HOUR OF 13 (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What are you currently up to?
Not much, it’s 2am and I’m just sitting in my car listening to Led Zeppelin and smoking a cigarette.
– First off, if you don’t mind (and as you are a relatively new band that is about to unleashed its third album), I would like you to start with some history of HOUR OF 13.
The music was in its early stages in 2006, with the lineup of me, Dave Easter on drums and Thomas Beam on bass. I had started the song building process and asked them to come over one day to help me work out the songs I had and that is where the version of «Grim Reality» on the 7″ that came with the reissue of «The Ritualist» came from. Shortly after that Dave moved off and Thomas left due to subject matter differences. I started working on the by myself and then Phil came along. Quite cosmic, actually.
– And why did you pick the name «Hour of 13»? Both its origin and meaning.
The Hour of 13 is the time between the hours of 12am and 1am on February 2nd (Candlemass Eve) and November 1st (Samhain Day). Some believe it is a magical timeframe, others just think it sounds cool. Fits with the atmosphere of the music perfectly.
– As I said, you will soon release your new “333”. First of all, what meaning has the album’s title behind it? Is because this is your third opus?
Some think it is a secret number of the beast, some think it is secret society code for a number of things. It fits with the subjects contained with the lyrics, and yeah it’s our third record. Too fitting…
– This record will come out soon and, after seeing the great response your previous works got; what are your expectations for the upcoming “333”?
The response so far has been great, and we do feel it’s our best record to date. It’s very different from our other efforts and that will be seen, but I think our own expectation was met with the final recording. It’s darker and more haunting, very confined in a good way. It reflects the point of time it was written in.
– I could say this is more most mature and complete effort so far, you have also shown with “333” a writing improvement. What are your thoughts on this? Are you fully satisfied with the final output?
Well, progression isn’t something I strive for since we have our own sound, but the tunes did take a darker and more thorough path. I’m completely happy with the final outcome. It’s pure Hour of 13. The tunes mold themselves, like they have a mind all to their own.
– All your songs have always been quite catchy, which has became almost your trademark, but this time I’d dare say you have even gone a step further with that. Considering this now part of your essence, did you consciously try to dig in a bit more in this?
There was a certain situation I was involved in that crafted this album into what it become. I have not always tried to write catchy riffs, as I write tunes in the mindset of a «no filler» attitude and it works. I know when a tune is done and when it needs to be elaborated on.it is a mature step for us, and I’m curious where the next one goes. Hopefully further into our sound.
– Your lyrics seem to be an important part of your music. Could you please tell us what do some lyrics on your upcoming album deal with?
There are a multitude of subjects touched on this record. Hallucinations of self deceit, of taking responsibility of self inflicted actions, of encountering ritual. The lyrics are really cryptic, and that’s a good thing. Not blatant like the past.
– All this being said; how could you describe “333” in 3 words?
Cryptically Haunting Metal.
– This is your first album with Earache. How did you hook up with them? And is everything going as expected?
Technically it is our second since they did reissue «The Ritualist». We were contacted by them via the internet and talks began right away. Their legacy is amazing and it was really cool that they were into us as much as they are. Dan Tobin flew to Ireland to see our debut live performance and it went from there. Things are good. Really good. I have no complaints that would merit any negative attitudes. Some people do not care for bigger labels, but there is no problems here.
– Last year Swanson left the band but in November he rejoined the band. What prompted his “comeback”?
We just know that the chemistry of our involvement in the music is magic. The stuff we have been through has made it a stronger duo unit, and that is something that makes it what it is; a strong unit.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans?
Hopefully doing some really good shows to promote the album to the people unfamiliar to us and to take it to our long time dedicated fans. A strong European tour and more records. We’ll take it where it leads us, as we’ve always done. Hour of 13 seems to make its own decisions without any hard thinking…
– That’s all from my side, thanks again for taking your time to answer our questions. If you now want to add some final words; feel free to do it.
Thank you for the interview and thank you to all of our comrades and fans. You guys are the darkness in which we exist. 1334
