Rain Fell Within  - INTERVIEW  

The debut full-length “Believe” was a impressive proof of the talent of these american darkwave new legend, RAIN FELL WITHIN signed their name in the sacred book of the metal avantgarde icons. Now, the band release “Refuge”, the second album by the legendary label DARK SYMPHONIES, a masterpiece of deep feelings and sad atmospheres. Krepuskulum interviewed Dawn (female vocals, keyboards) and Charles (bass).

KREPUSKULUM - Since the beginning the proposal of RAIN FELL WITHIN is to play metal with new age touches. What is the reason to embrace this label of metal?

DAWN - I don't know what label to put on the music, but the idea came about when I met Kevin in 1996. I had always wanted to put my voice to metal since it was my favorite type of music, so we got our friends together to start the band.

CHARLES - We have always been interested in music wwith lots of atmosphere like classical, new age, jazz, and some metal.  We think the classification of new age and metal fits us well because we have a variety of mood setting elements to our songs.  We want people to know exactly what feeling we are trying to portray through the music.  Dawn's lyrics are a verification of that fact.


KREPUSKULUM -  The music of the band have impressive classic and dramatic influences. Are you lovers of erudite&classic music?? If yes, what are the best compositors in your opinion??

DAWN -To tell you the truth I don't even pay that much attention. I will listen to classical radio stations because I like the music, but I really don't even pay attention to who composed what.

CHARLES - We are influenced some by classical music.  My favorite composer is Arvo Part.  "Sanctuary" and "I am the True Vine" are extremely beautiful.  Our new guitarist listens to more classical music than metal. Our tastes in music are very diverse.


KREPUSKULUM - In our opinion Dawn is one the best vocalists of the style now, of course she was inpired by famous names of the new age music (like Lorenna & Enya), but we would like to knew if she is inluenced by some metal vocalists too?

DAWN - I can't really tell you what inspires me. I don't even listen to Enya, and I have only heard a little bit of Loreena McKennet. My favorite vocalists are Vincent from Anathema, Michael from Opeth, and Sara Mclachlan.

CHARLES - Dawn is an extremely talented and creative vocalist and musician.  I know she likes Loreena Mckennitt and some of Enya's material.  Kari Rueslatten with the old Third & the Mortal was an influence as well as Anekke of The Gathering.  Dawn has a more operatic style than either of those two though.

KREPUSKULUM - Two new members joined Rain Fell Within to record "Refuge" (the backing vocalist Laurie and the guitar man Jason), Are they definitive members?

DAWN - Jason is a permanent member.  For now, Laurie just sings live backup vocals. There are no plans for her to join other than for live purposes, but I want her to be on the album so people knew she was in the band, so that is why I wrote "Passing Time" and asked her to put vocals to it.

CHARLES - Jason is a permanent member and a contributor of Rain Fell Within.  Laurie is permanent for live backing vocals.  Jason only performed on "Into the Tower" and Laurie on "Passing Time".  We will see more of Jason's contributions on the next album.  We also have a new live keyboardist named John.  He is a musical genius, an incredible musician.

KREPUSKULUM - Laurie sing the lead vocal and write the lyric of the beautiful "Passing Time", will she sing another lead vocals in the future albums?

DAWN - It's all up in the air right now. We usually put solo pieces on at the last minute, so nothing comes to mind right now.

CHARLES - She may, we will have to wait and see.  "Passing Time" turned out incredibly well; hopefully we can do something like that again in the future.

KREPUSKULUM -  Dawn is, in our opinion the main compositor of the band, and now her keyboards are much more present than in the first CD. Was this intentional? Talk to us about the RAIN FELL WITHIN musical creative process.

DAWN - We just haven't achieved the production we really want on our albums. I think it is safer to say that we didn't mean for the keyboards to be so quiet on the first album.

CHARLES - I think that was a result of the production on "Believe".  Not many people know that "Believe" was originally supposed to be a MCD to shop to labels.  We paid for the recording ourselves.  Dark Symphonies heard it and wanted to release it as a full length, so we added "The Sun in my Wound".  We then remixed the disc and released it as a full length.  Dawn's keys have always been an important aspect of RFW. The creative process is pretty basic.  One of us contributes an idea on their individual instrument and then we write all of our parts individually.  Many of the songs begin on keyboards or guitar.  Usually the vocals are last, or Dawn writes the melodies on her keys as the song is being written.

KREPUSKULUM -  The sadness are the king feeling in the RAIN FELL WITHIN music, the band´s name, the vocalist nick (Dawn), the lyrics and the atmospheres contribute to create this climates. Are you sad peple? Do you love the life?

DAWN - If I could do what I wanted with this life I would be happy - sure. But no I'm not happy with life. How many people really get to live out all of the dreams they have? A rare few I think - and if there is nothing after this life, what is it worth if we couldn't do what we wanted to do with it?

CHARLES - Well, Dawn is her real name, not a nickname.  Sometimes our music is sad, but not depressing.  Sometimes I feel it is uplifting.  I don't think any of us are completely satisfied with our lives, but who is?  We have to go to jobs every day when we would rather be playing music and touring.  I love the potential of life, but not society's restraints and hassles.


KREPUSKULUM - Do you belive in a kind of superior conscience?

DAWN - I don't believe for fact anything I haven't seen. Though - I have a hard time believing that with this endless universe of infinite possibilities - that there is nothing out there somewhere.

CHARLES - Yes, I would say so.  I don't believe in a Christian Catholic God though.   None of us in RFW are religious, however, we are spiritual in a sense.


KREPUSKULUM -  Some lyrics of REFUGE talk about the loss of the love or the sadness of the abandomnent, like the sweet dark "Torn Apart". Do you believe in love?? Do you believe in a kind of twin souls or our destiny is solitudeness?

DAWN - I am really undecided. I want to believe in soulmates and destiny - but I also think these are things that cannot be determined until this life is over.

CHARLES - Love can be deceiving, but if there is something worth living for.  It is love.  Music, too.

KREPUSKULUM - RAIN FELL WITHIN is very loved in Brazil! You have great fans (like us!!), Do you have some plan to play in Brazil??

DAWN - We would love to play in Brazil - but right now it is out of our reach.  We hope that someday we will be able to tour.

CHARLES - We wish to travel and play there.  It would be great.  Maybe we can arrange something in the future, but we do not have the financial means of touring now.

KREPUSKULUM - Talk with us about RAIN FELL WITHIN gigs and about the great experience to play in Milwaukee Metalfest.

DAWN - The shows are always a lot of fun! My favorite show ever was opening for Anathema at the Milwaukee Metalfest - it was a dream come true. I love Anathema!!!

CHARLES - We have played some incredible shows.  We opened for Anathema at Milwaukee Metalfest in 2000, that was a delight.  They were very friendly and even enjoyed us.  We have played all around the United States under the same bills as Katatonia, Opeth, and some other really large bands.  We have been very fortunate to play some of the best metal festivals in America.  We really want to tour around the world though.

KREPUSKULUM - Thanks for the Interview, give the last words for RFW worlwide fans.

DAWN - Keep the scene alive and go out to support the bands! :)

CHARLES - I hope you enjoy "Refuge".  Thanks for being so supportive of RFW during the past few years.  Take care everyone, and thanks for the interview Edgar!

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Contacts:

Band - charlesrgore@hotmail.com / band@rainfellwithin.com / www.rainfellwithin.com

Label - Dark Symphonies: darksympho@aol.com / www.darksymphonies.com