Written In Torment
Written in Torment is a One man, Black Metal Band from the U.K.
Dating back to 2003, we will find out how it all began and what Leviathan sees
for the future of his musical life.
1) I have been a fan of Written in Torment for quite a few years now.
I have watched from the outside your music grow, progress and mature in more then one way.
It all began when you released your very first self-titled demo in 2006.
Take us back to those days....how exciting was it to release your very first album?
Leviathan:
That demo was just a stripped down version of the uncreation from the saem recording session that had stripped down versions of all tracks except "death, is only the beginning". It was mostly sent out
to labels to garner interest for the main release, but I was rather pleased
with the response I got especially considering i was only 15/16 at the time.
2) Also in 2006 you released a 4 song EP "The Uncreation"
Do you think you were young and anxious and just wanted to put
out as much as you could and what are your thoughts on those early releases now
7 years later?
Leviathan:
I was very pleased with the uncreation, I got to work with my friends from Bal-Sagoth (who are one of my
favourite bands) and see my vision come to fruition with me handling
everything. The emphesis was on quality, from the songwriting to the production
and I think we achieved that.
3) Let us take a trip inside your head....you can be our tour guide.
What goes on inside your head when you are writing music for Written in Torment and what are you trying to feed
your listeners?
Leviathan:
My music these days has much personal meaning and beyond the need to write complex and diverse song's, I
rarely factor audience in mind. The point for me is to create what I think
has value, to add or subtract elements on a personal whim based on my own
musical tastes. In short I guess Written in Torment is supposed to be my vision
of the perfect black metal band,
4) How would you describe Written in Torment to someone who has never heard your music before....? Don't be afraid to get creative. ;)
Leviathan:
Ha I guess guitar abuse fits the bill! I usually just describe it as "Extreme metal" these days, as I have a wide
range of influences within the metal scene (Black/thrash/death) I also have a
big interest in shred guitar like Cacophony and Vai , also classical music such
as Holst, Mozart etc... All of these influences will bleed through and make Written in Torment what it is today.
5) Tell me a bit about some of the bands that play a part in your music and have the bands changed over the
years?
Leviathan:
I was always a big fan of the horribly under rated Swedish outfit Abyssos, To me they were a perfect blend of the best
elements of Dissection and Emperor. Unfortunately they only ever did 2 albums. Bands often change through the years as their musical tastes change and their instrumental ability improves, sometimes its decent and other times it is
detrimental to their early sound.
6) Would you say your music is based on some type of structure?
Leviathan:
Not intentionally, some songs end up being more formulatic than other's but never have I penned out
a basic song structure and stuck to it. I mostly go on feeling what is right withing
the song itself. To have a predefined and rigid structure to me is to be limited in your vision.
7) Being a One man band, I have to ask....Is there no dreams of ever playing live?
Leviathan:
I would happily recruit members for live assaults, alas ten years in it seems not to be. It seems more likely that I
would join another band and play guitar for them live or something.
8) I imagine when a full band records their music in a studio there is some kind of chaos involved. A
scene is set, sort of like in a movie. What sort of chaos do you create during the making of one of your albums?
Leviathan:
Full band's record in the same way I do, the difference being is that I'm always doing something or making descisions. I guess in a full band some of the responsibility is shared among the various members. It is great to me to be
able to work without the possible clash of opinion that might occur with others but this way is deffinately demanding
and very tiring!
9) Is there any "visual" importance regarding your music to you or that you would like your listeners to
have while they are blasting your music?
Leviathan:
I think the songs paint their own picture, there is definately a stiffling, deathlike atmosphere for me in many of the song's I create. Try to imagine being choked to death, powerless to resist as the very life is crushed from your
throat. Many try to ignore the horror's of the world that surrounds us, many of our nations on earth stand on the backs
of the endless suffering of others.
10) You are not in any other bands, so of course Written in Torment is your number one
priority in life where music is involved. Do you see this going on for years to come or are you getting burned out on it already?
Leviathan:
I can't see me giving up on it any time soon, Even during the lengthy silence between releases there have been many plans and plots for more material. It's unfortunate many of these went awry, there was
an ep in 07 that is as of yet unreleased and the album was recorded in 2011. I
have at least 3 albums worth of material that I would like to get out there,
in the time that takes I should imagine that many more songs will be written.
11) The band name, "Written in Torment"....
Does this name somehow reflect on your personal life at all and if so, how?
Leviathan:
In many ways yes it does, I've experienced more than my fair share of the horror's of modern day life and
the best way to channel all the anger and misery for me has been music.
I am thankfull for the solace I find in creating music and losing my ability to play
due to injury has nearly occured more than once, this would be an unbearable torture.
12) If you can remember back 10 year ago....try to take us back to the beginning of Written in Torment.
How did it begin and was it something you took very serious in the beginning?
Leviathan:
It has always been totally serious for me, never more so than when I was introduced to the guys from
Bal-Sagoth who very graciously allowed me to use their studio " Waylands Forge"
This was a big honour for me and every return trip there has been excellent. I dont think there is anywhere else I could have got the excellent advice and production values to make Written in Torment stand out.
13) You have a new full length coming out called " Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes" coming out on the 14th of May.
What should fans expect from this album since it has been 7 years since your last release?
Leviathan:
For me there is a huge jump in terms of songwriting and execution. I have had endless time to perfect the
dynamic of the songs and really have chance to prepare every facet of the
presentation and direction of the music. Also in the last seven years there has
been many advances in studio kit that Waylands Forge have been able to procure and put to
excellent use, I think the production on the album is perfect for me.
14) What exactly is the meaning behind the new albums name and does it have anything to do with the
music itself, and if so how?
Leviathan:
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes means " The war of all against all" and was the origin of social
contract theory written by Thomas Hobbes in a book called "Leviathan"
In a world full of contradictory opinions and curruption of wealth and power, the
songs on the album seek to represent a war of all against all, where obligation
is to ones self, and only the strongest may survive. I also explored the
bonds of fate and fortune that are beyond comprehension and control, These are
what people fear most.
15)You will be releasing this new Full Length album on Glorious North Productions.
How did your partnership come about and how are things working out so far?
Leviathan:
I Approached Glorious North and was pleased to find that They had heard my EP (The Uncreation) and were more than
happy to release the album. Since then things have been very productive and
more activity has been encouraged and supported by glorious north in the history
of the band. I now have Shirt's with front and back print , patches and pins all ready for the release
of the album. Needless to say this is the way labels should operate, with dedication to music to the fullest extent! Total support!
16) If you look into the future of Written in Torment....like looking into a crystal ball. What do
you see? What is your visions for your band?
Leviathan:
I have a lot of pre planned material, things are always subject to change but I
think I'm going for a concept album next time. Tying in the musical atmosphere
to the themes of the lyrics will be a great musical challenge. For me every
album must set a standard and subsequently must be beaten! The time to give up
for me is when you can't top your last release!
17) Leviathan, it certainly has been a pleasure picking your brain.
Do you have any final words to add before we bring this
interview to an end?
Leviathan:Thanks for the interview and support, Hail Glorious North! Written in Torment will return...
You can find Written in Torment on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/writtenintormentofficial?fref=ts
You can hear one of the songs off his upcoming album here
http://youtu.be/LvqUKXzNFGw
You can get a copy of "Bellum Omnium Contra Cmnes" on May 14,2013 via Glorious North Productions
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glorious-North-Productions/109252132444177?fref=ts
Dating back to 2003, we will find out how it all began and what Leviathan sees
for the future of his musical life.
1) I have been a fan of Written in Torment for quite a few years now.
I have watched from the outside your music grow, progress and mature in more then one way.
It all began when you released your very first self-titled demo in 2006.
Take us back to those days....how exciting was it to release your very first album?
Leviathan:
That demo was just a stripped down version of the uncreation from the saem recording session that had stripped down versions of all tracks except "death, is only the beginning". It was mostly sent out
to labels to garner interest for the main release, but I was rather pleased
with the response I got especially considering i was only 15/16 at the time.
2) Also in 2006 you released a 4 song EP "The Uncreation"
Do you think you were young and anxious and just wanted to put
out as much as you could and what are your thoughts on those early releases now
7 years later?
Leviathan:
I was very pleased with the uncreation, I got to work with my friends from Bal-Sagoth (who are one of my
favourite bands) and see my vision come to fruition with me handling
everything. The emphesis was on quality, from the songwriting to the production
and I think we achieved that.
3) Let us take a trip inside your head....you can be our tour guide.
What goes on inside your head when you are writing music for Written in Torment and what are you trying to feed
your listeners?
Leviathan:
My music these days has much personal meaning and beyond the need to write complex and diverse song's, I
rarely factor audience in mind. The point for me is to create what I think
has value, to add or subtract elements on a personal whim based on my own
musical tastes. In short I guess Written in Torment is supposed to be my vision
of the perfect black metal band,
4) How would you describe Written in Torment to someone who has never heard your music before....? Don't be afraid to get creative. ;)
Leviathan:
Ha I guess guitar abuse fits the bill! I usually just describe it as "Extreme metal" these days, as I have a wide
range of influences within the metal scene (Black/thrash/death) I also have a
big interest in shred guitar like Cacophony and Vai , also classical music such
as Holst, Mozart etc... All of these influences will bleed through and make Written in Torment what it is today.
5) Tell me a bit about some of the bands that play a part in your music and have the bands changed over the
years?
Leviathan:
I was always a big fan of the horribly under rated Swedish outfit Abyssos, To me they were a perfect blend of the best
elements of Dissection and Emperor. Unfortunately they only ever did 2 albums. Bands often change through the years as their musical tastes change and their instrumental ability improves, sometimes its decent and other times it is
detrimental to their early sound.
6) Would you say your music is based on some type of structure?
Leviathan:
Not intentionally, some songs end up being more formulatic than other's but never have I penned out
a basic song structure and stuck to it. I mostly go on feeling what is right withing
the song itself. To have a predefined and rigid structure to me is to be limited in your vision.
7) Being a One man band, I have to ask....Is there no dreams of ever playing live?
Leviathan:
I would happily recruit members for live assaults, alas ten years in it seems not to be. It seems more likely that I
would join another band and play guitar for them live or something.
8) I imagine when a full band records their music in a studio there is some kind of chaos involved. A
scene is set, sort of like in a movie. What sort of chaos do you create during the making of one of your albums?
Leviathan:
Full band's record in the same way I do, the difference being is that I'm always doing something or making descisions. I guess in a full band some of the responsibility is shared among the various members. It is great to me to be
able to work without the possible clash of opinion that might occur with others but this way is deffinately demanding
and very tiring!
9) Is there any "visual" importance regarding your music to you or that you would like your listeners to
have while they are blasting your music?
Leviathan:
I think the songs paint their own picture, there is definately a stiffling, deathlike atmosphere for me in many of the song's I create. Try to imagine being choked to death, powerless to resist as the very life is crushed from your
throat. Many try to ignore the horror's of the world that surrounds us, many of our nations on earth stand on the backs
of the endless suffering of others.
10) You are not in any other bands, so of course Written in Torment is your number one
priority in life where music is involved. Do you see this going on for years to come or are you getting burned out on it already?
Leviathan:
I can't see me giving up on it any time soon, Even during the lengthy silence between releases there have been many plans and plots for more material. It's unfortunate many of these went awry, there was
an ep in 07 that is as of yet unreleased and the album was recorded in 2011. I
have at least 3 albums worth of material that I would like to get out there,
in the time that takes I should imagine that many more songs will be written.
11) The band name, "Written in Torment"....
Does this name somehow reflect on your personal life at all and if so, how?
Leviathan:
In many ways yes it does, I've experienced more than my fair share of the horror's of modern day life and
the best way to channel all the anger and misery for me has been music.
I am thankfull for the solace I find in creating music and losing my ability to play
due to injury has nearly occured more than once, this would be an unbearable torture.
12) If you can remember back 10 year ago....try to take us back to the beginning of Written in Torment.
How did it begin and was it something you took very serious in the beginning?
Leviathan:
It has always been totally serious for me, never more so than when I was introduced to the guys from
Bal-Sagoth who very graciously allowed me to use their studio " Waylands Forge"
This was a big honour for me and every return trip there has been excellent. I dont think there is anywhere else I could have got the excellent advice and production values to make Written in Torment stand out.
13) You have a new full length coming out called " Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes" coming out on the 14th of May.
What should fans expect from this album since it has been 7 years since your last release?
Leviathan:
For me there is a huge jump in terms of songwriting and execution. I have had endless time to perfect the
dynamic of the songs and really have chance to prepare every facet of the
presentation and direction of the music. Also in the last seven years there has
been many advances in studio kit that Waylands Forge have been able to procure and put to
excellent use, I think the production on the album is perfect for me.
14) What exactly is the meaning behind the new albums name and does it have anything to do with the
music itself, and if so how?
Leviathan:
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes means " The war of all against all" and was the origin of social
contract theory written by Thomas Hobbes in a book called "Leviathan"
In a world full of contradictory opinions and curruption of wealth and power, the
songs on the album seek to represent a war of all against all, where obligation
is to ones self, and only the strongest may survive. I also explored the
bonds of fate and fortune that are beyond comprehension and control, These are
what people fear most.
15)You will be releasing this new Full Length album on Glorious North Productions.
How did your partnership come about and how are things working out so far?
Leviathan:
I Approached Glorious North and was pleased to find that They had heard my EP (The Uncreation) and were more than
happy to release the album. Since then things have been very productive and
more activity has been encouraged and supported by glorious north in the history
of the band. I now have Shirt's with front and back print , patches and pins all ready for the release
of the album. Needless to say this is the way labels should operate, with dedication to music to the fullest extent! Total support!
16) If you look into the future of Written in Torment....like looking into a crystal ball. What do
you see? What is your visions for your band?
Leviathan:
I have a lot of pre planned material, things are always subject to change but I
think I'm going for a concept album next time. Tying in the musical atmosphere
to the themes of the lyrics will be a great musical challenge. For me every
album must set a standard and subsequently must be beaten! The time to give up
for me is when you can't top your last release!
17) Leviathan, it certainly has been a pleasure picking your brain.
Do you have any final words to add before we bring this
interview to an end?
Leviathan:Thanks for the interview and support, Hail Glorious North! Written in Torment will return...
You can find Written in Torment on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/writtenintormentofficial?fref=ts
You can hear one of the songs off his upcoming album here
http://youtu.be/LvqUKXzNFGw
You can get a copy of "Bellum Omnium Contra Cmnes" on May 14,2013 via Glorious North Productions
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glorious-North-Productions/109252132444177?fref=ts