A World Worth Burning interview

 • Hi! Can you tell me about A World Worth Burning? Why did you choose that name for the band? What kind of ideas does the band explore?

A: We chose the name because we look around at the world and see all the injustices towards each other, animals, the earth itself, and these things make us upset. So, the name fits that narrative. Burn it down and let it reset. Let nature take over again. Being an instrumental band, our themes are more like motifs and atmospheres. We like to build songs up to crescendos and releases while using repeating patterns and drones to build the atmosphere behind it all. We try to make it as cinematic as possible. Almost like a movie soundtrack for the end of existence. Because we don’t have lyrics, we try to let the instruments do the storytelling. A melody can become a character, repetition can create tension, and sometimes silence or a single sustained note can say more than just another heavy riff. We want the listener to be able to create their own imagery from what they’re hearing.

• The Sky Was Colored as Hammered Lead was released in June. How does that make you feel? Do you feel that you have put the album out to the masses without any desire to change anything now?

A: We are very excited to have the album completed and out in the world for people to listen to and enjoy. The entire process was about three years writing, arranging, recording, so it’s a great feeling to have all that work come together and see the light of day. As for changing anything I would have to say no. We are completely happy with the end result.

• Can you tell me more about The Sky Was Colored as Hammered Lead? What were the ideas behind the album?

A: Starting from the idea of the four horsemen of the apocalypse we built a story of their arrival, and the days in between. Each song’s story is represented in the liner notes of the album. It is basically split up into two types of songs. The ones that have the names of the horsemen (Zelus, Ares, Limos, Thanatos) were what we called in-between songs. They are less structured and have more atmosphere and droning sections. The idea was to have moments that you close your eyes to and just let the music carry you off into the universe. Then we have songs that are not names but titles like Speak no Evil and Everything and Everyone You Have Ever Known. Those are your more structured songs and more direct sounding. But the entire album is laid out by design to be listened to all the way through. We also deliberately avoided simply calling the Horsemen War, Famine, Pestilence and Death. Using names like Zelus, Ares, Limos and Thanatos gave them more personality and made them feel more like actual presences moving through the album rather than just chapter titles.

• Where do you draw inspiration from?

A: Collectively, our influences are very eclectic. Derek likes 70’s and 80’s hard rock, Joe likes the 90’s grunge and alt rock and the modern metal stuff that’s been around since the 2000’s, Randy enjoys more of the progressive/math metal from the 2000’s. Then me (Craig) and my influences are movie soundtracks and composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer, and bands that tell stories like Ayreon, King Diamond, Iron Maiden. But I do also like the heavy stuff like Gojira, Meshuggah, Carcass mixed in with bands like Opeth and Katatonia because of their beautiful quiet moments blended with the heavy chaos. As for musical themes and ideas, we lean into what we see and what we react to. This time it was about humanity and all the ugliness we are capable of. Next time it could be something less dark and bleak. I am not sure yet. We are still putting songs together and the atmosphere has not revealed itself to us quite yet.

• How would you best define A World Worth Burning's sound?

A: As a comparison I like to say we do all the psychedelic and stoner type parts of Pink Floyd middle sections and then run it through the heavy low tuned guitars and bass of modern music. Long musical passages, odd time changes and melodic dual guitars and a bass guitar that is very present in the mix. The melody is really important to us too. Even when everything gets very heavy, we still want there to be something lyrical happening in the guitars. We don’t want heaviness just for the sake of being heavy.

• Are you on hiatus now, just relaxing and looking for album feedback, or have you started composing new material immediately?

A: We had a run of shows this summer that we had to stay rehearsed for. We haven’t solidified any new writing, but we do have ideas and parts of songs that we are about ready to start assembling and working out. Most of our writing is done live in the practice space. We record all of our “warm-up” jams and sometimes we go off on a half-hour improvised journey. We like to take those moments and build songs around them. The end result makes the songs feel more organic, natural and honest to our vision.

• Who are your main musical influences? How much of an impact have they had on your sound?

A: We all like a fairly diverse amount of music. But our main influences are bands that do what we are doing. Russian Circles, If These Trees Could Talk, My Sleeping Karma but then we sneak in things that come from bands like Opeth, and other heavy bands. I even sneak in my love of old school thrash metal. I love a nice mosh riff or breakdown. It’s fun to see if we can mix these things together.

• Is there a particular well-known musician that you would like to collaborate with on one of your upcoming albums?

A: I would love to have a full-time synth player. So, if John Carpenter wants to come in and lay down background synths we wouldn’t be upset. Or even the nice analog playing of Arjen Lucassen.

• What is your personal strategy for getting your music heard by a larger audience?

A: As every musician out there can attest to, that is a really hard thing even with the internet and streaming nowadays. The market is supersaturated and there are hundreds if not more bands fighting for people’s attention and time. We are going to use Argonauta to help with advertising and visibility. Over here in the States we are going to utilize Thousand Arms to help organize our inventory and set up our storefront. We feel that having our album and the book that goes along with it is a fun selling point. Sometimes it’s just in offering something different that gets you noticed. So, we partnered with A.T. Atmore from “Books For Metalheads” and he took the story from our album, reinterpreted it in the way he envisioned it and then wrote a 100-page novella that complements the album. We feel that is a pretty cool addition to our merchandise and marketing. It also fits into something we really enjoy doing with this band, which is building a larger world around the music. The artwork, the song stories, the physical album and now the novella are all different ways into the same atmosphere. We like the idea that the record can be more than just a collection of songs.

• Do you have any hobbies besides music?

A: Of course. Joe likes to camp and loves to go to live music concerts. He and I share a passion for movies and live music so you could catch us at a local show or a movie theater. Derek has a lifelong passion for fishing. Any free time he has you will find him out on a lake somewhere with a line in the water. Randy enjoys playing old school videogames and tabletop games like D&D with his friends. I like to travel and go on cruises. Videogames take up a good part of my free time as well as reading.

• Are you all supported by your families in your dedication to music?

A: Absolutely! I got back into playing music after walking away for a few years to raise a family and get my life going. My wife took every chance she could to remind me that I should be out there playing music again. The same goes for the others. Randy has a great support group with his family, and they come to almost all our local shows. Derek has his kids show up and they get to see him perform. Then Joe has his wife that fully supports him and his decision to be in a band and all the work and time that takes.

• How is the post-metal scene in New Hampshire right now? Is it easy to play gigs and buy physical records there these days?

A: In our area here in the States we are New England based. There are a few Post type bands around, and we have played with many of them. Some of them have gotten really big lately and they are hard to nail down but we keep trying. Currently we are trying to put together some kind of Post Metal festival at a local club that wants to give us the use of the venue. It is not as easy as just asking though. It helps to have relationships with them and also find a date that works for everyone. That is one thing that comes out of Joe and me going to so many local shows. We have networked and supported the scene and others recognize that. So, it helps when we come calling to build a show.

• Thank you for answering my questions. See you on the road!

A: Thank you for your questions and interest in us. Keep your eyes open soon for the physical double vinyl release and book!

-Craig Simas AWWB

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