Chicago, Illinois THE ATLAS MOTH have always been a hard band to fully categorize simply because of the myriad of elements and influences that seamlessly amalgam together to create one of the more distinct sounds in the American heavy music scene today. Over the years through the band’s endless touring jaunts and putting out releases that display the band’s crushingly heavy yet beautiful take on their style of progressive crushing psychedelic metal, The Atlas Moth have made quite the name for themselves.
Now with their third full length album “The Old Believer”, under their belts they have something they can rely on to help create further material and even further touring and show playing for themselves for many more years to come. Guitarist and vocalist Stavros discussed this release and plans in-store for themselves.
1. First of all, who are you, and what do you do in the band?
Stavros: My name is Stavros, I play guitar and sing in the atlas moth.
2. Can you give those of us who aren't familiar with The Atlas Moth a brief history of the band and can you please describe your sound for those who have yet to hear your music?
Stavros: We started back in 2007 as just a way to write some songs. It was just me and our original drummer. Soon after, Dave and Alex joined and we recorded our first EP in December 2007 with Andrew. He wasn't a part of the band when we recorded the EP with him but by the end of the session we asked him to join. At the time and, for the most part, our first record were very much in the sludge category. I'd say we have progressed greatly since the original concept but we came from a sludge/doom background and that's still something we that comes through our sound no matter what.
3. The Atlas Moth does the name in anyway involve an actual moth?
Stavros: It's one of the world's largest moths. It initially came from a documentary called driver 23/the atlas moth. We wanted a name that didn't pigeonhole us into a certain genre.
4. What would you say are the bands biggest collective musical influences, and also individual ones that you feel can be heard in the record?
Stavros: I'd say between the 5 of us Deftones and Pink Floyd are our main influences collectively. Personally, on the new believer, I was listening to a lot of new wave when we wrote it. We always look towards band that do different things.
5. You have released two full lengths on Profound Lore Records. Are you happy with being a part of the label, and what are some of your favorite label mates?
Stavros: Profound lore is fantastic and they have taken great care of us now. We are also lucky to have a ton of friends that are on the label with us like Wolvhammer, Pallbearer, Agalloch, Loss. We are actually out with Subrosa right now who are just incredible.
6. Could you take us through the all bearer writing process of The Atlas Moth? How does one of your epic songs come to be?
Stavros: On this record, we would sit at Andrew's home studio and Dave, Andrew or I would record a riff or keyboard part or loop or whatever and we basically would trade off tracking over and rearranging the songs until we had a good idea. We all write our own parts. The band is a completely collaborative effort.
7. What does The Old Believer mean to you all?
Stavros: To me, it was a way of stepping away from the doom/post metal scene. We started this band with the idea of being able to sound however we want and not think that something isn't possible. We never want the constrains of a genre and this was my way of saying we stand on our own.
8. How does the album art relate to the music on the album?
Stavros: I think it shows the varying contrast of light and dark. Our music tends to have both of those elements happening at the same time.
9. Can you tell us how this album differs from the previous ones? What can we expect and what is the message behind it?
Stavros: This is the most personal record. I think we have become greater song writers and it shows. The record was something that helped me get through a particularly dark time of my life and my hopes are that it will help someone else out the way it helped me out.
10. How did you guys choose who you wanted to have as guest vocals on the new album?
Stavros: Purely timing. We always wanted all of our friends to be a part of something with us but it always comes down to who is available at the time.
11. Do you think there is an element of the band’s sound that you would like to push out further on the next batch of songs? With so much going on in your sound, obviously there are elements that might get further explored?
Stavros: Ya know, I never try to write a certain way. I just play what comes naturally. If it just doesn't flow, I put my guitar back down. I want it to feel as natural as possible. But with that said, I really enjoyed some of the more electronic elements and would love to try to incorporate more of that in the next record.
12. What does the band have planned for the rest of this year?
Stavros: Right now we are on tour with Boris and Subrosa and we have a Canadian tour in sept with some friends who I cannot say yet but it will be rad. We are also doing a west coast run in October which includes a stop at the Southwest Terror Fest with Goatsnake and Neurosis.
13. Anything else you want to say to the fans?
Stavros: Can't wait to see ya on the road.
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