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Archetype |
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RoR - Could you talk a little bit more about the transistion from being an instrumental band to what Archetype has become with Chyle? Was he given free reign in regards to how the vocal lines and lyrics were created? How has his role in the band evolved in terms of songwriting?
CM - We basically went from an instrumental band to a complete band over night! Once Chyle sang the first line to "Visionary" at practice, I knew he was the perfect fit. Finally we had the right man for the job and everything about Archetype changed. The music now had meaning, our CD could get done on time and we knew things would only get better. In the studio, Chyle did "Visionary" and "Arisen" with only a few rehearsels of each then "Dissension's Wake" and "Hands of Time" unrehearsed!! With what we accomplished in the studio in such little time, I knew we had the beginnings of something good. With the addition of our secod guitar player, our live show is continually improving and we can finally gel as a full band.
As far as lyrics go, I have written them all to this point. Since I write the music also, I can really relate to what the songs could be about so things go faster this way. I usually sing (quite horribly) over the music and give a tape to Chyle. Once he gets that, it doesn't take long before he has them mastered! In the future, others probably will be involved with lyics and possibly music. For now, everyone likes what I am doing.RoR - When I hear Hands of Time, I could easily see the progressive connection,
namely with bands such as Fates Warning or Dream Theater, but I was pretty surprised to read that you were also into bands such as Morbid Angel, or Emperor. Where do you think those influences fit in? As time passes, do you find your songs leaning more in one direction than another?
CM - The only death/black metal influence is in an occasional semi-growl! I really don't get influenced by this style of music even though it is one of my favorites. When I started writing songs, they were a lot less heavy and more basic than what I write now. I have kind of "topped off" with heaviness and complexity and I don't see a change in writing any time soon. I will always enjoy writing clean and heavy parts together and the music seems to be very consistent.
RoR - I was also wondering if you felt that sometimes you had too much exposure to one band. For example, I've heard people complain that sometimes no matter what they write, it sounds like Maiden, since they inundated themselves with their albums all through their childhood.
CM - This is one area that I am thankful for. I was a Judas Priest fanatic when I first started playing but my tastes changed dramatically in college when I became very involved in guitar. From Rush, to Coroner, to Dream Theater to classical, I was always getting into something new. Now I love death/black metal and new age music. This wide range of styles and influences has helped my writing to maintain it's diversity.
RoR - It's obvious that all of you have a healthy musical background, with yours being in classical music. I guess I was wondering if you would consider yourself a songwriter that writes more from his head, or his heart? I guess it's odd to find 4 technical players that add emotion to the songs, and thought maybe that's where some of the classical training may have come in.
When I start writing something new, it is definitely from the head. I will think what has been done and what new thigs I can do. Keys, meters, tunings etc. all play a role when I start writing. From there, it becomes more natural or from the heart as you say. Sometimes I hear parts in my head and other times I just sit down and play something that fits well. Never once have I tried to put a song in a generic structure with verse, chorus, verse etc! Whatever I feel should come next usually does. My classical training has led me to be almost to analytical after I have composed something. I will constantly rearrange parts and drive myself mad half the time. Although, in the long run, this helps maintain each songs originality. After I present a song to the band, each player ads their own "flavor" to their part. I'm very glad to have guys in the band who can take something I create and help it become better.
RoR - With one or two bands being an exception, it seems that the general public isn't too keen on accepting what's termed "progressive metal", yet those bands often form a smaller, yet more closely knit, fan base. What would you do if in the future, if you had to make a decision between keeping complete artistic control, or moving to a larger label where your sound may be altered?
CM - Simple, keep all artistic control. I have put so much time and effort into this music that if someone told me to change it, I would lose it! Whoever wanted to change it probably is after a quick buck and you would be out of a contract sooner than later. If the music is good, yet not widely accepted, you just have to wait for it to catch on. If you can get good promotion and publicity, you don't need a big label anyway. I feel the music of Archetype can become very well know and liked since it can appeal to many different people. I wouldn't even call it "progressive metal" anymore. Although it will do for now, that term has become very misused and nobody has even been able to catagorize "Hands of Time"!
RoR - Tendonitis is a big problem for a lot of guitarists, and it appears that you went through a tough with this ailment, and that you recovered. Do you have any idea what, besides just playing too much, may have caused this? What steps did you take to get better, and is this still a problem for you now? Do you have any tips for prevention?
CM - Tendonitis is a very scary ailment! I got it from classical guitar and lifting weights (not a good combination) and had to stop playing for a while. I had to do various exercises and use ice on my left wrist every day for about four months. Slowly I got back into playing and have been able to play electric guitar fine and do very light classical guitar. Every once in a while I get pains in my hand and wrist telling me to let go of that insane chord shape! It's hard to prevent but warming up fingers hands and wrists with some light stretches will help. This helps circulation and strain.
RoR - Does the band plan on staying in the Akron/Cleveland area? Cleveland is the city where Rush got their first American show, if I recall correctly. Is it still a place where bands can get good exposure?
CM - We will stay in Cleveland until we have the opportunity to maybe move elsewhere. Right now it's good but too cold in the winter!! Exposure for a band like us is hard. Other bands who play more popular styles can get some decent exposure here. I personally don't think that people here are very into original bands. They want to see cover bands more and this drives me crazy! Our style will get noticed so much faster in Europe than in the US, let alone Cleveland, so we will continue to play local and a few out of state gigs and wait to eventually go to Europe in the fall.
RoR - Now that Archetype is a stable 5 piece, what are your future plans? Where can we expect Archetype to be in a year, two years?
CM - Hopefully we will get noticed by a good record label soon. We have several hundred promo cd's out now and are getting great response in Europe. We definitely will come to Europe whether it be in the fall or sooner and do a small tour with the help of our managers at Intromental Management. Once we get a deal, I can't wait to start recording our full length album. If you like "Hands of Time", just wait until you hear our other songs!!! We have about 20 more songs and will have to pick and choose for an album! I hope we can become a very well known band and judging by the way people like us so far, it doesn't seem too far off! If all goes a planned, you can expect us to be playing in your city in the years to come!!!!!!
RoR - Any final comments, or things that you'd like to add?
CM - Thanks to everyone who has expressed positive views about us and our music. Feel free to check out http://www.intromental.com/archetype and http://www.archetype1.com
See you down the road!!!!
Be sure to get in contact with Archetype either at their Website: http://www.archetype1.com or Intromental Management's web site: http://www.intromental.com/archetype
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