Interviews: Visions Of Morpheus

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band Visions Of Morpheus from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

I wanted something mysterious and allowed for limitless imaginative possibilities.... something that didn't lock you into a certain niche or style... I think our name gives us the flexibility to tell a lifetime of different stories.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It is the best one to showcase the individual talents of the band members and is the ultimate expressive vehicle to explore the depths of a song.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The bass player and I know each other from a cover band we're in but the others I met online.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Me: Dream Theater

Tylar: Avenged Sevenfold

Javish: Dream Theater

Gunner: Rush

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I have all these scenes and images in my head from stories I've read, movies I've seen, or just my imagination. I try to pair that with what they should sound like. Kind of like writing a score for a movie. Medusa in particular was a very strong visual I've had for decades. I have a fascination for the period up to the Middle Ages. I have also done some armored combat fighting and jousting training so a song like Through Fire and Flame is inspired from that. Songs are also drawn from Gothic architecture, other countries I've visited, or even just life experiences. I hear sounds, melodies, and drums in my head all the time. I have to get it out and into the world.

6. Where was your last gig?

In Oshawa, Ontario, Canada that was for our album release party.

7. Where would you like to act?

Assume you mean play....probably Massey Hall here in Toronto. It's an amazing venue with a ton of history and legendary artists that have performed there. That would be a dream come true.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A band like Tesseract, Dream Theater, Symphony X, or Kamelot. Basically, the bands that inspire me. 

9. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Yes, we all do to one extent or another. I start to feel it most the day of the show, just thinking about the details, logistics and of course the performance but once I'm there it's much better. It just comes down to being prepared, owning it, and remembering the long road it took to get to this point. The more shows we perform though, the better you know what to expect. We are still a young band and haven't played a lot of shows yet but experience builds confidence. We're there to share the music with the fans and you have to stay out of your head as much as possible.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

Iron Maiden with their long epic songs and arrangements and Dream Theater for basically giving birth to the new Progressive Metal movement that is always growing. The musicianship is obvious, the blending of the keys with the guitars, crazy time signatures, and arrangements. Symphony X – the vocals, the melodies, the virtuoso guitar...they create a vast palette for storytelling in their songs.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

A guy who wanted me to “sign his tits” in permanent marker.

12. What do you think of your fans?

Ravenous and supportive!

13. What do you think of our site?

You guys have a lot of artists on there and do a great job of featuring all the bands. The site is a great way to discover new music and I love how you can just scan and find what you're looking for, very intuitive with several ways to browse music by genre, country, etc.. I like that there's a section called Music To Buy as well.

14. Something to add?

We are in the process of finishing up some music videos for Catharsis and Power of Seven that will be premiering on our YouTube channel in the coming weeks. We also have another video shoot coming up in January for our second single Watch the World Burn. Plus there will be more content added like playthroughs, behind-the-scenes, etc. I have also started writing the music for our next album but too early to tell when that will be done. I certainly learned a ton about songwriting for this album so things should be quicker this time around.