Exclusive Interview: Dominion Of Ashes talk writing and recording “Wretched”!

After last weeks conversation about everything from gigs to inspirations, we speak to Sheffield Death Metal merchants Dominion Of Ashes about how they created their debut EP “Wretched“, a four track affair that left scorch marks in our ear drums. They’re not a band who do things by halves or go about their business quietly so consider yourself warned before you check out the record, listener discretion is advised. In the meantime, here’s some four way split screen action as the band take it in turn to answer our questions in the style unaccustomed but very much welcome to these pages…

How did your previous experiences writing and recording help to smooth the path of the new record?

Liam: We were as prepared as we could be with getting in practices for it in the weeks running up to it.
Tom: Me and Ben have never done recording before.
Lee: It was nice being in an actual studio as the previous recordings I’ve done have generally been more studio in a bedroom type stuff.

How does the writing process of a new track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? How does it evolve from there before you consider it the finished article?

Tom [Proctor, guitars]: A jam session builds a good base for a song and then knock bits around, getting a bit experimental.
Liam [Crawshaw, drums]: Usually starts with drums and guitar as the main skeleton.
Ben [Kirkham, bass]: Just keep progressing through it and ironing bits out until we get it how we want it.
Lee [Dunger, vocals]: Lyrics are always last as I like to get a complete feel for the song before I start writing the lyrics.

Wretched” was mixed and mastered by Aiden Roker at Electric Bear Studios; how did you find working with him and how did you come to choose him in the first place?

Tom: He approached us with in interest in working with a metal band, the recording went really smooth and helped ideas, especially on the intro for This Wretched Human, that intro getting titled “Gojintrowhales
Liam: The recording went great, although having to repeat parts over and over was annoying, but he got the best out of us.
Ben: He tried giving us some “off” milk.

If you had the opportunity to work with a guest in the studio next time around, who would you like to work with and why?

Tom: I would quite like the London philharmonic on a song.
Ben: Ralf Harris. Lars Ulrich.
Liam: Something with tits. Dave Davidson from Revocation.
Tom: Ola England.
Lee: Brandan Schieppati (Bleeding Through), James Hetfield, Devin Townsend, this list could go on and on.

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound?

Ben: D’addario strings, LTD Surveyor with EMG pickups.
Tom: Jackson Corey Beaulieu King V with Duncan’s, AMT Stonehead (little angry toaster) and a wide range of pedals.
Liam: Vic Firth sticks, Sabian/Zildian/Paiste cymbals, Mapex pedals.

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer?

Ben: Free stuff.
Tom: For me personally that’s one of my goals, if Jackson or Solar Guitars want to come my way then I’d be very happy.

Wretched” by Dominion Of Ashes is out now and available over at bandcamp.

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