WHILE HEAVEN WEPT - Tom Phillips

\r\nA couple of days ago I had the opportunity to contduct an interview with the main man of While Heaven Wept, Tom Phillips, and having a little talk about the band’s new album “Vast Oceans Lachrymose”. Tom also reveals some facts of the forthcoming album “Fear Of Infinity” plus some facts about the band.
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\r\nWell Tom, first of all I want to welcome you and While Heaven Wept on www.metalzone.gr pages, and also to congratulate you for your latest opus. So you got a brand new album out, with a new lead singer and some “different” musical identity than the previous albums? How that came?  (the new singer and the more progressive approach on your music)
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\r\nTP:Thank you very much for the opportunity to talk about “Vast Oceans Lachrymose” and re-connect with our brothers and sisters in Hellas – it’s very much appreciated! Musically, “VOL” is really just a different balance or ratio between all the elements that have always been a part of our music – one reviewer who recently said “there’s nothing new here” was correct in a lot of ways because the music of WHW has always incorporated aspects of prog/prog metal, doom, thrash, space, classical, 80’s US power metal, dark music, etc. Perhaps one way to perceive “VOL” – for example in the case of a lengthy epic such as “The Furthest Shore” would be to imagine “Thus With A Kiss I Die” turned inside-out. In truth, “VOL” is both an evolution and a coming around full circle in that, we’ve evolved as musicians, producers, arrangers…but being that ALL of the material contained on “VOL” dates back before “Of Empires Forlorn” or even “Sorrow Of The Angels” in some cases, and considering there was a lot more prog/thrash/classic metal in the very earliest material, it’s fitting that it’s our 20th anniversary this year as we’ve in many ways returned to the original vision of the band. This in fact included a dedicated singer, so this had some bearing upon the decision to bring in Rain Irving on vocals….but there was more to this of course as well; for many years I’ve searched for a proper singer...more or less since I took over after 2nd singer Kenny Thomas left (Brendan Galvan was the original singer in 1989), but I never managed to locate one locally, who wasn’t egocentric or psychotic, and being that the lyrics refer to my own life experiences, despite my limited abilities vocally, at least the emotions would be sincere. Further, in live situations, I’d always felt torn between playing guitar and doing the lead vocals, in the respect that I’ve always wanted to give both 110%, but ultimately ended up being “spread too thin” meaning that I felt that I could only manage to give 50% to each – which is totally unacceptable for me. Lastly, being that some of the material on “VOL” and the follow-up “Fear Of Infinity” is quite demanding musically, there was no way I’d master balancing both instruments in a reasonable amount of time (if ever), thus for all of these reasons, I decided that it was essential to find someone else to take over vocally. As it turns out, Rain found us; he contacted me through our MySpace page just to express his admiration for “Of Empires Forlorn,” and we started corresponding. I remembered his old band Altura, and once I realized he was living in Virginia too, it dawned on me that perhaps he’d be interested in giving WHW a go. Initially he was skeptical (as many singers I’ve approached had been) since WHW for many years has been so closely identified with my voice, but he ultimately agreed to see what might pan out. Over the course of about 16 months, we exchanged ideas, demos, etc. and finally in July of 2009, we committed his vocals to this record. In my opinion, I believe this was the absolute correct decision, and Rain delivered nothing less than a world-class performance.
\r\nHopefully, even the most skeptical of friends and fans will agree!
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\r\nWho’s going to be the lead singer at the shows? Will you participate on vocals on your previous material when it will be played live?
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\r\nTP:Rain Irving is in fact the official frontman of WHW now, so you should expect to hear him handling the lead vocals live the majority of the time, but due to his primary career and familial commitments, there may be some instances where we bring someone else of high caliber out occasionally. I hadn’t really planned on contributing anything more than a few harmony vocal lines here and there, but considering there is a contingent of fans that miss my voice, perhaps I’ll step back out front now and then. Given that Jim has developed quite an ear for harmonies, and we have a 3rd lead singer in the form of Michelle also in the current line-up, expect a plethora of voices in the long run…but Rain will be at the helm indeed.
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\r\nWell back to the “VOL” album now, by adding this progressive aesthetic in your album, are you afraid of the old fans’ disapproval? Of course the album sounds as a classic WHW album but are you afraid of it?
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\r\nTP:Well, like I said, the progressive elements have always been present in the music of WHW in some capacity, but I suppose they are a bit more prominent on “VOL”...I mean, we did reveal many facets on this album that we’ve always known to exist, but perhaps our audience didn’t, so of course there were concerns that we’d alienate them, yet…this music is born out of genuine emotion, passion, and necessity first. “VOL” represents where we are now as people and musicians, therefore very, very sincere…we’ll never play anything just for the sake of doing it; everything must come from the heart and soul. It would’ve been a complete façade to have released “Of Empires Forlorn part 2” or something, and it was far more important for us to “keep it true” – besides, there are plenty of quality bands that now exist who continue down paths we’ve already tread or blazed... “VOL” IS WHW circa 2009, and I’d like to think that no matter what we do musically it will always be best described as “WHW music” or some kind of “universal metal” wherein everyone should be able to find something to their liking (I hope!).
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\r\nOn your previous albums (as you have stated on your official web site) your main influence on composing is your personal disappointment, frustration, a lost love and this kind of everyday worries. Are these your main influence on the “VOL” album?
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\r\nTP:Absolutely; the music and lyrics of WHW have always and will always be derived from real life experiences and will encompass very real emotions. That said, since the “Empires” era, the lyrics often have multiple meanings, and I’d prefer to leave them open to the interpretation of the listener for this reason.
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\r\nWell I know that is too early but as far as I know the material for the new album (the 4th one) entitled “Fear Of Infinity” is almost ready, does the new material sound close to “VOL”?
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\r\nTP:In fact, the entire “Fear Of Infinity” album is complete compositionally – the majority of which was actually rehearsed alongside the “VOL” material as our current release was originally intended to be twice as long. What ended up happening is the opening song “The Furthest Shore” grew to mammoth proportions and we didn’t want it to overshadow some of the other material we’d prepared, so it was decided that we would allow that song to be the centrepiece of “VOL” and complete these other songs on the follow-up. As for what this other material sounds like…once again, it’s different in that, overall it is much darker, less progressive, and more epic generally. I’d say about half is far more aggressive than anything else we’ve done, and the other half is perhaps the most doomed of the whole discography. One of the songs is clearly the greatest of all WHW songs, in that it in and of itself is a microcosm of our entire 20 year existence contained within a single composition. I’m not sure if I can “top” it to be honest with you haha!\r\n

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\r\n Another Important question for you Tom, are there going to be any re - releases of your previous albums, EP ‘s . I know many people that are looking for your previous releases and if they come across they still need sometimes an enormous amount money to have a copy
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\r\nTP:Yes, we’re very aware of the persistent demands for our older releases, and we certainly don’t want anyone paying an extortionate price for them, that is for sure. I have some rather grandiose plans for the “Sorrow Of The Angels” and “Of Empires Forlorn” albums, but those won’t be realized in that capacity until after the recording of “Fear Of Infinity” has been completed. In the meantime, it seems likely that very soon we’ll do a very finite, limited-edition repressing of both albums with no alterations whatsoever – apart from perhaps, the packaging. As soon as this is confirmed, we’ll send out a press release. Currently, there are no plans however for the “Lovesongs Of The Forsaken” EP or the various 7” singles given that we’ve already re-recorded most of those songs already, and those were meant to be special releases for our closest friends anyway (not to mention exclusives to the respective labels that released them).
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\r\nAre you against Illegal downloading? Do you feel that someone “steals” your work by downloading from a torrent site or whatever?
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\r\nTP:You know, the bottom line for me is this…if people just want to sample the music before buying it, that is one thing…but if that is the means to an end, then I don’t support it. I mean, I still buy all of my favorite bands and friends’ albums, because I know that it is vital to support the bands…stealing the music of your favorite band will surely hurt, if not kill them. Especially in the case of a band like WHW, where we aren’t financed by some big corporation, rather every single recording we’ve done has been paid for out of our own pockets…and we’re not wealthy in any capacity ; we live paycheck-to-paycheck just like the vast majority of the populace. It’s very important to us to create albums that not only accurately represent what I wish to express, but also sound amazing for our audience…this is not a cheap endeavor. If we don’t recoup the costs of recording “VOL,” “Fear Of Infinity” may never see the light of day…it’s just reality. My hope is that people who download the albums and find them to their liking, will subsequently go out and buy them, or at least a T-shirt to support the band….and for those who don’t like the music, well….I’d appreciate it if they just deleted it as opposed to re-seeding it….or at the very least passed it on to someone they know who WOULD get something out of it.
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\r\nWell according to your sayings, While Heaven Wept for composing and releasing only one song or so, now after 15 years of discography how does it feels, is the band your main priority?\r\n

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\r\nTP:While Heaven Wept is probably more essential to my vitality than ever before…both my need and passion for WHW has once again reached new levels; for the 2nd time in my life, when I found myself lost in the darkest depths of personal despair it was WHW that saved me from the hell of myself. After doing WHW for 20 years now, it seems likely that I’ll continue onward until I succumb to the hereafter…but whether or not more albums materialize, that’s up to the audience…we simply can’t do another without your support of “VOL.”
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\r\nBesides the confirmed Show on Hammer Of Doom III festival, are there going to be any other shows in Europe? Or let me to set it straight, Will you play in Greece some day? You might not know that, but you have many fans in this part of the world.
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\r\nTP:Most certainly there will be other shows in Europe…without question…for most of the last 2 decades, we’ve essentially ignored the United States and focused upon the EU, plus for Jim and myself in particular there are many places over there that feel like 2nd homes for us! Regarding Greece, you can be sure that we’ll reach your ancient shores as soon as we possibly can…we have so many close friends and family there….not to mention the sacred Greek Metal Armada! It’s definitely a matter of “when” not “if”….certainly if not 2010, definitely 2011. Otherwise, forthcoming dates throughout the EU will be announced upon confirmation, but for the time being, Hammer Of Doom III is an exclusive performance for WHW, so being that we don’t have any other concrete plans, I’d recommend anyone wanting to see us, come out to Wurzburg on February 6th for an amazing day of doom with Vitus, WHW, Lord Vicar, Griftegard, etc.
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\r\nClosing this interview, I wish the best to come for While Heaven Wept and I d like you to give a message to the fans and adding anything you believe we have to know and I haven’t asked you already.
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\r\nTP:Thank you so much once again for giving us the opportunity to discuss “VOL” and WHW in general. Thanks also to our many brothers and sisters throughout Hellas that have stood by us, and waited so patiently for this album to materialize – all of you are valued so dearly. Keep your eyes and ears open for news on many of the topics covered here…visit our MySpace or Facebook pages and check the official website for the very latest news on releases, dates, and plans! I hope to see everyone again soon! Heavy Metal Re Mounia!!!\r\n

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