Alpha Galates
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Toronto-based Alpha Galates have been making enough noise with their brand prog-metal that the scene has no choice but to take notice. After releasing three independently-produced albums under the moniker The Hollow through the Swarm Theory Music label (2002's Natio, 2004's Vita and Obitus in 2006), the band went through a series of line-up changes that lead to a complete overhaul and the re-naming the group Alpha Galates.
Now signed with EMI Music, Alpha Galates has released their debut album, A Stimulus for Reason, to much deserved critical acclaim. The band's prog-metal invokes Opeth comparisons and then sweeps into classic rock riffage in an instant. Their debut is a diverse mixture of all styles of metal and rock that can resonate with fans of all genres.
Alpha Galates vocalist/Drummer Matthew Von Wagner called into Blistering.com HQ to give us the scoop on the band's debut album, the state of the music business and just how a little band from the great white north caught the attention of metal legend Bruce Dickenson.
Blistering.com: You were known around Toronto as The Hollow and then changed your name to Alpha Galates, what prompted the name change?
Von Wagner: We were The Hollow for 7 years, and we put out 2 albums and an EP and toured Canada 5 times. When we started The Hollow the original plan was to do a trilogy of albums: Natio, Vita, and Obitus. A Stimulus for Reason was originally the third album, "Obitus". 2 years ago, we lost our original live drummer, and gained Rowan on guitar. Harmony joined a few months later on piano and keyboards, and we felt that it was really time to change our musical direction. The Hollow we viewed as more of a "metal" band, but with Alpha Galates, we felt we could branch out stylistically a lot more, and didn't want to be stuck with any pre conceived ideas about our band. We all loved the name Alpha Galates, so the next chapter of our lives was born. We finally completed our saga when we signed to EMI in December, 2006.
Blistering.com: Care to explain the significance of the title of the record A Stimulus for Reason?
Von Wagner: I love reading "conspiracy" books, and one of my favorites is a book called Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs. There is a chapter in that book called "A Stimulus For War,” and seeing those words always stuck in my mind. When we stepped back and listened to our album after it was all finished, the "war" didn't seem to fit, but "reason" did. We always try to encourage people to think for themselves, and to question the world around them. I guess we are hoping that people will buy our album and maybe hear a lyric or feel an emotion that will encourage positive change in their perception of the world around them. The first thing you read on the album cover is “A Stimulus for Reason” and we hope that it will be just that.
Blistering.com: Your sound borders on prog-rock at times then the next minute it sweeps into modern rock territory. When you’re writing is it just a melting pot of influences?
Von Wagner: Our attitude with music is that there should be no borders or rules at all. We all listen to SO much different music, and we like to let that shine through with our writing. One of my favorite bands is Radiohead, but I love the power and emotion I feel when I put on a Slayer or SYL (Strapping Young Lad) record. I also love the freedom and soundscapes Pink Floyd created on The Dark Side of the Moon. If music becomes too categorized, then it ceases to be fun to listen to. I guess we always try and take our songs somewhere a little unexpected and we all pretty much love totally different styles of music.
Blistering.com: There is a fair amount of guitar solos and intricate guitar work on the album, which has been missing from modern day metal. Was there a conscious effort to bring that back or is it just the way the material evolved?
Von Wagner: I love guitar and we are blessed with some amazing guitar players, so why not have some fun with that? From the very beginning of our band, we have always let the guitar sit in the front of the songs. We never try and have solos just for the sake of having extraneous solos, but when the time is right, why not! I love the way Todd, our guitarist uses weird textures and chords to create unusual tensions in our songs. Guitar solo and technique seemed to have been buried in the 90's and early 00's, but it seems that there is a real resurgence in guitar solos.
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