Interviews About Albums: Temple Witch - Ocian Thousand, Mountain Thousand (2024)

In this new interview, we sat down with the American Doom Metal band Temple Witch to ask questions about their album, "Ocian Thousand, Mountain Thousand".

1. What can you say about this new EP/CD?

Ocean Thousand, Mountain Thousand is different from our first album, Hand In Hand With Chaos, in quite a number of ways. In ways it's more melancholic than the first. Less about regret, more about isolation and loss. But somewhere within all the malaise is a clear positive note; something like appreciation or acceptance. Something not present on Hand In Hand.

2. What is the meaning of the EP/CD name?

The meaning of an album is always defined by the era in which the songs were written. Ocean Thousand, Mountain Thousand in particular addresses a few things, but mainly speaks to loneliness and loss; loss of meaning, loss of loved ones, and loss of opportunity.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD/EP?

Writing songs is collaborative, but often varies in how things are done. The majority of the time I (Andy) will come to practice with a few prewritten and pre-assembled riffs and show them to Jake and Jacob. From there they will give their input and start coming up with drum and bass parts, and together we begin to turn those riffs into an actual song. Over time the song may evolve and become very different from its original form, but sometimes things are pretty straightforward and the songwriting process is quick. Either way, it's a lot of fun.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

That depends on what basis I'm picking a song for. Personally, my favorite to listen to is This Too Shall Pass. My favorite to play is Motion.

5. Is there a special message in this EP/CD? If there is what is it?

Perhaps there is. But truth be told, I couldn't tell you. This music, all music and art, is an expression that is perhaps only partially understood by its creator. And that's why creativity relieves us the way it does. It gets to corners of the mind that normal thinking can't quite rationalize or navigate clearly. It's also why art is so subjective and so many people connect to it. More than likely there is a secret message, but I don't know what it is.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

My favorite line on the album is from the verses of This Too Shall Pass, "Few are you, my green-eyed friend. Live well, live grand." This line was written at a time when I had recently lost a friend with green eyes, and I had another friend with green eyes (my lifelong cat) who was quite old, and I was trying to deal with the fact that he wouldn't be with me forever. The song was written as an ode to the two of them.

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

There were multiple inspiring factors that kind of spawned the vibe of this album. The inspiration came largely from personal relationships and a personal state of mind. Songs like This Too Shall Pass and Ocean Thousand are referring to loved ones. All the others on the album refer to loneliness and isolation.

8. Something to add?

We are very excited to share our new album with the world. These songs mean a lot to us and we hope others will connect with them and with the overall spirit of the album. The goal is to connect. To put something out there that may in some way, shape, or form help someone or mean something to someone in just the way that they needed. We know there are people out there needing nothing more than a word of recognition, a hand extended to them. We want to connect with as many of you as we can and give you not just a word, but an anthem - or several - to listen to and know that we're all in this together.