Hello Ken, Hello Absolon,
Please introduce Absolon to my readers.
Absolon is Ken Pike (vocals/guitar), Ed Dumas (guitar), Tyler Colick (guitar), Tim Starace (bass), Jeff Ulicky (drums) and Matthew Tomasone (keyboards)
Your debut CD is called Darkness Rising: The Tale of Derek Blackheart. What is it all about?
It is a concept CD telling the story of Derek Blackheart. He becomes a master on the guitar when he’s a young boy and dreams of having the biggest metal band in the world. One night he meets the Dark Master and sells his soul for his dream. Derek and his metal band "Blackheart" becomes the biggest heavy metal band in the world, selling millions of records and playing to sold out arenas all over the world. Finally, he grows tired of what he’s doing and wants out. Thinking his only escape is to die, he takes his own life at his Beverly Hills mansion. To late he finds that, even in death, there is no escape from the Dark Master.
It is a dark story and it doesn’t have a happy ending. I based the overall idea for the concept loosely on Queensryche Operation Mindcrime and Judas Priest Nostradamus.
There are some people out there, which didn`t get in touch with your music yet. So how would you describe your style of music to them?
Our music is a combination of the old school European heavy metal (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queenryche) that I loved and today’s symphonic/goth metal (Kamelot, Pagans Mind, Threshold). We have been compared to a number of bands like Crimson Glory and Mercy Fate but, we get a lot of comparison to Queensryche though. I think that is because of the vocals mostly.
What is the next goal you want to reach with your band?
Right now we are gearing up to get out live in support of the CD. We are going to be putting on quite a show and we know people will be blown away. I guess the next goal is to get our butts over to Europe on tour and then look at Japan and South America.
And what is Absolon doing at the moment?
We are rehearsing, rehearsing and rehearsing. We have three new members, all incredible musicians. We hope to start performing sometime in September.
Is there any chance to see you in Europe some time soon?
Well, that’s going to be up to our record label Liquid Tree Records and the company that will be putting together a tour. In fact, our good friend Kimmy B. Shade is working on that. She is great so, I know that we will be over there in the future. We can’t wait, I can tell you that!
Whats your next show in the USA you are going to play?
We are probably going to be doing our first show with the new members sometime in September. The plan is to make a CD release show/party too. Right now, it looks like it will be held at club in Orlando, Florida called The Haven.
Which side projects do the band members have besides Absolon?
Hummmm...well, the bass player performs here and there in a band that does all Rush songs. This guy can play Rush songs note for note, he’s that good. Our keyboard player also writes and produces his own music. I think it’s mostly electronica/dubstep stuff but, it’s really good. Not sure if the other guys are doing any side projects right now. Absolon IS my project! LOL
Which music do you listen to when you have got some spare time?
I listen to a wide variety of music. I still love old school European metal so, I’ll have Maiden and Priest and Saxon blasting away. I love Kamelot, Pagans Mind, Epica and Lacuna Coil. There’s a lot of new bands and artists out that I’m really getting into. I discovered an incredible artist with wonderful music named Ryo Utasato from Japan. Her music blows me away. Then I also love mood music, Andrea Bocelli, modern jazz, instrumental . . . just a lot of different stuff. The only styles of music I don’t really care for is Country and Rap.
Last but not least please leave a message for all your fans.
Well, we are all about our fans which keep growing. I don’t care how good a band is or how popular they might be, without the fans there would be no band. We just want to put on the best show we can and give our fans and potential fans their monies worth. I love being on stage and before an audience. There is no bigger thrill for me. And we very much hope we are going to be coming to Europe soon to play for our many fans there. Horns up Absolon Nation!!!!
Thank you for this interview. Wishing you all best for the future, Susi
© Susi Müller / rocketqueen-susi.de
