Exclusive Interview: Eulogy talk writing and recording “Rebirth”!

After six years and a prized pair of EPs it was time for Welsh quartet Eulogy to commit to a debut album in order to push their project forward. Recorded with Tim Vincent (Brutality Will Prevail, Agrona, Defeatist) at WoodCroft Audio and released at the end of February “Rebirth” has not only been worth the wait, but is worth its weight in Gold, finding the band more refined and frankly heavier than their previous works suggested they could be. So we got chatting to them about what went on behind the scenes in creating the album and it went something like this…

How did your previous experiences writing and recording 2017’s “Back To Life” and 2020’s “Memento Mori” help to smooth the path of the new record? “We see it as an evolution which has paved the way to the Rebirth album, We have grown as a band and some of the older songs have also grown and matured with us such as Back to Life which is very different from its first release and it really maps out our musical journey. We certainly know what we don’t want as opposed to what we do as that allows the evolution of Eulogy to continue”

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? “Normally for me [lead guitarist Mike Williams] its lyrics I write a short storey or poem and then distil that down to key words and phrases, then build it back into the song lyrics. From there it’s the guitar, where I work out a riff for each of the song parts, verse, chorus, etc. I now have a framework to take to the band where it’s journey continues. What was originally in my head is still a guide but when the drums and vocal melody are added it’s DNA changes as the guys add their parts which takes it’s journey further. It’s at this point we start to consider if it’s a keeper, I have written so many songs that are rejected or put on hold at this point, but for us collectively it has to be right”

What was it like recording with Tim Vincent (Brutality Will Prevail, Agrona, Defeatist) at WoodCroft Audio? What made you choose to work with him in the first instance? “Tim was a revelation to be honest, we were introduced to him by Romesh Dodangoda at Longwave. He is a very talented guy who brought the best out of us, we recorded at Longwave with Tim at the helm. He understood the brief exactly, try and capture the weight and attitude our live sound”

What made you choose to re-record five older cuts for the album rather than go with all new material? Did you think there was any risk in that when 2020’s “Memento Mori” has surpassed a million Spotify streams for example? “We did discuss this at length but as we reject so many songs in our writing process it would have delayed the album launch. If the album was to take us to the next stage the time was now. We looked at the songs and refreshed them which turned out for the better, and with Tim focusing on more of our live sound they got the chance they deserved the second time around, being the songs they should have been. So far that has proved to be the right decision as the feedback has been great”

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? “That’s a good one as there are so many and so many are no longer with us, so that’s not going to work for the next album. So condensing the good down to the great it would have to be Metallica, we are all big Metallica fans”

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

Lead guitarist Mike Williams, self confessed Chief guitar nerd: “I use a PRS custom 24 which is tuned to C standard, strings are Earnie Ball but a hybrid between 12’s on the low and 11’s on the high. Tension is lower.

My second guitar is either a PRS Custom 22, or a 1985 BC Rich Warlock. 1.5 mm Dunlop max grip plectrums

I run a Mesa Boogie Duel Rectifier through a Marshall 2×12 loaded with vintage (1971) Celestion G12H Greenback drivers. I sometimes us a 1971 Park 4×12 loaded with Celestion G12H Greenbacks if I’m feeling particularly strong as it weighs a tonne.

I am very basic on my effects, all stomp boxes. Infront of the amp (signal chain) I use a Morley Mark Tremonti Wah pedal and TC electronics Tuner these are positioned on my pedal board.

I also use a Ibanez TS9 and boss NS-2 Noise suppressor again in front of the amp (signal chain). Positioned under the amp in a 4U case. In the effects loop I have a Boss – CE3 Chorus, Boss – DD3 Digital delay and a TC electronics Hall of Fame Reverb positioned under the amp in the 4U case. The pedals are switched through a Voodoo lab GCX Channel switcher positioned in the 4U case

I use a Voodoo lab ground control for switching the effects and the 3 Mesa amp channels. Connection from the ground Control to the GCX is made by a wireless midi (Widi).

The pedal board is run of a 10,000 mAH usb powerbank which is good for 10 hours on one charge”

Rhythm guitarist Brian Perkins:
“Jackson soloist limited edition
Prs S2 single cut satin
Boss GT10 effects
Line 6 Flextone 3
150xl 2 X 12 combo
Celestion 2 X 12 V30 extension cab
D’addario strings
No bull cables
Dunlop tortex plectrums”

Vocalist and bassist Neil Thomas:
“Ibanez SR305 bass
Trace Elliott Commando 100w combo
Trace Elliot Elf 200w head
Peavey 410 TVX cab
Ernie Ball beefy slinky strings”

Drummer Josh Bird:
“Mapex Fusion (2008) Kit (12″, 16″, 22”)
14″ Tama SLP black nickel snare
Pearl Demonator double kick pedal
Zildjian Cymbals (18″ K Custom Dark crash, 18″ A custom crash, 21″ A series ride, 16″ A series crash, 18″ ZXT China) 14″ Istanbul Samatya Hi hats”

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer? “To have the support of a gear manufacturer would be next level for us, as a gigging band our gear takes a hammering, and we are always making running repairs on the road. Paul Reed Smith if your listening….. We are available”

“Rebirth” by Eulogy is out now via Stoned Crow Productions