Interview with Wayne "Rivit" Bridge - Founder/Composer/Guitarist of Turanis gothic metal band

Recently I had the pleasure to discover, by chance, the New Castle upon Tyne born band Turanis, a trio consisting of the founder / guitarist and composer Wayne "Rivit" Bridge, drummer Dan Mullins (Blasphemer, Thine, ex - Bal-Sagoth, ex - My Dying Bride ) and vocalist Simon Gordon.

 Just a few days ago, the three had their debut in the British metal scene with a self-titled EP, using the single Playground as a pilot of what was going to be a gothic metal band, with deep influences in dark ambiental. What caught my attention from the beginning, beside the guitars, the intensity of the composition itself, naturally fused with the vocalist's rhythm, is the fact that although the lyrics attenuated the tendency to retreat into memories, the Rivit's energy attracted me back into the fluidity of the composition. But listening to their song "A Raven View", the intriguing environment changed, being able to observe musical influences such as early Xandria or Kamelot.

What I can say is that this trio has proven its potential from the very beginning. So, out of curiosity, I contacted the founder of the project to find out more.

   Ipsissima Verba - Shadows : Greetings. Thank you for accepting this interview. How are you feeling? First, tell me about yourself. I understand your stage name is Rivit. What is the reason?

   Wayne "Rivit" Bridge : Hi and greetings to you too. Well, the name really came about through body piercing, I used to do that for a job for a long time and I looked like I was pinned together (laughing), someone called me "rivet" as a joke and the name stuck. Now almost all the people I know use that name. 

   Shadows : What inspired you to lay the foundations of this project? Was it difficult to find the right people on the same wavelength, given the current situation in England?

   Rivit : The inspiration came from me loving "doom" and goth as a genre in itself. Bands like My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost have always been on my playlist, which grows with Godthrymm ( Hamish Blacksporron's project after My Dying Bride) and the guys are great. I have had the pleasure of talking to them which was a real honour. And I love your project, Cruish-Nir, as well. But I am picky with music, I tend to look for certain feels and aspects. The creation really came about with an idea of trying new ideas in the genre, like a continuation of clean guitar tunes mixed behind the heavy. I was looking for a newer but familiar sound. Finding the right people had proved really difficult at first, until I met Mark Mynett (producer of this record) who went out of his way to help find the right musicians to compliment what I had written, and boy did he, he brought in Dan Mullins and his grooves really kicked it off in a new direction, then Simon Gordon's voice (from Marks own band Kill II This, and Black Whiskey) sprung a new life into the sound, and the guys have been great to work with. Tony Palman wrote the lyrics and he's from a folk background. Also compliments the ideas I had, but all in all, Mark was the guy who made this possible. 

   Shadows : I am interested to know what Turanis represents. From where and to where this choice, as the name of the band. Was it your choice or did you choose the name of the project together?

   Rivit : Turanis came from a play on a word "tyranis" that I read somewhere, I think its old Latin for "one above the rest" , I'm in no way saying I am (laughing) far from it, but it fitted and roles off the tongue well.

   Shadows : We all know how difficult it is for musicians right now because of the pandemic. Have you encountered difficulties during the creative process, recordings, rehearsals? If so, how did you meet the unexpected? 

   Rivit : Yes many difficulties, a lot of this (recordings/rehearsals) was done remotely in our own homes, it was for me and I think Simon, with only Dan going into Marks' studio, then it was sent over to Mark, to work his magic. I did the demos and sent them over and then a long process of rerecording and putting to a level Mark and everyone else was happy with Its taken a year to get it to this stage...and of course with live music only just coming back now, the industry as a whole was and is not in good shape.

   Shadows : You recently released the band's first album, the self-titled EP - Turanis. I would like to know more about this subject. What inspired you when you composed it? Whats the hidden message behind the powerful guitars and melancholic vocals? Is there a specific band, or more, that has inspired or influenced you over time? What would those be?

   Rivit : The subject is more a story of songs, rather than random subjects as it may seem, you have "Playground" which is growing up, "A ravens view" which is in a way learning, "He has fallen" is dethroning of a dictator as the subject grew (out with the good and in with the bad is a line, reversed as dictators always think what they are doing is right and good) , "It all ends" is where the dictator's gone and they live in peace, last one is "The loss" when the subject leaves life behind and the feelings of others. A sad end, really, but a life in five songs. Also "Playground" has an anti-bullying message, awareness song, we all need that to stop, its not acceptable at any age. "A Ravens view" has a lot about raven mythology in it to but the whole thing could be said to be a concept.

   Shadows : From what I noticed, you and your colleagues live in different cities / areas. It goes without saying that it is a challenge. How did the recording of the album go? 

   Rivit : It was tricky. As mentioned, it was mostly remotely done, all but the drums recorded in our own houses, I believe, of course, sent to Mark who said if there was an issue with the take and then the entire take had to be done again, thankfully ,very few mistakes but I myself had to learn a new way of recording, with Mark's guidance. He was a massive help with this. 

   Shadows : Well, you released your first album. What are your plans for the future? Are you working on something new? Are you planning to go on stage in the near future?

   Rivit : I am already working on new songs. In fact, I have 7 song templates ready to go so in the future there will be a full album coming your way, with more songs of the same feel and ideas. I am very excited to continue with the "Turanis " project and what the future holds, we have five , I think, very strong songs already. Can only get better with time.

   Shadows : Before concluding this interview, I want to ask you one thing. What do you expect from yourself, in parallel with your musical career. But from Turanis, as a new project in the metal scene in England?

   Rivit : I don't expect, really, anything. I write and do what I like to do and if others like it then that's great; and to be fair, they seem to, even people that are not into the genre seem to like it, but I think that's because of the newer, maybe fresher sound.

   Shadows : Well, we're at the end. Thanks again for your time. Its been a pleasure. Would you like to add a few words for your friends, your fans?

   Rivit : A massive huge thank you to all who support this new project, nothing would have been possible without them, its something I will never forget, and I am very humbled and honoured by the support we already receive. Its been a roller coaster but a well worth while.

This concludes my interview with the man behind Turanis. 

You can follow, stream and support their music via the following links. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialTuranis

Youtube: https://youtu.be/4ByUx9cjePU

Bandcamp: https://turanis.bandcamp.com/album/turanis

Doom regards, 

Ipsissima verba - Shadows