Dark melodic metalists Witherfall have announced their debut full-length album titled "Nocturnes and Requiems". Based out of Los Angeles, California, the band is the collective force of guitarist Jake Dreyer (#IcedEarth, #KobraAndTheLotus, #WhiteWizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan ( #CircleIICircle, #IntoEternity). Having worked together in other projects past and present the band came together to create this project that is known today as Witherfal with this album release, with plans on playing shows, touring, and so much more. The band, Jake Dreyer (#IcedEarth, #KobraAndTheLotus, #WhiteWizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan ( #CircleIICircle, #IntoEternity), took the time to come together to discuss this album and the band as a whole.
The band would like all to know the following, "Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. (COLLECTIVE STATEMENT) "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. Adams talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily 1/3 of the creative force. "Nocturnes and Requiems" was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums. Adam, we love you and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of Witherfall. Rest In Peace man."
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members
JOSEPH MICHAEL: Witherfall is a Dark Melodic Metal band based out of Los Angeles. Our Drummer Adam Sagan who just recently passed away from complications of Lymphoma was living in Minneapolis. Jake Dreyer and I met playing for a NWOBHM artist on Earache Records. We had great chemistry during live shows as well as hanging out talking about music theory and other musical nuances that get left out of the normal “Heavy Metal” conversations.
2. What's the origin of the bands name?
ADAM SAGAN: We had a different name early on, and the band wasn't entirely on the same page in that regard. For legal reasons we actually had to drop it, which worked out perfectly in the end.
JOSEPH MICHAEL: Yeah, Adam hated the original name... One night Jake and I were texting and passing back and forth names. Wither is one of my favorite words. I believe Jake added the Fall and I think it took a few days for me to embrace it. The name reflects the fact that life is very fragile and everything is in a constant state of Wither and falling.
JAKE DREYER: The Other name was Midnight Silhouette, which Joseph and I liked but Adam hated it. Though someone else thought it was a good name before we did so we had to give it up. The last thing we wanted to do was start our project off with a cease and desist letter.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
JAKE DREYER: We are based out of Los Angeles, Ca. Though none of us are from there which is pretty typical if you talk to 9 out of 10 people that live in LA. I don't know anything about the local scene as I never go out and explore it. I know it is no longer the romanticized version of walking down Sunset, stepping over a passed out Jim Morrison lying in a puddle of his own vomit before seeing Zeppelin at the whiskey.
ADAM SAGAN: Most of us are based in or around Los Angeles, while I am based in Minneapolis, MN. The Minneapolis scene is fantastic - it's very strong right now. There is no shortage of clubs and venues to play, and you could take in live music every night of the week if you wanted to. One local metal band to note in Minneapolis is called We Are Legion.
JOSEPH MICHAEL: Local music scene? I don't really know. LA is such an industry town that the local scene is on another level. You are either a professional or just deluding yourself. My hometown in upstate NY (Utica) had a couple of cool acts. Blob Mob and Whisky Gypsy come to mind.
4. How would you describe your style?
ADAM SAGAN: Limitless. For example, we have one song on the record that has blast beats, a big Pink Floyd-like build up, keyboards, and some wild flamenco guitar work.
JOSEPH MICHAEL: #DARKMELODICMETAL
JAKE DREYER: The bands foundation is in Progressive metal, Adam brings in a death metal influence with his drum parts. Anthony is very competent in jazz fusion so there are certainly elements of that in the bass lines. Joseph has a voice that can go all over the place so some parts can be very mellow while others are very aggressive. I am a fan of all the typical guitar heroes. Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Al Di Meola. We all have a love of various classical composers from all eras particularly Mozart Operas and Chopin Piano Concertos.
5. Do you have any new music in the works?
JOSEPH MICHAEL: Jake and I are always writing... We pass things off to Adam and he gives his feedback.
ADAM SAGAN: Everyone in the band is extremely creative and talented, and in that regard, we are always writing.
JAKE DREYER: Yes, always writing, 99.9% of it is not worth exploring any further. Most live the rest of their lives in demo purgatory.
6. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
ADAM SAGAN: We have several opportunities we are exploring and working on at the moment, including one-off shows, full tours, and festivals.
7. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
ADAM SAGAN: We want to compose and release music that will inspire and challenge the listener, and tour as much as humanly possible.
JOSEPH MICHAEL: I personally would like for the band to always be writing and touring.
8. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
JOSEPH MICHAEL: HTTP://WWW.WITHERFALL.COM.
9. What is it you'd like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
ADAM SAGAN: That's a tough question! Different parts, different riffs, different songs - each listener will connect in their own way. My hope is that the listener will remember which moment or moments on the album resonated with them the most, so much so that they want their friends and family to experience that feeling, so they spread the word about the band.
JAKE DREYER: I do not necessarily want anyone to remember anything rather than feel something. Even if the said person hates it I would rather have that, than for them to feel indifferent or just not give a shit. If the music doesn't release any emotional depth to the listener then what we created as artists is pointless. Thus a failure.
JOSEPH MICHAEL: The melodies. I hope that we created something that impacts the listener in a way that reflects all the emotions being conveyed, be it anxiety, hope, futility, the expansiveness of the world inside of us as well as the one around us. I want people to like music again. Not just fashion. Not just Genres. Not just one element. Compositions.
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