The Band: Desolate Pathway
Country: UK
Answers by:
Mags (drums), Vince Hempstead (guitars,
vocals)
DESOLATE PATHWAY is on of those bands with
classic and epic sound that captivates the true metal guy from the very
beginning, impossible to resist their call. They are a good team playing with
soul and dedication, so the natural and fresh touch of theirs sound arise in
every track of the new album “Of Gods and Heroes”. Just one more info: Vince
Hempstead has played with Pagan Altar, you still need more to listen to them? We
are still shocked with “Of Gods and Heroes” and we are already begging for a
third effort.
Hello! What’s the origin of Desolate Pathway? How
was it born?
VINCE: the
name Desolate Pathway was originally going to be the album title of solo
project Origin Konrad.
I decided
to form a band as the tracks were too good to keep as a solo project and then
change the name to Desolate Pathway as the name fitted the tracks and style
very well.
It seems there have been some changes in the
line-up because in your first album, Valley of the King, there were two more
guys onboard. What happened?
VINCE:
Simon and Jim had other commitments beyond the band and they found it very hard
to give what we expected to make the band work. We have been struggling to find
the suitable members but we also want it to be the right member. We are holding
auditions soon, so we hope this is positive for us.
I think Vince Hempstead has collaborated with
other bands as cult act Pagan Altar, how was it?
VINCE: I
applied for the guitarist position from an online advert, had the audition,
nailed the tracks and the job was mine. It was a shock as I was playing in a
local bar in my old band when I heard the news and then went on to travelling
overseas to play festivals. Very surreal at first but an amazing experience
meeting metal supporters.
Sure, an awesome experience. Mags is a great
drummer and it’s not usual to see a woman behind the kit, how did you enter the
band Mags?
MAGS: Thank
you. I saw an online advert for a drummer for Origin Konrad back in late
February 2014 and applied. Vince told me that they were looking for someone to
play live by around August after the first album had been recorded as they had
already got someone to record for the album and auditions wouldn't be until
June/July. As it happened, auditions
came earlier than that, in May and meanwhile the band name had changed from
Origin Konrad to Desolate Pathway. I was sent 3 raw demo guitar tracks to write
drums for my audition. I nailed the
audition and, after rehearsing for a month or so, Vince asked me if I would
record my drums for Valley of the King and we recorded in September.
Smooth
and easy. What difference are we going to find between your first album and “Of
Gods and Heroes”?
VINCE: The
biggest difference is the progression of the tracks being more mature, not as
raw as Valley but keeping context of Epic Doom. Also all bass on the new album
are guest slots so each track has a different influence running through the
bottom line. Also myself as a vocalist will be the most noticeable to fans from
the first album. I have tried to focus on more expression of the tracks rather
than just singing more Epic too.
Yes, we will talk about you as vocalist a bit
later. How long have you worked in your new album “Of Gods and Heroes” and how
was the composition process?
VINCE:
Overall around 21 months. The process for this was myself and Mags both
compiled lots of riffs and lyrics together, then I would create a basic guitar
tracking and then we would build on this by rehearing them as much as possible
until we came up with the right sound and arrangements to finish the album.
MAGS: I
make crappy demo's of my songs and ideas and Vince always complains that they
are horribly fuzzy haha!
Yes, so this takes us to the next question. Is
this a new experience for Vince Hempstead, I mean doing almost everything by
yourself in terms of composition?
VINCE: I
need to put everyone right on this because a lot of people think I have done
everything but although it started like this with the solo project, Mags and
myself have been the true core members since day one of Desolate Pathway and we
both give equal input on every band decision and creation.
This is how
we have stayed together and everyone else goes because they don't have the
musical passion like Mags does.
MAGS: I
don't understand why this is assumed. Vince and I work as a team and Of Gods
and Heroes is a composition/collaboration between myself and Vince.
And you have done a great work together.
Because from the very first listening we were surprised by the classic sound
and the elegance in every song of your new album, what bands have influenced
your sound?
VINCE:
Black Sabbath and Candlemass are my 2 favourite doom bands so we try and mix
the classic and epic elements of both bands into our music. I also like Manowar
and Iron Maiden guitar tones and solos along with the story telling on most
tracks.
MAGS: I am
a massive My Dying Bride fan along with Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus and, of
course, Black Sabbath.
We were also surprised by Vince's vocals, it’s
not easy to find a so talented guitarist with that powerful voice, even in the
first album you were not in the vocal duties, how this change happened? How did
you become a vocalist?
VINCE: I
was originally going to be the singer so I auditioned for my own band haha. Mags
said no. I must admit it was crap. But I am always thinking ahead so I would
practice singing the tracks while I would learn and write the guitar parts.
When Simon
left we auditioned but no one was suitable so I decided to give it another go. We
gigged with me singing and everyone was very positive so from then on I will
remain singing with my only aim is to improve again on the next release.
MAGS: Vince
offered up his vocals right at the beginning but they really were not good
enough. Next time around his vocals had vastly improved and were more in line
with the sound we wanted. Many people have since said that he should have done
the vocals from the outset.
If he still has more things to improve as vocalist
that would be incredible. Anyone that listens to “Of Gods and Heroes” will
agree that Vince is a great guitarist, you do a great work with the riffs, the
melodies and solos, creating awesome atmospheres
VINCE:
Thank you. I just write what feels right at the time. I'm more productive if I
don't think about writing and just pick up a guitar and jam. Luckily I have a
mini studio at home so I can easily record anything I do.
With solos
Mags would agree I am a nightmare. I could record a solo over 20 times until
I'm happy with it.
I don't
like to work in the basic 4/4 verse/chorus. I like to surprise the listener.
MAGS: Yes
Vince is an awesome guitarist and composer and works very hard to get the end
result he wants. As a drummer who composes, it can be difficult for a guitarist
to put across the feel of the piece I have written but he plays my compositions
and riffs way better than I ever could and keeps the original feel I created
which is fantastic.
A strong
point in the album is that you are able to fuse epic heavy metal with darker
sounds, near to the doom or the Sabbath universe, the consequence are vibrating
songs that touch your feelings
VINCE: A
lot of feelings and emotions are present in each track, especially during the
writing process with many things reflecting our moods. All this helps in the
creative process.
MAGS: Every
track is written from emotional depth and raw passion so this is bound to
reflect in the finished works.
It really does. Enchanted Voices or The Winged
Divinity are songs with much elaboration, but we also get some straight forward
tracks as the heavy Gods of the Deep with a display of solos really amazing. What
kind of songs you enjoy more playing?
VINCE: I
like playing all of them although the crowd favourites seem to be Medusas Lair
and Trojan War. If I was to pick a favourite it would probably be Enchanted
Voices as it represents everything we are about musically.
We have
never played The Winged Divinity live but once we find the right bassist then I
would love to do that track.
MAGS: I
really enjoy playing Gods of the Deep, although we haven't played it live for a
while and I do hope to play The Winged Divinity live soon, it really is a great
track. I often can't hear everything whilst playing live but I like listening
to Vince's amazing solos when I can hear them.
Into the Realms of Poseidon show your
development in the slow pace, so we almost have every kind of composition
VINCE: It's
the centre of the album where we bring the listener down to a slow easy pace
while creating more atmosphere and story before we once again hit the listener
hard back into the Realms of Poseidon.
I would say that the presence and influence of
the NWOBHM sound is clear in your music, among some dark approach, right?
VINCE: I
have liked NWOBHM for 30 years so you could say there is a massive influence
that comes naturally without trying to replicate where a lot of bands nowadays
make that mistake.
MAGS:
Nothing is ever planned or specifically written into any particular genre so
basically what comes out is from our subconscious.
And a great subconscious you have, that is a
treasure. Time to talk about gigs, are you playing live in the next following
months? Any dates out of the UK ?
VINCE: We
have just played a great gig in Malta and we have one booked in London for January. We have a couple of
possible gigs that we are waiting on confirmation outside the UK although we cannot say until they
are confirmed.
Hope some day you will land in Spain . Do you have a line
up for the shows and will you sing and play guitar along?
VINCE: Yes
I will be playing guitar and singing live too. So far we have had help from
some really great temp bassists, Addam Westlake from My Silent Wake and Jonathan
Seale from Iron Void.
After the
auditions for bass we have decided to stay as a strong 3 piece.
Good. How can we get your album “Of Gods and
Heroes”
VINCE: Just
visit our website www.desolatepathway.com
or digital download is available from most
online digital distributors.
And finally, Vince and Mags, what are your
plans for the future?
VINCE: We
hope to get invited to some more really cool gigs, gather a larger fan base and
meets lots of great people in the process.
MAGS: World
domination.
I am sure we will hear much more and often
about you. Thank you very much for your kindness attending us, if you wish to
add something…
VINCE:
Thanks for asking us your questions and if there is anyone interested in
booking us or to ask any question to the band directly they can emaildesolatepathway@yahoo.co.uk
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