From COVID Creativity to Cosmic Riffs: The Astral Prophets’ Musical Journey

In this episode of The Adventures of Pipeman on W4CY Radio, Pipeman chats with Terry Corso from The Astral Prophets. They dive deep into the band's origins, the creative process behind their debut album "Invasion," and the importance of forging a unique identity in the modern metal scene. The conversation also covers their approach to live shows, adapting to the challenges of COVID, and reflections on the Canadian music landscape.Main Topics Covered

• Band Origins & Evolution
  • Formation of The Astral Prophets post-Scythia
  • Navigating pandemic challenges and lineup changes
  • Moving away from folk metal roots toward a heavier rock sound
• Creative Process During COVID
  • Writing music in short intervals between work and home life
  • The blessing-in-disguise effect of the lockdown on songwriting and band formation
• Live Performance & Production Innovations
  • High-energy shows featuring distinctive stage outfits
  • Use of digital setups for consistent sound and experimenting with live visuals and video
  • Plans for integrating fan-filmed footage into future visualizers
• Artistic Identity & Musical Influences
  • Rejecting genre boxes and formulas in favor of an original sound
  • Reflections on not wanting the band to sound like anyone else
  • Embracing the riff-driven foundation and melodic approach of their music
• Album "Invasion": Highlights & Release
  • Upcoming release details: October 30th on all major platforms
  • Physical CDs available, with aspirations for a vinyl release
  • Notable tracks including “World Eater” and “Inside the Hyperdrive”
  • Intentional emphasis on full, prominent bass in production

Key Discussions & Stories

• The band’s formation was sparked by a desire to play music again with friends and moved into original music organically 00:56.
• COVID delayed their initial shows but also allowed time for writing and refining their style 01:20.
• Terry Corso wrote many song ideas in “15-second intervals” between Zoom meetings 02:17.
• The live show features digital sound rigs for reliability and plans to sync visual video elements for enhanced stage experience 04:30.
• Discussion on how modern metal often falls into formulas, while The Astral Prophets strive for individuality 11:18.
• The band was deliberate in avoiding any musical callbacks to their folk metal past, focusing on a unique blend of rock and metal 07:13.
• Standout story about a riff written in 2019, unsuccessfully slotted into multiple songs until it finally found its place, now concluding the album as a prominent theme 18:08.

Notable Quotes“We come out of the gate just driving, and then we dip, then we come back up, and we dip, and we come back up and level out. It's this perfect roller coaster of an album that keeps you excited the entire time.” — Terry Corso 10:25“If you've got the right patience and equipment at home, you can make it work.” — Terry Corso 15:55“It was trying to get as far away from folk metal as possible...what’s the farthest thing from swords and sorcery? Well, fucking space, right?” — Terry Corso 07:27“You want to be the ones that the other bands are asking that question to.” — Pipeman on setting trends in music 12:38“I made sure to make the bass just stick out like a sore thumb. Being the bass player, I was like, I am not turning the bass down at all on this mix.” — Terry Corso 16:27Resources & Links Mentioned

• Album Release:
  • Invasion drops October 30th, 8 AM
  • Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, YouTube
• Physical Media:
  • CDs available as of release; vinyl planned for the future
• Review:
  • Recent review at Metal Temple (no direct link provided but referenced for insight into the album’s journey)
• Bands Referenced as Bass Tonal Inspiration:
  • Eastern High
  • Molly Baron
• Live Footage & Visuals:
  • Professional videographer recording the upcoming live show for future visualizer projects 06:40

Connect with The Astral Prophets

• Check streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, YouTube) for the album "Invasion"
• For updates on live shows, new releases, and media, follow the band on their preferred social media (not explicitly listed in the episode; listeners are encouraged to search "The Astral Prophets")

Closing ThoughtsListeners are encouraged to experience "Invasion," appreciate the authentic craftsmanship and creativity that define The Astral Prophets, and support their journey as they carve out a unique space in the modern metal landscape.

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