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Getting to know UK-based metal outfit Past The Fall, with bassist/vocalist Will Wright filling in the blanks:
What are the origins of Past The Fall?
The band is built around Me (Will) and Thomas fundamentally, we’ve been friends since we were 11! We have been in and out of projects and jammed with each other over the years but we decided to come together properly to start Past The Fall around 2013/14 when we made an EP that’s no longer available, and off the back of that toured around the world starting 2015- it was how we developed our style and craft, and after cutting our teeth and learning the hard way- we released our debut album in 2021.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Past The Fall?
Expect dark and groovy opuses with loads of variety from song to song, plus instrumental tracks and acoustic sections, and loads of absolutely epic and bombastic solos, twin vocals covering the gamut from screams, rock, and clean. For the TLDR- I think people who like Melodeath/Groove Metal with flavours of grunge, thrash, and a dash of prog will enjoy it.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
Considering how much we’ve got around- it’s a bit hard to remember! Plus both me and Thomas were both pretty well experienced from playing music/shows with other stuff since we were 14/15 so it doesn’t stick out for me as being particularly nerve wracking or anything like that. It was probably just really satisfying to use our musical voice with us at the reigns proper for the first time.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams at the minute with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out to build a name for themselves?
When all is said and done you can go a long way with all the extraneous noise but it always comes down to the quality of the music and songwriting, that’s what’s really special about the metal scene for me. Production is also a big part, but really the personality and genuine emotional connection with a piece of music is still King I think.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Well, we played Bloodstock Festival for the first time on the Megadeth Sunday! So if people want to get a feel for us- what other way could be best than to see us live! We have a debut album called From Insanity’s Ruin available on all streaming services, as well as lots of video content across socials and YouTube.
In terms of a similar audience, which band out there at the minute do you feel Past The Fall would be best suited to open for?
I’m really interested in All Hail the Yeti, but musically I think Mastodon would be perfect!
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Akkadian are local to us and I think have a cool modern vibe, and also Elyrean really impressed me for retaining well-written songs in the thrash genre.
What are your own first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
The very first is probably curling up in front of my parent’s vinyl player with the Beatles and ZZ Top when I was under 10. But really music took hold of my soul when I was introduced to Alternative guitar bands when I was 10 like Nirvana/Radiohead/Pixies/Long Pigs then the floodgates opened to heavier and heavier music and anything with guitars, that was really the watershed moment. Nirvana Live Sold Out on VHS was defining for me to what I wanted to do when I was around 11.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
That’s a tough one! Since I’m very lucky to work in the music industry full-time I must confess I haven’t paid for a ticket in a few years! It’s actually a nice by-product as I see a lot more different and underground music than the big hitters these days. But maybe it was Steel Panther or Opeth!
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
For me, depression and mental health are big topics, especially in an age that promotes so much sharing of content and ideas, the irony is that elements of that actually increase disassociation and isolation.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
It probably would be a toss-up between Deadmaus or Sister Sledge!
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
Well, I’m still digesting it, but QOTSA Times New Roman is pretty intriguing, but it has a bit of a tough act to follow. To mention them again I’ve been liking the big chorus grungy/Pantera vibe of All Hail the Yeti.
What does the remainder of 2023 hold for Past The Fall?
Right now we’re working on new material for the new record – the first single should be out near the end of the year.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Yeah, we are pretty active. On average we post 2-3 times a week across FB/IG/Twitter/TikTok, but really the best place to check us out is at Spotify, if you like what you hear follow us there – it really helps us out a lot! You can find us here https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C6hcrzZpmfy0Bc4LfTXj6?si=XViROfH2RZGxUFI1tMpsZA
Photo credits – Joe Brady Photography
