The Apparatus

How did this project come about?

I think it kinda started cause I felt like i needed some metal output from myself when i was like 19 or 20. That was just before or around the time Colin and I started playing together. I decided to do a solo project centered around fantasy-esque metal.

Why did it take seven years to create?

This was also my first recording project period. So early on the sound was rough... the ideas were there, but not in any presentable way. I ended up doing as many as 3 or 4 versions per song. and overall it was just spotty here and there working on it, sometimes many months between progress.

What gear did you use? How did you feel about using electronic drums? Did your Behold...The Arctopus bandmates offer to help out?

I used EZ Drummer and Drumkit From Hell for the drum sounds in the end. I had previous versions using both roland sounds and another using samples Colin (from behold) had recorded some time ago. As far as sound goes though... i like the sound of hyper-produced, in your face drums, and good programmed drums can give you that sound. guitars went straight into amplitube. a lot of this material was created pre-arctopus. charlie and colin helped out by talking about it with me and finalizing it.

What does direwolf mean?

it means an extinct prehistoric wolf-beast. the animals are dying...

The album is a huge, sprawling epic. What inspired you to create such a story? Did the works of Frank Herbert or L. Ron Hubbard come into play?

Not those guys - more like video games and opera.

The CD has a ton of musical influences from black metal to prog rock. Which cds were you spinning to indirectly inspire this album?

When i started Direwolf i was definitely into Dimmu Borgir and Emperor - esp. the later, hyper produced cds - also bands like Death, Nocturnus, Athiest, Cynic - those were/are in heavy rotation plus fantasy power metal like Bal-Sagoth. anything with shredding and keyboards pretty much.

How can the minimalistic and atmospheric tendencies of black metal be reconciled with 'tech' music, when it depends on exactly the opposite qualities?

Well i think they can compliment each other quite well. You get to create contrasts like sparkly keyboards searing over robo-crushing guitar chugs, or frantic shredding over or inside of a slow moving cloud pad... or anything really. Its more sound material to use.

Is a Direwolf tour completely out of the question?

in the short term, yes.

Any future projects you are thinking about for your Blastard Entertainment label?

Yes. At least one other project is in the beginning stages - hopefully it will take shape soon.

Thanks a ton, man! Good luck w/the B...TA album and such!!

Many thanks to you and The Apparatus as well.

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