Witherfall guitarist Jake Dreyer recently completed guitar solos for the lates Iced Earth album #Incorruptible! Read more here:
http://loudwire.com/iced-earth-incorruptible-album/ 
For a taste of #JakeDreyers blistering #ShredGuitar work head over to:
http://www.youtube.com/witherfall
1. Your debut-record came out last month. How were the reactions from your
fans so far?
Joseph- The response has been unbelievable! Jake and I knew going into this that we had created something very special, but we didn't know whether or not it would be well received. Jake was especially cynical... The Industry “Experts” who got advance copies told us that it wouldn't sell, but the numbers have been very good. Who knew Metal fans actually want to hear well crafted compositions with Vocals that actually have melodic attributes.
2. Joseph and Jake: you played together in White Wizzard, before you
started Witherfall. How was it to focus on the new project?
Joseph – With Witherfall we actually could exercise some quality control when it comes to production, songwriting and performances. Also, we are running the operation as opposed to watching someone else with less aptitude try and do it.
JAKE-Witherfall was our project together from the beginning so it meant that we were the ones responsible for everything. The focus is a lot more demanding but at the same time it's the way I prefer because it can be done exactly the way Joseph and I envision. Which could not be said about other projects where you are just a hired gun. It is very refreshing to be able to write songs in a context and boundary that you create and set.
3. You recorded the album in Phoenix, Arizona together with Ralph Patlan,
who already worked with acts like Megadeth or Michael Schenker Group. How
was your collaboration with him and Chris „Zeuss“ Harris, who mastered it?
Joseph – Jake and I had the album arranged and recorded in Demo form in my studio in Los Angeles. We flew Adam down to Phoenix for final tracking. Ralph was hired on to Record,Mix and Master but only ended up performing Tracking Engineer duties. After much strife we found Zeuss and he absolutely nailed what it is we had set out to create.
JAKE-Working with Zeuss who also mixed the record was very easy he is a real pro and knew exactly what we wanted. It took him about a month to deliver everything which is a real accomplishment when you look at the size of the songs and the record as a whole. Ralph Is a very good tracking engineer with a great ear who knows how to get good takes.
4. The record contains many neoclassical parts, especially Jake uses
classical scales in his playing. To me, it sounds like a modern version of
Yngwie Malmsteen. Do you agree?
JAKE-This record was very much influenced by various classical composers and eras. A lot of classical music uses the Harmonic minor scale/Phrygian dominant or the melodic minor scales. So that's where that Yngwie sound comes from since he uses those same things. I am a huge fan of early Yngwie. Witherfall have gotten that comparison quite a bit because it's the neoclassical guitar playing with clean or melodic vocals. Our songs in my opinion sound totally different than Yngwie songs but I think there are very much similarities in certain arenas. I take that as a huge compliment because I really love and respect Yngwie's playing.
Joseph: Jake and I are deep into Classical music. If you listen to
“Nocturnes and Requiems” you will hear many parallels to that early era of composition. I think in the metal community it is really easy to pick out Guitarists that are classically influenced due to the success of the “Shrapnel” style players. Yngwie, Becker, Gilbert etc. But the real “Classical” influence has nothing and I mean absolutely nothing to do with the Technique displayed during the busy “shred” sections. The real essence of the influence is in the Harmonic Movement and Counterpoint that weaves its way through the compositions. Listen to the Chorus section of Portrait. A very simple Vocal Melody harmonized at various points then on the big cadence doubled in octaves... All the while A string part plays a counterpoint melody against the accents in the percussion. Meanwhile another Synth pad pulses in the middle register adding suspensions to Jakes Part.
5. Beside the neoclassical stuff, there are some spanish-influenced parts
for example in 'What We Are Dying For', that remind me of Paco De Lucia.
Who inspired you to do this?
JAKE- Paco de Lucia and Al Di Meola are both some of my biggest influences. I love flamenco music and Latin/Spanish influenced guitar playing and it all pretty much shares a lot of the same harmony so it was very easy to relate. Making two genres blend together seamlessly was always something that was interesting and in "What We Are Dying For" it provided a cool contrast to the song. "Romantic Warrior" by Return to Forever which featured Al Di Meola was a big influence.
6. Are there other important influences you want to mention?
JAKE- besides the ones mentioned above for other guitarists it would be Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Brian May. For bands Queen, Pink Floyd, Dream Theater, Nevermore, Death, Opeth.
Joseph- King Diamond, Dream Theater and Nevermore for sure. I am a huge fan of big records. Jake loves Pink Floyd, we both love Queen. As far as vocally? I really love singers that don't just sit there in autopilot mode. How many songs in a genre can you listen to with the same vocal delivery? I mean once you have heard a certain style of vocal and yes I am talking about extreme vocals, how much of that do you really want to hear. There are a ton of metal bands out there that I would love to hear just instrumentally because I cannot stand a vocalist who shits on compositions with lazy vocal parts.
7. Joseph, I read that you're the cousin of Ronnie James Dio. Have you ever
sung together or did he even teach you?
Joseph- I never got to meet Ronnie. My family had photos on the walls and I have heard stories. I spoke with him on the phone a couple of times and was an absolute gentleman, not to mention a true vocal artist. Jake and I really bonded early on when we talked about DIO and we both have the same favorite DIO vocal moment.
8. Let's switch to the visual part of the album. What was the idea behind
the Cover-Artwork of your album?
JAKE-That was all done by Kristian Wahlin. Who has worked with King Diamond, Dissection, Wintersun the list goes on. Joseph and I admired his work so much that once he agreed to do our album art we sent him over some pre-production demos we recorded and Joseph sent him over lyrics and Kristian just took it from there.
Joseph- I sent Kristian the demos we had done in my studio and the lyrics. He sent us a sketch with the basic ideas. Looking back that cover gives me chills because of Adam. I wish we had the painting it's like 4' by 4' and hanging in a museum somewhere in Sweden.
10. Both your logo and the album-cover have a dark touch and are linked to
nature. What is your concept regarding this?
Joseph- Jake and I have very similar tastes in Art,Music,Food Inebriants. When we first met up after the shit show that was our previous band it was obvious. Once the first few songs were written we made it a mission to produce a piece of art; “Nocturnes and Requiems” that would be the audio equivalent of reading an amazing piece of literature while drinking the finest wine while semi-nude nymphs frolic in the backround and are sluaghtered. But, you still keep drinking and reading.
JAKE- I believe the darkness just comes naturally with how we write music. So that crossed over into all the visual aspects. Like the music there needed to be some sort of contrast so although it is dark there is beauty in it as well. There is nothing that symbolizes that more than nature.
11. After the tragic loss of your drummer Adam Sagan, you dedicated the
record to his life. Are there already any plans to continue with the band
or is it too early to think about it?
Jake -We definitely will be continuing on as a fully working band as that is how Adam would have wanted his legacy to be carried on. It has been a challenge trying to find someone who can do Adams parts justice but we have auditioned a couple of guys who we will use for touring purposes. Joseph and I have already begun writing a follow up record but it is still at the very beginning stages. Regardless there will for sure be more records from Witherfall.
Joseph – Adam and I became very close after I went out to visit him during his Chemo treatments. He played in some big bands but this was his baby. It is beyond tragic that his life ended the way it did and even more so the timing of it. The album is doing better than we could ever have imagined and he never got to take part in the celebration. His family has been very Adamant(sic) that we need to take Witherfall as far as it will go, to spread the music that Adam Sagan helped create as far as we can. We also have a Translucent Vinyl Edition of the record that we only produced 100 copies of for Fans of Adams that were there from the start.
12. You started with the recordings in 2014, but it has been released this
february. Was the delay coherent to Adams illness?
Joseph - The delay of the record had nothing to do with Adam. He finished his drum parts before he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Ralph Patlan was fired after not delivering mixes for close to a year. That is why “Zeuss” was brought in and he fucking saved the day.
13. Adam also came up with „Nocturnes And Requimes“. Is there a special
message in the title?
JAKE- Adam Joseph and I were at a Thai restaurant during the NAMM show in Anaheim, California during the beginning of 2015 when we were discussing album titles. We were talking about the different classical elements of the record when Adam just blurted out "Nocturnes and Requiems" none of us second guessed it and all came to the conclusion at that moment that that was going to be the name of the record. It's very ironic that Adam came up with that title. As for the message, well he took took that to the grave.
Joseph- Jake and I had been toying with the word Nocturnes for about an hour and by then we were really um, three sheets to the wind. Adam did not really drink very often, but on this occasion he was completely wasted and in celebration mode. Finally he blurted out “Nocturnes and Requiems”. I immediately noticed that it sounded like a Stephen King book title which was fine with Jake and I.
14 What are your plans for the future?
Joseph- We are talking with a few people now to set up the first Witherfall performances and hopefully we can find a band that wants to bring us out on tour that we respect.
15 Anything you want to say?
JAKE- Thank you for the great questions as well as to everyone who read this and supports Witherfall and Nocturnes and Requiems. Very much looking forward to sharing this music with Germany
Joseph- Thanks to everyone that has bought or will buy the record. I cannot wait to see you all out on the road. Anyone reading this can get the album or anything on our site for 15% off using code : rockhard17
Power metal needs a savior. Unfortunately, in recent years, power metal has become a notoriously bland genre. New bands who fail to experiment, veteran bands who are content to release the same album every 2 years, and lots of loud, overproduced albums have plagued the genre for years. If something doesn’t change, the genre will fade away into obscurity...
...If American power metal came back to save the genre as a whole, this would be the band to do it. In King Arthur and Tolkien’s Middle Earth, two frequent sources of power metal inspiration, the saviors of the world are always the offspring of a former great king. Power metal should have a similar hero, then. What better band to do it than one fronted by the cousin of one of the greatest American metal singers of all time? YES: JOSEPH MICHAEL IS FUCKING DIO’S COUSIN....
Read More at HEAVY BLOG IS HEAVY.
Order Nocturnes and Requiems Here:
Use Code: 867672 for a discuont on anything in the shop!
Witherfall is the passion project of current Iced Earth guitarist Jake Dreyer and singer Joseph Michael. The pair met while playing together in White Wizzard before deciding to collaborate on Witherfall – along with drummer Adam Sagan – in 2013. Their first EP even had a track featured in Rock Band. Not bad for a first release, eh?
“What We Are Dying For” is a straight-up banger off the band’s debut full-length, Nocturnes and Requiems. It’s a doozy, clocking in around 7 minutes and including plenty of dynamics shifts to keep attentive listeners on their toes. The album itself’s been out since February 10th, so it’d be wise to check it out.
If the Video Doesn't Load click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaUzBTAe9bk
Listen on Spotify
Download on ITUNES
New 24x36 inch Album Art Posters available Here:
Witherfall, whose debut album Nocturnes and Requiems is out on February 10th, has a classic heavy sound to it that suggests the band has been around for longer than 2013, which is when the project first officially formed. Former White Wizzard members Joseph Michael and Jake Dryer got together with drummer Adam Sagan (Circle II Circle, Into Eternity) and recorded the album, which will be released next Friday, February 10th. Sadly, the album is dedicated to Sagan, who died in December as the album was in it’s final stages of production. The band shared a playlist with us of their favorite supergroups. It’s a pretty solid list because instead of merely being bands that got together to make music, also includes eras of other bands that just happened to have famous musicians in them. Here’s what the band says:
Ronnie James Dio, Richie Blackmore, Cozy Powell and Tony Carey. Doesn’t get more “supergroup” than this. Epic vocals and orchestrated keyboard & guitar interplay.
Tags: Alcatrazz, Black Sabbath, Blotted Science, Cacophony, David Lee Roth, Down, King Diamon, Liquid Tension Experiment, Mr. Big, Rainbow, Winery Dogs, Winger, Witherfall
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2017
WITHERFALL Debut Album "Nocturnes And Requiems" Available Today
Fourth Album Trailer Released
“Witherfall have everything going for them: superb chops, a keen sense for melody, an excellent grasp on songwriting and the ability to tie all that together into a package that sounds like wholly their own.”
-Metal Sucks-
Today WITHERFALL have released their debut album "Nocturnes And Requiems"! If you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to listen to the full album stream via Loudwire. Then be sure to pick up your Digital, CD, or Vinyl copy of the album HERE. Vinyl colors include black and a commemorative Adam Sagan translucent (limited to 100 copies).
"Nocturnes and Requiems" was produced by the band and mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (QUEENSRYCHE, SANCTUARY, ROB ZOMBIE, HATEBREED). The artwork was created by Kristian Wåhlin (KING DIAMOND, DISSECTION, BATHORY).
Also released today is the fourth video trailer in which Jake and Joseph talk about recording and mixing "Nocturnes and Requiems". Watch it here via YouTube: https://youtu.be/-35EVPrxDwY
More on "Nocturnes and Requiems":
"End Of Time" Official Lyric Video
"Nobody Sleeps Here..." Official Track Video
Based out of Los Angeles, Calif., WITHERFALL is the collective brainchild of guitarist Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth, Kobra And The Lotus, White Wizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan (Circle II Circle, Into Eternity). The recording lineup is rounded out with the addition of acclaimed Bassist Anthony Crawford (Allan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati).
"Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. The band collectively commented, "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. Adam's talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily 1/3 of the creative force. "Nocturnes and Requiems" was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums. Adam, we love you and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of WITHERFALL. Rest In Peace man."
"Nocturnes And Requiems" Track Listing
1. Portrait
2.What We are Dying For
3. Act II
4. Sacrifice
5. The Great Awakening
6. End of Time (watch)
7. Finale
8. Nobody Sleeps Here Anymore
WITHERFALL:
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards
Jake Dreyer - Guitars
Adam Sagan - Drums/Percussion
Anthony Crawford - Bass
For More Info Visit:
http://www.witherfall.com
http://www.facebook.com/witherfall
http://www.instagram.com/witherfalloffical
WITHERFALL Streaming Debut "Nocturnes And Requiems" via Loudwire
“Witherfall have everything going for them: superb chops, a keen sense for melody, an excellent grasp on songwriting and the ability to tie all that together into a package that sounds like wholly their own.”
-Metal Sucks-
“What a magnificent gift this was to us, the fans of Metal. Rest easy, Adam, for you and your band mates has come up with what could be one of the highlight releases of 2017.”
-Hard Rock Haven-
“Nocturnes And Requiems is a must buy for fans of great technical metal.”
-Sea of Tranquility-
Based out of Los Angeles, Calif., WITHERFALL is the collective brainchild of guitarist Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth, Kobra And The Lotus, White Wizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan (Circle II Circle, Into Eternity). The recording lineup is rounded out with the addition of acclaimed Bassist Anthony Crawford (Allan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati).
WITHERFALL will release their debut "Nocturnes And Requiems" this February 10th! But before they do, the band has teamed up with Loudwire for a full album stream of "Nocturnes And Requiems". Head HERE to listen to the entire new album and check out an exclusive interview with the band.
Digital, CD, and Vinyl pre-orders are available HERE. Vinyl colors include black and a commemorative Adam Sagan translucent (limited to 100 copies).
The album’s first single “End of Time” is available for streaming via lyric video HERE. The album’s second single “Nobody Sleeps Here, can be streamed HERE.
WITHERFALL headed to Phoenix, Ariz. to self-produce their debut album, "Nocturnes And Requiems", with engineer Ralph Patlan (Megadeth, Brian "Head" Welch, MSG) in late 2014. The album was then sent on to New York City for mixing and mastering by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Hatebreed) at Planet Z. Resulting in eight masterfully executed tracks featuring the group's dynamic blend of darkened melodic and progressive metal.
"Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. The band collectively commented, "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. Adam’s talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily 1/3 of the creative force. "Nocturnes and Requiems" was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums. Adam, we love you and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of WITHERFALL. Rest In Peace man."
"Nocturnes And Requiems" Track Listing
1. Portrait
2.What We are Dying For
3. Act II
4. Sacrifice
5. The Great Awakening
6. End of Time (watch)
7. Finale
8. Nobody Sleeps Here Anymore
WITHERFALL:
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards
Jake Dreyer - Guitars
Adam Sagan - Drums/Percussion
Anthony Crawford - Bass
For More Info Visit:
http://www.witherfall.com
http://www.facebook.com/witherfall
https://www.instagram.com/witherfalloffical
more info@ http://www.witherfall.com/
Debut Album "Nocturnes And Requiems" Out February 10th
Based out of Los Angeles, Calif., WITHERFALL is the collective brainchild of guitarist Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth, Kobra And The Lotus, White Wizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan (Circle II Circle, Into Eternity). WITHERFALL are set to release their debut "Nocturnes And Requiems" on February 10th! Pre-orders are available HERE.
Today Metal Sucks has partnered with the band to premiere the second single from “Nocturnes And Requiems” entitled “Nobody Sleeps Here”. Get an exclusive first listen HERE.
The album’s first single “End of Time” is available for streaming via lyric video HERE. "End of Time" presents a unique approach to the idea of a modern metal song with memorable melodic hooks, big choruses and dynamically aggressive vocals combined with virtuosic guitar playing reminiscent of the legends of the neoclassical shred guitar scene and a progressive rhythm section featuring modern extreme drumming techniques and fusion influenced bass lines.
WITHERFALL headed to Phoenix, Ariz. to self-produce their debut album, "Nocturnes And Requiems", with engineer Ralph Patlan (Megadeth, Brian "Head" Welch, MSG) in late 2014. The album was then sent on to New York City for mixing and mastering by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Hatebreed) at Planet Z. Resulting in eight masterfully executed tracks featuring the group's dynamic blend of darkened melodic and progressive metal.
"Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. The band collectively commented, "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. Adam’s talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily 1/3 of the creative force. "Nocturnes and Requiems" was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums. Adam, we love you and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of WITHERFALL. Rest In Peace man."
"Nocturnes And Requiems" Track Listing
1. Portrait
2.What We are Dying For
3. Act II
4. Sacrifice
5. The Great Awakening
6. End of Time (watch)
7. Finale
8. Nobody Sleeps Here Anymore
WITHERFALL:
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards
Jake Dreyer - Guitars
Adam Sagan - Drums/Percussion
Anthony Crawford - Bass
For More Info Visit:
DARK MELODIC METALLISTS' WITHERFALL ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM: "NOCTURNES AND REQUIEMS"; REVEAL LYRIC VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK "Nocturnes And Requiems" scheduled for February 10 release, pre-order's available now
Based out of Los Angeles, Calif., WITHERFALL is the collective brainchild of guitarist Jake Dreyer (#IcedEarth, #KobraAndTheLotus, #WhiteWizzard), singer Joseph Michael (White Wizzard) and the late Adam Sagan( #CircleIICircle, #IntoEternity). With Dreyer and Michael having previously worked together in WHITE WIZZARD and Sagan collaborating with Dreyer on the critically acclaimed debut instrumental EP, "In The Shadows of Madness" - which included a featured track for the popular video game franchise, #ROCKBAND - a musical brotherhood was forged and as ideas formed the duo enlisted drummer Adam Sagan to complete the trifecta.
Eager to resonate their ideas, WITHERFALL headed to Phoenix, Ariz. to self Produce their debut album, "Nocturnes And Requiems", with engineer #RalphPatlan (#Megadeth, #BrianHeadWelch, #MSG) in late 2014. The album was then sent on to New York City for mixing and mastering by Chris Zeuss Harris (#RobZombie, #Queensrÿche, #Sanctuary, #Hatebreed) at Planet Z. Resulting in eight masterfully executed tracks featuring the group's dynamic blend of darkened melodic and progressive metal, "Nocturnes and Requiems" is scheduled for release on February 10, 2017. Pre-orders are available now at
"Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. (COLLECTIVE STATEMENT) "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. Adams talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily 1/3 of the creative force. "Nocturnes and Requiems" was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums. Adam, we love you and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of Witherfall. Rest In Peace man."
WITHERFALL is proud to reveal the album's debut single, "End of Time", which can be seen/heard in the below lyric music video or directly via YouTube here (link).
https://youtu.be/PEGrSP2O0J4
Showcasing the melancholic cover artwork painted by Kristian Wåhlin (#KingDiamond, #Bathory, #TheBlackDahliaMurder, #Wintersun), "End of Time" presents a unique approach to the idea of a modern metal song with memorable melodic hooks, big choruses and dynamically aggressive vocals combined with virtuosic guitar playing reminiscent of the legends of the neoclassical shred guitar scene and a progressive rhythm section featuring modern extreme drumming techniques and fusion influenced bass lines. Check it out below.
"Nocturnes And Requiems" Track Listing
1. Portrait
2.What We are Dying For
3. Act II
4. Sacrifice
5. The Great Awakening
6. End of Time (watch)
7. Finale
8. Nobody Sleeps Here Anymore
WITHERFALL is
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards
Jake Dreyer - Guitars
Adam Sagan - Drums/Percussion
Anthony Crawford - Bass
Stay in touch with the band!
http://www.witherfall.com
http://www.facebook.com/witherfall
https://www.instagram.com/witherfallofficial
WItherfall Guitarist Jake Dreyer to Join Iced Earth for New Album and Tour... via: BLABBERMOUTH.com
ICED EARTH has announced the addition of guitarist Jake Dreyer (WITHERFALL, WHITE WIZZARD, KOBRA AND THE LOTUS) to the group's ranks. He joins the band as the replacement for Troy Seele, who announced his departure from ICED EARTH in August due to family responsibilities.
ICED EARTH guitarist/founder Jon Schaffer said in a statement: "We're excited for Jake to be a part of the team as he has the talent, drive, and the personality we were looking for.
"Jake joined Stu [Block, vocals] and I last week to do some tracking at Independence Hall and he hammered out some ripping guitar solos on several songs from the new album.
"Jake will play on the upcoming ICED EARTH studio album and will perform his first live show with us in November at Hammerfest in Germany.
Preview Witherfall here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcZBwkwceSU
