Akercocke's return in 2017 with the superb ''Renaissance In Extremis'' album was surely one of the most important incidents of the passing year. Drummer David Gray took over the task of analyzing his emotions for their return, the way they work as a group, his memories from the performance in Greece and what the future holds for them.
Rock Overdose: My sincere congratulations for ''Renaissance In Extremis''. I don't know if it's the right word to describe it, but it was the most ''different'' album I've heard this year. First of all we'd like to know if you're happy with the way it came out.
David Gray: Υes I think so, it’s not quite the same sounding album as I thought we were going to make right at the start of the reunion but it’s still mostly quite a satisfactory result. Neil Kernon's production is definitely one of the elements that has proved popular with Akercocke enthusiasts so I hope they are content with the finished product.
Rock Overdose: I tried to understand if all the material is new, or if some of it was written after ''Antichrist'', but it was such a solid outcome that I gave up the effort. But the question remains, were there any ideas left out of ''Antichrist'' or maybe written after it was released?
David Gray: Jason had three and a half songs that he had written for the 2009 Akercocke album that never happened so we used those on the new album, alongside a completely new song he composed alone. Paul had a few ideas himself since he left Akercocke and quite quickly bashed all that work into place and produced four brand new songs as well.
Rock Overdose: Let's come to the point where you decide to split up. Was there any lack of inspiration, feeling of repetition or disgust with music and its surroundings in general? Or the reasons for your first ''death'' was something deeper than all these aforementioned?
David Gray: I had no reason to stop playing heavy metal at all and I never have since I was 15 years old! Jason put Akercocke on ice for his own reasons so I formed The Antichrist Imperium with Matt Wilcock and then Voices with Sam Loynes so I could carry in making albums and playing shows. When Jason was finally ready to carry on with Akercocke I was waiting, always ready for heavy metal!
Rock Overdose: Utterly from out of nowhere, and with fans mumbling it as a wish all these years, we saw your reformation last year. I can't help but asking how you took the decision and which was the motive or the spark that lit the fire for it.
David Gray: Jason was the motivation because as I say, he was finally ready for it, getting Paul to return was the icing on the cake. Strangely enough, when we got together for the first time for ten years in the rehearsal room and jammed ''Leviathan'' it all fell into place so easily and it felt like we’d never been away.
Rock Overdose: The new album manages to incorporate elements of all the stuff we all have loved in metal. I have sensed thrashing outbursts, progressive maelstroms of riffs and simply old-school death-ly vibe, all together as a sum. Was it your goal to sound like that, or did it come as a result of the writing process?
David Gray: It just sounds like Akercocke to me, it’s difficult to be objective. We all enjoy lots of different music and we bring a lot of different influences to the creative process and make music that we would want to hear really - it’s as simple as that really.
Rock Overdose: Was there any fear or stress on how the fans will find the new album and your second birth in general?
David Gray: No, not really - we don’t really tend to worry about what other people think - it’s fantastic when people say they love the songs and it means something to them but in reality we would still write music the same way, without compromise or contrivance. Everyone was so supportive and positive when we reformed to play some live shows that we really had to back it up with some original material.
Rock Overdose: Were you determined to just come out and show that all things remained the same as you left them before the split up?
David Gray: Well, the band's different than it was when we last performed, not only because of the personnel but because there’s a lot less pressure now as well. There isn’t the requirement to keep the band alive and flourishing as an entity - we reformed just because we chose to, of our own free will.
Rock Overdose: In which parts are Akercocke way different compared to where they were left in 2007?
David Gray: Mainly it’s the people in the band, the line up really influences the mood and feeling of the group. Creatively we have always gone our own way irrespective of others, Jason and Paul have a lot of history as mates and as guitarists so I think they have a terrific rapport, which is stronger than ever.
Rock Overdose: You did some festivals before the release of the album. I'd like to know the response from the fans, a friend saw you in Bloodstock and told me that it was a really moving experience for many people, including also diehard fans who had seen you before.
David Gray: It was amazing, an incredible experience and something I shan’t forget. I met a lot of people that day that were so positive and appreciative and received lots of messages on social media about how special it was to them. There’s a whole new generation of younger enthusiasts who see the band as a cult underground entity that they never had the chance to see perform back in the day and still enjoy the legacy of recorded works, which is so amazing.
I’ve been in touch with dozens of people over the years who bemoaned the death of Akercocke, so I like to think we are repaying their loyalty and friendship by performing the old songs on stage once more.
Rock Overdose: Speaking of gigs and without any need to persuade you, the Greek fans still discuss your first convincing performance. We know you have strong bonds with our country, how did it feel and is there any chance to see you playing some new stuff for us maybe in 2018 or later?
David Gray: We all love Greece and the Greek people, playing for your country is a privilege and we are happy to return to play anytime, I hope we will return soon.
Rock Overdose: I am curious to know the standards you have set for the group in the current moment and your plans about the upcoming months (or maybe years if it's programmed). Will we see you more active in the live front, or will you choose carefully your steps from now on?
David Gray: I hope we will compose more music, play more live shows and record another album when the time is right - I guess it depends on the rest of the band and what they want to do too. I still have my other bands to keep me busy in the downtime but will always be ready to play with Akercocke whenever I can.
Rock Overdose: It was a real pleasure doing this interview with you. If people told me 10 years ago I'd have this opportunity, I'd call them nuts.
David Gray: No one is more surprised than me that we are all here again celebrating Akercocke! But I am very pleased to be involved once again, playing heavy metal with my bro’s, the way it should be.
Rock Overdose: Close by adding what you think is important. Our best wishes as a zine and as Greek fans to you and the rest of the band, thanks for coming back!
David Gray: Thank you so much for supporting underground metal and supporting Akercocke - new Antichrist Imperium & Voices albums released early 2018, hope to see you in Greece one day soon...
For Rock Overdose
Dimitris Aloras
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