Witherfall: To Know Boundaries Is To Accept Limitation
In the past year, it’s almost become cliche to tell the tale of a band foregoing the adversity of the pandemic and pushing forwards but, in the case of WITHERFALL, the sound of perseverance has rung true since their inception. Despite soaring to relevancy since their 2017 debut, each of the band’s progressive outings has been shrouded by a plague of affliction – whether it be strife with production personnel, the loss of a bandmate and friend or, in the case of 2021’s Curse Of Autumn, the year the Earth stood still. Coined lovingly as the ‘WITHERFALL curse’ by chief songwriters Joseph Michael and Jake Dreyer, the band have no plans to submit just yet.
Unlike most records of its time, Curse Of Autumn, WITHERFALL’s latest and greatest achievement in progressive metal theatrics, was written in a pre-COVID utopia thanks to the songwriting duo’s relentless productivity. “When we showed up to the studio, Joseph and I had already written all the compositions by that point,” lead guitarist Jake Dreyer says with a grin. “So it was really just a matter of getting in there and getting the type of feel that we wanted.” This, of course, was easier said than done. With proposed drummer Gergo Borlai ensnared by travel restrictions, it was a miracle that Marco Mineman (of STEVEN WILSON fame) was able to man the skins. Plus, whilst uncertainty filled the studio walls in Indiana, the streets outside were burning. Vocalist Joseph Michael explains, “the whole George Floyd thing happened within three days of us getting to Indiana.” with Dreyer adding, “you turn on the TV after an eight-hour day wanting to chill out and you see people beating the hell out of each other. Subconsciously, that whole energy made its way onto the record.”
Having been brewed in a pot of chaos, the pair admit that “it’s a shame” that the brakes had to be engaged when it all came to a close, putting a stop to a victory lap tour with fellow stalwarts EVERGREY. However, this being WITHERFALL, they remain unphased as Michael says, “what can you do? You just have to make the best of the situation and just keep moving, keep working.”
You’d be forgiven for wondering how the two keep finding the strength to move forward after myriads of pushback; the answer lies behind what WITHERFALL provides them as artists. Despite Michael having side roles as the singer for SANCTUARY and both having their own solo projects, WITHERFALL and the bond they share as songwriters is something entirely unique. “The music Jake and I compose together definitely couldn’t be done by either of us individually,” the lead vocalist explains, “we’re just writing songs within that partner paradigm; that’s the perfect way to put it.” Unsurprisingly, this is a sentiment shared by Dreyer who adds, “WITHERFALL has been the most honest outlet for myself as a musician, whenever I was working with other bands I really didn’t like it because writing for them and in that style is never going to sound natural, it just sounds like you’re trying to be them; WITHERFALL is 100% me.”
With such a tight-knit team dynamic, it’s no shock that they draw upon similar influences; the most blatant of which being their love of the thespian arts. Curse Of Autumn could easily transcend into an epic stage performance with its grand soliloquies and the grand finale – the record’s efficacy for narration is enchanting and is something Michael is keen to emphasise. “That’s the art of it, to not only sing a song but to bring people into the story; that’s the main role of the vocalist.” So, with a clear dedication to their craft, how did the final product fair?
“The response has been very strong from the fans,” says Dreyer. “Not even just comments but actual fan mail on our personal accounts and emails – as well reviews from critics, it’s all gone down really well.” In a way, it was expected. Curse Of Autumn sees the band in their A-game, continuing to push with their ‘no boundaries’ attitude so a gleaming response from fans and critics alike was all too predictable. Similarly foreseeable is that the guys have left complacency behind and are already focused on album number four. With a slight laugh Michael confesses. “We’ve already started writing the next record! We have a colour in mind to represent it but once other songs start coming in it could continuously morph like one of those lava lamps.” Dreyer quickly adds, laughing, “you probably think we just do a load of drugs when we write!” Perhaps not drugs but it’s no secret the two are a fan of their wine, something that often accompanies writing sessions to help evoke the emotions so deeply baked into the WITHERFALL formula – whatever it is, it works.
It may be true that, thus far, the WITHERFALL discography has seen its fair toll of misfortune but it has arguably only ever brought the best out of their work with Curse Of Autumn being a fine exemplar of such a fact; a true display of a band reaching for the edge of their own boundless limitations. Through perseverance, Michael, Dreyer and co. have proven that barriers are truly something we set ourselves and that it is our responsibility to break them. What the future holds for WITHERFALL is unknown, but their will to get there is certain.
The Curse of Autumn is out now via Century Media Records.
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