EMQ’s with AURAL DECAY
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with UK based Modern Progressive Metal Project, Aural Decay. Huge thanks to main man Dan Robinson for taking part!
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the project?
My name is Dan Robinson and I handle vocals, guitars, bass and drum programming in Aural Decay. I started the project in June 2020, reviving compositions from my postgraduate portfolio during my time at the University of Huddersfield. My postgraduate research was based around the various compositional approaches to modern Progressive Metal, and my increased knowledge of the genre led me to begin my work as a solo artist. The lockdown really inspired me to take the free time to tap into my creative side.
How did you come up with your project name?
I mainly focused on trying to come up with a name that encapsulated the sound of the music, and the name Aural Decay sprung to mind. It ended up sticking, plus I had a perforated ear drum at the time, so it ended up being kinda fitting!
Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?
I originate from a small town in County Durham called Willington, but have also lived in Huddersfield for several years. The rock and metal scene in Huddersfield is great, the thrash metal band Evile originate from there. It is also home to the Parish pub/venue which has hosted bands such as SikTh and InMe!
What is your latest release?
My debut single ‘Spiralling Down’ was released via all platforms on Friday 24th July, with the follow-up single ‘Facing The Obscure’ released on Friday, 18th September.
‘Spiralling Down’
‘Facing The Obscure’
Who have been your greatest influences?
Metallica were my first big influence within metal. Hetfield played a big part in influencing my rhythm playing when I was growing up. My compositional approach toward Aural Decay comes from bands such as Periphery, TesseracT, Meshuggah and Humanity’s Last Breath. I’m somewhat of a riff fanatic and modern Progressive Metal continues to blow me away with its compositions.
What first got you into music?
When I was really young my mum used to play a mixture of Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and U2 in the car on cassette a lot. I became obsessed with all four very quickly, and while my taste as changed over the years, they are still some of my favourite bands.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I would have to say Buster Odeholm from Vildhjarta/Humanity’s Last Breath. His style and sound is so devastatingly heavy that I sometimes think one day his music will swallow us up into a black hole.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I would love to play any of the big UK metal festivals such as Download, Bloodstock or Sonisphere. While I love smaller venues, I would relish the opportunity to take to a festival’s main stage and experience walking out in front of a crowd of that magnitude.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
With the project being relatively new I’m yet to receive any gifts, although they would be extremely welcome. *hint hint*
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for your continued support. I know it sounds cliched, but a band/artist is nothing without their fans. They are the people who are with you from the beginning and can have such a big hand in helping you establish yourself further.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
As a huge Metallica fan, I would have to go with Cliff Burton. There have been some incredible metal bass players over the years, but I really think Cliff set the bar high with his innovative playing.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
My favourite part would have to be playing live music. There is no greater feeling than getting up on stage and watching a crowd form in front of you in anticipation of your set. The part I hate the most is probably recording. I feel I always undergo an immense level of pressure for some strange reason, I don’t think I’ve ever nailed a take on the first go!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
It would have to be the removal of streaming services. That sounds a bit hypocritical considering I own a Spotify account and use it for all of my personal listening, but the royalties musicians receive per play is daylight robbery considering the amount of effort that goes into every track.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
A very typical choice but I would have to go with “Dark Side of the Moon”. I don’t think I’ve ever heard an album that flows as seamlessly as that. No matter how many times I listen to it I always feel an overwhelming sense of sadness when it’s over.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl will always hold up as the greatest listening experience out there. I believe the digital age has its benefits due to the fact a listener can quickly download your track in the blink of an eye, but Vinyl will always be the best in terms of audio quality.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I’m yet to play a gig under the Aural Decay moniker due to it being a recently formed project. My favourite gig I can remember was a gig at the Corner bar in Huddersfield with my old prog metal band Tetra Hydra. We headlined with support from other friends’ bands and it was like a massive party with most of our Huddersfield friends. People were piggybacking each other during our set and just going mental, it was an absolute blast!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Not a lot has changed since the project started with it being relatively new. Maybe I would try my hand in magic, I can fold my eyelids inside out and juggle a grand total of three balls (only dropping them now and again) so it wouldn’t be a bad start!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Trent Reznor, Corey Taylor, Frankie Boyle, Robert Smith and Christian Bale
What’s next for you?
Now that ‘Facing The Obscure’ is released, the aim is to have released at least one more single by the end of the year (hopefully more). I reckon providing we’re all still alive in 2021 that an EP will be on the way!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Aural Decay is currently active on Facebook and Instagram using the following links:
www.facebook.com/auraldecayproject/
www.instagram.com/auraldecay/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/2EG2ZUHHJuzmpWyjYH3o2Y
I’m definitely missing an opportunity by not being on Twitter. I wish I had a valid reason for that other than the fact that I’m sometimes incredibly lazy…
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Definitely a cake. They’re soft and spongey! Unless they’re stale. If so, then they’re definitely marching on over to biscuit territory.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
My pleasure, and thank you for yours as well! Don’t forget to keep up with all things in Aural Decay land and keep your eyes peeled and check out ‘Facing the Obscure’, the brand new single available on all platforms!
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