...And Darkness Remains

Persistence is the key, so never give up

You just gotta be a musician to appreciate this interview... Okay, maybe not. The thing is, the lad behind ...And Darkness Remains is a fairly ambitious young man who has proudly released his first solo recording, this year's epic 'Calling into the Abyss' demo. It's three songs of brooding instrumental that stem from the mind of Geoff Doucette, who's currently bent on learning the finer points of, well, anything to do with being a musician. It isn't everyday that a metal journalist - or his readers - get a glimpse into the world of a budding artist. This is why a musician might appreciate this interview more, with Geoff's efforts reminding them of their own first steps in their careers. Here he is rambling about music, life, and a Metallica concert he attended some months ago.


AM: Hey Geoff, so tell us about this three-song demo you just released. Don't you ever want anyone to sing for ...And Darkness Remains? Ever?

Geoff Doucette: Hey! Yeah I finished recording my first three-song demo entitled 'Calling into the Abyss' in early February. I am really stoked about it and it's exactly how I wanted it to be, so yeah, I'm very happy with it. And yes, I will be singing for ...And Darkness Remains. I'm still waiting on a microphone as mine got torn in half quite literally so... Hahahahaha...


AM: So how are these three instrumentals supposed to impress the human race? You gotta stand up for your music now man, there are a lot of cruel people out there just waiting to pounce on the hard work of honest musicians like yourself and tear it to pieces. Where does ...And Darkness Remains stand in the greater scheme of things?


GD: Honestly, I just want to make music that people like. I wanted to create something slow and heavy so that you can rock out, head bang, and just have a great ruddy time listening to it. I don't want it looked at so thoroughly as to people telling me that it sucks or whatever, you know? Sure, it's a serious project, but I make the music because I love to, nothing more, and hopefully people will understand some unique-ness and my view and take on my own music.


AM: Well, since your demo is all 'Calling into the Abyss' in three parts, is there a common thread or concept we should be aware of?

GD: Yes there is. The demo is a concept record and all three of the songs are similar in terms of riffing and production. I did this on purpose because as it is one song in three parts I wanted it to have sort of the same sound. But yeah, the songs are about a man who has found himself so low and just trapped under himself that he's doomed to wander "The Abyss" for all eternity.


AM: How long did it take to write and record the very first chapter of ...And Darkness Remains' discography?

GD: It has taken me since August 2008 to get everything written, recorded, fixed up, produced and whatnot and what have you. The demo was officially done and wrapped up on February 2.


AM: Was it a major headache putting all three of them together? Did you ever hit your head against a wall out of frustration?

GD: Yes, it was a chore - Hahahahaha! Making something sound slow and not too repetitive is very hard. I give kudos to those bands who can. It's a tough job but very fun and fulfilling. I refrained from hitting myself during the compositions. Arranging and other production things was the hardest part for me.


AM: Those drums I hear are programmed right?

GD: They are indeed programmed. It's not my ideal wish, but it's better than waiting four years to get good at the drums and throwing thousands of dollars into getting the right equipment and recording equipment for them.


AM: There are just so many slow, chunky riffs on your demo it makes me wonder if you'll ever venture into the world of shred guitar in the future. How do you envision yourself as a guitarist five years down the road?

GD: I intend there to be some shred and fast parts on the new record. It's something I would like to have there so that's what'll be there. I envision myself as a well-rounded, professional guitarist by then. I don't take my guitar playing lightly. It's something I feel that will stay with me forever and I strive to become better everyday. I take the way to get better at playing very seriously.


AM: How did you soak up the know how to become your own producer and sound engineer?

GD: Well, it basically came to me with trying a lot of new software programs through trial and error. I was very determined and it eventually became easier and easier to produce these songs. Hahahahaha... I'm even the producer of a good friend of mine's new demo as well.


AM: So the whole thing came together in your room?

GD: It indeed did. I remember the night, too. I was writing in my journal, and I had thoughts to try and plan a one-man project. So that night I came up with names, themes, structures, goals and whatnot. So during the next little while I started experimenting with different riffs and sounds, and I wrote a riff that sounded kick-ass to me and could benefit the band I was putting together. That's the riff that spawned the song 'Calling into the Abyss, Part I', and after I put a very rough two-track demo up around, I got positive enough feedback to want to make more music, and take the new project more seriously.


AM: How many different kinds of software did you have to master to become the independent artist you are now?

GD: I had to master two software programs, which were very difficult to learn. Even to this day I find new things with these programs that I never knew about!


AM: Do you compose music a lot in your free time? I mean, do you have a substantial amount of unrecorded material and song ideas lying around your room right now?

GD: I compose music in my free time non-stop. I'm always cooking up new ideas for new material. I'm always thinking up cool fusions and things and coming up with non-linear type things. My newest ideas of expression are very weird and are hard to put to paper. The amount of riffs and lyrics I've saved over the passed little while is ridiculous. I keep full books of riffs lying around and sift through them and then remember writing them.


AM: Tell me, when did the idea of recording your own music dawn on you? I'm sure you must have been jamming with your guitar one day and then you just told yourself "Gee whiz, maybe I should be taking my music to another level." Is this how it happened?

GD: It happened when I formed my very first band, which was called Eternal Eclipse. We were a few jam sessions in, and so I started looking for ways to capture it. Every time we'd jam I'm come to my band members with more riffs and new software to show them. I got a mic and figured out how to use the recording programs and we started trying to record some stuff using it. Of course this didn't work out at all and the idea of recording so early in our band's career was scrapped pretty quickly, but I still retained the information. I'm glad I did!


AM: Will ...And Darkness Remains graduate into something bigger than a project you pursue between school, your job, and going to the gym?

GD: I'm really not sure. I've always had the vision of doing it on the side. It's hard to look at something such as music becoming a full-time thing, to me. If I knew it would all work out and I could feed my future family and put a good roof over our heads while just making music, I'd do it in a second. In a second, no hesitation.


AM: In our last conversation you mentioned being involved in a melodic death metal band from your area. How are thing going on that front?

GD: They are not well, and in fact, the band's status is currently unknown or on an indefinite hiatus. That's really all there is to know about that.


AM: Yeah, and last time we spoke to each other you said a Metallica gig was coming up near your place. Did you catch it? Anything cool happen? Tell me everything.

GD: Yes, I got to go! My friend Melanie and her Dad took me down to Vancouver on December 2 FOR FREE, I might add, and I got to see my favorite band ever perform live. I had waited more than a few years to see that show and it exceeded all of my expectations and blew me away, and still does. That night I also got to see my other favorite band in the same show, which was The Sword, and coincidentally, they opened with my favorite song, hahahahaha!


AM: Are you seriously dedicated to pursing music now? You wanna go for an audio engineering course in college?

GD: I would really enjoy that if I knew for a fact that I could make an honest living making my music. I have other dreams that I'd like to pursue, and the way I see it, I can do both my biggest dreams at once, because I hope to go to school to become a teacher, so if I could do both I'd be living my dream.


AM: For curious metalheads out there, how can they get copies of your newest opus?

GD: After all the artwork and whatnot is all done and the accounts are set up, the copies will be available through my band's myspace. Right now, I'm giving away hand-numbered copies to close friends for free.


AM: You listening to any exciting stuff right now? How's your favorite band, Bloodbath, doing?

GD: Hahaha... I have about 20, 000 songs on my computer. I listen to something new and exciting everyday, so yeah, hahahaha... But yeah, Bloodbath is hopefully doing great! In 2008 they released a disgusting EP, and treacherous live record, and an absolutely flawless new full-length. Absolutely sick.


AM: Everything eventually comes to an end Geoff, thanks for getting in touch with me for this one. Care to leave a message?

GD: My message is to just never, ever give up on your hopes and your dreams. No matter what the cost of it is, go for what you want, take your opportunities and use them to better yourself. It is always possible to be something and do well if you just try. Persistence is the key, so never give up.

Interview by Miguel Miranda.

06/23/2009 19:20