Andy: First off, let`s start with the introductions. Who is in the band, and who plays what?
Corey: Hi Andy. I play the drums, Brent McClellan plays bass guitar, Chuck Brown sings and plays guitar, and Justin Avery plays guitar also.
Andy: Technically, we`re here to talk about your new album, Last Sunrise, but let`s start with a little chat about your debut. How does it feel to have recorded and released one of the landmark doom albums in the genre, and what was it like when you first realized that you had to follow up the monster that is Sincerest Misery?
Corey: I think the fact that Sincerest Misery was so well received actually made writing and recording this album more comfortable maybe. Since this band’s inception, I think all of us really felt that we were onto something special, and I guess to have that feeling somewhat validated by the reception that Sincerest Misery has gotten probably gave us a bit of confidence if anything. I don’t think there was any pressure really to surpass the last album or anything like that. We just wrote what came naturally after “Sincerest”. Of course when we wrote and recorded the last album we were all totally in love with it, but we really had no idea it would be so well received. To see it listed on top ten lists and what not was sort of like “what…really?” haha. It feels great that people like it to the extent that they do, but like I mentioned we were already so stoked with it before it was even released, so other people liking it is really just icing on the cake. I think we’ve matured as a band a bit since the last album, and become comfortable in our own skin a bit more as well so writing and recording Last Sunrise felt more natural, for me at least.
Andy: Where was the new album recorded, and with who? How did the recording sessions go? Was the album pretty much written going into the studio, or did you find you had some room to experiment once you got there?
Corey: The album was recorded by Mike Bridavsky at Russian Recording in Bloomington, Indiana. Mike also recorded Sincerest Misery, and working with him is really a pleasure, so that probably also added to the attitude we had going into this one. Mike rules, and I must take my hat off to him for the way everything turned out. That’s Mike playing the piano during those little interludes on “December Drives Me To Tears”, by the way. I think one of us mentioned while listening to the playback of those tracks that a subtle piano part or something like that would be really cool there. We all went to get something to eat while Mike was mixing a couple of tracks, and when we returned he was like “hey check this out, I have a surprise for you guys”. He played that piano part that he had recorded while we were gone, and we were all just floored with the atmosphere that it added to that piece. The piano was in the huge “live” room where the drums were set up, which sounds great I think. The recording sessions went smoothly, and we really had a good time making this album. We did a bit of experimenting at the studio, like using different amps for different parts, and trying a few different set-ups and ideas…amp / mic placement and stuff, but the songs were 99.9% written and rehearsed long before we arrived at the studio. We’re not yet on the type of budget where we can write songs in the studio haha. Maybe someday.
Andy: You`ve recorded a handful of covers for both the European and the American release. What prompted the choice to record and release these particular songs, and what determined which ones would appear on the two respective releases?
Corey: The bonus tracks are just songs that we dig, and thought would be fun to cover for hidden tracks on the album or whatever. It’s cool I think to hear a live song, cover song, or one-off or something like that as an extra on an album. Working with two separate labels, we also wanted to do this to give each label a bit of something unique to include on their version of the album. Not a lot of planning went into which covers went on which version of the album. Each version has a Misfits cover, while the European version has the more European Celtic Frost and Thin Lizzy, and the North American has covers from US bands The Obsessed and Born Against.
Andy: There are two slightly different variations of the cover for the European and American releases as well, is that correct? While we`re on the subject, I know responses to the cover art have been kind of mixed. Care to clear the air or comment on that at all?
Corey: That’s right, Profound Lore Records (from Canada) put out the North American version of the album, while Eyes Like Snow (from Germany) put out the European version of the album (+ LP). Each version has exclusive artwork and of course 3 bonus songs exclusive to each version like you mentioned above. The cover for Sincerest Misery was totally illustration, so we wanted to go with a different presentation this time around; something more realistic and human I guess. It seems that most people so far aren’t really into the covers, and we knew we’d get that to a certain extent when we chose to go down that path. I think that with time people who like the band will warm up to the covers and hopefully “get it”. Of course it’s not dragons, wizards, and fire so it’s not what you’d expect from a metal album. We stand by the covers though, and would not change them if we could. In the end, it’s just art, right? Sometimes you feel it, and sometimes you don’t.
Andy: I’m sure Solitude Aeturnus is a huge influence for you guys, but who else would you say your influences are drawn from? I`m sure some of the bands are the usual suspects (Black Sabbath, Pentagram, etc), but are there any more subtle influences that we the listeners may not overtly pick up on?
Corey AoS has a very diverse and wide mix of influences. It’s hard to say what influences the music though, because we never intentionally try to write something that sounds like something else, and we rarely talk about other music during rehearsal. None of us listen exclusively to doom metal.
Andy: You cats are from Indianapolis, how`s the music scene out there? Obviously The Gates of Slumber are from that neck of the woods, but what other bands from that area are worth checking out? Who do you generally like to play with when you play live there?
Corey The “true” scene here is really a mix of metal and hardcore punk bands, but it rules and for the most part we’re all part of the same community and very loyal to and supportive of one another. Not to be all confident and proud and whatnot, but Indianapolis rules, straight up. Coffinworm, Deadmen, Bulletwolf, Devil To Pay, Necropharmacon, the Dockers, the Cocaine Wolves, Sleepbringer, Order of the Black Hand, Tunguska, Worldeater, You Will Die. There is a plethora of good heavy bands from this city that rule first as dudes and friends, and secondly as bands. I think the camaraderie that exists between most of the bands here, and the loyalty to this city, this scene, and to one another is really what sets our little scene apart from others.
Andy: Any plans for touring in support of the album?
Corey: To a limited extent. We’re currently planning a 9-day or so trip out east, and possibly down south on the way back home for sometime in July. We’ll also do a handful of 3-day weekend trips this year in the general IN-IL-KY-MI-OH area.
Andy: I heard through the grapevine that you may be doing a split with Rituals of the Oak. Fantastic band, I`m stoked to hear it! Any other plans for releases this year, or in the near future?
Corey: Man, I can’t say enough good things about Rituals of the Oak. Our Australian label-mates and a truly excellent band! Yeah, we’re doing a split with them, either a 10-inch or a 12-inch. Each band will be recording their side of that split sometime later next month or so. That will be put out on Eyes Like Snow. At about the same time we’re recording a song for a split 7-inch with Dawnrider (from Portugal) to be released on Blood and Iron Records sometime later this year. After those two splits, we’ll probably start getting things together for the follow-up to Last Sunrise.
Andy: You`re now signed with Profound Lore in North America, how is that working out for you? They have a pretty diverse and progressive roster, how do you feel Apostle of Solitude fits in with it?
Corey: It’s working out great. Chris (Profound Lore founder) is such a great person to work with, and has really done a lot for us. The Profound Lore roster is pretty diverse, so I think AoS fits in quite nicely haha.
Andy: Eyes Like Snow is handling the European release of the album, and also the vinyl, is that correct? They did a bang up job with the vinyl release of the debut, with the inclusion of your demo on the second LP. What can we expect for extras on the 2xLP this time around?
Corey Yes, the European version of the cd and the 2XLP are on Eyes Like Snow. They really go all out especially for their vinyl releases in terms of quality and packaging. We opted not to do a “die hard” package this time around, but there will be a limited run of 150 copies of the LP on brown / white marbled vinyl, and 350 on clear vinyl. Oh, and the LP will include all 6 bonus songs from both the North American and the European cd versions of the album.
Andy: What are the general plans for Apostle of Solitude`s future?
Corey: I think we’re gonna keep on keeping on, man. This band works out nicely for us in that we’re not trying to “make it”, and really it’s just an outlet for us and a means of artistic expression. If we can keep recording albums (preferably with someone else paying for it and distributing it), and playing live once a month or so, that’s what we’re going to do. We’d like to get over to Europe for a couple of weeks, maybe sometime next summer.
Andy: If you had a a time machine, and could go back in time and see any performance, who would it be, and what year?
Corey: I’ll have to go with Iron Maiden, 1984/5 on the World Slavery tour.
Andy: Well, that`s about it for today, thanks for your time, and congratulations on the release of yet another great album. If there`s anything you want to say to the Stonerrock community at large, now`s the time to do it...
Corey: Thank you Andy – it is sincerely appreciated. Peace.
You can check out Apostle of Solitude and preview some of the tracks from Last Sunrise at www.myspace.com/apostleofsolitude
