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From Golden Lake

1. Can you please provide a brief history of the band?

Also explain the reasoning behind your band name. It is almost contradictory in its meaning. Was this the intention? Hi Frank here of Mb Doom and Hail. Many years ago I was in a band with Brian and Aido , we gigged, jammed and drank, not in that order. It was good craic back then. Things move on. I wanted to get heavier with my music but Iw as terminated from that idea. Meanwhile Tim was in a band called traymatized trying to get songs together with a bass player called Keith ( The Bat) and they were having difficulties with guitarists so the sane day I was sacked from Brians band Tim asked if I would be interested. I jumped at the chance, then after some (bat trouble) Darren then joined on vocals and soon after Brian on guitar. Aido joined on bass after our first demo and Brian switched to his original instrument the guitar. As for the name , it was Parkers idea derived from the lyrics of In Mourning My Days and when he left the name stuck around. I do not see your point that it is almost contradictory in terms..

2. Golden Lake sold a bucket load of your demo "Autumnal Fires". How well was this demo received worldwide?Obviously the response was sufficient enough to give you the confidence to record your debut CD "Dust".

Have you any idea of the number of units shifted? The demo done better than I anticipated, several bucketloads were sold worldwide. Other factors were involved I our confidence, like a steady line-up after some difficulty. Our songwriting abilities improved and Academy was the place to achieve our sound.As regards figure sales for Dust even more bucketfuls will be sold.hopefully.

3. Now if I am correct "Dust" is self-released. Is that the case? Did you receive much interest from labels with a view to signing you guys? Was the opportunity to have a greater deal of overall control appealing to you?

Correct , we have received interest from some labels but we are still at the negotiating table with two and if one meets the requirements, we will sign. Total control over the music is what we require!

4. In my opinion "Dust" is awesome. Are you guys happy with the end result? How has the initial response been from mags/fanzines etc?

Thanks I like it too. It was amazing to watch the might of Mags, he is a cool guy. I think the walls of Academy reek of dank rusty old Doom, which has added flavour to some of my favourite records. That inspired us throughout the sessions. Indeed, loads of great reviews but a lot of them dog us with the MDB influence when indeed our tastes vary in stranger ways than you think, but zines are generally good to us , they seem to like us.

5. To me it would appear fairly obvious where your main influences lie. Who overall inspires you the most to produce the kind of doom that you do? As I was saying, or writing?

Our main influence would be our lust for torturous serenity , a kind of pleasure in pain existence. While musically I would listen to anything from Maiden to Blind Guardian to Skepticism and At the Gates , any good passionate TRUE METAL as for the lads, pals , chums anything from the dreaded U2, yes U2, Aidos baby to St. Vitus, Stratovarious to Morbid Angel, PL, Anathema the list is almost endless. Basically we just started jamming in a shed, a cold miserable fucking hole and our music just happened from there, it just felt right and still does, now even moreso. I just hope it goes on forever , however long that is.

6. The dual vocals work really well on the album. It adds an element of uniqueness to your music. However the type of metal that you play is never that popular. Are you happy to stay "underground" or do you strive for greater recognition/riches?

Underground or popular, there is a dillema! Would we like to stay underground, maybe record another self financed record, play in a few small , smoke filled club with a nice gathering of hairy brethren fisting the air slowly? Why certainly, till the day we die!!!!!!!!! On the other hand to be popular, sell loads of albums, tour Europe and play the auditoriums and malls and follow the paths of our forefathers in Metal that would be very welcome also , but whatever happens , happens.

7. Are there any doom bands from these shores that we should be looking out for at the moment?

Unsilence are worth watching I would say. No, Mb are the only doom band OK!!!!!!!!!@@@ We recently saw Unsilence in the Temple a new venue for Ireland they were good, vocals a bit low but overall a good gig. Adrian our bass player brought them over. We should be touring England and Ireland with them Summer next year.. Honey for Christ and Kingdom also played that night from Ireland. HFC are a full on drunken metal crew while Kingdom play Black/death etc etc.