Hey Phil and Chad, first of all a big “Thank You & Well Done!“ for the awesome debut album of your band Hour Of 13, which has just recently been released by Shadow Kingdom Records. It’s quite obvious you put a lot of time and effort into the songwriting and recording, so I wonder what you think of the final product, now that it’s finally out? Has the album turned out just liked you wanted it to be or are there any aspects you would have changed with hindsight?

Phil: At first I felt I would of liked more time to correct some vocals flaws and spent more time present to mix the vocals but now I have distanced myself from the recording process Im able to listen with cleaner ears and am completely satisfied with final recordings. Chad and Corey as I have said in the past really came through on the mixing and I couldnt be happier.

Chad: I think everything came out as it should have. The mix is total atmosphere, the vocals are on point and the performance is well executed. The best thing is that the album is just the right length. It lets the recording flow and never gets boring. Corey has a Metal background as well, and he knew where I was taking this music when we were recording. It's quite monstrous for a debut album!

The two of you seem to be a perfect team, with Chad writing awesome songs and playing all the instruments and Phil writing fantastic lyrics and delivering really cool vocals. So what would you say is the secret between that amazing chemistry of yours?

Phil: Thats hard to say, we are so newly acquanted and just getting to know eachother on a personal level. Which may explain the chemistry. We were both all business walking into this, both very specific on our ideas comin in and they just seemed to sync up perfectly, like an equal vision perhaps? And a chance meeting for sure!

Chad: I think we both have the same idea as to what sound we are wanting to fulfill. Having a lot of the same musical interests helped out a lot. And the experience we both have had band-wise helps, too. A match made in Hell!

Could you also imagine to switch roles someday and have Phil write a song and Chad contribute the lyrics, for example? Or is that rather unlikely to happen?

Phil: Why ruin a good thing. I am very comfortable with my role in Hour of 13, in the past when Ive taken up a hand in the music it was more due to the fact it wasnt where I wanted it to be. I dont have that issue with Chad, he is right on! I wouldnt dare change a thing.

Chad: It works the way we are going about things quite nicely. The songs for Hour Of 13 really flow right out of me, and usually quickly. But, I am always up for riff input. I suck at writing lyrics anyway....

In order to give our readers even deeper insight into the connection of you two, could you please give us some background info on how and when the two of you got into contact each other for the first time? What was it that made you decide to form a band together?

Phil: That was purely chance, a mutual friend who lives in Virginia put us in contact. Chad could tell it best as it started in North Carlonia when our friend Chris was down there checkin out US Christams I believe?

Chad: Well, I had met Chris Thomas through my other band U.S. Christmas, and let him hear the Hour Of 13 material. I had given Chris a CDR of the instrumental songs incase he knew of someone that could fill the shoes as vocalist. The next day, he sent me an email saying he knew this guy named Phil Swanson that would be perfect for the job, and he said he'd get in touch with him. Well, the same day of Chris' email, Phil emails the Hour Of 13 MySpace page saying how he was interested to hear more. To my amazement, Chris had not even contacted Phil as of then. So, it was quite clear what was going on here. I sent Phil the instrumental versions of the songs, and within the span of a day he had began to send them back with the vocals over them, and it was sheer perfection. After a year of searching, Phil was the voice Hour Of 13 needed. The timbre of his voice fit the songs more than perfect.

Who came up with the monicker Hour Of 13 and what’s the story/idea behind it?

Phil: Chad had that name in place for some time so this is directed at him.

Chad: I have had that name since 1995. It started out as Hour Of 13 Productions, to push and promote some underground occult-experimental music I was creating a the time. Then, I stopped using the name for a while, as I thought it needed to be used for something more special. The term is from the night of Candlemass Eve, February 2nd. The time between 12AM and 1AM is the "hour of 13", tolling 13 bells. And, the transition into Samhain Day, with the same timeframe as Candlemass Eve. Obscure, yes, but quite fitting to the sound and idea that is Hour Of 13.

What are the biggest advantages of being a duo rather than a “regular” band with at least three or four constant members?

Phil: When working with Chad theres a huge advantage! He is equally proficient on all instruments as well as having a great ear for writing and recording music. I find myself more and more working with smaller numbers. When in a large line-up theres so many personal issues and personality conflicts that get in the way and scheduling and arranging things can be very difficult. And finding ones who will all be commited is near impossible. Two members is just enough to not be too self indulgent and not so many it becomes self destructive.

Chad: It is just way easier to make decisions when there are only two involved. Usually those two people are keyed into what is going on, and things move smoother and more efficient. We know what we are doing, and that makes it simple and effective.

Nevertheless, there’s also one major disadvantage of a band consisting of only two people, namely the fact that it’s pretty hard to play any live shows. Is Hour Of 13 just intended to be a studio project or would you like to hit the stage someday, too, and maybe get some guest musicians on board for such an event.

Phil: We have spoken on many occasions about performing live and feel it could easily be arranged. Corey has shown interest in being a part of a live line up. But anyone who knows me, knows Im not gonna take time away from writing and recording to rehearse just to play the bar down the street. It has to be something worth sacrificing my need to write and record new music to do. I am all up for a festival situation or playing with a quality band of like minded music. But Im not playing out for the sake of playing out.

Chad: This is the case, as Phil just put it. I think we both would like to see this music conjured up infront of a good sized crowd. The right setting and the right scenario would need to be in order. But, I feel confident that it will happen.

Now let’s talk a little about the album itself. Is there any special reason for it not having a seperate title, but “just” being self-titled?

Phil: Chad had an idea of how he wanted the CD laid out that led to the way it was released with SKR.

Chad: I felt since this was the first of many Hour Of 13 albums to come, it would be fit to self title the first. There is more to be said in the music itself than any one single title could ever do.

The whole image and appearance of Hour Of 13 is really dark, eerie and occult. What are your biggest influences as musicians, songwriters and lyricists?

Phil: For me again and again Black Sabbath first and fore most, with Ozzy not Dio! Also with this record I was taking a lot of influence from the original Alice Cooper (band not the man), Angel Witch of course!, Ritual (UK) was a big influence as well as Witchfinder General and Rozz Williams era Christian Death. Mix that with an obsession for Satanic exploitation, horror and shock and thats where my mindset was at.

Chad: Music-wise, everything I grew up listening to. Mostly bands like Witchfinder General, Pagan Altar, Merciful Fate, Judas Priest, etc.. And even some "Black Metal" music. Some scenes from horror movies, too. Really though, I tried to leave all audial influence out of the picture to make the music sound more like it does, in hopes that it would have a good bit of originality to it. But, the biggest influence in the music is my surroundings, my mind, Darkness. The riffs were written during the night, or in dark rooms by candlelight. The feeling of Darkness inspired this music. Even the thoughts of past funerals I have attened. This is completely "Black Metal" to me, more than any band in that whole genre.

If I remember correctly, you had some cool studio pics on your MySpace some time ago, which showed a studio that looked like it’s been build inside an old church or something like that. Is that also where you recorded the album? If so, in what way had that grotesque surrounding had an influence on the way your songs turned out?

Phil: Yeah Chad set that up, an amazing studio and recording experience. Huge cathedral ceilings echoing with incantations, sadly to no effect. I was hoping for this great religious experience or wrath from God, but nothing. What do you gotta do to provoke this guy anyway? I would of loved to walk out of there with some great story of being struck by lightning or an electrical blackout but it was a pretty typical recording experience. I would say the tremendous quality of the studio itself had a huge influence but nothing supernatural at least while I was present.

Chad: Epiphonic Studios was built inside an old Catholic church that has been around since 1939. It is quite amazing when you enter it. The studio itself, and the gear inside, did help to shape and harness the sounds needed to create this record. It is funny, sort of, to think the content of the music was recorded in this "holy" place. But, in fact, it is just a building that housed many fantasy storytellings.....

And, generally speaking, what was the recording alike? Was it rather lots of fun and good times or was it more hard work and blood, sweat and tears?

Phil: I rarely have fun when recording though it is my favorite part of making music. Its when everything comes to light and all the ideas start to make sense for me. It was a big expensive studio and we, especially me were on time retraints and a budget. So I'm trying not to hold things up and just lay it down and get out of the way. I was only in NC for a couple days and did my thing and split town.

Chad: We were focused as hell and blazed through them like we had no other adgenda. I think it was 40 hours in 3 days. We had a fairly small budget as well, and had to really get into it and get them down. I had a blast! This was the first meeting Phil and I had, so that added to the intensity, too. We slayed them down, and came out with a monumental album.

The album was released in late 2007 by Shadow Kingdom Records. What is it like to work with Tim/SKR and what do you think about the effort he put into the release of Hour Of 13’s debut album?

Phil: In all honesty Tim and I had butt heads from the get go so I left most of the dealings between Chad and Tim until I absolutly felt I needed to have my say. I think Tim found me very difficult to work with but would say that was mutual. Band and label politics are all about business, not something I am inclined to speak of in interviews or on forums for that matter, it really has nothing to do with the music itself. But he has done a fine job of spreading the word on getting the record into distribution and been very entusiastic to say the least.

Chad: Tim is all business, that's for sure. He did a great job for us, and I do thank him for that. He believed in the music of Hour Of 13, and that was a top priority I needed to see in a label. He is determined to push what he has, and that really helped me feel comfortable with him representing us. Where we go from here is undetermined, but I do thank Tim and Shadow Kingdom for their support.

The album has not only been released on CD but also as a limited edition vinyl LP. Are you guys big vinyl fans and does it mean something special to you to have your songs availible on black (and colored) wax, too? Or do you personally rather prefer CDs?

Phil: Well seeing as Metal Coven has released a few of my efforts on vinyl surely you know I am a huge fan of vinyl and especially limited and die-hard type releases. CDs are great, but I can make one of those on my computer. Vinyl legitmizes the release and caters only to the truest of fans. More than just casual listeners "die hard metal heads" guys like myself, the metal obssessed!

Chad: The vinyl fucking rules!! Nothing more to say. Total worship hearing this music on an LP.

So far I’ve only read awesome reviews and heard stunning comments about Hour Of 13’s debut album. What does it feel like to know that so many people are literally overwhelmed by your songs and enjoy your music that much?

Phil: Funny thing is as much as I appreciate all the interest, its hard for me to fathom anyone being overwhelmed by anything Ive done? That and I feel so close to the majority of the people I have heard from thus far as they are all a party to the underground inner circle and I just feel like this is another record Im sharing with my friends while I wait for them to share their next release with me. So many I am in communication with are in amazing bands of their own (Tortured Spirit, Altar of Oblivion, Atlantean Kodex, Garden of Worm, Gates of Slumber, The Devils Blood, Hooded Priest / Witchsmeller Pusuivant, Hellbike, Saturnalia Temple...) or own lables, zines or distros like yourself. Its like one big beautiful heavy metal circle jerk.

Chad: I was not really sure what to expect when this album was recorded. I knew what I felt about it, and didn't really think the people abroad would think the same. I had the close friends telling me it was a great album, but you know sometimes you think they feel obligated to tell you it rocks. When the reviews started coming in it really started to sink in. Blows my mind, to tell you the truth. I am very greatful to all who are into the sound!

Have you already started to work on new songs? If so, can you already give some concrete info on them and let us know in what way the new material will differ from the stuff on your CD?

Phil: Chad has some new music comin my way and Im not sure exactly where I will take it lyrically, but I may go with the concept of using black magic in war to overpower ones enemy through witchcraft and demonic force. Something maybe more epic but its hard to say until I really sit done with the music and see where its atmosphere takes me, it could go in a completely different direct so dont hold me to that.

Chad: Being it took over a year to get the songs together for this album, it's hard to tell. I feel it may be a bit darker, if that's possible. I do not want to stray too far from the path we are walking, but do not want to make the same album over again. Who knows, maybe the next one will be a 4 song EP or something. I never want to include songs on a record just to make it longer. The continuity has to be right and the felling of all the songs has to be an Hour Of 13 release. We have brood over the idea of releasing the demos on vinyl, but no definite plans as of yet. We, or you all, will just have to wait and see!

What plans do you have for the future? What goals do you still want to achieve before you lay Hour Of 13 to grave someday?

Phil: I try not to lay any project to the grave until I myself am and just let things take their course. I also try not to over commit as well and just let things happen naturally so theres not too much stress involved. One thing at a time I guess and see where the opportunities take me. Just finishing this record in the first place was a big goal for me.

Chad: To write and record more of the Devil's music. Organize a good tour with likeminded bands.It will be a long time before Hour Of 13 laid to rest. That is a fact.

What’s the best way for fans to check out your music, buy merchandise and stay up to date about any news in the Hour Of 13 camp?

Phil: Right now at our myspace page (www.myspace.com/hourof13doom), but if anyone wants to helps us out with a website Im sure we wouldnt refuse. I hate to have something like myspace be the only resource after what happened with MP3.com years ago. But my html skills cant live up to the quality of Hour of 13 so I wont even try.

Chad: To add, hopefully people will take it upon themselves to play our album to their friends and convert them to our sound. We will have a website sometime soon, I just need to correspond with a comrade of mine. But for now, it is the MySpace page that has all of our info.

Is there any question which you’d love to answer, but which I’ve forgotten to ask you in the course of this interview?

Phil: Yes, would you, yourself consider Hour of 13 a pro-satanic band?
ANSWER: yes and no. I think for my contribution this record is a pro/anti-Christis as it is pro/anti-Satanic. And I hope people dont pass judgement on it based on their personal religious beliefs. As much of an effort that is made on my part to strike fear in the Christian believer I hope they see the need for this kinda thing in their metal collection. If not for the villian be it me, the band Hour of 13 or Satan himself there would be no need for their hero they so worship. There is a message here of evil, an evil that is very real to some people. With that evil it may draw some and repel others and at the very least this record is a warning of an evil that really exists. Whether the magic or spirit is real is not the question, there are those who believe and will attempt gain what they can by what ever means neccasary regardless of whom becomes victim.With that said listen to the rythmn and melody if it moves you dont fear it just enjoy it for what it is like a good horror movie. Not as propaganda for one side or the other, leave your polotics aside and enjoy it if you can?

Chad: Why do you guys choose to take the message of your music into the so-called despressive, harmful concept of the Occult or Satanism?
ANSWER: Whether people regard us as harmful because of the content of our sound is their own insecurities. This music is created from the inner most part of my being, and Darkness it is. Satan / God is man, and two men created this music. The Occult has been a big part of my life since I was very small, with a family full of Masonic / Knights Templar type and full of mysticism and obscurity. I feel compelled to convey this feeling in Hour Of 13, and I never feel the need to question it. Total security in what I am and what I do. I just tend to dwell in my own Hell...

That’s it... hope you had some fun answering the questions!! Keep up the fantastic work & Talk to you soon... but as for now I better finish and leave the last words to you.

Phil: METAL COVEN RULZ!!!! If this interview was video taped you'd see me flashing my manboobs right now...

Chad: HAIL METAL COVEN!!! Thanks for the interview, and thanks to all supporters of Hour Of 13 and TRUE OCCULT METAL!!!
 

Questions: January 2008 by Tobi
Answers: February 2008 by Phil Swanson and Chad Davis