Absolutely. A great portion of Tome: 1 was written in 2011 when I started Dismalimerence. I was in a handful of bands that took time away from this music and eventually made me shelve this material for many years. It was only in 2018 when I began to pursue Dismalimerence as a full band and begin trying to record Tome: 1 again. With the addition of great friends and musicians into this band, I was finally able to make this dream come true in 2019 by playing a handful of amazing concerts, and finishing up Tome: 1 for its release.
2.In June you have your first album coming out, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
Yes. I had many different visions of how I was going to record Tome: 1 from my teenaged years and up until last year. But I began to invest into my own home recording equipment to try and capture something very visceral and personal. As far as musical style goes, I’ve always been playing in the world of metal. Whether it may be very ambient clean guitar sections or fierce tremolo distortion passages, this has always been home for me. As far as final decisions go for the guitar, bass, pianos, strings, and vocal sounds; I was aiming to find a comfortable place between a modern take on black metal and keeping a saturated environment for every instrument to be heard.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
Dismalimerence has always been a personal outlet for my emotions, experiences, and desires. Tome: 1 was written in a very changing time in my life and I look back on it with much pain and relief. A lot of the lyrics on this album contain metaphorical journeys and sometimes direct memories of what I was going through at the time. I’d like to say that over the years, my writing has grown a lot. I’m sure most people would say that as well. But I’ve changed a great deal since I wrote this album. A lot of new lyrical content is influenced by many things like books, movies, shared experiences, and still many personal topics within myself.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dismalimerance'?
I wanted to encompass a strikingly off putting idea of having a depressing infatuation with something or someone. Therefore combining two words I’ve always taking a liking to.
Dismal and Limerence.
The band name seems difficult to pronounce for most people, so it’s easily explainable as two words.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
Certainly. The album artwork was created by Aghy Purakusuma from Indonesia. I’ve been a fan of his work for a few years, just truly enjoying every aspect of his creativity. Tome: 1 is a story told through one character and I thought the idea of a book with a distant human figure would always make its way into this overall album concept. Within this album there are many references to certain environments and themes that are in the album artwork itself and I’m very happy with how that came to be.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Luckily, we’ve been able to perform with some truly amazing international and national bands in only a one year span. I would say that our very first show as a band really made an impression on me. We opened for Ensiferum, Septic Flesh, and Arsis in January of 2019. It was my first time playing live in years and I was struggling to maintain a healthy drive for my music in those years as well. Being able to follow through, provide everything for my band, meet so many wonderful people, and play harder than ever before really was what I needed at the time. It propelled me back into a healthy mindset for my music. I could mention every wonderful thing about each show we’ve played, but I’ll also just mention our show with Saor and Wayfarer. That was and incredible night. The crowd reaction was mind blowing and I was able to make so many new friends that night through music. I’m so thankful for how that whole show turned out for us, Saor, and Wayfarer on their tour.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans after the album is released or when the COVID 19 pandemic is finally over with?
We’ve had one show canceled and one postponed into 2021 , so it’s very hard to say when this pandemic will end, and we’ll be able to perform again. But I have many plans to play in our Chicagoland are and surrounding states in the Midwest. I would very much like to tour again and especially with Dismalimerence. I couldn’t see myself touring a lot in one year, but I know it’s possible. I’d like to try out a few short tour runs sometime after Tome: 1 has been released. Mainly to ensure it would all be an affordable and safe endeavor for the future and opportunities that come about.
8.The new album is coming out on 'Transcending Records', how did you get in contact with this label?
I was originally in contact with them in 2018 when my band Mouth of Sauron signed with Transcending for our album reissue. I loved working with them then and love working with them now. Mike and Chase are wonderful and hardworking individuals. They deserve so much. It wasn’t until I was offered a few label contracts, that Transcending gave me a counter offer. Not only did Transcending prove to be the right choice, they proved to me that they were the most passionate and willing to believe in this album. It was a gut feeling and I’m so glad to be working with them again.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric and progressive black metal?
I’m extremely grateful for anyone who takes the time to listen to my music. But I’m extremely thankful for the initial and long lasting impressions that people have made within this music. It makes it feel incredible knowing that something so personal to me is appreciated by many across the globe. It only makes me want to work harder.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Well there happens to be a lot of material written already and continuously being written. With the additions of Craig Hamburger and Matt Mifflin, I see this band progressing a lot more since I’m not the only compositional figure in this band anymore. It’s something I’ve really taken a liking to and it’s refreshing for myself and the sound of the band. I’ve come to appreciate everyone else’s styles and creativity. I don’t see Dismalimerence becoming anything drastically different, musically. But I can say there is a lot more everyone is going to like in the next couple of records.
11/What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
It’s really hard to mention only a few influences, but I’d always say Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, Woods of Desolation, and Emperor influenced me in some ways. I usually listen to a lot of metal, pop, r&b, and rap music. Artists like Frank Ocean, Tove Lo, Chief Keef, Katatonia, Earl Sweatshirt, and Beneath the Massacre.
I’d also like to include the rest of the band in this as well.
Craig Hamburger:
Opeth, ISIS, Blind Guardian among other bands, genres include pop, most metal sub-genres, etc. there’s value in almost every area of music. Lately I’ve been in a bit of a rut but have enjoyed recent albums by Tanagra, NITE, Sutrah, and revisiting both Amy Winehouse studio albums.
Joey Casillas: I have been greatly influenced by many different bands and genres, but I would have to say Matt Greiner from August Burns Red really sits above the rest in influence. I saw how he was able to be creative yet maintain very clean sounds on the kit. Not a single hit is wasted. Currently I have been listening to a lot of Eldamar, Equilibrium, Fleshgod Apocalypse, or just classical music.
Matt Mifflin: Growing up I listened to a lot of All That Remains (This Darkened Heart and The Fall Of Ideals) and was influenced greatly by Oli Herbert. Then I started listening to bands like Eluveitie, Amon Amarth, Agalloch, and Saor. Additionally, classical music influences my song writing, for I have studied and performed it for many years.
12.What are some of your non musical interests?
I’m interested in all visual arts, reading books, playing video games, and cooking.
Craig Hamburger: MMA, film, and unfortunately not much else
Joey Casillas: Outside of music I'm in the technology world as a computer network engineer. In my free time I'll usually play some video games or study to learn new things.
Matt Mifflin: Norse Mythology and Viking Culture.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I would just like to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to share all of my thoughts, give me insight to this band, and the music. Thank you to my band members, wonderful family, and friends for always being by my side. I’d also like to thank Mike and Chase from Transcending records for believing in me and making this album special for everyone.
https://transcendingrecords.com/products/dismalimerence-tome-1-pre-order-only
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