Interview with Silent Fall - Pierre

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Hi guys ! I’m Pierre from Silent Fall and I hold the rhythm guitars in the band. I’m glad to answer your questions today so…let’s go !

I.M: Prior to the release of “Otherwise” the band changed names from Winterland to Silent Fall. Any particular reason why this change occurred? Why did you guys picked Silent Fall as the name of the band?

Pierre: Interesting question! The answer might disappoint you but the reason is very rational. Indeed, a German band already named Winterland had filed a patent on the name. They asked us to change because they had already released two albums under the name of Winterland.

It happened just before our decision to record otherwise, so we decided to give a new start to the band: first album, new line-up, and new name! We wanted a band name quite easy to remember and impacting. The paradox “silence / metal music” conveyed by this name seemed interesting for us and we decided to adopt Silent Fall.

I.M: “Otherwise” is the band’s first full-length release. Can you tell us a bit more about the concept and ideas behind this great album?

P: I’ve been in the band for only a year and a half but otherwise was born of the desire to give a new breath to the band. Since 2005, the band had many ideas and projects and otherwise was clearly a way to transform these ideas into a concrete reality.

About the concepts behind the album, the name Otherwise is mainly related to the lyrics in the songs. Indeed, the songs try to transmit to the listener a way to think about the main issues that a man can encounter all along his life. Each song also tries to give a solution to these issues and to let the listener understanding life differently: Otherwise. ☺

I.M: The album was released on Pitch Black records, how did your deal with them happen since the label is based out of Cyprus?

P: During our research for a label, we tried to contact many different persons and each time it was possible, the release of the album would have been scheduled very late. Pitch Black Records was the only label offering us good conditions and a suitable date for the release!

I.M: Can you tell us more about the band’s musical influences and how Silent Fall’s sound has been crafted over the years?

P: As I said before, I got into in the band only a year and a half ago, but I can tell you that the band’s musical influences are very wide and different. Of course bands like In Flames, Mercenary, Edguy, Blind Guardian, Sonata Arctica and many metal references have influenced us but the main strength of the band comes from the musical diversity of the band members. In my room I have albums from Dimmu Borgir just next to Bob Marley and gypsy jazz! I’m convinced that you have to pick in many different influences to be an accomplished musician. And I think that all Silent Fall members would say the same!

I.M: From all the bands we have interviewed from France, they all seem to say that the scene is very ‘complicated’ and that is hard to make a name for yourselves in it. Can you tell us about your experience about it, and how Silent Fall has been making a name of its own?

P: The bands you have interviewed were right! The scene is complicated and the metal world in France is a little bit narrow minded. Sometimes you are criticized because your music is to close from a famous band, sometimes you are criticized because you are innovative…

Furthermore, French people are not so much in metal music but if you want to make yourself a name of your own, you have to be very persistent through years. The music world is quite a big lottery: perseverance and luck are the keywords!

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I.M: In this crowded Heavy/Power Metal scene it’s hard for bands to make a name for themselves, what do you think will make Silent Fall stand out from the rest?

P: We will stand on our way: we have our sound, we have our melodies, we have our personality and we believe in it. We want to do our best on stage and convey our positive energy! We believe that our stage performances will build our reputation and our name step by step!

I.M: Now that “Otherwise” is out and Silent Fall is generating more buzz, what are the future plans for the band? Any touring in support of the album?

P: We try to plan as many gigs as possible to promote Otherwise. Nowadays, it’s harder and harder to release an album and sell many copies. We believe that the strength of a band is revealed on stage. We want to play in biggest places in France and abroad as much as possible.

I.M: Have you guys started writing songs for the next release? Any plans about this?

P: We are thinking about it, we have some ideas and concepts but we don’t want to focus on it right now. Our priority is to promote Otherwise on stage in order to improve our live performances. Otherwise is not so easy to perform, so we’d rather focus on it and think about a second opus later.

I.M: You guys had Stephan Forte from Adagio guest on “Otherwise”, how did this guest appearance happen? Any other plans for future guests on your albums?

P: Olivier, our lead guitar player took some lessons with him a few years ago. When we decided to plan some guest on the album, we immediately thought about him. He has a very particular playing and we all love Adagio in the band: it is a great honor for us to have a solo from him on Otherwise.

I.M: Anything else that you want to add for your American fans, and fans in general all over the world?

P: Buy “Otherwise” of course! ☺ And do not hesitate to visit our forum to ask all your questions. We are always very pleased to be in contact with our fans and people who like our music! If you have any gigs opportunity in your country, contact us, we will come with pleasure!

Metal rules!

I.M: Thanks for the interview and good luck with the album promotion.

More Info: http://silentfall.net/ and http://www.myspace.com/silentfallmetal

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