Review Fix chats with Scent of Remains Lead Guitarist Herb Himes who talks about their debut album, “Under A Blackened Sky,†as well as their creative process, goals for 2014 and what they need to do to get the notoriety they feel they deserve.
Together since 2009, the band has shared the stage with with many well-known metal acts like Fear Factory, Hate Eternal, Devil Driver Watain, Static-X, Green Jello, Davey Suicide, 9 Electric, Kobra and the Lotus and Straight Line Stitch, but are now ready to dominate the stage by themselves.
Review Fix: The band’s musical formula is super intense. There’s so many different things going on, yet a distinctive flavor remains. How have you guys put this band’s sound together?
Herb Himes: It’s something that has, honestly, just evolved over time. We’ve never sat down and said, “We need to sound more like this or that, etc.†It’s just happens as we write. We all have so many different influences, and when everything is put together our sound just comes out. That being said, we do pay a great deal of attention to the small details and really focus on dynamics – a tension/resolution sort of thing in the music. Every song evolves differently, and we focus on what the song really needs the most – often stripping or simplifying to only the elements that get the emotion or idea across. I’ve said before, we don’t care about showing off individual talents or technical prowess in our music. It’s about the song, and making it memorable.
Review Fix: What do you believe is the standout song on “Under A Blackened Skyâ€?
Himes: You’re gonna make me choose only one? I’m gonna cheat… I think the chorus hook and From Ash We Rise is really strong, and grabs people. Wakeï¬eld certainly “stands out†from all the other songs on the record — I mean it’s all acoustic, and shows a different side of SoR. We like writing the acoustic stuff. Personally, Parasite and BTK are my favorites to play live because of the intensity. So…there’s four songs for you.
Review Fix: What song on the album do you think could slip under the radar for some listeners but they shouldn’t miss?
Himes: Maybe Parasite. It’s toward the end of the record, starts slow and builds into something completely different. It’s a very dynamic song and the end gets really intense. I think it showcases lots of the things about SoR that make our sound what it is.
Review Fix: How do you want this album to be remembered?
Himes: It’d be cool if it’s remembered as the album that established us as a metal act that’s here to stay. Our real launching point into notoriety in the metal world.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself as a musician during the creative process of the album? How will it affect you moving forward?
Himes: I learn something new about music every day – it’s the gift that keeps giving. The creative process of this album was a total team effort and we’ll continue to work that way.
Review Fix: How is are band’s live performances different from their studio work?
Himes: You should expect the same quality performance you get on the studio work with a live passion and energy added on top of it. Personally, I may improve a bit on some of the guitar solos depending on how I feel on a given night – something, for me, that comes from being a blues- based player. We have a lot fun playing live, and Michael is a great front man – he’s a funny guy, so there’s deï¬nitely some humor brought into the mix.
Review Fix: What are the band’s goals for 2014?
Himes: Tour, tour, tour and write, write, write. We want to push UABS and get out in front of as many new audiences as possible and continue working on the new material we already have for the
next release.
Review Fix: What do you feel you have to do, as a band, to accomplish your dreams in music?
Himes: Stay grounded, focused, keep having fun and always remain professional. The music speaks for itself.
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