Morning Metal – Interview with Greylights
Who are the members of Greylights and what are your respective instruments?
You can check us out on Facebook to see who the members are! We’ve got some announcements coming in the near future. In the mean time, you can check out our official Facebook page for photos, information and upcoming shows.
For new fans – why should they check out Greylights?
We provide a sound that not many other bands have – the keyboards have a huge role in creating atmosphere, and add elements of industrial and electronic music, while still staying true to metal. As well we are committed to constantly improving our live shows, and individual band members are committed to continually striving towards musical excellence. We try and show appreciation to our fans by communicating a lot via social media, doing free ticket draws for every show, inviting local guest vocalists, and giving back as much as possible.
At the very beginning, Greylights was a solo project – whose solo project was it?Â
Greylights was the solo project of Ciaran Arts, our keyboardist.
You guys have been working on your debut EP, Tarpeia’s Descent, for quite some time. You’ve released four out of five tracks, with “Killing Time” being the most recent. When are you guys hoping to release the EP?Â
The last two songs are being released by the end of this summer, with the entire EP being available for download at that time. We can’t wait!
Stream “Killing Time”, along with all the other tracks here.
How much of the EP was written before the other members were added?Â
All of this EP was part of the original Greylight’s solo project excluding Samael, which was co-written with our previous vocalist, Eric Pacheco.
Where did the title Tarpeia’s Descent come from?Â
Tarpeia is the Greek Goddess of death. It seems like with everything happening on our planet at this time, the powers that be are focused on causing more and more damage. The earth is in serious and possibly irreversible environmental trouble, economies around the world are collapsing, there is always war, somewhere…  we are looking at this and wanting to draw attention to the fact that we need to open our eyes, increase our awareness, and live so that we make a difference.
 “Infekt Swarm Nine”, the fourth track on the EP, is vastly different from what Greylights has released previously. Where did the inspiration come for a track like that?Â
The inspiration came from the band Natchmahr, as well as other similarly styled EBM artists. The song was written to stand out on the EP and fully show the electronic influence and capabilities of the band.
Who did you work with for the recording process?Â
We worked with the delicious Jonh Miller, from the Montreal-based band Projekt F.
For a band that formed very recently, at the end of 2013, you have played with some notable metal bands such as Norma Jean, Black Tongue, Lich King, Emmure, Upon A Burning Body, Sovereign Council, Of Reverie and many, many local bands. Is there a show that has stuck with you guys?Â
For our very first show back in November 2013, we opened for Schoolcraft (the solo project of Lindsay from Cradle of Filth). This was a really strong start for our band, and we very much appreciated that the promoter had enough faith in our music to give us a chance and put us on this bill for our first show ever. Aside from that, we are grateful for every show that we have been put on, and we enjoy sharing the stage with every band that we have, local or touring.
What bands would you absolutely love to open for?Â
Born of Osiris, The Browning, Motionless in White, Periphery, Make Them Suffer and Fleshgod Apocalypse. If we could open for Nine Inch Nails, we would immediately all shit our pants!
 Main inspiration?Â
Bands that are creative! We are always inspired by bands that stand out, that show that they have put work into their musicality and creativity of sound, and that are unique. We really get inspired by bands that use their music to make a difference.
Favourite song?Â
Ahh! There is so much music to appreciate and enjoy and respect – how do we pick one?! We’re just really stoked that there is so much great metal out there.
What is something about metal musicians that you respect?Â
We respect artists for what they do as long as they are being true to their art. We really respect it when artists stay away from ego, and make sincere efforts to connect with their fans as much as possible.
Does Greylights have any upcoming shows that we should check out?Â
We have a lot of shows booked at this time – some we can’t announce yet, but those that we can would be Motionless in White, Killitorous and Dark Tranquillity. We always keep our shows updated on our FB page so that people can check at any time for the next show.
Motionless In White, Of Reverie, Of Burning Empires and Greylights – Facebook
Killitorious, In The Act Of Violence, Divine Realm, Lionsbane and Greylights – Facebook
Dark Tranquility, Insomnium, Signs of Chaos and Greylights – Facebook
After the release of Tarpeia’s Descent, what is next?Â
We have some Ontario/Quebec touring in the works for late summer/early fall, which will be followed by increased touring within Canada. At the same time, we will be regularly playing Ottawa shows. We are working on very heavy promo, a lyric video to be released at the end of the summer followed by a full video, and we have already started writing our second EP. Expect some really cool shit for upcoming live shows…
Stream Tarpeia’s Descent on bandcamp here.
Check Greylights out on Facebook and give them a like!
James Rockso – Host of CKCU 93.1 FM’s Morning Metal