VP: You have moved record labels a few times over the years, but have now settled at Spinefarm Records, what made you choose them? They’re committed to the project and they have the same ambitions as we do for this record! We just want everyone working for the band to be on the same page as us and be just as motivated.
“You want your listeners to beg for new music’’ VP: Some of the bands we have interviewed this year have been telling us that the way the music industry is now - bands need to be releasing music quicker, releasing EPs every 6 months, what’s your opinion on this? I disagree. Musicians don’t get paid for creating music so why keep creating it for the majority of people to just steal it? It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to record an album and it’s very difficult to recoup those costs when people don’t feel the need to actually pay for their music. Not to mention, releasing music so quickly diminishes the demand for new music. You want your listeners to beg for new music so when you finally release it, they’re ecstatic. Another subject that has been up for discussion recently is the decline of CD sales - at Rockcomm UK, Moose from Team Rock Radio said ‘‘We are heading towards people not buying physical music at all’’. What do you think about this? With the release of Apples new streaming program, people that ‘buy’ music are actually only donating. For $10 a month you can listen to every single song ever for no extra cost. I’d like to see bands start being taxed as ‘non-for-profits’. We have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to record and no one has to actually buy it at this point. So how do you make back that money? You can’t. Touring is the only thing that puts money in our pockets anymore and you can’t physically do it 12 months a year so you can’t expect to pay it off by touring more often!
It is interesting to hear different sides of the story from bands in different stages of progress, in different genres, and countries. 2015 could be a year in which some bands question their longevity. Although UK tour dates have not yet been announced, Dave tells us ‘‘With a new record out, we’re touring everywhere!’’ - we should expect to see WCARs back here soon. The band will drop a new video on July 24th. Find out more at www.wecameasromans.com.
We Came As Romans Self-titled
Spinefarm Records As we saw with their previous album ‘Tracing Back The Roots’, We Came As Romans have their set sound and style, however they do like to mix in a range of genre styles to their albums. I would have to agree with Dave, and say this certainly does keep the listener entertained and on their toes. Nobody likes too much of something right? Here We Came As Romans display their core sound which is Metalcore, but they expand upon that on tracks such as ‘Who Will Pray’ when they take a slower more melodic tone. The lyrics shine through passionately, allowing the listener to really connect with the song in whatever way they need to. ‘The World I Used to Know’ starts with this same effect, and even though lyrically about past chances and missed opportunities, it actually gives quite an uplifting effect. ‘Memories’ again on the same track, a philosophical song that makes you want to stop and think about what you are doing with your life. ‘Tear it Down’ turns up the heavy, putting the album back on the metalcore track. The use of synth really makes for great rhythms. This gets even better on the next track ‘Blur’ - with a good pair of headphones or speakers, there really is so much to audibly excite. ‘Savior of the Week’ has a bit of a groove to it, another uplifting track. A great breakdown towards the end - a bit to get the crowd clapping
and fist pumping along. A teasing piano introduces ‘Flatline’, passionate sing-a-long vocals leads this tracks sound, as if you are running towards something - as they mix styles in what is now a stamp of a great We Came As Romans song. ‘Defiance’ is another strong track to which you will want to nod our head, as it promotes the great breakdowns that WCAM are so good at producing. The album ends with ‘12:30’, I can’t put my finger on it, but this song sounds exactly like an ending track (probably because it is). The album has been designed well, and just seems to wholly fit together. If you are a fan of softer vs screamo vocals, you no doubt already have this album on pre-order. The new album takes you through the phases, from explosive to softer moments. It is a creative piece that allows you to walk through your own head. One of those albums that probably has a different meaning to each listener. An album that makes you ponder - sometimes you need a great album to help you think through stuff, and this is a great album for that. For me, an album that allows you to spark new ideas, providing a real connection with the music. Overall this is a very prevailing modern metal album. FFO: Of Mice And Men. Released July 24th 2015.
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