SERAPH ... Metamorphosis (interview / new songs)

"I know a lot of fans will not take the time to look into it because everything is easily disposable when it comes to bands nowadays and they want everything to be cut and dry"

Ever since A389 Recordings broke Mississippi's Seraphim (who later became Seraph ((story)) to us in early 2011 with The Light In The Distance, the general consensus here at camp Halifax Collect was that here was a band that was obviously talented, and it had more going for it musically than other post metal/hardcore bands following the footsteps of bands such as Neurosis and Isis. You know the deal. Roger. Now, us liking this band meant something because in an age were the "style" or the "sound" they dabbled in, had become so redundant and played out by thousands of bands going for the same deal without much success. These sorta bands receiving boatloads of scorn from your truly. The problem? Bad songwriting and dispirited attempts at being "deep." Seraphim was better than that.
In my review for Exclaim! magazine I wrote: "The Light In The Distance is a mature, satisfying effort awash with carefully penned songs that are strong, memorable and evocative"[source]. Halifax Collect scribe Dru Morrison was so impressed he felt inclined to interview the band ((read)). An assignment that turned into an insightful chat in which Brian Hillhouse (bass/vocals) submitted that "the differences found in our music are a result of the differences in the three members." Something that comes into play to a greater extent these days, according to the interview (below) you are about to read. But I thought to myself, next time around they ought to bring something surprising to the table to keep listeners on their towns and surpass the pack. And surprise they did. Listen...



Abrasive, snarky noise rock!  Musically I have a new band on my hands here. A complete reinvention? Metamorphosis? We trapped Mr. Hillhouse again to get the skinny.

There seems to be a drastic overhaul in sound, presentation, writing, and just about everything. One gets the feeling a lot of has changed since we last changed, musically and attitude wise. Even a band name change. Can you please give us an insight into all of this? 
First off, all this change comes from having to adjust many times with new members. Every musician has a different heart when it comes to writing and playing music as well as different taste. That's the most amazing thing about writing; no matter who you play with, it will sound different. And that's exciting to me. Same goes for attitude.
And then there's the name change. After starting this band six years ago, we are completely different. I started it and kept the flame lit, so to speak, so it seemed appropriate since I've matured in my songwriting nature. After writing a few records, I didn't want to keep on with the same pattern of just writing and releasing however many song records and that be it. I wanted to open new doors and be able to take new direction and extend our boundaries musically in a way that make sense to me. So the name change allowed us to do that. One overall band split into three parts. So each band can have a different sound, but it not be far fetched to have two or three of those bands on a record, which is what we'll do with every release. You never know what you'll get. It's very risky. I know a lot of fans will not take the time to look into it because everything is easily disposable when it comes to bands nowadays and they want everything to be cut and dry. I'm more attuned to things with a little mystery behind them and that's what we're looking to do. Be a band that has some sort of charisma with not only the music, but also the presentation. Just having people outside of the band that support and enjoy our thought provoking ways fuels our fire and makes me feel fortunate as a songwriter.

I'm projecting here, but although you were very good at the atmospheric "post metal" thing often associated with Neurosis/Isis, I get the sense you wanted to use this opportunity to get away from that wave and turn a new page. Listening to this new song (sorry about namedropping older bands) but I went "this is like much grittier and meaner Cave In... Like if Unsane jammed on some Brodsky material." Which is in many ways an outlandish concept but somehow you took me there and it is totally commendable and exciting. More projecting... Doing The Light/Field of Delusions ((listen)) addresses your need to play more quit and ambient music, whilst Seraph brings the hard hitting and loud. With the past out of the way and the beauty concentrated to The Light, Seraph's debut if you will in "The Stages Of Fading Away" is a resounding 'hi there, we're back, fuck off.' Like an ugly duckling with a bad attitude.
All the bands you have named are big influences of ours and I guess that is apparent. We did cross into new realms with this EP, but there are a few songs that would sorta feel right at home on our last record The Light In The Distance, but we wanted to be more straight forward with this record. More, in your face, aspect of creating. So like I said, it gives us an opportunity to step over our past boundaries and also revisit those old moments as well. So to answer your question, we did turn the page and that was our goal all along. To still write music that has our signature, just with a different emotion. Really when you hear the rest of the record, you'll be able to tell which songs are associated with which band. Seraph will always have the grittier heavy rock vibe, The Light will always be ambient noise songwriting, and Seraph/ The Light will be it all mashed up. We look for being organic in everything we do and the band will strictly be referred to as Seraph/ The Light from here on out. As far as "Field Of Delusions" goes, I wrote and recorded it all at my house one week. I wanted it to stay somber and create a mood of emptiness. Writing alone takes a lot more out of me because I start taking my mind to dangerous places. I guess my mind becomes vulnerable and I look at where my heart and emotion are set towards my outlook on certain experiences with certain people. That's usually what drives my creations.

Lets rewind to my ugly duckling comment and the assumption that Seraph is a burly, oppressive and reckless bastard child of the future. The day after reaching that conclusion, Seraph released another new song, thus disproving my theory. We know nothing. And so it begins...

- Birkir Fjalar

Release date of The Stages Of Fading Away TBA
Track listing:
Out Of Time
Terrorized Minds
Clouds Of Grey
Where I Belong
Live Free or Die
The Stages Of Fading Away

Upcoming August shows:
2- Florence, AL @The End
3- Nashville, TN @The Owl Farm
4- Birmingham, AL @The Forge
6- Orlando, FL @Back Booth
7- Lake Worth, FL @Propaganda
8- Tampa, FL @Epic Problem
10- Augusta, GA @Sector7G
11- Decatur, AL @Excalibur

Seraph / The Light on facebook  bandcamp  tumblr  soundcloud  twitter

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Seraphim interview /prize package giveaway, "To us the past is equally as important as the present."
Albums: Pulling Teeth, Seraphim, Last Chance To Reason, Onward To Olympas, Gideon, Mighty Sphincter

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