Interview with Scythia lead guitarist and vocalist Dave Khan

Dave Khan, the guitarist and lead vocalist for the folk metal band Scythia spoke with me recently about the band’s newest release, …Of War. I really enjoyed the first single, “Fierce Riders Of Scythia” and I found myself immediately drawn into their world and once there, did not want to leave. The fascinating blend of metal and Russian/Middle Eastern folk music is quite surprising and exceptionally good. The Vancouver based band is preparing to hit the road for a six week Canadian tour in support of the record. Here is what Kahn had to say.

Now that your new CD, “…Of War” is complete how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Dave: Completing ‘…Of War’ was definitely a case of the ‘first album experience’ in the sense that a lot was learned in hindsight. We recorded the album in 3 months and I did all the engineering, vocals and a lot of the guitar playing. It made for many sleepless nights and altered states of perception. In the end, I’m glad it’s done. There’s quite a bit on there that was well-inspired material and then again, there’s quite a bit on there that I’m noting on how to approach differently next time.

What was the writing process like for this CD? Did you guys all write together? How long did it take?
Dave: At the time, I did 90% of the writing. Terry Savage and I collaborated on the track ‘Adamantium.’ But for the most part, I’d write the guitar lines, lyrics and transcribe some violin parts or keyboard lines. Sam, the drummer at the time, wrote all of her drum parts and Chris (keyboards) and Mari (violin) did their share of improvising as well as playing transcribed parts. Honestly, though many of the ideas had been percolating for a few years, it only took about 6 months to write and arrange all of the material. With that said, there was a lot of undivided attention placed on this project.

The name of the band Scythia is interesting to say the least and sounds as if there is a story behind it. Where did the name come from and what is the story?
Dave: The name is of ancient origin. The Scythians were a culture that existed in the time of the Romans and occupied parts of Russia, Scandinavia and northern Caucasia. They were master horse riders, goldsmiths, archers, etc. But moreover, not much is known about them so it provided the opportunity to mix in a bit of fiction and weave an original story. Aside from that, many of the melodies used in Scythia have a Russian/Middle Eastern flavor so I wanted the subject material to capture that.

Give us some insight into the meaning behind its title?
Dave: …Of War” is meant to convey the essence of an antique book. It was actually the idea of our producer, Shaun Thingvold, to call it “…Of War” and make the album art like an old book. Basically, we were looking for consistency between the name, the album artwork and the sound of the music. In the end, I think we did a pretty good job of that.

This record takes chances artistically. How hard is it to take chances with your music in an industry that is declining?
Dave: I personally wouldn’t call it hard. I think music that is created with honesty and authenticity will stand out more than music that tries to conform to a particular trend. Though we have received mixed reviews by going against the grain, we have received a lot of extremely positive feedback from people for taking those chances.

Every band has its musical influences. What are some of the other bands and artists that have greatly influenced you guys and your music?
Dave: Oh wow… Well, none of us are true metal heads. We have all had degrees of contamination from un-metal forms of music. Here’s a general list that in no way captures all of the influences: Iron Maiden, Loreena McKennitt, Opeth, Black Sabbath, Rush, Dream Theater, JS Bach (the Baroque composer), Vivaldi, Traditional Celtic Music, Traditional Russian Folk Music, Alestorm, Angra, Porcupine Tree, Blind Guardian, Manowar, and oh so many more!

Tell me about a book or two that you’ve read that you think other people should read?
Dave: Meetings with Remarkable Men – G.I. Gurdjieff. Gurdjieff was a 20th century Russian-Armenian mystic who traveled throughout Eurasia and delved into the secret lore of the Egyptian pyramids, Tibetan Monasteries and other mystery schools. This book was written as an autobiography and yet conveyed the quintessential sense of adventure and magic that is often neglected in our modern society. His efforts were impeccable and intensely focused like that of a true warrior. A lot of what Gurdjieff wrote was inspiration for the mood behind Scythia, though many of the themes are quite different.

Do you prefer the studio setting or the live setting?
Dave: Damn. Now that’s a tough question! It completely depends on the context. There is no rival to the energy and rawness of performing live. I get pretty amped up playing live, especially touring, where we play live night after night. However, the studio setting has it’s advantages. Recording is a project with a clear start and end. It requires focus, commitment and great effort and the rewards it bears stand the test of time.

What kind of touring plans do you have in support of the record?
Dave: Well, we will be touring Canada this fall on a tour called “Exiled Across Canada” to support the record. Aside from that, we have plans of recording a follow-up EP in the winter and then touring Western Canada and then internationally to support both pieces of work.

Any closing words?
Dave: Nothing comes to mind. I’ve enjoyed answering your questions. They were thought-provoking and inventive. Thanks!  [ END ]