The band:
Arduini / Balich
Country: USA
Answers by:
Victor Arduini (guitar, bass)
I think two names should be enough to introduce
this project, Fates Warning & VICTOR ARDUINI. Yes, the great guitarist and
composer is back with another chapter that will be an instant classic since the
very first moment it hits the streets on February 24th. Heavy doom with awesome
guitars and epic voice, a travel to some distant and divine world where light
and darkness fight. Get your ticket because this is an adventure you cannot
miss. We have had the honor to get Victor Arduini revealing the details
himself. Enjoy it!
Hello Victor and congratulations for your great
album “Dawn of Ages”, a classic from the very first moment I think. First, the
question is due, how did the Arduini / Balich project start off?
Thanks for
your kind words. I began writing music towards the end of Freedoms Reign's tour
and was realizing how personal and different it sounded from what we were
doing. I pretty much knew I was going to move on with my next musical chapter
as more of a solo artist so I could let loose with my ideas and maintain the
artistic control from writing, arranging & producing. I spent about 18
months completing most of the music with the intent to work with a great singer
from Brazil. Unfortunately it wasn't working out and
literally the same day I had to part ways I received a call from Brian and
after some discussion he was aboard to help finish the album.
Destiny is always around the corner, but we
keep the doubt about who was that Brazilian singer…If we have to define this
album, somehow it would be a perfect blend of heavy metal and doom
I think
that's a good description of what I was trying to achieve. I know my style
pretty well and wanted to maintain the elements that have always been there
since the early days of Fates but I also wanted to make it darker and heavier
than anything I've done before. I have a huge love for the doom/stoner genre
that's going on now and it was very influential throughout this process
How long did you work in the album? Did you
ever rehearsal together or is just a long distance kind of project?
The
complete process has taken two and a half years from 1st rehearsals to release.
It may seem like a while but after the 1st year of writing and recording there
was the process of Brian getting lyrics & vocals completed. Once that was
finished it was all the other stuff with artwork, promotion, etc. I can't say
how relieved I am it's finally out. Brian and I never really worked together
other than a weekend get together to do some early demoing. My first experience
working through email was with While Heaven Wept in early 2014 which was
enjoyable and I felt we could do the same. Our communication has been great
throughout the process.
It doesn’t seem so a long time to me, taking in
account the magnificent album you have created. You have counted also with
drummer Chris Judge, although he doesn’t appear in the name of the band, right?
Chris came
aboard because we work so well together. He was told from the beginning it was
going to be a solo project and was cool with helping me get it done. Honestly
he was a very big part in the writing of the music. While I may write and
arrange the riffs his playing really inspired me and some of the ideas are
extensions from the actual riffs I brought down. I'm very thankful for all he
did and hope we can work together again someday. We called it Arduini/Balich
simply because we are the two known musicians within the metal community and
wrote the songs together.
Are we wrong if we think that most of the
composition process was over Arduini’s shoulders?
We'll the
music was written, arranged and recorded by myself but you need to give equal
recognition to Brian for his lyrics and voice. Both are needed to make it complete.
Producing the album myself really helped get the sound and intent across that I
intended.
When you listen to “Dawn of Ages” you often
realize that you have been listening for a song for about 8 or 10 minutes
without almost thinking about any other thing, for example the reality show on
the tv, the boss, or whatever, that is a gift, isn’t it?
It's funny
you say that. I've listened countless times to the tracks and always found
myself 8-10 minutes into the song and not feeling like it was going on too
long. That makes me feel good. I hope others will allow themselves the time to
listen as you did.
It’s fun all the way and a good therapy
moreover. Most of the songs follow the same pattern, a heavy doom riff that you
often repeat throughout the song and that is the first step for a great variety
of melodies, tempos and solos
I agree.
When I write I tend to start with a riff and once I begin playing with the
drummer it becomes bigger and new ideas start flowing. I think a lot of it
comes from all my early influences which began appearing in my writings in
Fates and became a style of sorts for me. Once you have the core of the song
then all the fun things begin to get put in tying it all together.
You have signed by Cruz del Sur Music, did the
guys show any kind of problem or disagreement when they saw 6 songs and almost
an hour or music?
Not at all.
Enrico has been a supporter of my music since he signed Freedoms Reign a few
years back. I think he just trusts in what I do and let's me create the music I
like to make.
Very kind
of you. There is a lot going on within each song and between the music and
Brian's epic vocals there are some great moments where you feel the emotion
that's being presented and if it makes you rise your fist, bang your head or
whatever else that inspires you that says a lot to me.
Victor, how do you usually work in order to get
the solos or riffs? You first get the riffs and you compose the song around it
or you have the lyrics and you look for a melody?
Mostly I'll
have a few riffs that I've come up with and bring them down to rehearsal. Once
we begin jamming on them new ideas begin to develop organically. I record just
about everything and can go home to re-arrange and compose. Vocals and lyrics
are usually the last thing. I like to hear the song as a strong musical piece
that can stand up without any vocals. I've occasionally had a vocal melody in
my head which then inspired the riff.
Talking about lyrics, what are they about?
Brian told
me he doesn't really have a formula to his writing. He just writes to the
emotion. The use of words in a melodic sense can be a very difficult thing to do
and he is the master. I always like the listener to interpret the lyrics in
their own way.
Brian has done also a great job, he sounds raw,
epic, emotional, he is the perfect complement for the excellent guitar work
Brian did
an AMAZING JOB !! I am still floored by some of the things he came up with. So
much emotion in his delivery and the lyrics so dark an thought provoking. Brian
has been a perfect compliment to the music behind him. I am blessed to be
working with him and looking forward to everyone hearing what our joined
abilities have created
What has been the song harder to complete? Maybe
the epic Beyond The Barricade?
I would
agree it was one of the more difficult to compose as it is built on many
different riffs and passages. It's like 10 songs in one. But from a production
standpoint they all were pretty intensive to get the final sound and mix I was
happy with. The simple acoustic bonus
track "Wolf Of Velvet Fortune" was a bitch to recreate as I wanted to
stay as true to the original production as I could.
Yes, because the cd includes the six new songs
of yours, but the vinyl version includes 3 bonus from Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep
and Beau Brummels, how or why did you choose to make a cover of those songs?
We had the
opportunity to do a double LP but needed more music for a 4th side. We threw a
few songs around and ended up with these 3. We just wanted something that both
of our abilities would enhance the song and do it justice. They were a blast to
finish. I think they make a nice bonus to the project.
They do, indeed. Do you have the intention to
make some gigs around?
We would
love to do some shows if the opportunity was right. It would be nice if we
could secure a few festival gigs overseas with some area shows in between but
at the moment we just want to see how the album does and if there's any
interest. Since there is no actual band I would have to put something together
but that wouldn't be too much of a problem.
Did you keep any song in a drawer for a second
album or this is just a one chapter trip and the story is finished (we hope
not)?
I have
quite a few riffs and demos laying around but truthfully I always like to start
off fresh when writing for a new album. We would love to do another one and if
things go well with Dan Of Ages it could be a good possibility to begin
another. I write best when I'm inspired and actively playing. At the moment my
time is limited due to all the promotion for this release. I like taking time
off between projects even if I have to
get my chops back (lol) it's made up in the enthusiasm and excitement of
new riffs. I'll probably start some writing in the fall
That sounds pretty well and hopefully we will
get another master class album from Arduini/Balich in the future. Thank you
very much for your attention, Victor, if you wish to add something…
Thanks
again for the great questions. I enjoyed answering them and thanks for
listening to the album. Take Care
You rule, man
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