SOURCE – Given the increases in technology for producing albums, what do you feel is your most important role when work on an album as Insanity’s Ruin?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – Our roots and upbringing come from the old school band mentality of “lets do this like band”. So we try to keep it as organic as possible; we don’t metronome everything and do minimal editing as to keep the personalities in the track.
But at the same time we embrace the new technology by being able to make our own albums instead of hiring expensive studios and engineers. We have our own small studio where we record/mix/master everything.
So basically our approach to producing albums is; the computer takes the place of the studio equipment ie, mixing desk, tape machines, out board effects ect. And the engineers/producers have been replaced by the band members. But the musicians stay human and true to their instrument performance in an old school way.
SOURCE – From my perspective, Insanity’s Ruin has quite a bit of innovation going on. What do you look at as far as the direction that metal needs to go in the future?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – Ok that`s a tricky question as the metal community is so big. Different people enjoy different elements of Metal music and not everyone listens to it in the same way. So can only really answer that from my prospective (my opinion)
But i would like to hear some more distinct sounding bands. A lot of metal bands in 2019 sound more or less identical to the rest of the bands in their genre. And I don`t mean lets make more sub genres /crossover styles that haven’t been done. What i mean is that i would like to hear more metal bands just making the music they naturally make instead of trying to write to the limits of a sub genre.
Don’t get my wrong there are some really really great bands out there today doing exactly that, but i would like to see more of it.
SOURCE – What can you say about the video for Epitaph?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – It was recorded on a freezing cold snowy December day at a lighting warehouse in London. Where we were all stupid enough to wear short sleeve t-shits during filming.
We took advantage of Wills skills as a lighting engineer to programme a light show. So really this video is a programmed light show to follow the vibe of the music with us doing our thing. Quite a simple concept really.
SOURCE – Being together as a band since 2011, how has Past The Fall handled the changing landscape of the music industry and do you believe you are at an advantage being more of a veteran act, or do you believe it’s a tougher challenge to ascend to new heights because of the sheer number of bands fighting for consumer attention and finances?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – I really don’t think its any harder now than it ever has been. Through all ages and generations, making a career in a band has been really tough. With each time period presenting its own set of pros and cons.
We play music because its part of who we are and feel its something we have to do. So we just continue and anyone who wants to support it by coming to our shows, buying the record or even just following us is doing us the greatest honour we could ever ask. We really don`t see it like a fight.
SOURCE – What lessons have you learned the most in your career that you believe you had to go through and grow from?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – Keep your head on straight. Don`t overthink your path because its always changing. Don’t try to make an end goal as there isn’t one.
SOURCE – How would you describe the personalities of each band member – and what each individual adds to the table to make things very special for Past The Fall?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – Can’t talk for myself here so will have to talk about Will and Sam.
Will. My long term partner in crime has been here since day one. He has a very tough but sympathetic personality. Hes great at getting people to do things properly and organising pretty much everything from tours to productions. And at the same time really good fun to party with after a show.
Sam. Sam was hardly out of secondary school (high school) when he started with us so I have seem him grow and change a lot. He is very good at separating his emotions from his logic and never lets his pride blind him. Which makes him super easy to work with. He has also started to enjoy a good after show party thanks to me and Wills bad influence over the years. Haha!
SOURCE – What has the heavy metal genre meant to you personally? Can you think of a specific memory or two when the music helped you process a difficult or challenging period of your life – and how it helped you through it?
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – Every challenging period in my memorable life has been helped with music. Its my medicine! But how it has helped and who has helped is a little too personal for me to talk about today. But i may touch on that another time.
SOURCE – After all these questions I thanked the band for taking the time to participate in the interview and asked if they wanted to leave any final words.
Tom Cope (Guitars, Vocal) – To all our current and future fans. We wont let you down! We are a family.
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