By | Band name | Bleeding Raven |
| Location | Canada (in between Montreal and Toronto) |
| Similar Artists | Die Sektor, Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Psyclon Nine |
| First release | “Darkness Consumed” was released by Cleopatra Records in October of 2019. |
| Links | Facebook | Spotify | BandCamp |
| The Music Addict’s Verdict | In his own words, Bleeding Raven is creepy and abrasive. But his industrial-style music is oddly fascinating, and his story ends tragically. |
How was the band formed?
Bleeding Raven is a one man outfit, and it grew out of another project by Dean Mason called “Gnostic Gorilla”
What’s your songwriting process like?
Usually I start out by putting down drum parts/beats and a simple bass riff/loop or synth sample. Then I start to build from there…letting the track almost take on a life of its own. Sometimes by accident, I add a loop or sample that is meant to just be background but then I manipulate it and put it through some FX etc. and I end up changing the entire track to follow this catchy riff. Then I continue to add tracks with guitar riffs or samples and synths and FX…and often I develop the ‘beat’ by adding more edgy percussion sounds or whatever. If you start a track and it’s flat all the way through without any nuances, you’ll have a boring track. Then when I have a rough demo I write lyrics and record vocals. After that is the mixing and often I add FX or remove certain sounds or add, as an example, some raunchy solo or strings…etc.
What are your influences?
If you mean by that, musical influences…then I have to say there are many artists/bands who have been inspirational and others who are inspiring but are also more of a direct influence on how I approach music myself. As a lad, KISS was a big part of my auditory diet. Then I discovered Gary Numan and it was he that really inspired me to think of music in terms of something I’d like to pursue. But there are MANY acts that have had some kind of impact on me…to name a few: Japan, Type O Negative, Ozzy, Sabbath, Korn, Psyclon Nine, Rammstein, Manson, Frost Like Ashes, Zardonic, Fear Incorporated, CRIX IIIX and many others. As is my custom, I mention The Doors at the end of this list because they will forever be for me one of the best bands ever. Gary Numan and The Doors—top of the charts for me!
How would you describe your music?
Aggrotech/dark industrial/dark tech/dungeon trash. (laughs) It’s not for everyone. If you want to have a quiet romantic evening and have nice background music you might not want to put on anything by Bleeding Raven or else you’ll be lonely. (laughs) It’s abrasive and creepy and excellent for movie soundtracks like ‘Sinister’ or ‘Underworld’ or something like that.
What’s the one thing that makes you stand out from the rest?
Nothing. I know that sounds almost needlessly pessimistic and a bit “Sid Vicious- happy meal” but it’s true. Anyone who thinks they are ‘unique’ in this day and age in this industry is delusional. We all recycle yesterday’s leftovers and ‘try’ to make it ours but it’s all been done. I think it all stopped in the 90’s and now we’re recycling. So, the only thing I WILL claim as more ‘unique’ is the poetry/lyrics. The rest—sound—image—I’m just a part of the porridge. (laughs)
What’s your latest release?
“Darkness Consumed” is the first, latest and final release from Bleeding Raven. I’m proud of it. The album certainly has a dark menacing vibe to it. The four remixes are actually quite powerful. They’re perfect for raves or vamp clubs or shampooing the chesterfield. (laughs)
What are your touring plans for the next few months?
Sadly, the only plans I have for the next few months—years—is promoting that which I have released already. Well…there is also another Gnostic Gorilla (my other project) release in 2020, but that’s it. You see, I lost my hearing…completely in the left ear and the right ear is vulnerable…functioning only with an aid and it’s touch and go at that. The left ear can’t be helped with a hearing device. It’s completely gone. Toast. It’s what they call sudden hearing loss. It’s what I call being shit out of luck royally. I joke but it’s not easy. So, there we are.
He's also a regular contributor at the excellent news site Montreal Rampage
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