Again in 2010 Canadian singer Benoît David was once fortunately ensconced within the Sure camp however returned to his earlier band Thriller to document his 2nd of 3 albums with them, One Amongst The Residing, the band’s fourth album general. Prog spoke to him and band chief Michel St.Pere in regards to the new album…
Aptly named, Thriller aren’t a band with a in particular top profile. Actually, the Canadians were given their largest wreck two years in the past, when vocalist Benoît David was once selected to switch Jon Anderson in Sure. Unexpectedly, Thriller have been catapulted into one thing drawing near the limelight. Alternatively, the tale of the band is going again just about 1 / 4 of a century, to 1986.
In the beginning, Thriller featured founder Michel St-Pere on guitar, Raymond Savoie on vocals, Benoît Dupuis on keyboards and Stephane Perreault on drums. It took till 1992 for the band to free up a self-titled five-track debut mini album, through which time Gary Savoie was once on vocals and Richard Addison on bass. Alternatively, when Perreault was once struck down with a debilitating sickness the band have been pressured to take a wreck, returning in 1993 through which time the drummer had misplaced the usage of his legs; due to cutting edge generation, alternatively, he was once ready to hold on enjoying from his wheelchair.
Via 1996, the band have been all the way down to the foursome of St-Pere, Savoie, bassist Patrick Bourque and Perreault, liberating debut complete album Theatre Of The Thoughts thru St-Pere’s personal Unicorn label.
David arrived in 1999, nevertheless it took till 2007 ahead of he made his recording debut at the album Underneath The Veil Of Iciness’s Face, with St-Pere and Bourque now joined via drummer Steve Gagne. And after an extra three-year absence, Thriller have simply unfurled their maximum across the world acclaimed album but, in One Amongst The Residing. David, St-Pere and Gagne remained from the former document, with a number of visitors serving to out, together with Daryl Stuermer (Genesis), Oliver Wakeman (Sure) and John Jowitt (of Ark and IQ).
For the frontman, it’s a reduction that the Montreal band are actually again in motion, even if he understands the explanations at the back of this lengthen.
“That is Michel’s venture – he’s the motive force. Whilst the remainder of us are concerned, and are a ways from simply his employed fingers, we need to look ahead to him to make the verdict to do a brand new album. He’s a hectic man, and clearly it prices so much to do a Thriller document. As the pinnacle of the Unicorn label, Michel’s the person who has to lift the funds; he does it thru liberating numerous different initiatives.
“However I’m extremely joyful to be again operating with him. And I feel this time we’ve discovered our sound. The issue at the final two information was once that we have been nonetheless searching for a path. Our taste has all the time been outlined via the truth that we sound a little bit like Red Floyd, Genesis and Marillion – you’ll be able to listen all of the ones influences in what we did – nevertheless it by no means had sufficient individuality. This time I consider we’ve taken an actual soar.”
David feels that, after numerous stop-start moments of their profession, Thriller are actually poised to make an actual have an effect on, and this gained’t be hindered in any respect via his dedication to Sure.
“In fact, I’ve my priorities, and Sure will come first. They’d settle for not anything much less from me. However, the reality is there are sufficient gaps within the band’s time table to permit me to do so much with Thriller. It’s no longer as though they’re having to take a seat round looking ahead to me to inform them I will do a date right here and a display there. We will be able to have numerous time to excursion in this album, if that’s what Michel makes a decision.”
Simply how a ways and deep David’s interest for Thriller is going can also be observed from the truth that the brand new album options his first songwriting contributions to the venture.
“I’ve were given credit on one or two songs, and I loved that have. I’ve by no means been excluded from the writing procedure ahead of; it’s no longer as though Michel helps to keep the entirety to himself. However I’ve been glad prior to now simply to place myself into appearing the songs, as a result of Michel is a superb author and has all the time understood how you can assemble lyrics that paintings for me. So, I’ve believed in what I’m making a song.”
The album options plenty of stellar visitors, together with David’s present Sure bandmate, Oliver Wakeman. Used to be it the singer who persuaded the Wakeman offspring to come back on board? Er, no…
“It was once Michel who approached him. I had not anything by any means to do with it. What this proves is the top regard during which Michel is held in prog rock circles. He additionally has a robust courting with Daryl, which is why he got here on board.
“Having the ones folks concerned gave an additional shine to the album. Those are nice musicians who may supply that sure one thing we would possibly no longer have were given from common contributors of the band. No disrespect, however whilst you’ve the chance to herald those folks, then it could actually best make the tune more potent. That’s what they’ve performed. Additionally, whilst you’ve were given skills a little bit got rid of from the core of a venture, they may be able to see and listen to belongings you’ll leave out. This was once unquestionably true of those guys. It’s only a disgrace we will be able to’t take them out on excursion with us.”
Actually, Thriller do now have a traveling line-up, with David, St-Pere and Gagne joined via the returning Dupuis, plus Dean 1st earl baldwin of bewdley (guitar/keyboards) and Francois Fournier (bass). And the hope is that the brand new line-up gets the risk to play quicker relatively than later.
“There aren’t any excursion dates booked simply but. However the reality we’ve now put in combination this are living line-up tells you that we’re indisputably gonna do that.”
Actually, David is assured that Thriller shall be much more prolific sooner or later.
“I believe extra a part of the band than ever. The recording procedure for One Amongst The Residing introduced us all in combination. It felt so a lot more like a circle of relatives than the rest we’ve performed ahead of. In all probability that’s why we’ve in any case discovered our sound.
“I additionally consider that with Michel and I curious about different initiatives, we can all the time come again to this band refreshed and centered. Some folks will take the other view. Alternatively, that’s no longer the case. Thriller are transferring ahead.”
Regardless of the crowd’s previously-unhurried discography, David is adamant there shall be a brand new album from Thriller quicker relatively than later.
“I ensure that there gained’t be any other 3 12 months hole ahead of the following one. We’re so equipped now, and feature numerous concepts. That’s what made the brand new album paintings as neatly. Hardly ever the rest was once left over from earlier classes. It was once virtually all new, and new concepts all the time get everybody kicking and sparking. So, subsequent time we document in combination, we’ll use the similar manner.”
It’s been a very long time coming, and there were false begins alongside the best way, however finally it sounds as if Thriller are in a position to step to the plate and display that they’re spearheading a brand new motion in Canadian prog. Person who would possibly draw from the greats of the previous, however is firmly heading into uncharted territory.
“Let me put it this manner. I’m assured that you simply’ll be listening to much more from Thriller – and it’s going to be like not anything else you’ve ever heard. We’re proper within the zone.”
