The Total Sound Of The Undergound

Lelahel Metal

WARD XVI return with Id3ntity, the gripping final chapter of their dark theatrical trilogy. Expect chaos, creativity, and a powerful ode to the fans who built this asylum.

1. Congratulations on the upcoming release of Id3ntity! This album marks the final chapter of your trilogy. How does it tie together the story that began with your earlier releases?
Dok Von Schottenstein-This album bridges the gap between Metamorphosis and The Art of Manipulation. So of the trilogy, album 1 is the end of the story, album 2 is the beginning of the story and this is the gritty middle section..straightforward eh!
There are also time lines and story arcs that run through the 3 albums in ‘real time’ too so it’s a kind of Tarantino type continuum.

2. Your new single “We Are Legion” has just dropped, and it’s a real powerhouse. What’s the meaning behind the track, and how does it fit into Psychoberrie’s journey?
Psychoberrie- The last songs on each of our albums form their own concept, documenting Psychoberrie’s time in the Asylum. We originally had other ideas for this track that were of a similar vein to the previous 2 album closers but I was never satisfied, I knew that it needed a shake up but I wasn't sure how. Not until myself and Rico (actor/vocalist)went to watch Lord of the Lost, I felt inspired after watching their show, it was hard-hitting and I wanted that energy. I came out of that gig and it just immediately became clear to me that this song needed to be an ode to our fans, our inmates, a way to incorporate them into our stage show, into this world we had created.

I came back that night and immediately got to work on the keyboard riff and the next day I presented it to The Doktor and set him the challenge of working a guitar riff into it and it became one of my favourite pieces on the album. Of all the songs it probably came together the quickest. It's the shortest on the album but it said everything it needed to say. It serves as a prelude to our first single as this is set further in the past, in the Asylum where they're planning the events that take place in 'Blood is the new Black'.

Our inmates have given us so much support, they even funded this album, so as well as being a conceptually important song in the trilogy, it's also a thank you. Our inmates have grown this band far beyond the 6 people you see on stage and it continues to grow. That was all determined by them, they turned up wearing the stripes, created their own identities and personalities in this fictional universe, the idea for the inmate numbers even came from them, so this isn't just our band anymore. "We are Legion, we are one, we are the collective!"

3. WARD XVI is known for immersive, theatrical live shows. What new elements or surprises can fans expect on your UK tour this October?
Dok Von Stottenstein-We’ve really kicked the production up to 11 on this album, it will be a more direct, heavy and intense experience compared to the previous album which at times was introspective and slow to gather pace. This new album starts with a bang and continues for an hour at the same velocity and intensity... we’ve lots of fun stuff planned so we don’t want to ruin any surprises. But we are definitely pushing the boat out experience wise.

4. You’ve drawn comparisons to legends like Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden, and more modern acts like Ghost. How have these influences shaped the sound and stagecraft of Id3ntity*?*
Dok Von Stottenstein-I think they’ve given us the inspiration and confidence to just try to bring something theatrical to the smaller stages. The ability to translate theatrical story lines into the show to immerse the crowd is something we take very seriously. I think they’ve given us also bring credibility to what we do as well.

5. The band has grown a cult following for combining music with a twisted narrative arc. What drives your passion for storytelling in such a dark and dramatic way?
Psychoberrie: I think I've always been a fan of horror. I was lucky enough that my parents were able to take us to Universal Studios in Florida when we were kids at halloween and it was a whole immersive experience with actors and many walkthrough mazes. It was miles ahead of what was happening in the UK at the time where everyone was going out dressed in bin bags with those rubber witch fingers. The costumes, the set designs are something I've always found cool, and in my career as a designer I've found that I love applying themes to things. I've designed and built some big exhibition stands for motorcycle shows where I've made the whole thing look like a workshop. I think all of it is something that I enjoy and that's why I find it easy to do. Plus I've always found gigs more enjoyable when they appeal to all the senses.

I think the storytelling element is primarily driven by me not wanting to write from my own experiences because I've been in a band before and you run out of things to write about. If I create a world and a character then the ideas are limitless.

6. Your previous single “Blood Is The New Black” got great exposure via Kerrang! and Primordial Radio. How important has media support been for a band with such a unique concept?
Media this day and age is fundamental to any band trying to grow organically.. we’ve been so fortunate to have such support, but we’re mega mindful of those who have been with us since the very beginning messing up pubs, so I still email all the press releases to the bloggers and underground stations that have been there from day one.

It’s also great that more mainstream stations and magazines are taking a punt on bands like us too.. this links to question 4, as certainly sleep token, avatar, ghost have opened the eyes of stations and media to the world of theatrical concept rock and metal.

7. Tracks like “Macabaret” and “Amoeba Of Madness” suggest some wild musical directions. Can you give us insight into the creative process behind these more experimental songs?
Dok Von Stottenstein- We start with the story core/ beat of the song… picture it more like a film or book chapter.. once you know what the vibe should be you can then tailor the type of music/ tone and vibe of the song.. some Vibes lend themselves to a type of riff, style or genre.

it then generally flows and myself and Psychoberrie will listen/ critique and add/ remove parts that help the context flow better and allow the story to be told. Some happen easier than others but we’re pretty good at working through concepts.

8. You’ve performed everywhere from intimate club venues to massive festival stages like Bloodstock. What’s your favorite setting to bring WARD XVI’s dark universe to life—and why?
Dok Von Stottenstein-It’s a tricky one. Smaller intimate gigs has their pros and cons as do larger ones., generally in smaller gigs we are headlining so we can have time to set up, sound check and control the night, festivals although the stage and scale is huge, you literally have 10 mins to throw 2 hours worth of prep on stage, and line check, so you’re really starting before levels have been checked and props really arranged. It’s just 30-45 mins of adrenaline and anxiety..

Obviously for what we do bigger scale is better for an overall better theatrical display, but we do love playing the more intimate gigs where the inmates in the crowd have no option but to become part of the spectacle.

9. The theatrical elements—Nurse Betty, Rico Rameres, the props and costumes—are vital to the show. How do you balance the storytelling with the musical performance during a live set?
Psychoberrie- It's been much easier to balance since the actors came on board to be honest as they move everything around us which makes it far easier for us to concentrate on our musical performance. The more we gig the more fluid it becomes. I can't see a thing in my mask during Imago but I hold my hand out and Rico places a gun in my hand right on cue. Until now I'm the only one that's had to juggle the acting with the music and that's far easier for me as I only have a mic. The musicians job before now has been to get out of the way at the right times and if they forget then I tend to just manhandle them out of the way as it fits with my character to do that anyway so it doesn't look out of place. But with this new stage show The Dok is a main character so we're currently trying new things to enable us to present the story well without affecting his ability to play. So that's going to be a new challenge for him but what we have planned is going to look great.

10. The album launch show at Manchester Academy 2 with Red Method is a big milestone. What makes that night extra special for you, and how are you preparing for it?
Dok Von Stottenstein-It’s the biggest standalone show we’ve ever attempted and with that the ambitions reflect it. We’ve gone full out with this in terms of the show, we’re planning a ‘splash zone’ (I think it explains itself) as well as audio/ visual designs that we’ve never attempted before.

We are currently spending each hour building the sets/ props, rehearsing, promoting at festivals and gigs to get people interested to buy tickets… It's exhausting but hopefully it will be worth it when it all comes together on the night.

11. Finally, after closing this trilogy, where does WARD XVI go next? Should we expect a new chapter, or is it time to open the gates to an entirely new universe?
Dok Von Stottenstein-We’ve a universe and a multiverse to explore ha ha. The XVICU!!
Asylums have more than one ward and more than one patient so the options are limitless… we’ve yet to do a yodelling album so you never know…

We’ve dropped a hint of a new character in blood is the new black video, so the seeds are already in place.

Ward XVI – For the Criminally Insane

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