Victor Arduini is a legend. As a founding member of Fates Warning, a member of Freedom Reigns, and now ½ of Arduini / Balich, the badass guitarist has been making fast, smart, and original metal for 30+ years. Arduini / Balich’s new record Dawn of Ages is due out on February 24th and brings with it a thick, blasting sound that is as full of melody as it is an open faced slap. Slickster recently has the opportunity to speak with Victor Arduini about the halls of Valhalla, his new project with Brian Balich, and his love of the Beatles.
On what the mindset is like writing a Fates Warning or Freedom Reigns song compared to the approach to an Arduini / Balich tune:
Arduini: “My mindset has always been to create some cool riffs then work them out until I have a song. I’ve always loved bands with great riffs like Sabbath, Purple, Zeppelin. I don’t have any real plan. I just play the way I do and I’ve learned after 30+ years there is a natural style that hasn’t changed much over the years. When I’m in the right place musically the riffs feel so natural and the best songs are written. I knew through the process of making this album there was something special going on and it was the 1st time I could record the music at home which allowed for lots of time to come up with different sounds and unique (I hope) music.”
On the songwriting process, especially writing 10-minute prog anthems that sound like you’re walking through the halls of Valhalla:
Arduini: “I dig your interpretation. I never seek out to write epic style songs but with this album I didn’t place any restrictions on the writing. It was truly an organic thing where I allowed the songs to breathe and some of them seemed to extend themselves in a natural way.”
On how the two came to collaborate on the record:
Arduini: “Brian and I were both on Cruz Del Sur and got to know each other a bit doing some shows together in 2014. I was gonna work with a singer from Brazil but as time passed I didn’t feel it was working out for this project. Brian contacted me out of the blue the same morning I had to part ways with the other singer (it was “Fates Warning” lol). From there we began sharing files, ideas and over the course of a good year Brian recorded his vocals. We never really worked directly together. All through email but man did he kill it. I hope in time we will do it again.”
On how Dawn of Ages goes from being big and doom-laden to groovy and melodic especially “Forever Fade” which has an “Achilles Last Stand” on acid vibe to it, or “Into Exile” which is so grandiose and where that influence comes from:
Arduini: “I just have sooo many influences in my life and melodic undertones have always been a natural part of my writing. Finding ways to balance different styles within a song is a great pleasure to do. It’s what I look for in music I listen too as well.”
On the badass “The Gates of Acheron” and the backstory to the instrumental:
Arduini: “It was a sudden spurt of creativity towards the end of finishing the album. I already had a good idea of order and thought a short piece of music to finish off the album would be appropriate. The chord structure was the basis of it and then I just picked up my guitar on night and that melodic riff came out which I just layered harmonies & brief solo over it. The “end of battle” description is very accurate to how I see it. The 1st song could be seen as going in a battle that is lost and Acheron is the newly dead being ferried across the River Acheron by Charon to the underworld.”
On new artists he is currently listening too:
Arduini: “I’ve found a great underground of doom/stoner music that had been a pleasure to follow. I’m a huge fan of Glowsun, and I love the new Beezlefuzz & Blues Funeral. Witchcraft’s new album is phenomenal. And I’m a HUGE Argus fan.”
On the cover songs on the record from Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, and The Beau Brummels:
Arduini: “We just wanted songs we loved and could justice too. Brian turned me on to Wolf of Velvet Fortune which is such a cool tune. Was quite the undertaking to learn and record while respecting the vibe o f the original.”
On the one record he couldn’t live without:
Arduini: “That’s a very tough question. The Beatles White Album or Revolver are right up there as my all-time favorites.”
On the first concert he went to:
Arduini: “Kiss in 1977 on the Rock and Roll Over Tour.”
On the first record he bought with his own money:
Arduini: “Seriously it was The Monkees’ first album. 1967. I was 4 and I swear I remember going to the store with my aunt. She was a 60’s child and turned me onto everything from The Beatles to Hendrix. It’s because of her I fell in love with music.”
On a record that might surprise his fans:
Arduini: “I’d think The Monkees or Partridge Family would cover that one, haha. I know it sounds weird, but I grew up on then and can still dig them like it was yesterday. The Beatles are my # 1 Band of all time.”
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