Achren has been in the music business since 2003 and like many bands, the Scottish quartet is looking for the one chance to break through.  Thanks to the 2010 Bloodstock Metal 2 the Masses Initiative, that big break seems to have arrived for Achren.  Though they haven’t released a full-length to this point, there is no doubt that the band has some momentum going and they intend to keep it going through shows on the big stages such as Bloodstock and Wacken Open Air festivals.  Metal Psalter had an opportunity to talk to lead guitarist Callum Kirk and bassist John Clark Paterson about the band and what lies ahead.

Peter: For those who are unfamiliar with Achren, would you mind saying a few things about the band?

Callum Kirk: They're those bastards that ruined my life... and they want to ruin everyone else's, too. Scottish bastards.  Loud cunts.  Horrible, really horrible.

Yes, the band comes from Glasgow.

Peter: What are some of your influences?

John Clark Paterson: There’s a bit of thrash, death, and black metal in the band’s sound, as well as some old school influences and some classic metal. We all listen to a wide variety of music, which we think helps keep the sound of the band fresh.

Peter: Along with being the winners of the 2010 Bloodstock Metal 2 the Masses Initiative, Achren will also be featured on the 2010 Bloodstock DVD that is slated to be released soon.  What are some of your feelings about these events?

John Clark Paterson: Getting to play at any major festival is a fantastic opportunity for the band. The Metal 2 the Masses Initiative we were involved in does its best to promote underground metal in the UK, generates a lot of interest, and has really worked for us.  At festivals, it means we get a chance to play to a lot of people in the one environment, a lot of whom wouldn't get a chance to see us otherwise.

We're not just on the official Bloodstock DVD, either.  We did a whole production of our set in conjunction with Darkbox films, which is now available through our online store at entitled Impaled at Bloodstock-Open-Air 2010, On the DVD, as well as the whole live set, there are photo galleries, a band biography, and some preview recordings from our soon to be available debut album.  We hope it will serve as a good introduction to the band and the feedback is certainly very positive so far. As to the release of the official festival DVD, we're not sure when the exact release date is at the moment.

Peter: In addition to the DVD, there is also a new album in the works.  Is there anything that you can say about the album and what people can expect from it?

Callum Kirk: We had a blast writing the tunes and recording it and I think that comes across in the way the album sounds.  We don’t labor the songs and just let the music breathe; it’s a rawer sound than what we’ve managed to capture before, but with the benefit of a full production that you don’t get live.  We did the tracking ourselves in Scotland before sending the files to Matias Helle at Drophammer Studios in Helsinki, and the mixes he’s done- I’ve never been so happy with our recordings, not just because it’s a great quality mix, but it also captures exactly how Achren is meant to sound.  It’s with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Devin Townsend, Amon Amarth, Opeth, Bloodbath etc.) in Sweden getting mastered right now, so we’re confident it’s going to be a killer album.  That should be ready for release in time for the festivals, but with the luck we’ve had- flooding studios, drummers tripping over power leads and wiping out hard disks, Macs crashing and stuff going missing, physical injuries, being penniless, things getting stolen by goblins or whatever it’s been, we don’t have a confirmed release date yet!

Peter: At this time, Achren is not signed to a record label.  When the band does decide to sign with a record label, what will be the deciding factors in choosing a label to sign with?

Callum Kirk: Well the main thing is it has to be someone that we trust, and someone that can take us further than we have done by ourselves or will continue to do.  I think we’ll show with this album that we can deliver a great sounding album without a label; what we really need is someone capable of following that up with the PR and distribution it needs.  If that’s not on offer, why sign to any label? 

Peter: This coming August, Achren is confirmed for Wacken Open Air Festival.  What are your feelings about this and do you expect to have some nerves as the time nears?

John Clark Paterson: It’s an amazing feeling to be involved in what is the biggest open air metal festival in the world. We just need to concentrate on putting on the best show we can when we're there and representing the band well enough. Generally at bigger events, nerves don't get a look in as you tend to be too busy with other things to think about the gig; then once you go on and do your first song, you settle into the gig.

Wacken is an amazing festival with a fantastic atmosphere and consists of a worldwide crowd.  The last time I visited the festival doing press, I met people from as far off as the Middle East and South America. It brings the world metal community together, and we can't wait to play.

Peter: Are there any other shows planned for the band in the future?

Callum Kirk: Well, the summer’s got Metalcamp, Wacken, and Bloodstock.  We’ve got a break in September, and then we head out for some dates around the UK which we're finalizing at the moment.  Hopefully, we’ll pick up some European dates for next year along the way, but the festivals and the UK dates are all that's certain right now. 

Peter: Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to leave with the people who may be reading this?

Callum Kirk: Help Ma Boab!!!

Achren

Interviewer: Peter

June 22, 2011

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(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Formed: 2003
    Glasgow, Scotland  UK
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Black/Thrash Metal

CURRENT LINE-UP:

Scott Anderson:  Vocals & Guitars
Callum Kirk:  Guitars
John Clark Paterson:  Bass
Gordon Johnston:  Drums

DISCOGRAPHY:

Fury of the Northmen EP (2003)
On the Wings of War Demo (2004)
Mortyfear / Achren Split (2005)
Blood Metal EP (2006)
Impaled at Bloodstock-Open-Air
                                 2010 DVD (2011)