Band Interview – White Raven Down (Metal 2 the Masses Essex 2019)
Melodic Hard Rock band, White Raven Down, will play in Heat Three of Metal 2 the Masses Essex 2019. They face off against Wartime Nebraska, Dismanibus, Mercury Rising and Mechromorph on the 15th of February. The event takes place at The Soundhouse which is at The Bull, Colchester, CO3 3ES.
Each band will be giving their all to try to progress in the competition where the winner receives an amazing opportunity. A much coveted slot playing on the New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Festival, 2019. GBHBL are pleased to bring you a short interview with White Raven Down to help introduce them to the metal masses.
Have a read, enjoy and make sure you get down to The Soundhouse on the 15th of February to give them some support.
1 – Why White Raven Down? Where did the name come from?
The Band’s name comes from a fable of a White Raven and a Bison…
The story goes that during a time of heavy flooding a Bison surrounded by rising flood water has accepted his fate of drowning as he is unable to find safety of higher ground. Some time later a tired Raven flies overhead uncertain if he will be able to stay airborne for much longer and also faces the same fate of drowning as the Bison. After an exchange of circumstances the Bison allows the White Raven to rest on his back until he drowns in the hope that the Raven can survive. The Raven rests and profusely thanks the Bison for potentially saving his life when he takes flight.
Several hours later the White Raven returns to the Bison who now is only just able to breath above the water. The Raven has a tree branch in its beak signifying higher ground is nearby and leads the Bison to safety. The White Raven is considered to be a corvid bird of good fortune and luck.
White Raven Down is the polar opposite… The band name is a metaphor of bad luck…… and we’ve had our fair share of that.
2 – Tell us a little about White Raven Down. How long have you been playing together? Who is in the band? Where are you from? How did you meet?
Will (vocalist) initially responded to an advert put up by Stu (guitar) on social media. White Raven Down was initially Stu and Bill writing together with the aid of other musicians when we stumbled across the blue print for what would become White Raven Down’s sound. This was 3 years ago and it has taken 2 years to complete the band with the right band members. We found Luke (bass) first from an online advert and shortly after we found Tom (drums) in the same manner.
We consider ourselves very lucky because the search process was monstrously long and problematic, however we are so pleased to say that our band has become extended family. 3/4 of the band are based in sunny Essex with Tom coming from Suffolk. We rehearse in Colchester which is halfway for us all.
3 – What artists, metal or otherwise, have influenced you and your sound?
Actually, each member of the band has unique influences and tastes which brings something a little different to the fold. Will’s tastes ranges from Queen to Alter Bridge, Stu, Black Sabbath to John Williams, Luke, Rush to Sikth, Tom, In Flames to Papa Roach.
4 – With so many genres and sub genres around these days, what genre would you put yourself in?
If we were forced probably Melodic Heavy Rock…. Thats a sub genre right?
5 – What will you bring to the Metal to the Masses heats? What can music lovers expect and how are you going to win their support on the night?
We’re going to play the hardest rocking set we’ve ever played. Expect a few surprises…
6 – Any horror fans in the band? What are some of your favourite horror movies or books?
Oh yes!! All the band are big horror film fans. In fact anything with a good exorcism or zombie apocalypse. Stu is a big James Herbert fan claiming his fear of rats is due to James Herbert’s book trilogy. Will loves Goosebumps…. Does that count?
7 – How about games? What’s your console or game of choice?
We have 2 massive gamers in the band. Will and Luke. Luke spends too much time on Destiny when he should be practicing. Though his all time favourite is Zelda hence his ink. Will won’t stop going on about the new Kingdom Hearts game out at the end of the month. Stu hasn’t played a game since Full Throttle on the Commodore Amiga unless you count the time Stu was kicking out at zombies that weren’t there on Will’s PlayStation VR. Tom’s favourite game is Grand Turismo on PlayStation.
8 – Have you been to Bloodstock Festival before?
No we haven’t but our friends have played the festival before and they told us what a great atmosphere the festival has…. With the crowd being particularly friendly.
9 – Where can fans check out your music, merch and find out more about you?
People can check out our website at www.whiteravendown.com for all news, music, videos, tour dates, merch store, reviews and interviews.
We are also on the following social media platforms.
www.facebook.com/whiteravendown
www.instagram.com/white_raven_down
www.twitter.com/WhiteRavenDown
10 – Aside from hopefully playing Bloodstock Festival, what else do you have lined up for 2019? Any releases due or tours/gigs/festivals line up?
Well it’s looking like an exciting year with tour dates being announced soon as well as an outing at Hard Rock Hell Festival in November. Our new music video will be shot in January this year, release date to be confirmed. We have also begun work on our debut album which we are very excited about it.
Then we just need a time machine to make time to do all of the above!
GBHBL would like to thank White Raven Down for taking the time to answer these questions and we wish them all the best in their heat at Metal 2 the Masses Essex. Find out more about White Raven Down at their Facebook page, on Twitter and on Instagram. Check out their website as well by following the link. As well as latest news you can also grab some merch and their EP, Conspiracy.
Importantly, get yourself down to the venue on the 15th of February and throw them some support.
