(Review by Richard Stuart)
American band Ember play Black/Thrash Metal, and they'd probably be the first to admit that their music can't really be called original - but that's not the point. Retro-metal seems to be relatively popular these days, but Ember have been around since before the 'new-wave' of thrash, so I don't think they can be accused of trendhopping. 'The Gate...' is Ember's second demo, and it has 3 songs: '...Into Death..,' 'These Darkened Wings' and '...Divinity.'
Typical of the genre, each song has one main riff which helps make the songs fairly memorable. The band don't rely on just one riff to carry the songs however - there's an evident injection of melody here, which perhaps suggests modern influences and keeps the music 'fresh.' The musicianship is of a good standard, and the band have also gone for a pretty decent production - which is admirable, since they could've argued their way out, going for inferior sound and a rushed studio session by saying "well, immaculate performance and sound isn't a necessity when it comes to this style." More variety would still have been nice, but I suppose too much chopping and changing would be contrary to the feel the band want to create. I wasn't too keen on the vocals at first, however, I've become more tolerant of them after listening to the demo a few times. They're not totally gutteral, rasped or screamed - more a harsh shout, perhaps.
If you like good quality Black/Thrash, you'll have an idea of what to expect - and that's what you get. It seems to be more focused than the previous demo ('Within The Realm Of The Snowqueen,' from 1995), and it certainly has better production. So it'll be interesting to see where they go from here.
Contact: Ember c/o Pete Mlot, P.O. Box 2177, Darien, IL 60561, USA.
$5 U.S./$6 World (U.S. currency)
Questions by Richard Stuart
Answers supplied by Ember's vocalist, Peter
Q: Do you think you have anything unique or special to offer the listener?
A:So far as uniqueness, I feel we try to offer the listener a sound that will be familiar, yet the elements we choose to put together are done in such a way that we, as a band, are offering something new. Are we the most original band? No. Are we doing something with a sense of feeling, perhaps offering a new breath into a stagnating scene? I feel that way. I feel that by mixing both our contemporary influences along with our older influences helps to create something better than the average.
Q:what topics do you deal with in your lyrics?
A:Until this point, our lyrics have dealt with what I would consider "typical" topics. Based a bit in a "fantasy" world, topics such as vampirism, hate, and darkenss have been the usual. To be honest, seeing as I am the one writing the lyrics, I feel they are way behind in maturity compared to how the rest of the band has progressed thus far. The newer lyrics veer off into a more realistic setting. One which I feel much more at home with. Perhaps still containing the roots from older lyrics, but placing them within a context which I will be more comfortable with. I would say much more from within, rather than being influenced by texts, histories, and what not. Perhaps dealing more with emotion and feeling. I feel strength will be an important topic, for that is what much of our story as a band is about. The "uphill battle" kind of thing. As I have said though, up until recently the lyrics are the weak link within the band, and truthfully, I find little need to discuss them any further. I would like to rid the lyrics of any form of superficiality.
Q: Do you think being an American band is in any way a positive or negative thing, compared to being, say, a European band?
A:I think it has both its strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, we shine through as a respectable band from the States. We have not tried to copy a specific sound (say the Darkthrone sound) yet you can still hear the European influence within our music. I feel we retain a certain level of credibility on this reasoning alone. Not to mention our music itself can be respected for what it is and has been appreciated for that reason also. On the other hand it has negative aspects. First off, coming from the states, I feel that we are often prejudged, and in that case our music has to be twice as special to be noticed. I'm by no means looking for sympathy on this point. I think it is good, because it offers a challenge and we fully realize this. Many U.S. bands are criticized for what they are (or are not.) Many of the criticisms I feel tend to be unfair, but in many ways the criticisms are based upon truths. At the same time, we have seen reactions where 'zines, labels, etc. just flat out will not deal with U.S. bands. Unfortunate, yet thats life. In conclusion, I like the position we are currently in. I feel, so far as unsigned bands are concerned, we have gone along way in gaining respect worldwide. While we are not the most popular band from the U.S. I feel the hard work is paying off, and as more and more people become familiar with the name, we will start to see some more attention.
Q:In the band biography, it says that "difficulties in the studio" prevented you from releasing a MCD. Can you elaborate on that?
A:Basically, we, as a band, were not prepared to be in a studio. We were rushing into a situation that was not meant to be. Musically, incompetence reigned, and the vocals were not going all too well either. As it turns out, the studio really was not adequate for our needs. Perhaps the results were for the best. I feel if we had finished the session, we would be regretting it. We waited about 8 months to re-enter the studio and within that time frame, much had changed. A new member was added, the music changed a bit, and I feel we learned a lot from the previous experience. Only two tracks were completed from that session, neither of which I see being released in that form.
Q: What are your opinions on religion - does Ember have a religious or anti-religious stance?
A: I would say that as a band we most definitely have an anti-religious standpoint. Religion has played a strong role in some of our lives. For some of us (myself included) we had religious education as they tried to mold our minds. Being forced to bow to something is not something I would take lightly, and it is something I will not forget. In my mind, we have the strengths to rule our own destiny and fate. I feel a god is something that restricts us in search of our higher powers. Religion is a mind game which I choose not to play.
Q: What's the usual audience response like when you play live? Do you mind if the people in the audience are just standing there, or do you prefer to see a more physical reaction?
A: Quite truthfully, it depends on the show. Our first show, we played before about 300 people and received an incredible response. Total fucking insanity in the audience. It definitly helps your attitude to have an audience in your favor. I feel the relationship is somewhat reciprocal between the audience and the band. While the band gives 100 percent, it is much easier to accomplish when the audience gives a reason.However, we have played shows with low attendence without much of a response. A few people banging their heads, but the rest just stand around watching. That is when you go all out for those few banging their heads. They want it hard... and you give it to 'em.
Q: Is there any reason why you keep on putting '...' everywhere?! (I mean, the title of the demo is 'The Gate...' and you've got songs called '...Into Death...' and '...Divinity').
A: The "..." are meant to give a sense of continuation between those tracks. The demo as a whole becomes a "Gate" "Into Death" (a topic) and through death (without believing in a higher power than one's self) you shall reach your own "'divinity". "These Darkened Wings" (the second track w/o the ...) fit musically and offered a nice break.
Q: What are the best albums and demos you've heard recently? Any you'd like to recommend to anyone reading this?
A: Hmmm.. kind of a tough question at the moment. I haven't heard a lot which has impressed me as of late. So far as albums, I would highly recommend the new Usurper mc.d. "Threshold of the Usurper." A high quality release. Angelcorpse's "Hammer of the Gods" is fucking great, although that may be old news. The new Aeteurnus "Beyond the Wandering Moon" is my choice for this years best so far. Also the new Arcana mc.d. and the new Autumn Tears is quite good. Demo: Draconis from Calf. have put out an impressive demo. Very Euro sounding, but they capture the spirit quite well. I forgot the name of the demo at the moment.
Q: What would you ideally like to achieve with Ember? How 'popular' would you like the band to become?
A: I suppose this is a question for the ego in a certain sense. I suppose I'd honestly have to be modest with my response. So far as popularity is concerned, that does not much matter. I'd much rather have a smaller audience which really appreciates what we are doing than a larger more superficial audience.
Q: What is our goal?
A: To create some inspiring music and lyrics which will be seen as both creative and stimulating. We continuously have to push ourselves to achieve this.
Q: Since your music has strong influences from older traditional Metal bands, are your lifestyles also typically 'Metal' in any way?! Or are you just 'part-timers?'
A: I would say we are most definitly lifers within our lifestyles. We have all grown up with metal, and here in the U.S. (especially in Chicago) it is quite dead. Yet we are the the ones with the long hair, black clothes, etc. that people will walk the other way from. We take pride in what we do and what we are. We do "OUR" thing, and to quote a mighty area band by the name of Scepter, "If you don't like it you can fuck off and die..." We're metalheads... for life.
Q: How often do you rehearse, and have you got any new songs written? What are your immediate future plans?
A: At the moment, we are working with a new drummer (as Abbas is once again restricted from lending us his abilites on a full time basis... so far as being able to do shows and such) so we are still trying to get a feel. However the last few weeks have not b0een so successful. Normally, when all of the band is in the area (as Mourngrym lives about 200 miles away during the fall and winter) we tend to pratice 4 or 5 days a week. When Mourngrym is away, the rest of the band gets together a few days a week, and Mourngrym is there on the weekends.Immediate plans consist of working on new material. We would like to have quite a bit before we go back to the studio, unless we find the opportunity to record the 7". We are currently speaking with a few different labels and looking at some offers. However, we are first now only receiving feedback on the "The Gate...", so I don't see much being released in the near future. However, as in the past, we get tend to make decisions spontaneously, so who knows....
Q: How important is the band to you, and how much of an impact has music in general made on your lives?
A: The band is one of the very few things I live for (the other being music in general.) Much blood, sweat, and tears have been gladly spent. We are very dedicated to our cause, and while at times things can be frustrating, the end results have always done much more than just satisfy us. Ember is something I have a great deal of pride in, and I feel I can speak on behalf of the band while saying that. We are all good friends outside of the band, but as a band it is different. The friendship must become separate to a certain degree. We often quarrel about the music, and how things should be done, but as I have said, much must be sacrificed in order to achive the goal, and that is something all of us are willing to do. Music has had the greatest impact upon my life that I can think of. I was recently speaking with others, and I feel that it is the only pleasure worth living for. I like many different types of music, and the range adds much to life. If we're forced to be here, we might as well make the most of what we enjoy. The same goes for the rest of the band.Even outside of the band, conversation is often limited to music. I don't find such things as sports and bullshit like that worth the breath from my mouth... Music is it for me.
Q: (I emphatically agree! - Ricks) Any last comments?
A: Thanks. Hope you get a chance to check us out. We're confident in what we do and I feel that is a sure sign of something worth checking out. Thanks for the cool questions also... I could have elaborated a bit more here and there, but I never would have stopped... Stay true, stay dark... stay metal!
Ember was formed in the fall of 1994 by Peter (vocals) and Mourngrym (guitars) with the intention of bringing a different approach to the underground metal scene within the U.S. Drawing upon both contemporary European influences (such as Mayhem, Algaion, and Carpathian Forest) as well as classic old school bands (along the lines of Slayer, Exodus, Possessed, and Bathory) Ember sought a style which allowed for both extreme aggression and melody. In November of 1994, they were joined by Abbas on drums and would remain a three piece for several months, preparing material for a future release. Due to personal problems, Abbas was forced to leave, yet Ember persisted with various session members and entered the studio in July of 1995. This recording session resulted in the three track 'Within The Realm Of The Snowqueen' demo. With a positive response, the 500 copies pressed would eventually sell out.
Over the course of the next year, new material would be worked on, while demo tracks would make their way onto various comps, most notably 'Nightshade Vol II' and Cyclonic Productions 'Under A Pagan Moon' CD. Also during this time period, Abbas was once again brought back into the band as well as a new bassist, namely Allen (ex-Pazuzu) due to his known ability and dedication.
After working with Cyclonic Prod. for the comp, Ember came to an agreement to work on a MCD for the growing label. However, this fell to ruin as Ember's difficulties in the studio prevented this release from becoming a reality. Within a week of this recording session, Ember played their first live show with Cenotaph (Mex) and received quite an enthusiastic response for their set. Soon after, Mourngrym would take a four and a half month hiatus from the band in which all guitar duties would be handled by Ali.
With the return of Mourngrym, the band became a five piece, with Ali retained as a full-time second guitarist. After bringing a few more shows under their (bullet) belts, Ember returned to the studio once again with the intention of recording a 7", but due to financial strain, it was decided to release the material as a demo. The demo, 'The Gate...', initially pressed in 500 copies attempts to show the maturing progression of the band, as elements from the first demo remain, but in addition more structuring and a deeper sound become more noticeable.
So far as future plans, Ember will continue playing live as much as possible, wherever opportunities arise. Ember also plans on returning to the studio in the summer of 1997 to finally bring to life the long planned 7".