Interview with Rock Hard Magazine (Germany) - October 2009

1. Tom, it´s no big secret that "Awaken The Guardian" is your favourite metal album of all time. Is "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" the logical next step for WHW, is it a very conscious piece of work that shows what metal can be - or is it a tribute to Fates Warning/John Arch more than anything else?

First of all, shouldn't "Awaken The Guardian" be everyone's favourite metal album? It truly is a magical LP unlike anything else ever committed to vinyl and still holds up today, two decades later. Nevertheless, "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" really is nothing more than the natural evolution of WHW...for the most part...I mean, the thing is, all of these songs existed before we even recorded "Of Empires Forlorn" so in another way, it's simply the revealing of other facets of our music that we always knew existed, but didn't share with anyone else until now. Of course, the spirit of John Arch-era Fates Warning is omnipresent because it always has been in our music, and the influence of that era remains just as important to us today as it did 20 years ago. That being said, the intention of WHW musically isn't to be anyone else other than ourselves; the single most important thing is that it is sincere, coming from the heart and soul.

2. The biggest Fates Warning "moment" is - without a doubt - "To Wander The Void" with its great "The Apparition" like vocals. Did you personally ever think of "The Apparition" when you listened to the song?

"To Wander The Void" was, for the most part, composed in 1993, so it's a bit difficult for me to recall what exactly inspired those riffs and melodies now, but being that I adore "The Apparition," it wouldn't be at all surprising if it did exert some kind of subconscious influence back then. Lyrically, as with all of our songs, it is extremely personal and has a deep meaning for me, while musically I just love playing those riffs - especially from the acoustic part onward. As the song took on it's final form it totally evolved into my personal tribute to Fates Warning. I kind of thought to myself "How could I sum up what Fates Warning means to me?" thus, "To Wander The Void" is kind of a montage of the first four Fates Warning albums in one song; riffs recalling "The Spectre Within," vocal melodies that wouldn't be out-of-place on "Night On Brocken," a lyrical style not unlike something from "Awaken The Guardian," the heaviness of "No Exit," and some complex breaks ala "Perfect Symmetry." I hope Fates Warning, should they ever hear it aren't offended or think it's just a rip-off...as it is a heartfelt tribute, a musical "thank you" to them if you will.

3. Jim Matheos isn´t really aware of what FW created in the 80s, and John Arch doesn´t want to go on stage anymore. (I called him and tried to get him to that point for our Rock Hard festival a couple of years ago; it was the time when his solo EP came out via Metal Blade.) Don´t you think that´s a pity?

It truly is a shame that they don't incorporate more of the older material into their setlists these latter years, but I think any musician tends to feel...how should I say this...as if their earlier works don't compare to the more recent output - I certainly feel that way about some of the oldest WHW material. There's a tendency for anyone just starting out to be somewhat derivative, emulating their influences in an obvious way, and perhaps that's what Jim hears in that older material...a band that had not yet truly established their own identity/voice. The thing is, sometimes bands just get it right from the beginning...derivative or not (I don't consider anything after "Brocken" to be derivative personally), and those fans that are there from the beginning might value that material even more than the band, because it was the first thing they heard and so forth. But how amazing would it be to imagine a reunion of the Arch-era line-up at something like a Keep It True Festival? (Of course, this would surely be more appropriate for a Wacken). Too bad this is only a dream for many of us, but at least we have those albums to cherish forever.

4. Can you please describe what comes to your mind when you listen to "The Spectre Within" and especially "Awaken The Guardian"?

Oh man...those albums are just so much a part of me, it's difficult for me to know where to begin. The way I view these albums as a lifelong fan is that "The Spectre Within" was indeed the sound of Fates Warning establishing their own identity, and the magic hinted at by earlier songs like "Damnation" and "Night On Brocken" was starting to permeate all of the material. "Awaken The Guardian" is this concept fully-realized, an album so timeless and transcendental that it's almost as if magic Merlin had a hand in it himself! I've often been drawn into these album covers and seen the omen birds, witches and wizards, vast landscapes, and the golden mirrors of what I am and what I am to be. To this day, "Guardian" hits me so deeply in the heart...it was a song that changed my life forever.

5. You´ve never considered yourself as a "pure" doom band. But nevertheless: When did you decide that it is necessary to broaden your style a little bit, to become what you call yourself a "Progressive Epic Doom Metal" band?

Well, the actuality of this is that just before WHW first formed, Chris Galvan and I had been in a power metal band called Polaris - and to be clear, this is in that post-NWOBHM, pre-thrash sense ala the first Overkill, early Anthrax, Attacker, etc...not what people call power metal today...anyway, the desire to expand musically stems from there. We weren't just into Maiden, Priest, Metallica rather many things: from Celtic Frost and Voivod, to Trouble and Candlemass, of course Fates Warning...but also a lot of 70s prog, fusion, and modern classical music. The idea of WHW from the very beginning was to incorporate aspects of everything we listened to, and I think now, with "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" being released, this is clarified. Again, there's such a backlog of material - two decades worth...that there's no way a single album could represent all of what WHW really is...further, everything we release is very much thematic; the material that we present is carefully selected from that which exists then combined together to form a cohesive whole...a journey...an "experience." With that said, we really don't refer to what we create as "Progressive Epic Doom Metal," rather just "WHW music."

6. The lyrics on the new album are as desperate as we are used to when it comes to a new WHW record. In the last Rock Hard interview you said that they won’t deal with your lost love Donna anymore. Can you tell what (or who) you had in mind when you wrote them?

Ahhh man...the catalyst for this album most certainly was yet another relationship that left me devastated in the end. In January, I found myself standing over the icy Nissan river in Sweden, completely gutted, more alone than I've felt in 19 years...not since my first broken heart have I spiraled so low, seriously considering throwing myself into that frigid water to be carried away forever. It was only through a couple desperate conversations with some close friends (one of whom being my brother Peter Vicar from Lord Vicar/Reverend Bizarre), that I managed to pull myself together enough to make it back to the US. From there, I was lost in a massive alcoholic binge, made some REALLY bad decisions, hurt myself and some other people (which I regret deeply). I found myself thinking "can I ever get out of this?" "I've been in similar situations before...what did I do to save myself?" and then, the answer finally came: While Heaven Wept...which had been on hiatus for while at this time, but it soon became clear that it was the only thing that could save me. Lyrics started flowing out of me as if a dam had burst and very quickly, this last piece of this album came together. While obviously, some of this album refers to the aforementioned woman in question, a large portion refers to my entire journey up to this point...all the successes, failures, intense long distance relationships, severe depressions, deep loves...it's all in there.

7. Can you explain how your life changed in the last couple of years? Did it become better in any way or is it like an everflowing stream - always the same.

Incredible highs, devastating lows would sum up my life in general. Recent times were some of the most difficult in my life as I've just said, but to add to that heartbreak both my brother and mother were diagnosed with cancer in the last 18 months which also weighs extremely heavily upon me (fortunately, they seem to be responding favorably to the treatments), the fact I in turn have caused some others pain, and knowing some people very close to me are struggling to keep their heads above the water after divorces (and this economic hell we're all in) and so forth...but you know...despite all this...I'm still here, fighting my way through and I hope that's something that people who empathize with me will take away. Fight the good fight, never surrender, etc. I'm hoping now for an upswing into better times again, and the initial responses to the album have been quite flattering and humbling, so that certainly makes me feel better. I'm ready to move on in my personal life again too, so time will tell...

8. Can you tell us what (commercial) success means to you? Does it have any meaning? Does it make you happy selling - let’s say - 10.000 records or don’t you care at all because the only thing that matters in the end is the music?

Of course, I'd love to sell thousands of copies of the album, primarily because I owe the studio quite a bit of money at this time, but that's really just an aside. The ONLY thing that matters to myself and all of WHW is that the music we play is sincere, genuine, from the heart and soul. Additionally, the accurate realization of what I heard in my head translated to the final master recording is the true definition of success for me.

9. What do you do to make a living?

I've been teaching guitar and music privately since returning home from the last tour. It's the most rewarding job for me, because I'm doing my best to insure there is a new generation of musicians who are educated properly in the pipeline. Plus, how could one complain about playing guitar all day long and getting paid for it? Haha. My only regret is that I should've started teaching a long time ago, as it makes me a better player too.

10. You already completed the material for the next album which will be called "Fear Of Infinity". That´s exactly what I fear concerning a new WHW record. :-) So when will it come out? We don´t have to wait another six years hopefully...

"Fear Of Infinity" is indeed complete compositionally, apart from some of the lyrics. Basically, as far as when it will be released...that depends entirely on financial circumstances. "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" is a long way from being paid off, and as you might be aware, the entire discography of WHW has been self-financed, so it takes us a bit longer to complete recordings for this reason. We all live paycheck-to-paycheck, and are not even close to being wealthy, so while we could probably complete "Fear Of Infinity" in 6 weeks' time, the fact is, unless someone else intervenes financially it could very well take years again. But, hey...at least it's written, right? And not to make the wait any harder, but I feel compelled to tell you that "Fear Of Infinity" is much more intense musically compared to "Vast Oceans Lachrymose" and filled with quite a few surprises...still 100% WHW however. Every album will always be it's own entity, and there will never be a "volume 2" of anything.

11. In general: Can you imagine a life without WHW? Or would that be impossible? Do you need it like the air to breathe?

You know, even as recent as a year ago I wasn't even sure if the band would continue simply because it has cost me so much in my life; so many other opportunities lost, bridges burned, friendships jeopardized, romances destroyed...not to mention the financial aspects of it all - I certainly live a meager existence, with few luxuries all because I've put everything I've got into this band. All that said, after doing this for 20 years now, and realizing how it's once again saved me from myself, I've come to the conclusion that I'll do WHW until the day I die. It IS as necessary to me as air to breathe.

12. You´ve always been part of the metal underground. Which new bands are on the horizon? What can you recommend? Is there anything you dig?

The first new band that comes to mind is Cyrus, featuring past and current members of Orodruin. Truly mindblowing music filled with emotion and incredible vocals. If you can imagine some of the best organ-dominated tracks of early Uriah Heep, Procol Harum, Tyburn Tall, early Faithful Breath blended with extremely soulful guitar playing ala classic Blackmore and Trower, you'd have a pretty good idea of what Cyrus is all about. There's also another band called Modulus who are finally finishing up an album after years - featuring some past and present members of Brave among others...it's this sick cross between Meshuggah, Suffocation, and Slayer...their modus operandi being to never play in 4/4 time. Then of course there's the "next generation" of doom bands like Procession/Capilla Ardiente, Griftegard, The Lamp Of Thoth, Sinister Realm, Altar Of Oblivion. And I'm quite sure former Warning mastermind Pat Walker's new band will be nothing short of incredible as well.

13. How did the metal scene change? Can you compare the scene 20 years ago and today?

There are quite a few differences in the metal scene today for sure, compared to 20 years ago. As you know, there was no Internet really, so everything involved a much more personal, handwritten approach...tape trading, homemade fanzines, VINYL! Bands usually had to really have something to offer in order to have their music heard, get signed, etc....whereas now, anyone can buy a computer program and whip something together...which unfortunately means there's a lot less development and a lot more in the way of premature ejaculations musically. Another difference is there used to be a real passion in the audiences as far as striving to support the bands by buying their music; now, there's an entire generation who thinks it's ok to take whatever they want for free, just because it's there. This hurts bands like WHW the most because we are completely self-financed, and this aspect was another reason I was at one point, reluctant to continue releasing albums with lavish productions (but of course, my need for expression won that fight obviously). In a general sense, there are some positive things happening: good bands can reach a lot more people, much quicker now, and it seems that all forms of metal are more accepted in general...I'm sure you remember a time when it was passé to play traditional metal, and later when thrash was being "made obsolete" by death metal, etc. Thankfully, today it doesn't seem to be so close-minded out there (purists and elitists aside). I think whether or not we realize it right now, that we are in a 2nd golden age of metal, and WHW is very honored to feel a part of that.

14. What was the most bizarre story you experienced in your career so far?

I wouldn't say it's bizarre, but certainly the most moving thing I've ever heard as far as WHW is concerned...earlier this year I was contacted by someone from Norway, who told me that her best friend had passed away a year ago, and one of his absolute favorite songs was our version of "Voice In The Wind" (from "Of Empires Forlorn")...so it was played at his funeral. I cannot even begin to explain how knowing that made me feel, but you can be damn sure, that whenever we play that song live, it will be a tribute in memory of him. There's another story that's equally amazing of a more uplifting nature, but I think you'll have to get back to me after "Fear Of Infinity" to see how than pans out.

15. Please give me your "playlist"! Which 5 records do you prefer to listen to at the moment?

Argus "Argus"
Mono "Hymn To The Immortal Wind"
Immortal "All Shall Fall"
Capilla Ardiente "Solve"
Tides From Nebulah "Aura"