At a time when climate change is speeding up and animals are going extinct right in front of our eyes due to the selfishness and greed of humans… Fury of a Dying Planet is an anthem to cheer on and support those who make such great sacrifices to preserve the planet and the wild animals that roam freely. It is also a call to action to raise awareness of those who suffer. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: I’m originally from New Zealand but have been living in London for the last 10 years or so. I’ve played in bands and also been working on solo projects for some time now. Musically FoaDP was written mostly during the Covid lockdowns. But thematically didn’t come together until much later.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: I’ve had 4 years of lessons in piano when I was younger and few months of lessons in drums when I started playing about 8 or 9 years ago (according to facebook memories!). Other than that it’s all self-taught and things I’ve learned in many studio sessions over the years.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘FURY OF A DYING PLANET’?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: Gojira were a big influence but I had to dial it back as my drumming is nothing compared to that of Mario Duplantier (Gojira drummer) which I feel is a huge part of their sound, that punishing battering onslaught!
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: I’d like for these songs to raise more awareness of what goes on in the world, the damage humans are doing to animal life and the planet itself. But also to celebrate those who fight for the environment, like the team at the mighty Sea Shepherd. This is why I aim to make more lyric videos rather than performance videos.
5. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: I like to think music can energize people, get them thinking, inspire them to action. This is my first time writing politically and environmentally motivated music so we shall see what people think, chances are I am just yelling into the black hole of social media and Spotify playlists…
6. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: For this project, I think it is very important the listeners understand the message. These songs are about the destruction of our planet and the mass extinction of the animals that lived here before humans came along. Long before mankind began to burn the forests for farms, dug vast mines for oil and shiny rocks, dredged the ocean of life and ate anything with legs (and without legs!).
7. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET:
When I released my first solo project, Heart Through Sacrifice, it was a very proud moment. I worked very hard on that, writing and recording everything including a full concept story. I had great plans for that project but Covid destroyed all motivation and the band I had assembled went their separate ways.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET:
I usually have a riff in my head and then sit down and work it out to a click track, see what tempo suits it and what I can realistically play. Then comes the bass and then I sit at the V drums and play the drums out. Once this is done, I tend to put down some basic synths to pad things out and that’s where it stays until the ‘story line’ and lyrics are written. If I’m happy with the song as a whole, I will then go into a studio and record the real drums. I then re track all guitars and bass and do vocal demos. The vocal demo then goes to the singer so they can practice before they track in a studio. Although I feel I can do most in my studio, drums and vocals need to be done properly with engineers who know how to mic and prepare the recording environment. Finally after all that, it goes off to be mixed and mastered! While that is being done, I work on the cover art and press release…
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: The only other thing really has been the politics of being in bands. Music is such a passionate thing and so playing in a band can be amazing, but when it ends, it so often ends horribly, much like a breaking up with a lover. I have finally found a band where song writing and playing together comes easy (Lockdown Co.) which is truly amazing and to balance that out, I have my own solo projects, Fury of a Dying Planet and Heart Through Sacrifice, where I can play metal to my heart’s content.
10. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as METAL?
FURY OF A DYING PLANET: I don’t ever play covers or learn other bands music. I am instead inspired by what I listen to and also from the literal tones I create with amps and guitars. Then the riffs just come to me. A lot of the time I will have the riff in my head but I can’t actually play it, so I need to slow it down and practice, then track it down before my terrible memory loses it!
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