Interviews : Alarum (Mark Palfreyman) – 19/05/2009

Alarum, progressive technical metal jazz-fusion band from Melbourne, are back! After 2 years of no Australian shows, the 4-piece band stylistically similar to early-90’s pioneers Atheist and Cynic will be playing two shows in Geelong and Melbourne this weekend, supported by Ne Obliviscaris and more.

Their technical/progressive jazz/fusion influenced style of thrash/death metal has continued to Continually evolving their sound over the years, the band has performed shows around the globe with artists such as Necrophagist, Testament, Obituary, Dark Tranquillity, Lamb Of God, Cattle Decapitation, Arsis, Neuraxis, Gojira, Psycroptic, Alchemist, Mortal Sin & many more.

MetalObsession.net had a chat with Mark Palfreyman (Bass/Vocals) about their time off, recent European shows, and their new album set to be released before the end of 2009 through Willowtip/Candlelight Records.

—————————————————–

MetalObsession.net: Welcome to MetalObsession.net! It’s been a long while since the Australian public has had the chance to see Alarum in the live scene, what has been happening with the band over the past couple of years?
Alarum: The past couple of years we have mainly been working on writing and pre-production for ‘Natural Causes’. There was a couple of member changes after our 2006 US/UK/Ireland tour so time has been spent to ensure our next album takes things to the next level. On the live front, we’ve done some support shows in Australia for Dark Tranquillity, Testament, Obituary, Lamb Of God & Death Angel and we played in Holland last year.

MetalObsession.net: I’ve heard you now have a new live guitarist in the band to replace Scott Young? Can you tell me who it is and what sort of role will he be playing in Alarum from now on?
Alarum: Guitarist Ryan Williams has been jamming with us as live guitarist and allows us to start playing some shows again. We’re recording the album as a 3 piece with Mark Evans recording all guitars so live Ryan will be helping us out.

MetalObsession.net: Now you have got a new album ready to go titled ‘Natural Causes’. Three parts to this question, is it recorded yet, will the album be released through Willowtip Records/Earache just as ‘Eventuality’ was, and when can fans expect to see a release date?
Alarum: The album is being recorded very soon, it will be released in USA through Willowtip records, Europe through Candlelight Records – as fas as a release date goes it’s not confirmed yet but we’re aiming for asap 2009.

MetalObsession.net: When I first listened to Alarum it was like nothing I’d really heard before. On further delving into the style, I can see that of course there have been some forefathers, yet the music you have created is clearly still unique and boundary pushing.  I’m wondering what your thoughts are on what I guess would be a similar situation for you when first listening to bands such as Atheist and Cynic for the first time?
Alarum: Bands such as Atheist, Cynic, Watchtower, Death & Pestilence  really blew our  minds and inspired us to explore our music.  The original, detailed and musical abilities of these bands influenced us a lot.

MetalObsession.net: Your most recent show was as part of the ProgPower Europe 2008 show alongside bands such as Pagan’s Mind, Wolverine, Zero Hour and of course Cynic – a band that many people compare you to. How did you enjoy the festival, and how was the reaction to your set?
Alarum: The festival was amazing, we went to Holland for the one show – a long way to go but was worth it. We went there for four days, hung out bands and fans including Cynic and Zero Hour which really was a dream come true for us. The audience reaction was mixed, half loved it and it went over the head of the other half. We were probably the heaviest band of the ProgPower festival which was different for us as we’re used to being the least heavy at a death metal show etc.

MetalObsession.net: As hinted to earlier, the band is back playing live in Australia, with gigs booked in both Geelong and Melbourne. What are the details of the gig, and what can we expect from the band?
Alarum: Yeah finally we’re doing some local shows and really looking forward to getting back out there. We’ll be playing stuff of both our Fluid Motion and Eventuality albums as well as new songs off Natural Causes.

22nd May 2009
Alarum @ Barwon Club, Geelong
w/ Ne Obliviscaris, A Fallen Theory and Veil of Anguish
Tickets available at the door 8pm, $15.

23rd May 2009
Alarum @ The Espy, Melbourne
w/ Ne Obliviscaris, Aeon of Horus, Mushroom Giant and House of Thumbs
Tickets available at the door 8pm, $15.

MetalObsession.net: An all but trademarked MetalObsession.net question here – what are some local Aussie bands that you personally feel the readers and staff of MO should check out?
Alarum: As well as all the bands we’re playing with this weekend, some others worth checking out are Aphotic Dawn, Dreadnaught, The Ocularis Infernum, Switchblade, Mephistopheles, Uncle Chunk, Separatist, Grotesque, Truth Corroded & Voyager.

MetalObsession.net: Any last words for the Metal Obsession readers?
Alarum: Thanks for the interview; we’ll have some new Alarum for you soon!

MetalObsession.net: See you this weekend at The Espy!
Alarum: Looking forward to it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band: Alarum
Date: 19/05/2009
Origin: Melbourne, Australia
www.myspace.com/alarummusic

Questions: Brendan Amos (Metal Obsession)
Answers: Mark Palfreyman (Bass/Vocals)

Upcoming ALARUM gis:
22nd May 2009
Alarum @ Barwon Club, Geelong
w/ Ne Obliviscaris, A Fallen Theory and Veil of Anguish
Tickets available at the door 8pm, $15.

23rd May 2009
Alarum @ The Espy, Melbourne
w/ Ne Obliviscaris, Aeon of Horus, Mushroom Giant and House of Thumbs
Tickets available at the door 8pm, $15.