UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
Interview conducted on October 02, 2020
By Dan Locke
Feature Photo Credit: Shimon Karmel
Less than a year after the release of their cover’s EP Explorers, Canadian melodic power metal quartet UNLEASH THE ARCHERS are back with a brand new 10-track masterpiece in the form of their fifth full-length album, Abyss. Lifted by the urgent, breathtaking vocals of frontwoman Brittney Slayes, on Abyss, the band re-cements themselves as an unequaled, undeniable metallic force with their strongest album to date.
What is your first memory of discovering music?
Brittney Slayes : Music was always a huge part of our family; my Dad played in a band for years, my grandparents were in the choir, and my brother played in bands as well, so I am not sure exactly when I discovered music… I do remember a story from when I was about 5 or 6 though. My mother was picking me up from daycare and I was the last one there, when she came in to get me the caregiver was just standing there watching me. My mother asked what she was watching and she pointed at me. I was playing alone and singing a song to myself. The caregiver asked what song it was and said I had been singing it all day. My mother was totally astounded when she realized that it was the theme song from the movie, we had watched the night before – I had remembered it perfectly. Needless to say, as soon as I was old enough, she put me into the local community choir.
When did you start to write music, and what was your first performance like?
I didn’t start writing music until I started Unleash The Archers, and our first performance was super nerve-wracking but also insanely fun. We played at a legendary metal venue in Vancouver so the pressure was on, but the good definitely outweighed the bad and I was hooked!
Your album “Abyss” is out now. Any reason in particular for the 3-year gap in between albums?
We just needed a break. We had basically been touring for about three years straight (from 2015 till 2018) and needed to take some time away. So instead of taking the first half of 2019 to write and record as we had originally planned, we decided to just not do anything music-related at all. We played one show in January and then proceeded to take about six months off. We got back at it in August and recorded Abyss in January.
What is your favorite track on the album and why?
That is such a hard question, it’s really difficult to choose! If I absolutely had to pick one though I guess it would be The Wind That Shapes The Land… It is a lot of fun to sing, and uses all aspects of my voice so it’s challenging as well. I often find myself getting lost in the story and the character of The Immortal when I sing it so, that’s awesome. It was the hardest to write but I think I am most proud of what I did on that track at the end of the day.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
Hahaha well, I actually have ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by Rick Astley in my head right now. It doesn’t really mean anything special to me, it’s just a lot of fun to sing, and it makes me think of the whole ‘Rick-rolled’ meme where everything you clicked was just that song for a while there hahaha, so it makes me smile.
You were on tour with Dragonforce and Visions of Atlantis before the virus hit and your tour was cancelled. What were your initial thoughts as this was happening?
We were absolutely destroyed. It was super upsetting because all the rest of the shows on that tour were sold out and it was going to be such an amazing time. We were just starting to get to know everyone and party together and then bam, it was over. We also owed A LOT of money hahaha so that was very stressful when we got home!
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Who knows, really. It could make live streams a more regular thing, it could make them something that a label requires a band to do in their contract. I think a ton of albums are going to come out when restrictions ease up and it’s going to be a bit of a shit show for a while there. I think we are all just going to be so happy to be able to attend live shows that touring and merch sales are going to be HUGE for bands that can get out on the road. I think we are all going to be a heck of a lot more grateful for the opportunity to see our favourite bands live and the first few tours are going to be party central!
What have you been doing during lockdown? Are you experiencing this where you are?
We sure are. We have been keeping a lid on it over in Canada but the numbers are starting to creep up again so our government is asking everyone to stay home as much as possible, but we are not quite in lockdown. For the most part I have been spending a lot of time on Twitch! It is such a rad community, especially the music side of things. Such amazing streamers and a great way to pass the time while still being social with everyone. The band has its own channel but also myself, Andrew and Grant all have channels. I play video games and Andrew writes music on the fly on pro-tools!
·Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I just haven’t had time to, unfortunately. It has been nonstop prep and PR for the new album since March so, no time for anything else. I was really hoping to start reading a lot more pretty soon here though when all the duties are taken care of!
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts virtually?
Absolutely not. Nope. Not a chance. 😉
First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
In North America? Definitely. I don’t think we will be getting live shows until a vaccine is available. It is incredibly sad and unfortunate but this virus is just too contagious to risk large gatherings without it.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this interview and thanks for listening to the new album! We really appreciate your support and hopefully, we’ll get to see you all on the road sooner rather than later J Come hang out with us on Twitch!
Twitch.tv/unleashthearchers |Twitch.tv/brittneyslayesUTA | Twitch.tv/andrewkingsleyUTA | Twitch.tv/granttruesdell
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