Interview with guitarist Martin Desharnais, Forgotten Tales (September 24, 2009)

Since June, Canadian Power Metal band Forgotten Tales has entered the studio to start the recording of their 3rd album. Guitarist Martin Desharnais was very kind to take some time off his busy schedule to answer some questions.    Has the whole recording process been going smoothly? How are you doing with that? Everything is fine at this moment but like they always say, slowly but surely. Could you tell us a bit of what we might expect and the different elements to it? Maybe a brief comparison to the first and/or second album... The promise and All the Sinners were good albums for me. But the way I compose evolved a lot I think. People will recognize Forgotten Tales but they will discover its other face. Riffs are heavier and louder, fast songs are faster, lyrics are darker etc… I also exploited Sonia’s voice differently on many of the songs. It's been a while since the last album, now you are back for a 3rd album. Why the long pause? I took a long break after ATS to gather new ideas and to think about the direction my music would take. Then members of the band changed. When the band became stable again, I took my time to write songs that I am sure our fans will like very much. I think it worth the waiting. Why rush things anyway? You made such an impact on 'All The Sinners' that you left your fans craving for more. Do you feel any pressure at all to surpass ATS? I always feel pressure but not from the fans. I always put pressure on myself. But I can live with that. You are the main composer of the band. How do you start off in composing the music and how do you get in the mood of writing? I prefer to start by the lyrics most of the time but sometimes I have a riff in my head that can’t wait and I build everything around it. The melody I put on the lyrics gives me the ambiance then the other instruments follow. To get in the mood, I must work at night when everyone usually sleeps. When can we expect a release date? Somewhere in 2010 if everything keeps going well. What do you look forward to the most after the release? I’d really like to make a tour in countries like Japan, USA, and Germany to name a few. Any official plan to the US? Not as we speak. To promote Power Metal, in the past you've done covers of bands such as, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Stratovarius, Angra, Rhapsody, Freedom Call, Hammerfall, Heaven’s Gate, Labyrinth, Nocturnal Rites and Edguy. The more recent, Iron Maiden and Avantasia. Did I miss any band? You missed Lost Horizon, Blind Guardian, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish and recently, Within Temptation What future covers do you have in mind? I think we’ll take a break with covers for a while. With the 3rd album coming, we’ll concentrate on our own stock. You've had a lot of guest musicians on stage. Any thoughts of having guest musicians on future albums as well? There’s nothing planned for now but I’m open. You are dubbed as one of the most energetic live bands, with a very good precision at that. What is a key to a good live performance? I guess you know there’s no magic in that. The only way is to practice a lot. The skill of the musicians is very important too. You have a very broad musical background and years of experience. What is your advice to someone who would like to improve their guitar playing? Never stick to one style of music. The more you explore, the more you can be creative when it’s time to compose. What made you decide to pick up the guitar? I’m not sure that I remember. It’s been a long long time. If I remember well, I took my friend’s guitar in my hands trying to find the notes I was hearing from the tape deck. I think it was a Mercyful Fate song from Don’t Break the Oath. In a couple of minutes, I was able to play the first two riffs. Not perfectly but not bad. I began two months later and never stopped. Who are your biggest influences? Vinnie Moore, Nuno Bettencourt, Van Halen, Journey, Randy Rhoads, Scott Henderson. Helloween was one of the first bands I listened to back in the 80’s. When you hear condescending comments such as, 'Power Metal is full of cheese and happy feelings!’ How do you respond to that? Personally, I don’t give a s***t about them. If their world is depressing and full of hate, I have pity for them. I prefer to stay positive whatever happens…And I like cheese… I want to say good luck on the album and thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Any last words to your dedicated fans and the avid readers of Power Of Metal? Thanks to you all for your patience. New album is coming and you'll be surprised. Be part of the tale... Marty Interviewed by Haydee G.

Forgotten Tales - All the Sinners Website: www.forgottentales.com