PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
We had the privilege of catching up with Periphery’s talented guitarist Misha Mansoor with this email interview after Matt had reviewed their killer new album Periphery II.
When and how did Periphery form?
I formed Periphery in 2005 after dropping out of school to pursue my dream and start a band. I went home, got a full time job and worked on my music in my free time.
Who came up with the name Periphery?
I came up with it. I wanted a name that sounded stylistically ambiguous so that people who heard the name wouldn’t form preconceptions based off of it.
Who would you say your main musical influences are and why did you decide to compose music in the ever growing Djent sound?
Bands like Meshuggah, Dream Theater, Sikth, Deftones. Musicians like Devin Townsend, Nobuo Uematsu, Allan Holdsworth and Guthrie Govan.
I wrote and still write Progressive music, and did so before Djent was ever mistaken for a genre, I have never considered Periphery to be a Djent band, but I don’t mind if people choose that or other genres as a way to associate with us.
How would you say Periphery has helped to shape and evolve the Djent movement?
I don’t know that we have, and if we have that would be something for someone else to observe, not us.
With your new album Periphery II you have taken a more melodic approach to previous material, adding more clean vocals and using less “8-string” heavy riff. Why have you done this?
I think you might be mistaken. As a matter of fact, this album is the first album that actually features an 8 string, and even then it is only one song, we only used 6 and 7 string guitars in the past. Also, we didn’t take any different approach other than just collaborating as a band on this release since we now have a lineup with very good writing chemistry. We just wrote the album we wanted to write, that is what we have always done and it is what we will always do.
Apart from the more melodic sound, is there anything else different with Periphery II compared to your earlier releases?
I produced and engineered the first one in my living room and everything was done in the box on the last one. This time around it was all done in a real studio.
With Periphery II was there any one main song writer or was it a team collaboration?
There was input from everyone this time around, you are hearing Periphery the band as opposed to Periphery the project.
What gear do you use and why do you think it is ideal and the best stuff out there for achieving the Periphery sound?
I use the Fractal Axefx II because it is the best sounding and most versatile solution for both recording in the studio and playing live. It is very portable as well and incredibly consistent.
What would your say have been your all time favourite moments whilst playing with Periphery so far?
The Dream Theater tour was mindblowing, and playing in Manila at the Pulp Summer Slam festival was incredible, as was playing Download Festival!
What does the rest of 2012 hold for periphery?
We are doing Summer Slaughter 2012 and then we have a tour in Europe with BTBAM and The Safety Fire later in the year!
Thanks for the interview Misha, can you give our readers a brief summary of the killer new album entitled Periphery II?
It is dense and long and therefore is a bit of a grower. The same could be said for our new album Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal. We are really proud of our new album, and we hope you guys give it a good listen and enjoy it!
Matt’s review of Periphery II click here
Links
https://www.facebook.com/PeripheryBand
http://www.myspace.com/periphery
http://www.allinmerch.com/category/PER.html
http://www.smnnews.com/board/forumdispla…
http://www.soundclick.com/bulb
http://periphery.firebrandlive.com/
http://www.formspring.me/JakePeriphery
