Metal Band Pantheon from York are currently recording a track to be included on a metal compilation album to raise funds for NSPCC's Child Voice appeal.YMC: First thing I have to say is that some people may be surprised that a metal band is aiding a charity project, do you think many people have the wrong image about metal bands?PANTHEON: I think some people will be surprised that metal bands are coming together to aid a charity project, but I think this is because, as you say, people who are not involved in metal or in a band or properly aware of metal as a genre of music, often have the wrong image about metal bands. I often feel that metal is a more feared genre of music among the general public but if you actually look into and get involved in metal you’ll find that it is as caring a genre as any other popular type of music, if not more.
If you go to Bloodstock or any other metal festival the people are as friendly as any others, the music is just better in my opinion and most of the bands seem to be playing for the love of it rather than solely for the money. In the future I would really like to see metal being more accepted, perhaps even played on the radio more often rather than DJ’s being scared of alienating people by playing it, but that’s another issue that I could go on for hours about. Its a minor reason for taking part in the project compared with the real reason of promoting and raising money for the NSPCC’s Child Voice appeal
Personally, in our band Pantheon we try to get involved in as many charity projects as possible – we just need the opportunity.
YMC: Can you tell us how you got on board and what made you decide to help this particular project?
PANTHEON: We’ve had offers to take part in other Metal compilations before, but this offer was different as we would be taking part in a none profit project setup purely to help a very good cause as well as giving us the opportunity to record a new track. When the One-Voice group contacted us about the album and asked us to take part via myspace we were more than happy to commit to the recording fee and take part in the promotion side of the project which will run on long after the recording. The promotion side of it is very much our role now, as the recording is in the final mixing stages.
The main reason we took part in this project was that we would be recording a Metal album to be sold with no profit in aid of the NSPCC. To my knowledge I don’t think a project like this has been undertaken before, solely involving unsigned metal bands. It’s given us the opportunity to show our support for a cause that I feel is very important, using our music.
I personally think that in this day and age child cruelty is not acceptable. A person’s childhood is in my opinion one of the most important times of their lives and when abuse and violence is brought into it, it can have an affect on the rest of their lives. That’s if they’re not injured or even killed in the process. There’s not really much more that I can say than it simply must stop.
Another reason for taking part is, as I said before, metal is often seen as a feared and uncertain genre of music, so a project like this will hopefully not only change peoples views of metal, but also show that we’re as caring musicians as any other.
YMC: How many bands are taking part in this album?
PANTHEON:10 bands are taking part from all over the country, so some have traveled hefty distances to record the album. The bands taking part in the project and appearing on the CD are:
Divine Oblivion
Pantheon
Fight with Honour
Dream Catcher
Ragdoll
As winter burns
Spread the Venom
Beyond the Grave
Mercy House
Junkyard Morning
YMC: When is the album set for release?
PANTHEON: The album is due for release at the end of this month (August) if not early September and is to be sold for £8, which will all go to charity. Everyone is working hard to get it out on time, especially Dan Foster from Element Studios, Hull who’s got the monster task of mixing the album.
YMC: Our friends lists has people from all areas of the music business, are there ways people can help to make this project a success?
PANTHEON: Yes definitely, there’s a lot involved in the project, which is mainly the recording and promotion of the One-Voice album, but they have also started to organize a series of live events to take part in the home cities of each of the participating bands as a sort of mini tour. The One-Voice project are contacting councils about open air spaces to put on the events, which will be free events to promote the album.
There are lots of ways people or businesses can get involved and help the project, from printing and photography to somebody who can help with live show organizing and promotion. We need to get as many people aware of the project as possible via the media and any other means, so if there is any way you think you can help the project or help promote the album please get in contact with One-Voice at:
The myspace site with more information on the project is:
Thanks for your time
Simon (Pantheon Bassist)