Absolon CD debut release: the tale of Derek Blackheart

Absolon are a symphonic metal band from Florida, USA, and have just released their debut album, the tale of Derek Blackheart – a dark, gothic and epic concept album about a rock star who sold his soul. And Absolon were so kind to send us 50 copies of their album, which we will randomly distribute among our customers. So next time you order clothing from us, you might get one of the most exciting metal albums of the year on top! Read the full interview with vocalist Ken Pike here.

Who are Absolon?

Absolon is: Ken Pike (vocals guitar) Ed Dumas (guitar) Tyler Colick (guitar) Will Cochran (bass), Jennifer Paccione-Diaz (keyboards vocals) Axel (drums )

Tell us more about the band, how did it all start?

Well, sometime in 2011 I began writing songs for, what was just going to be, a four song demo. As I got into it, I realized that the songs were running together to tell a story of some sort. So, I just kept writing and, as the songs came, the story fleshed itself out. Darkness Rising: The Tale of Derek Blackheart was born. I got in touch with Ed who had played guitar in a band I had previously been in and I asked him to be part of the project. He said yes and became my partner. There was a lot of roadblocks at first trying to find a drummer and bass player and I began to feel like it just wasn’t going to happen. We finally found Axel and then he introduced us to Will. It seems like things just took off after that. We got into the studio and recorded the CD and then finally released it in January of 2013.

You have recently released your debut, the tale of Derek Blackheart – is it a concept album, and what is it about? Tell us more about the release.

Yes, it is a concept CD. I was and still am a huge Queensryche fan. One of my favorite albums by them was Operation Mindcrime. The sound, musicianship and song writing was incredible . . it was way ahead of its time really. What really got me was the vibe it put out, a dark emotional feeling it gave me. I wanted to recapture that feeling with Darkness Rising. I didn’t want to duplicate Operation Mindcrime but, I did want to made a CD that gave the listener the same feeling I got when I first put it on . . . that I still get when I listen to it. Darkness Rising is about a guy named Derek who becomes a guitar god. He sells his soul in order to become rich and famous. He gets what he most desires, his band Blackheart sells millions of records and plays to sold out arenas worldwide. Derek’s soul become blacker with each passing year until, one day, he decides he’s had enough. He finally takes his own life in his Beverly Hills mansion only to find that, even in death, there is no escape from the Dark Master. It’s a very dark story. There are speaking pieces, interludes, instrumentals and full on metal tunes to move the story along. It is an epic metal CD.

What inspired you to write the tale of Derek Blackheart?

I love the classic story of Dorian Gray who sold his soul to stay young while his portrait grew old in his place. At the end it all comes to a crashing end for Dorian.

The album sounds both epic, melodic and aggressive – what were the challenges of achieving that excellent result?

I think pretty much it has to do with my many influences. I always loved the old school European metal. Bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio, Queensryche had more of an aggressive dark attack musically than American metal bands. I loved the bombast of it. I also love the newer symphonic/goth bands like Kamelot, Epica, Lacuna Coil, Within Temptation and Evanescence. The two types of metal seem made for each other so, I blended all those things together that I like along with epic music. Plus, I have more of an operatic vocal style because of my huge Queensryche influence. It just all came together to create the Absolon sound.

You have a very European sound – I can hear some Bruce Dickinson in the vocals, and some Mercyful Fate in the guitars – what are you influences ?

Queensryche for sure. Big Geoff Tate fan vocally speaking. Then there is Iron Maiden, Priest, almost any of the old European metal bands. I love European metal. It’s emotional, heavy, powerful, in your face, makes you want to bang your head. The European metal community is like one big family too. You don’t see that here in the States. You go to metal festivals in Germany and elsewhere in Europe and the crowds are huge and they get along and enjoy the music for the music.

There also is a very gothic quality to the mood in the songs – how far do you connect with that scene?

I am very much into the whole feeling of the goth scene. I like the darker aspects of it I guess. There seems to be as many sub genres of goth as heavy metal. I think I’m more into the dark romantic side of goth . . . if that makes any sense. (Laughter)

You reputation in the US is growing fast – any extended tour plans? How soon can we expect to see you guys over here in Europe?

It does seem like things are beginning to take off. It’s pretty exciting I have to say. Right now the band is hard at work rehearsing the songs and preparing a show. We want to blow the doors off the first time we play. I’m a bit of a stickler for perfection as the guys and gals in the band can tell you. Once we’re ready we’re going to begin booking shows but, it should be pretty soon. I would love to see Absolon get to Europe. I think we’re going to do good across the pond. Maybe you can get a buzz going and help get us over there! (Big time laughter) People can check us out on our Facebook page or on our official website at www.absolonrocks.com