Melbourne prog band, Teramaze have just dropped their their new album “Are We Soldiers” recently, a follow up to ‘Her Halo’, Teramaze’s 2015 album, and their first for Mascot Records which saw the band take a big step up from previous albums ‘Anhedonia’ (2012) and ‘Esoteric Symbolism’ (2014). Four years later and Teramaze are back with a new album so we grabbed a few words from guitarist Chris Zoupa to find out more on the songs and the future.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs for “Are We Soldiers”.
We demo most of the songs at Dean’s home studio. Andrew and I have little mini studios as well so it’s super helpful to be able to write in 3 different houses and send ideas back and forth. After the demos come to life and we dub a song “complete”, we start tracking everything properly and meticulously. I’m awful with tuning my guitars on demos… I just have an idea and I’m too excited to wait for an instrument to be in tune to get it out of my head!
Dean is in another band (Meshiaak) and we got to borrow their vocalist Danny, for the bridge in ‘One Percent Disarm’. It’s brutal. He brought something really different to the song and we were all stoked the first time we heard it.
What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with the release?
We’ve always aimed to do something different… I know that sounds cliché, but stuff like experimenting with instrumentation, lyrical subject matter etc. I’m really happy with everything we achieved with this album.
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
I think writing constantly is the only thing that keeps any of us sane. Not everything is “a keeper” or even a Teramaze song. Dean shares demos constantly, we jam quite regularly and I’m always sending phone videos of riffs I write to the guys often captions “yay or nay?” or “is going somewhere?”.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
It’s weird… The excitement comes and goes. It gets to the point where you’ve been demoing, recording, editing, producing, culling songs for so long that when they’re done you’re just like “Let’s release this and NEVER talk about it every again!”. After the release of ‘Are We Soldiers’ we got heaps of positive feedback and were genuinely pumped to play these live and share them with people properly.
How does it compare to previous releases?
This album to me, combined some of my favourite aspects of Teramaze. There were moments of heaviness from the ‘Esoteric Symbolism’ and ‘Anhedonia’ era, then beautiful orchestrated heartfelt moments from the ‘Halo’ era. I just think this album perfectly sums up who we are as a band and artists RIGHT NOW, but also where we’re going.
What were the lyrical themes of the songs?
Songs like ‘Weight Of Humanity’ and ‘Control Conquer Collide’ talk about the shady government hijinx, as well as the news and media being controlled and untrustworthy. We are into controversial topics some might say, we just like talking about different topics. We all wrote enough songs “about a girl” when we were 15 haha.
What were the main inspirations for “Are We Soldiers”?
It’s kinda weird as our influences are so diverse and silly. I can hear a lot modern metal like Slipknot and Lamb Of God in a song like ‘Weight Of Humanity’, but hear moments of Jason Becker and Queen in ‘Fight Of Flight’. As far as “muses” go, most riffs of mine are an accident, unless I’ve been given strict parameters like “Hey Chris, write a bridge that changes key from section Q to section R.”
Any favorite moments or songs on the album?
I really love the double solos in ‘Saviour To Assassin’. There’s something very triumphant and old school Iron Maiden about it. It just makes me happy every time I hear it.
Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
NEVER! Most of the time you just write and see where it goes. It gets to band practice and some of the riffs and song arrangements are so all over the place you’re like “Guys, how the jelly buttons are we going to play this live?”
What can people expect at a Teramaze live show?
Expect tightness, beautiful vocals (with harmonies), to be able to cry and mosh your neck and the same time. You’ll want to bring tissues and a neck brace.
How do you pick out a setlist and is that a difficult process?
It’s really hard when everyone has their favourites… but it’s also a process based on making terrible mistakes. We recently did a show with a 30 minute set that didn’t breathe. Just a half hour of man power. We were all winded by the end of it. We’re working on putting together a set with a few more songs that breathe so we can get our our frickin’ breath back!
What is your favorite song to play live?
MONSTERS! It’s groovey. It’s sexy. It’s like if Diana Ross or ABBA collaborated with Disturbed. People get into with seconds. The chorus sounds great with the vocal harmonies too!
How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far? Any favorite places to play live, highlights or stand out shows?
We’ve been playing around our city and more shows are to come. We’re really enjoy it. I personally enjoy making dumb faces at Dean and trying to crack him up at difficult sections in songs.
It’s been great getting the songs out of a bedroom or band practice setting. I’m looking forward to getting more comfortable with the guys and building some more onstage chemistry. It’s been great so far.
Looking forward to Prog Power in Baarlo in October. It will be a career highlight for me and the band for shiz.
How did the band form and get started?
Brett and Dean formed the band in high school. It’s gone through many members/lineup changes and the style has really evolved too.
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
We have all had various trauma, and some serious health scares. It feels good to be on the other side in good physical and mental health playing in a band, with healthy (maybe not our Bass Player Andrew/Mr. Death) and likeable gentleman.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
Pretty sure no one gives 2 corn riddled turds about TV anymore. Make good music, make good clips, play like a boss live. There’s so much hope for Rock and Metal right now!
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Be the truest self you can be as an artist. Releasing shit you don’t believe in is like going into an Italian restaurant run by Irish people. Your audience and customers will figure out soon enough that what you’re doing is not genuine. It feels better to release music honestly, with melodies, lyrics and a message you actually believe in
Who are some of your main influences?
I grew up listening to lots of grunge, but my biggest influences that helped me get my guitar chops up and help me stylistically fit into this band would have to be Dream Theater and Megadeth. A great mix of rock and metal and often music that goes on a journey. I also love Django Reinhardt, Ray Charles, Chopin… I’ll literally listen to anything if there’s a good melody and hooks.
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and play music?
It all comes back to sanity. I have been playing music since I was 6. It’s been a constant. But it does get lonely being a solo artist and YouTuber, so I think there’s a social and mental health aspect of being in a band that’s been really good for all of us. Being able to create music with the guys in Teramaze inspires me daily as a person and musician… and yes that’s sounds corny but it’s 100% true. Fight me.
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
I feel a lot of pop and Metalcore music out now is very safe and formulaic. There’s a lot of great music and crazy talented people out there you just have to put in a bit of work to find them. Artists like James Norbit Ivanyi, The Omnific and I Built The Sky come to mind.
What are your thoughts on the prog metal scene in Australia?
All of us in the prog metal scene are deep down, socially awkward dorks. I mean that in an endearing way. Everyone is super nice. The music itself is quite experimental and no one’s “playing it safe”. The cool thing about prog is that the parameters are pretty loosey goosey. Everyone seems to be trying different things and pushing the envelope in their own unique way.
In particular with the Melbourne music scene, what do you think are the positives and negatives of a place that is known as the music capital of the country?
Positives are there’s always live music on somewhere! It’s pretty cool. It just sucks when you’re playing a show and half your fans are at a mate’s bands gig.
Do you believe music can still change the world?
Maybe the same way Freddie Mercury and Bob Geldof did, but people still want to be moved and challenged. We plan on releasing music that provocates thought and healthy discussion. If enough artists in any field do that, the world “changeable”.
What is the future looking like for Teramaze?
Anything is possible. Next year is looking like we’ll have some international shows, as well as new collaborations with some amazing artists. I’m hoping we can do some intense writing too. I’m really excited by what music we’ll create with this current line up.
If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Ideally I would love to watch the Megadeth album ‘Rust in Peace’ from start to finish. It’s an absolute masterpiece.
What is the meaning of life?
Question everything. Don’t be a sheep. Finish Streets Of Rage 2 on Sega Genesis at least once.
