MY DYING BRIDE

After 15 albums and over 30 years of music and live performances, MY DYING BRIDE return with "A Mortal Binding", their newest album. It is rare that a band doesn't burn out or lose the fire over such a lengthy span of time, but MY DYING BRIDE have genuinely proven themselves relevant once again, working within the same individual spirit of before but still in a pioneering and spell binding manner. Masters of the art and the sound of years and centuries of Old British themes and legends, it is with great reverence and honor I present to you this interview- Ladies and gentlemen, won't you welcome Andrew Craighan of MY DYING BRIDE?

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: Welcome to the Wormwood Chronicles. Your new album, “A Mortal Binding”, has been well received and was perhaps one of my favorites that  you fellows have done. What can you say about the process of making this album this time around? Was there a difference, or a certain theme at hand this time around? What was the experience like this time?

ANDREW CRAIGHAN: The process was slightly more organic this time. I spent a lot of time building a musical “data base” if you will, of ideas, riffs and partial song structures. This allowed the actual rehearsals to be as productive as possible as we always had something to work with and it also helped with free flowing creativity as the vibe in the room was positive. There was a difference, I think it was the idea that we were sort going to write a more basic album...by that, I mean no guest musicians or vocalists, no lengthy artistically challenging musical arrangements. We fell into the idea of big riffs, make it a metal album and it seemed to grow from there. As for the experience it was largely good, we rehearsed the music and arranged and re-arranged for over a year, close to 18 months writing and re-writing a couple of them 2 or 3 times before deciding we were happy with it and once we had the music we tried to get vocals on but decided to record the album instead and do the vocals during the recording. Which proved to be for the best. 

WC :As a long running band that has made quality work without sacrificing the sound of such, how does writing work out when making new music yet in keeping with the old style and fire you have been known for? How does the music come together without getting jaded?

AC: I suppose it’s an inner honesty from the musical side. I write what I consider to be music fitting for this band, I have sort of developed a knack for this style and probably couldn’t write anything not resembling this now. I am not trying to impress anybody, I am not trying to make the band famous. I know this type of music has a limited scope and is only for a small few.  As for the fire, it ebbs and flows as any artist will attest but when burning it sort of fuels itself. If I had to force this I would stop so for now, unjaded is how it is ,thankfully.

WC: In terms of word and poetry, MDB is, in my opinion, of the highest regard to be held; tales and stories that could be classic literature in a gothic sense. What might be the method with which these words are channeled or worked?

AC: I’m not entirely sure how to answer this so here goes - I think people look for things in bands or films that resonate with their already preconceived ideas. Or how they perceive us is based on their desires to a degree, MDB is like any artform if we are to choose this train of thought it’s like any other and the methods or channels they work, inspire or create are always in the eye of the beholder and not necessarily something we can dictate.

WC: Are there any sort of works of literature that have inspired you to write in the past or present and what works would you recommend if you were to name some that you held great?

AC: I can’t answer that and I am not sure you would get an admission from anyone else in the band either. I try to write music that has a solemn purity. I’m not sure what books I could get that from.

WC: How are you affected by your surroundings; say, the British countryside? Do these sorts of things or buildings or places hold anything in terms of atmosphere, setting or mood when you fellows create music? What is Britain like these days compared to when you were younger men...is the same inspiration still to be found?

AC: As an Englishman or for that matter i suppose anyone would have to say to some degree that their surroundings affect them. In England we had a great culture once and architecture both ancient and up to the recent past was fantastic to gaze upon. It is and was inspiring. The moors for example and the surrounding villages are fairy like in places. The folk tales they have harboured all help envelope you in a sense of wonder that when chased helps create the music we do. Sadly now England like the rest of Europe is being disassembled by the Globalist Cabal but you’re not allowed to notice that. 

WC: In all your travels thus far, which places stood out to you that you have been while touring? Were there any places abroad you held dear; a certain pub or place you could haunt or a place that lingered in your mind?

AC: That’s a good question but the memories I have of such events and places don’t have precise names. For example, there was an old German town that was so untouched by modern thinking as to be an almost religious experience to be in. Having said that ,there has been couple of Dutch and French towns like that too. 

WC: Apart from MDB what are your hobbies outside the music? What interests keep you busied when not working with the band?

AC: Not much time for anything but MDB when not at work I am normally doing something related to the band. 

WC: Here at Wormwood we also have a certain interest in things paranormal and supernatural. I must now ask a most important question; and one that all who pass my way are asked here in the interviews. Have you ever had such an experience or experiences that could fall under these terms? For instance, do you believe in ghosts or have a tale you would share with us at this time?

AC: Yeah I’m open to that world, I have not seen a ghost ,though. I read a lot on NDEs which have become more and more reported. I read on Psilocybin, DMT and Ayahuasca so am sort of open to another information level ,let’s say. I have had definite remote viewing type information received (unplanned) and have also experienced what can only be called telepathy (only twice, mind you) and again not planned for and completely unprovable by me. All officially unexplainable, unless another method of information transmission is possible which I believe there is, Ingo Swann and all that.

WC: What does the future hold for MY DYING BRIDE in terms of what is next after the album release?  

AC: We are having a break as MDB while some of the band focus on their side projects, so no immediate plans as yet. We have an EP to finish though, so  we’re not completely dormant.

WC: Any touring plans for the States?

AC: Sorry, no. But there are no plans for any gigs right now due to the side projects people want to get going. But things should start again soon.

WC: Thank you for your time here, and I will leave you now to deliver any final words to our readers.

AC: You’re very welcome. Thank you.

MY DYING BRIDE