Voidchaser reflects on their meteoric rise after Solace, navigating international acclaim, sold-out shows, and a bold new EP, Trust. Join us as they share insights into their journey.
1. We
last spoke to you in May 2024, just as you were preparing to release Solace.
Since then, you’ve achieved so much, including critical acclaim, international
charting, and even sold-out shows. How does it feel to reflect on this
whirlwind of success, and how has your perspective on the band’s future evolved
since that interview?
Chad: 2024
was definitely a big year for Voidchaser and it feels quite surreal. It’s
amazing to see that so many people have not only enjoyed but have been very
vocal about their enjoyment of all of the music we put out last year,
especially Solace! It’s definitely made us double down on being bold. I think
we always thought we had something interesting with Voidchaser but our
thunderous 2024 has confirmed that and we are now all in and taking everyone
for a ride with us.
2.
Collaborating between Montreal and Stockholm is no small feat. How has this
long-distance dynamic shaped your creative process? Have there been any
unexpected challenges or advantages that have influenced your music?
Chad: I
personally think it’s been quite good honestly. We have a very well-established
work flow, and I think the time zones may contribute to that. I feel like every
morning I wake up with a new demo or mix to listen to or thing to work on and I
feel like it probably goes both ways because anything that requires my input or
feedback is usually given back to them by the time they wake up. It also gives
me time to process my feedback and be more analytical that react. Plus, just
the fact that I’m in Europe is super inspiring creatively.
3. Your
debut album Solace has been a game-changer, earning critical acclaim and
charting in multiple countries. What was the most challenging aspect of
creating such a complex, interconnected piece of work, and how has the success
of Solace shaped your vision for Voidchaser moving forward?
Chad: It’s
hard to say. Solace had lived in the back of my head for so long that I can’t
remember many challenges when writing it other than learning to take the time
to do it. The production was a big learning experience for us as a band. We
learned worked and kept doing that, as well as got rid of the things that
weren't working out as much. It just kind of legitimized to ourselves that we
want to take Voidchaser as far as it goes and to do that, we have to do what we
unapologetically and keep taking big swings.
4. Your
music blends progressive metal with death and rock influences, creating a sound
that feels both technical and emotive. Since the release of your first single,
Valkyrie, how has your approach to songwriting and sound evolved over time?
Chad: I
think we’ve definitely found our footing on both fronts. I don’t put as many
barriers for myself with songwriting now and knowing that the people in
Voidchaser are there to turn the ores into ingots is incredibly freeing. I have
never written as much music that I like as I have in 2024 personally and I know
a lot of it is due to having trust in the Voidchaser crew, which is stronger
than ever.
5. You
recently completed the Terra Corp Presents: The Only Human Tour, which included
your first sold-out show. What were some of the most memorable moments from the
tour, and how did it feel to see such a passionate response from your fans?
Chad: There
are so many cool moments that happened on the tour it’s impossible to pick just
one. But some of the highlights for me was almost selling out our Montreal show
on a Monday night and sharing that show with the lovely people from The
Anchoret, Universe Effects, and Alpha Boötis, getting to meet our friends in
Fall From Everest that came over here all the way from Czech Republic, and
playing at La Forge à Bérubé. But honestly every night was amazing. It was
super surreal to see everyone come out as well and have such a good time! I
remember about an hour before doors going outside and hearing somebody playing
Tyrant in their car and feeling completely overcome but joy.
6. Your upcoming EP Trust features collaborations with Jim Grey and other
incredible artists. How did these collaborations come together, and what was it
like working with such influential figures in the progressive metal community?
Chad: The
collaborations with The Anchoret and Universe Effects were quite natural. We
had such a good time on tour and it was an easy sell. That being said, the fact
that they had agreed definitely made us feel like we had “their seal of
approval” sort of speak as we definitely looked up to them musically. We kind
of decided to reach out to Jim Grey after that and after a few emails I was on
a Zoom call with him and it was such a crazy moment. I still can’t believe that
it happened and it feels truly surreal to get a figurative stamp of approval
from him.
7.
Voidchaser’s music often tells deeply personal and imaginative stories. From
the conceptual narrative in Solace to the themes of betrayal and redemption in
Trust, storytelling seems to be at the core of your identity. What inspires you
to explore such intricate narratives, and how do you ensure that your music
resonates both technically and emotionally?
Chad: I’ve
always enjoyed great story telling and I think it’s an important part of music
and it’s a detail that I always look out for whenever I listen to something.
There isn’t a magic formula to anything I do really. Lyrically, I draw upon
personal things to fuel the raw emotions of a song and then throw a coat of
sci-fi paint on it. I write music with very little “rules” in mind. Whenever I
write music part of my process is always to try and imagine playing the song in
front of an audience. I also picture myself as an audience member and imagining
how I would react to hearing this live and that’s about it. Most of the music
also comes from a riff that I come up with or an idea and then I throw it up my
DAW and try to figure out how I get there to make the riff have the most
impact.
8. Your fanbase has been rapidly growing across North America, Europe, and
South America, thanks to radio stations, podcasts, and playlists. How do you
stay connected with fans worldwide, and has this global reach influenced your
creative or strategic decisions?
Chad: We
are very active on social media so that’s one way to connect with us. As far as
influencing any decisions, I would say for the time being it hasn’t changed
anything other than made us a little more ambitious when applying to festivals
around the world.
9. You’ll be performing at ProgPower Europe 2025 alongside some amazing
acts. What does it mean to Voidchaser to join such a prestigious event, and how
are you preparing for this performance?
Chad: It
means so much to us to be even considered for this event so the fact that we
are playing in it is an extremely surreal feeling. I have been practicing every
day and rigorously going through our songs and cleaning everything up to make
sure we can give ProgPower Europe the performance it deserves.
10.
You’ve mentioned artists like Devin Townsend, Opeth, and Caligula's Horse as
major influences. How have these inspirations shaped your sound, and are there
any other artists you dream of collaborating with in the future?
Chad: I
would say they have influenced us to have the drive and ambition to be bold and
unapologetic about our music. These are also story tellers and inspire us to
tell our own stories. As for artists that we would love to collaborate with, we
were already so fortunate to be able to collaborate with Jim Grey from
Caligula's Horse that everything else feels like a bonus. That being said
though I would love the opportunity to collaborate with Haken.
11. When
we last spoke in May 2024, you were just gearing up to release Solace. Looking
back, how do you feel the band has grown since then, and in what ways has that
growth influenced your work on Trust?
Chad: As
big of a year 2024 was, it was also a very humbling and informative year for
the band. We had to have some difficult conversations and make difficult
choices. That being said, everything that was said and done was for the better
of Voidchaser and I truly believe that Trust is a reflection of that. Trust, to
me, represents trusting the process of making music, trusting my instinct as
band leader, and trusting the people I surrounded myself with to care about my
baby. In many ways it is about letting other people into Voidchaser to shape
and polish things for the better.
12. With
Trust marking the next step in Voidchaser’s journey and an international tour
on the horizon, what are your hopes and expectations for 2025 and beyond? Are
there any surprises or exciting plans that you can share with your fans?
Chad: I
truly think that 2025 is going to be a massive year for us. We have a lot of
surprises in store and all I have to say about that this is going to be a hell
of a ride and fans should strap the fuck in.
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