We caught up with one band instrumental thrash band, IMPERIUM, for an exclusive interview.
Greetings from MetalIndia Magazine. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Adarsh Rangayyan. I am 25 years old, born and raised in Calgary, Canada. I have played drums and guitar for almost 10 years, and have been songwriting for about 5 years. I have performed as a drummer with a few bands in the past but after learning guitar I found it more enjoyable to compose and record songs on my own. I have graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Calgary, and am currently attending Musicians Institute in Los Angeles for audio engineering.
Could you tell us something about your 2 releases ‘Imperium’ and ‘MMX’? Where were they recorded (studio/home) etc? Did you play all the instruments? Who did the mixing/recording?
Both albums were recorded at Alchemy Studio in Calgary, Canada. They were both recorded and mixed by Jeff Muller, and I played all the instruments. The first album ‘Imperium’ was recorded in two sessions. The first was in 2007, where we recorded and mastered five songs one day. It wasn’t until 2009, after graduating from university, that I had time for another recording. I spent a week in the studio, recorded five more songs, and published it along with the previous recording as the full album ‘Imperium.’ In 2010 I spent two weeks in the studio recording the full album ‘MMX’ which was a much more focused effort and complete package compared to the previous album.
What is the theme behind ‘MMX’? Since there are no lyrics, how do you convey the ideas/emotions/thoughts behind your music?
There is no specific theme to the album, but I do think that the order of the songs is important, as each song’s individual theme is different. Some tracks are very melodic, some are more rhythmic, and there is a dynamic between the softer and heavier arrangements. The last three songs form a sort of trilogy, as they share a common musical theme and build on it. The song titles are inspired by Greek and Roman mythology.
What are your main influences?
Metallica and Iron Maiden are my heaviest influences. Not only were they the first metal bands I listened to, but also their musical style was the easiest for me to understand and inspire my own songwriting. Tool is another strong influence and a musical style that I wish to pursue further. Other modern influences include Dream Theater and Trivium.
What is the thought process behind your music making? Could you walk us through one of your songs from the concept to the final recording?
When I first started songwriting it was a pretty messy process. I was only writing one riff at a time, and recorded guitar and drums through a cheap microphone with minimal software. These days I use the software FL Studio to produce songs electronically and I can create numerous patterns and layers with ease. A song usually begins with a guitar rhythm or melody, and then I begin to experiment with various layers and progressions. I will usually have a bunch of patterns and try every combination of stacking and ordering them until I hear something that really clicks. The drums come more naturally to me, as I can always hear what they should sound like in my head while arranging the guitar tracks.
What is your favorite track on ‘MMX’ and ‘Imperium’? Is there any song which you think you could have done better?
My favorite track off ‘MMX’ is ‘Into the Pit of Tartarus.’ It may not be the best song, but it’s the most experimental, which was a lot of fun to write and record, and it is the most progressive. I like other tracks for different reasons. ‘Leviathan Rising’ and ‘The Fall of Olympus’ are fast-paced metal songs and the most fun to play. ‘Eos & Phobos’ has a lot of layers and melodies and was an exciting writing process. ‘Charon’s Wrath’ has some very complex rhythms and so I spent the most time practicing them. After finishing the new album, my first album feels dissatisfying, but I appreciate it as a part of the development process to where I am now.
Have any record labels approached you? What are you doing to promote your albums?
I have not yet been approached by a record label. I have promoted my album online by creating my website, selling tracks on iTunes, posting videos on YouTube, and hosting free downloads of the full album. It is difficult to promote it in other ways as I cannot play live. I am hoping that my time in Los Angeles will yield some interesting opportunities.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ybOIQaRuKQ[/youtube]
Do you intend to recruit more band members or continue as solo artist?
I am interested in having a full band to play live. As for songwriting, I have done all of my writing alone, so it would be interesting to have input from other musicians. I still think I will do another solo recording in the future. I really enjoy being in the studio and once I complete my audio engineering program I’ll be able to do the recording as well.
You are a Canadian citizen with Indian origin. Where are your roots in India? Do you intend to incorporate Indian music into your future works?
I was born in Canada but my family is from Bangalore, India, and I have been there many times. I briefly incorporated some table in my last recording and I intend on using more in the future. I am also exploring new musical styles and am open to experimenting with any type of music.
Which Indian bands have you heard/liked?
I have heard a few, Artillerie and Scribe come to mind. I also enjoyed India’s coverage in Global Metal.
Are there any bands you would like to collaborate with if you were given a chance?
Since I have been doing all my recordings alone, I would be interested in collaborating with any musician just to see what we could come up with.
What is the next thing which your listeners can expect and when?
If I were to do another solo recording, it would likely happen in mid-2011. However, once I’m at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles in October, anything could happen. I will be collaborating with other students, and I will also be looking into creating music for film.
Any message for our readers.
Thank you for reading this interview, please check out my music at www.imperiummusic.com
nice interview…. and someone to look out in the near future… all the best …
metalfarmer