Interview with guitarist Tyson O'Bryan of Fantazmagory
By Mick Michaels
Cosmick View: Hello, Tyson! Welcome to The Cosmick View/MBM Ten Pounder. Thanks for taking some time out of your day to speak with us. It's greatly appreciated.
CV:
What’s it like being involved in a project together, especially one that was started
more than 30 years ago?
Tyson O'Bryan: I think it's really cool that we're able to do something like this and I'm inspired by past Fantazmagory projects to do better and improve on the sound.
CV: What lead you to resurrect Fantazmagory after all this time?
Tyson: I was writing some riffs and started putting some of them together and Tim started helping with the writing and arrangement. We started recording, and it went forward from there.
CV: Tell us a little about the new album "Scars of a Phobia." What can listeners expect from the record?
Tyson: I think that "Scars of a Phobia" is a very unique metal album with diversity and influences from many different bands, genres, and sub-genres.
CV: Had the events of the last 18 plus months provided any inspiration for the album in terms of lyrical content or musical themes?
Tyson: I started playing guitar a lot more because of recent events and that's when I started writing my own riffs, so I think this whole project had something to do with COVID. As far as lyrical themes go, there wasn’t anything to do with COVID directly, but I think subconsciously it all ties into what we have all gone through in the last year and a half.
CV: How would “Scars of a Phobia” compare to material from the band’s earlier incarnation? Are there some similarities that link the band back to its roots and original line up or has this new version of Fantazmagory taken liberties and moved into a completely new direction in your opinion?
Tyson: I think there are definitely some similarities to old Fantazmagory material because Tim is still in the band and he is bringing the same influences he had previously. Since the rest of the lineup is new, the sound is definitely a lot different. I think we may take it in a new direction in the future to keep things interesting and to avoid cookie cutter music.
Tyson O'Bryan: I think it's really cool that we're able to do something like this and I'm inspired by past Fantazmagory projects to do better and improve on the sound.
CV: What lead you to resurrect Fantazmagory after all this time?
Tyson: I was writing some riffs and started putting some of them together and Tim started helping with the writing and arrangement. We started recording, and it went forward from there.
CV: Tell us a little about the new album "Scars of a Phobia." What can listeners expect from the record?
Tyson: I think that "Scars of a Phobia" is a very unique metal album with diversity and influences from many different bands, genres, and sub-genres.
CV: Had the events of the last 18 plus months provided any inspiration for the album in terms of lyrical content or musical themes?
Tyson: I started playing guitar a lot more because of recent events and that's when I started writing my own riffs, so I think this whole project had something to do with COVID. As far as lyrical themes go, there wasn’t anything to do with COVID directly, but I think subconsciously it all ties into what we have all gone through in the last year and a half.
CV: How would “Scars of a Phobia” compare to material from the band’s earlier incarnation? Are there some similarities that link the band back to its roots and original line up or has this new version of Fantazmagory taken liberties and moved into a completely new direction in your opinion?
Tyson: I think there are definitely some similarities to old Fantazmagory material because Tim is still in the band and he is bringing the same influences he had previously. Since the rest of the lineup is new, the sound is definitely a lot different. I think we may take it in a new direction in the future to keep things interesting and to avoid cookie cutter music.
CV:
What are you hoping listeners come away with after hearing the album?
Tyson: I hope listeners enjoy the album and have a good time while listening to it. I'm hoping they find the music unique and interesting to listen to.
Tyson: I hope listeners enjoy the album and have a good time while listening to it. I'm hoping they find the music unique and interesting to listen to.
CV:
Since the original Fantazmagory’s
disbandment in 1996, how do you see Heavy Metal as a whole has changed? Is
there a big difference in the genre from your point of view?
Tyson: I see so many bands that change their sound to appeal to the public. They change for the fame and stray away from who they really are. I'd say personally, all my writing influences come from old-school bands like Exodus, Slayer and Testament. The modern metal scene didn’t really have anything to do with how we wrote and recorded this album. Hopefully this album can take people back to when metal was in its prime.
CV: Any plans to tour the new album in 2022?
Tyson: I would love to tour and play live in 2022. The problem is our singer lives in Italy, and since I played both guitar and bass on the album, we would also need to find a bass player. If that ever happens, then live shows are definitely in our future.
Tyson: I see so many bands that change their sound to appeal to the public. They change for the fame and stray away from who they really are. I'd say personally, all my writing influences come from old-school bands like Exodus, Slayer and Testament. The modern metal scene didn’t really have anything to do with how we wrote and recorded this album. Hopefully this album can take people back to when metal was in its prime.
CV: Any plans to tour the new album in 2022?
Tyson: I would love to tour and play live in 2022. The problem is our singer lives in Italy, and since I played both guitar and bass on the album, we would also need to find a bass player. If that ever happens, then live shows are definitely in our future.
CV:
In addition to the release of the album, what more can fans expect to see
coming from Fantazmagory?
Tyson: Writing has already begun for the new album, and we look forward to that in the near future.
Tyson: Writing has already begun for the new album, and we look forward to that in the near future.
Thanks again
Tyson for taking the time to share with our readers. We wish you all the
best and continued success.
Tyson: Thank you for having us. Check us out on
any online music streaming sites, and of course YouTube and Instagram as well.
If you are interested in purchasing a hard copy CD of “Scars of a Phobia,”
contact us on Instagram for more details.
Check out Fantazmagory at:
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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