"I always wanted to do a solo record!"

A conversation with Warrel Dane about his debut solo album, "Praises to the War Machine", which got the highest rating in our review, as well as about what it’s like working with Peter Wichers of Soilwork, the works of The Sisters of Mercy, and of course the future of our interviewee’s main band - Nevermore…

Vassil Varbanov: Hey Warrel, how are you?

Warrel Dane: I'm doing great.

V. V.: Well, this time, because the last time when we spokeВ  was only 2 years ago, when you had something at Waken Festival, the muddy Waken, as you called it back then, but this time it's "Praises To The War Machine", your first solo album... How does it feel to have a first solo album?

W. D.: It feels fuckin' great. I mean, I couldn't be happier with the way it went and there will be definitely another one.

V. V.: Well one of the guys who has been working with you and actually the first one to mention is Peter, ex-Soilwork guy. He produced your record, but how he did it? Why the hell Peter? I mean, you've been working with different labels, you' ve been into different bands and actually living in different places. He moved from LA to Nashville and you are far away from that region. How did you two, guys, met together?

W. D.: Well, I think it was on "Dead Heart in a Dead World Tour". We had Soilwork as opener for the tour and we became really good friends, I mean, the whole band, not just me and Peter, everybody. We were always hanging on together and we were just very close with everybody on that tour. You know, we were touring with Annihilator and... They were good guys, but we just really clicked with Soilwork. They were just very cool and we were really having the same vibe and were always hanging on together and party. And I talked with Peter all the time of doing a project, but that was that was, you know, we were a little bit drunk. We all thought it was just a little bit of a drunk talk, you know? Everybody does that. But, you know, years later, when I was deciding to do this, I called him up and said: "Hey, It's real now, let's do it!"

V. V.: Did he ask you: "Are you fuckin' drunk?"

W. D.: No, no, he didn't. It was in the morning. That's when we decided we were going to do this for real. And we were sort of sending songs back and forth over the internet and stuff, and we met and exchanged CDs too... It was an interesting experience of very different songwriting for me and something that really freaked me out to do something different, I think and I enjoyed it so much.

V. V.: Well, how long actually was the whole process of creating and recording this first solo album of yours?

W. D.: Oh, It took about 2 years. I started writing while we were on tour with "The Godless Endeavor" and Peter was still touring with Soilwork. We were sending tapes back and forth and it was kind of a long process, because we were both really busy. So it was something very mediated and controlled and we knew what we were doing and we made sure all was done correctly, because we both had to work and stress everything, so we wanted to make sure it was right. That's kind of how we approached it.

V. V.: OK, but Peter left Soilwork and why actually did you decide to make it a solo record, instead of creating a new band with Peter?

W. D.: Well, what I wanted to do in the first place was that I always wanted to do a solo record, so what I wanted in the beginning was to find songwriters that I really admired and that I wanted to work with and Peter had always been one of those... I mean, I know that he comes from a melodic death metal background, but I always thought that the way he approached songwriting was really amazing and that there was something there to be explored. So he was the first person that I thought of. And I think it turned out right. I couldn't be happier.

V. V.: Yeah, you are right. The result is amazing. OK, please, tell us, why The Sisters Of Mercy?

W. D.: Oh, man, wow, I think the main reason about that is because when that song first came out, I remember exactly where I was. I remember who I was talking to- all my friends, when I first heard it. I think it was around the time when "Master Of Puppets" came out... But that record, I think all of my friends were listening to it and I wasn't so into that kind of music and so I started hearing it from all my friends and that one song just stuck in me. This was so cool, I just rolled that bass line. What we did, we turned it around and turned it into a guitar riff... And I think the great thing about doing a cover song is if you can take it and make it something completely different. That's when the magic happens. I mean there's no real fun in taking a song and just covering it straight. That doesn't show any creativity. But for me it's really great to do cover songs just because it's nice to re-interpret someone else's art. And, you know, I love that song, so I hope that Andrew Eldritch, the guy that wrote it originally will appreciate it too, but you never know.

V. V.: Did you get any feedback from him?

W. D.: I don't expect any and I didn't get any, but it would be cool to know what he thinks, you know?

V. V.: So tell us more about Nevermore. What is the situation right now?

W. D.: Well, we're working on new songs. Jeff's just finished his solo record and it's absolutely amazing. I mean, it's completely different from what I did. I've come with more organic, rock-based song approach and Jeff has gone in another direction and has done completely amazing, amazing guitar stuff. I think everybody has to look for that one too. Nevermore right now is working on songs. We are hoping to be in the studio by the end of the year and have the album out in the next year.

V. V.: So, in the same time Jeff has found some time to record your solo album, right?

W. D.: Yes, yes...

V. V.: "Messenger". Did you have time to sing on his album or it is only guitar-oriented with no singing?

W. D.: Yes, it's only guitar and that what it should be. I would sing on it of you wanted me to, but I understand he's doing an instrumental record and it's really, really good. It's so over the top and so extreme in every sense as far as it's guitar. Wait to hear it, it's going to be great!

V. V.: OK man, thanks for being with us once again. Say hello to the other guys in the band and please tell us what song from your 13 new ones you want us to play right now?

W. D.: Oh, I would love to hear "Equilibrium", the last song on the record.

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock