Damnation Angels Interview | Dioses del Metal

«We wanted to come in with an album that pushed to the top instantly, we didn’t want to do 4 albums just to get our foot in the door.»

We welcome Damnation Angels from Spain, it is a great pleasure for us to have this meeting and to be able to know you a little better.

Will: Thank you, the pleasure is all mine.

The band was founded at the end of 2006 and soon it started to be known in the UK’s musical parade. How was the beginning?

Will: Slow, we didn’t really start to get things moving until 2009. We didn’t have a great line-up or even the songs early on. The first few years were really a development stage, in saying that we still did quite a few UK tours.

In 2009 you took a step ahead, working with the well known producer Scott Atkins (Sylosis, Cradle of Filth), you recorded your first EP: “Shadow Symphony” in the Ipswich Studios in Grindstone. That work had a very positive response by the specialized media and it was also very well sold around the world.

Will: Yes this is true, it sold well even though it was a self release too. We wanted to create an E.p that would stand the test of time and it really has, people are still buying it now. Critics loved it as well, it got great reviews everywhere which is nice to see.

For that album you worked with Lewis Starfire, when and why PelleK starts to be a member of the band?

Will: It was down to Lewis suffering a vocal injury and we were forced really to replace him. We struggled to find anyone in the UK so we looked worldwide. We stumbled on PelleK online through his Dragonforce audition. We saw a lot of raw talent in him and since being with his he’s grown as a vocalist leaps and bounds.

With PelleK, Damnation Angels starts to deal with its debut album: “Bringer of Light”, again with Scott Atkings as the producer. The CD is released on the 7^th of March of 2012 in Japan, why a British band chooses a Japansese record company as Redton Music?

Will: Radtone was basically the first decent offer on the table, they approached us with a fair deal and we took it. It wasn’t originally planned that we’d release the album in Japan one year before everyone else. Finding a record label for the rest of the world simply took a hell of a lot longer than anticipated, negotiations went on for months. It’s not ideal really releasing it a year before in Japan but we’re just glad it’s out worldwide now.

The album has a great production, very nice instruments, and superb orchestral arrangements. I guess that Will Graney is quite responsible of this sound.

Will: Thank you, yes I have to take the blame for that haha apart from the production which obviously credits Scott Atkins as well. It’s nice to hear things like this because we put so much into these songs time and effort wise, a lot of my soul went into the making of this debut album haha.

Pellek has a great voice range, and it reminds me of Roy Khan’s voice from Kamelot. Which bands have had an influence in the music you make?

Will: Metallica first and foremost influence me a lot, they’ve been my favorite band since I was in my early teens. Also Iron Maiden, I’d say Roy Khan more so than Kamelot. Also I listen to a classical music and soundtracks etc I’m big fans of Thomas Newman and Hans Zimmer so I’d say that they have a big influence on me.

You have made a great job with Symphonic Metal, with a similar quality as other bands like Avantasia, Rhapsody of Fire or Kamelot. It was a very nice surprise for me, congratulations.

Will: Again thanks, it’s always nice to hear good things. I think the main surprise is that it’s a debut album of this level, I mean some bands take a few albums to get going. We wanted to come in with an album that pushed to the top instantly, we didn’t want to do 4 albums just to get our foot in the door.

As it was edited in Japan, maybe the CD didn’t have the right international distribution. Is that why now it has been re-edited worldwide with Massacre Records?

Will: Certainly, the only distribution really was a few shops importing the album etc and obviously illegal downloads.

Soon you begin a tour in Britain, when do you think about playing all over Europe?

Will: There’s a lot going on behind the scenes at the moment with our management ensuring we can get out into Europe and play for our fans there, we’re hoping later this year. We’re doing everything in our power to make this happen!

As a farewell, I’d like you to dedicate some words to your Spanish fans.

Will: Well first and foremost I’d like to thank all our Spanish fans for their continued support and I hope that you all enjoy the album, no pun intended haha! We’ll see you on the road very soon!

I wish you luck and I hope I can see Damnation Angels live soon. Best regards from Dioses del Metal Webzine.

Will: Thank you very much for a great interview! Take care