Blackened Horde: How did the band get started? How did you meet and how long have you been together?
Sean: Well it started out over 5 years ago in a band by the name of Faust. Which was pure death metal in the vein of bands such as Grave/Convulse/Macabre. We recorded two demos, the last one “Damnation’s Pride” was actually recorded by Mitch Harris of Napalm Death, who I had known from high school. Anyways I got tired of the style we were playing and decided to create something new. I spent the next few years working with Dave Suzuki (Guitarist), who I had known for 10 years, on a new style. One day I came up with the name Silent Raven Fell and the idea to mix a strong Gothic element into doom sound. Suzuki left to join a “big” death metal band soon after we recorded the first demo. Right now I am the only member but I am working with a session keyboardist Markus Shettfield. I’m trying to convince a guitarist from Arizona to join the project, his playing and technical ability is simply amazing!! I myself do all vocals, lyrics and some of the guitar.
Blackened Horde: How would you describe your music?
Sean: Gothic/Darkwave/Black/Doom.
Blackened Horde: What are your biggest musical influences?
Sean: Well from the old days I was influenced by bands like Abhorrence, Macabre End, Convulse etc… Now my main influences come from more Gothic/ambient/doom styles. Some favorites- Suspiria, Voyage, Arcturus, Katatonic, Whores Of Babylon, Fields Of The Nephilim, and of course My Dying Bride.
Blackened Horde: Who if, if any do you consider the bands idols?
Sean: Well I can certainly appreciate a band like My Dying Bride for staying true to Dark style they created. Even though they have changed somewhat, I still consider them to be the ultimate in depressive sounds. Also Aaron’s Lyrics definitely were an influence.
Blackened Horde: What made you want to be in the band? And if you weren’t in the band what would you want to be doing now?
Sean: I have been into underground music over 13 years, and it just seemed like playing music was the best way to express my feelings and connect with the scene. Well besides playing music I have always wanted to have my own record label, something I am working on at present.
Blackened Horde: What are some of your favorite bands that are really popular today?
Sean: Popular bands that I like are Edge of Sanity, “Old” Sisters of Mercy, Love Like Blood, and My Dying Bride. Right now some favorite of mine are Bethlehem, The Nefilim, Callenish Circle, Orphaned Land, Evoken, Diabolical Masquerade and some hardcore like Vision of Disorder and Handsome.
Blackened Horde: How many demos/albums do you have? Tell me about them.
Sean: There is one Silent Raven Fell demo “Jade Flutes Of The Archangel”, which has 6 trax of depressive Gothic/Doom sound. Plus I have a side project Wolves Under Azurean Midnight. This is pure dark metal along the lines of Abigor, the demo is entitled “Ebony Poison” and has an intro plus 3 trax. Both demos available for $5 USA/$6 World.
Blackened Horde: If you could play with any band who would it be and why?
Sean: I really have no interest in playing live but it would still be great to play with bands such as Dead Can Dance, Elend or Whores of Babylon.
Blackened Horde: Who writes the majority of the music?
Sean: The actual music was written by me and the departed Suzuki. I made all final arrangements and wrote all the lyrics, which are based upon the poetry I write. Most of the older material was written by me.
Blackened Horde: Who has been the favorite band you’ve played with? Why?
Sean: Silent Raven Fell has never played live and I have no intention of doing so in the near future. Living in Las Vegas is rough as there is not even one underground band here. Counting myself there is probably only two people into the underground music in the whole city. Very bad place to be.
Blackened Horde: Where did you get the band name from?
Sean: It was really strange how the name came about. I was at work talking on the phone when out of nowhere I say to myself Silent Raven. A second later I added Fell. It was almost like waking from a dream and finding the words upon you.
Blackened Horde: Describe what the band is like live?
Sean: Well we have never played so I couldn’t tell you.
Blackened Horde: If you are gonna do any kind of video what would be in it?
Sean: The night sky, clouds, the neon fog, a vast landscape filled with shrouded images and chaotic sounds…
Blackened Horde: Are there any tour plans made, if so tell me about them?
Sean: I have to first get a Cd out before touring could be considered, who knows maybe in another year Silent Raven Fell will open the Dynamo Festival in Europe… probably not likely though.
Blackened Horde: Where do you think the band will be in 20 years from now?
Sean: Hopefully in 20 years there will still be some form of dark music around, maybe we will all be listening to something new like Funeral Jazz while we sit in out rocking chairs… Thanks for the interview.
Contact them at:
Silent Raven Fell
P.O. Box 11258
Las Vegas, NV 89111