of The Forsaken" CD single will be released on April 27, 1995 via Sinistrari Records. In essence, it is the same program as the '94 promo of the same name, re-mixed. Track listing is as follows: "In Aeturnum," "La Mort D'Amour," and "Sorrow Of The Angels." There will be 1,000 copies pressed worldwide, so please do not hesitate in ordering if you are interested. This, in my opinion, is the true debut of While Heaven Wept.

What bands do you like? Fave albums? Fave Demos?

Decoryah, 3rd and The Mortal, Fates Warning, Devil Doll, Kitaro, Anathema, Celestial Season… the list is endless. As for demos: The Fifth Season, Dark Tranquillity, Decoryah, Revelation, Fates Warning, and Arghoslent.

How would you categorize your band? How would you describe your sound?

Music of romantic melancholy; our sound is a fusion of doom, gothic, progressive, new age, and classical - with extra-musical ideas.

Why isn't While Heaven Wept very big or well known? Do you want to stay this way? What would you do if your band breaks up?

We remained in the catacombs of the underground for many years, growing and developing until we felt it was time to arise. We only networked with a few people like John Perez (of Solitude Aeturnus) prior to 1994, so that would also explain why we've been "hidden." I would like to be well known and successful to the extent that I could live off of the band alone. True success though, is the expression of everything I need to express and the identification of others with my experience. Hmmm…about the band, it depends; if I felt I've expressed all that I need to, I'd go on to form a new project. If not, I'd form a new line-up and continue where we left off.

What can we expect to see from While Heaven Wept in the future?

After the "Lovesongs Of The Forsaken" single, expect to see the full-length album, "Sorrow Of The Angels," another single, and a few isolated concerts.

Final comments?

Dave, thanks for the opportunity to express myself and for the review. Thanks to everybody who has supported us thus far - we know who you are.

Doom Onward…