SHANE B DHIMAN - PHONOMIK

#interview

SHANE B DHIMAN - Phonomik

💿 Hi, it’s a pleasure for us to have on Hardrockheavymetal SHANE B DHIMAN of PHONOMIK!! Welcome!!

Hi Thank for having us.

💿 On Feb 28th you will unleash your new album entitled BRAIN BLEEDER. We had the chance to listening to in preview and we were really impressed! Can you tell us somethin'about its composition process and and style?

Composition:

We were already writing the material for this Album after the release of our first album “Soul Creeper”.

At the time I had a substance abuse And I was drinking myself to death. Composing songs and playing guitar was my Lifeline. Most of the riffs for Brain Bleeder were born this way. Together we are composed and arranged the Songs for the album and I wrote the lyrics which came from a dark place.

Process:

Whilst on the second leg of our Soul Creeper tour the American producer Dito contacted us. He had worked with “No Doubt - Motley Crue and Ace Frehley (KISS)” in the early 90ies. He had golden records on the wall behind him as we spoke over skype and a collaboration seemed as a good idea at the time. He was a good talker, and unfortunately it turned out it was all he was.

Together we tracked guitars, bass, the drums were pre-recorded at “Hansen Studios” and Dito was very specific on how to track the vocals. The idea was to track with Dito and mix/master with Jacob, and Dito would be the producer through the hole process in DK.

After having spent the first load of money on his travel expenses and fees he convinced us that the best procedure was for him to mix and master in LA, if we were to have a chance with big companies, with which he allegedly had great contacts. It all became a whole lot more expensive, we were already in too deep to stop so we decided to continue down the rabbit hole.

We received the new mix from LA, and it was not good, technically the sound was inferior and flat. Michael and I travelled to LA to co-mix our album and it got better but not great.

Time passed and it proved that none of our material could be finalized, and we had accumulated a huge debt.

The vocal production was bad, witch left me devastated. We finally decided to re-record the vocals and give it a last go. Michael and I re-recorded the vocals, this time with no compromise.

We are lucky to live close to Jacob Hansen, and proud to have the great Hansen Studio sound. We have had the joy of working with Jacob Hansen since the beginning. He is extremely competent a great guy and a friend of the band. Also the great Kim Olesen from Anubis Gate has put down the Keys and Tracks used on the album, which definitely spice up the experience.

Our drummer had left the band, but we hooked up with Mickey on drums and Søren on additional guitar. We are now a quintet stronger than ever.

Style:

Our first album was well described as a cross between metallica and Disturbed as they are a huge inspiration to us. As the years have passed we have let us influence by other great bands like Slipknot and Dream Theater. But the quest has been to be without compromise and focus on expression rather than expectations. To new fan i would recommend a listen and say it's Dark Metal with melodic Vocals.

💿 Can you tell us somethin’about the birth and the name of your band? Which artists or bands impressed you the most as musician?

Wee formed back in 2006. Michael Kenneth and I I started the band covering hard rock and metal. We quickly started composing our own songs and recorded our first demo. We have had several drummers since then, but now we have a great drummer in Mickey. Søren on additional guitars is also a gift. Originally we thought of PHON as our band name Which is synonyms for sound. But it was used by other bands. We had already been giging with the name so we decided to keep the root of the name and add “MIK” as a kind of amplification of the word.

Im am personally impressed by all the great talent out there i see on Youtube, Jesus Freaking Christ therer are some crazy people out there. (In a good way)

💿 BRAIN BLEEDER will be out on EL PUERTO RECORDS. Can you tell us somethin'about birth of relationships with them?

After Going through shit trying to release the Album and finally re-recorded the vocals we decided to give it one last go before simply uploading it.

We contacted Awesome Axel from “rock n growl”. Through him we got signed at El Puerto rec.They seem to be genuine guys with their hearts deeply imbedded in metal.

💿 There's a great return of format such as vinyl and cassette. What's your thinking about these classic format..love for vintage or is it impossible a future for music outside digital?

The vintage formats are great as they are analog with full range frequencies, but not practical as mp3 and digital, Even Though its flat it is great medium with easy access. The future is a Luring mistress.

💿 Inside your songs what’s the role of lyrics in the composition process? Words follow music or vice versa?

Usually we first write the riffs on guitars arrange them and finally record them with bass and drums. I record the vocals after this using ideas for lyrics which i have stored on my phone. For Brain Bleeder Michael had a whole lot input for the lyrics. .

But the all our songs are written in relation to our Soul Creeper and his story.

As Jesus hung upon the cross the thief that was crucified besides beside him pleaded "if you really are God's son then have him set us free"

Jesus died and was resurrected, in the wake of this divine intervention the spirit of the thief was ripped from his being. He was bound to hell but is now destined to roam the globe bodiless. He is forced to feed on souls to survive as his own is lost. He is the voice you here in your darkest hour, neither good nor bad but simply your wishes command. He will set you free in exchange for your soul. Therefor the Soul Creeper.

The songs on Soul Creeper are all related to this state of mind, to the dark within, our phobia, fears and more.

Our second album “Brain Bleeder” contains stories of people's encounter with “The Soul Creeper” throughout history. If you listen carefully to the intro, you hear a man bearing his cross from a slave camp and into the colosseum where he is crucified and set on fire as the crowd cheers and goes wild. The songs on this album are all connected as was it a tale told by “The Soul Creeper”. The Title track “Brain Bleeder” describes the final silent communication between a guy suffering from a severe brain haemorrhaging, and the Soul Creeper. Peace of mind for the price of a soul.

In the band we have all had our personal struggles. Our music is a way for us to cope with the hardship and difficulties we face in life.

Quoting the Soul Creeper talking to us.

“You are my mirror of reality, I am your window to creativity”

(Forever undone - Brain bleeder)

Personally, my lyrics reflect my struggle with alcohol, drugs and suicidal tendencies induced by substance abuse, I have now been sober and clean for 9 years.

💿 Can you tell us somethin’ about your live plans to promote your new fatigue?

We in the midst of negotiating deals with a booking company and merchandise manufacturers to get the machine started. As soon as we have gigs and tours confirmed we will post and spread the message.

💿 We love the cover of BRAIN BLEEDER! Can you tell us somethin'about?

It's Actually a new artist. Niklas Sundin from Cabin Fever Media, also known as the guitarist of Dark Tranquillity. The color scheme is the same as from soul creeper. But this time depicting the Soul Creeper floating across the night sky harvesting souls of the desperate.

💿 Thank you so much for your time! See you soon on Hardrockheavymetal!

Thanx You!

Kind regards

Shane

PHONOMK