Amongst the catacombs of new releases this week Colorado’s Chamber Mage stand tall with their instant cult classic style of traditional heavy metal that makes this old head yearn for the 80s. By Light Of Emerald Gods is a debut album steeped in battles, magic, sorcery, tragedy, and triumph told through the lens of the NWOBHM and Stateside power metal movements. The band has only been around since 2021 but you’d never know it after experiencing the frenzy and larger than life stature of these eight tracks. We had the chance to pose our set of Profile questions to the band and guitarist Devan Fechner answered the call so head immediately below to read how it went down and be sure to visit Nameless Grave Records to land a copy of this scorching debut.
How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?
I got into music by getting enrolled in band class accidentally in 6th grade! I ended up playing saxophone and took to it quickly, I started piano lessons in 7th grade, found metal that year and started self teaching guitar in 8th grade. Coincidentally, as I was getting my feet wet with Metallica, Megadeth and such, “Epitaph” by Necrophagist came out and I went head first into death metal haha. I got into that circle in high school down in South Florida and actually had to circle back to Iron Maiden later in high school and power metal after 2020! Avery and I linked up over facespace in Spring 2021 and he really found the rest of the lineup as it sits that year. He also had the rough scratch ideas for “Length of the Chain,” “Emerald Tower,” and “Blades,” Jaden and I helped finish them out, I wrote “To Spires Deep” and then we cut the demo in Spring 2022 and played our first show at Black Sky Brewery shortly thereafter! My family has heard enough death metal and grindcore out of me since high school, so Chamber Mage was a pleasant surprise for them.
How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?
It’s a cosmic mix, the action of the 90s combined with the exploitation films of the 70s, but with modern touches. It’s hyper violent, but it knows what it is. It’s a little bit Tarantino, it’s definitely a little bit Micheal Mann, it’s kind of a cosmic gumbo. It almost moves to the beat of jazz. Just kidding. I think we do fit into the NWOTHM umbrella; we go for big hooks, song structures that keep you a little more on your toes, and Jaden and I try to keep the guitars shreddy. Our album has a really old school 80s feel to it that I am really proud of, but the band truly has a wide array of influences outside of the usual suspects like Jag Panzer and Manilla Road. Dan and I have a huge love for more technical death metal like Atheist and First Fragment, Avery is a huge hardcore and black metal fan, and Jaden is big into prog and has an incredible jam project – so we and our influences gel in a really great way.
Is there one (or more) thing about your latest / upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?
We actually recorded the whole album twice! Our first attempt was around the time we started getting serious about playing live and were jamming together way more. So by the time we started getting final mixes the next year, we had reached a point where none us were really happy with the songs because we knew how much was left on the table performance wise, individually and collectively. It definitely wasn’t an easy decision to have to make, but this cut is leaps and bounds improved over the first attempt. Drums sounds powerful, guitar and bass tones rock, Avery killed the vocals, and the group vocals gave those songs a whole new element!
Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?
I think all the insane uber drivers in Fresno takes the cake. The first one I took dropped me off in the wrong place, one guy sideswiped a parked car and sped off, one was watching Star Wars episode 3 on his phone while driving us across town (the whole time, hardly looked up), and one came into the restaurant with us, threw back a few shots of tequila and then took off because he had another ride to pick up.
Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?
I’m a weird cat lady, so any time I’m traveling with any of my bands, priority 2 is pet as many stray cats as I can.
Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?
I am a self employed instrument repair tech/guitar teacher out here in Denver and actually just stepped out into doing it full time! It has been super rewarding to get to do something I love doing and I’ve gotten to meet a ton of great people in the Denver scene because of it. Check out Devan F Guitar Services on the social medias for cool stuff I get to work on!
Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?
Just to keep the momentum rolling for how new the band is, Jaden and I are already writing for the second album and beyond. We’re SUPER lucky to have linked up with Nameless Grave Records for this first album, they are an all around killer label, I’d love to keep working with them on future releases. Festivals are always the best time for us, so getting invited out for more, especially out in Europe, is on the dream board for sure.
When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently? (Feel free to include non-metal)
I’ve been in a crazy drummer kick this month, so I’ve been listening to a bunch of Sulphuric Cautery (goregrind) and Delusional Parasitosis (brutal death metal). Some of my permanent rotation albums are Gloire Eternelle by First Fragment, anything by Archgoat, Anthems by Emperor, the first 2 Crimson Glory albums, and the Defeated Sanity discography!
What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?
Well, playing Hell’s Heroes on March 20 is a dream come true and then the album coming out on the 28th is the big things have have finally come! Beyond that we are looking at getting a tour going in September – so keep an eye out Midwesterners! We’ve got a lot of work to do but have some great people helping us out, really looking forward to that experience.
Summarize your band in one word. (Disclosure: If you use more than one word, we’ll probably just pick our favorite.)
Epic.
Many thanks to Devan and Chamber Mage for their time!
By Light of Emerald Gods will be available March 28 on Nameless Grave Records. For more information on Chamber Mage, visit their Facebook page.
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