"Well all the songs and musical pieces are written and pre-production is complete. It has really come together and, I think, has the potential to make a noise in the White Metal market. It's by far the most ambitious project I have ever been involved in!
It will be the CD I wish Malachia could have made. So, now it is time to record this monster so, I am actively seeking financial backing to fund recording, prduction/pressing of CD's and merchandise.
I have opened a funding account on Kickstarter, a site designed specifically for artists seeking funding for their projects. Anyone can pledge any amount, from $1.00 to $1000.00, it's totally up to how much they want to pledge and they can afford. I need help and support to make this project a reality."Donations can be made at: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1004659867/darkness-rising-the-tale-of-derek-blackheart?ref=email.
The artist offers further details about the project:
Based loosely on the classic tale The Posrtrait of Dorian Grey, the debut concept CD Darkness Rising: The Tale of Derek Blackheart by Absolon is the story of Derek Blackheart who, as a young man, dreams of fronting the biggest heavy metal band in the world. One fateful night he is approached by the dark master who offers him his dreams and more in return for one thing...his soul. All Derek has to do is allow the dark master to write his music through him and bring his audiences to the darkness. Derek happily accepts the offer and soon realizes all of his dreams. As promised, Derek's band, Blackheart, becomes the biggest heavy metal band in the world and all the fame and fortune that comes with it. In time, Derek becomes tired of doing the bidding of the dark master and, at the height of fame and success, takes his own life in an attempt to escape his clutches. But, too late, he discovers that even in death there is no excape.
Specifically, the meaning behind the story is "about the ultimate fate of someone who decides to go down a road of darkness to achieve fame and fortune and, at the end of the day, has to ask himself . . . what is it worth to have reached the pinnacle of success, fame and fortune only to lose your soul in doing it?"
The story is told through music, with musical,vocal,sound effects pieces interconecting one song to the next. For reference, it is somewhat influenced by the concept albums Operations Mindcrime by Queensryche and Nostradamus by Judas Priest.
Absolon recently recorded a promotional video (imbedded YouTube link above) to the track "Darkness Rising", which will be included as part of Darkness Rising, The Tales of Derek Blackheart.
Further reading: http://absolonrising.wordpress.com
