The US heavy metal band Millennial Reign was formed as a solo album project by ASKA bassist, Dave Harvey and the self-titled debut album was released independently in 2012. After new members joined Millennial Reign the decision was made to make Millennial Reign a full band, rather than just a recording project. Their new album “Carry The Fire” will be released later this month through Ulterium Records.
Recently we did an interview with guitarist and founder Dave Harvey. Check it out below:
TMR: Hello Dave this is ‘The Metal Resource’ from Holland, how are things going there in the U.S?
Everything is going good. Texas is definitely a great state to live in.
TMR: Will you Introduce yourself and the band please ! [name and instrument]
My name is Dave Harvey, I’m the founder and guitarist of Millennial Reign, lead vocalist is James Guest, second guitar Jason Donnelly, bass guitar Daniel Almagro, and last but not least Wayne Stokely on drums.
TMR: Tell us the brief history of ‘Millennial Reign’.
Millennial Reign started out as a recording project only. About half of the first album were songs that I and the drummer (Bryan Diffee) from a previous band decided to record. I wrote a few more to fill up the album and recruited a vocalist (Trae Doss) to write lyrics for the remaining songs and record vocals. Once I had written songs for the second album the first two guys were not available to record, so I recruited another singer and drummer. But as we were recording, conversation led to making this into a live band. We recruited another guitarist and bass player as things went along and had everyone we needed before the album was finished. We just played our debut show last weekend on September 26th.
TMR: Why the name ‘Millennial Reign’ ? Is there a story behind it ?
No real story behind it, Millennial Reign is actually a biblical term from the book of revelations. It refers to the thousand year reign of Christ after the tribulation. I heard the term many years ago and I always thought it sounded like a powermetal band name. It was the name I decided to use when I released the first album even though it was more classic 80s metal.
TMR: How did you get into metal?
Kiss and Rush… those were the first two bands I really got into after discovering them.
TMR: Dave, what is your musical background ?
I’ve always been a hard rocker from day one. Nothing else got my attention, but I’ve also leaned towards the progressive side. In the early days I was very big into bands light Styx, Kansas, Triumph and Rush. I’m really telling my age on this one LOL.
TMR: Who writes the music/lyrics in ‘Millennial Reign’ ? … how do you get in the mood for writing music? And which bands/situations have influences you for writing music and lyrics ?
On the Carry The Fire album the music had already been written by me. James wrote all of the lyrics of course. Now that we have a full band the next album will be much more of a collaboration. As far as getting in the mood to write, I just lock myself in the studio, work on new riffs until I find something I like and go with it. I would have to say Iron Maiden is my biggest influence. The Number of The Beast album is the one I can actually put my finger on and say was my musical epiphany.
TMR: What are some key principles or phylosophies that you hold onto as foundational stones as who you are as a person?
I try to be as professional as possible in not only music but everything I do. I just feel it’s what sets you apart from everything and everyone else. And when working with a band, I look for the very same in other musicians.
TMR: Is there a highlight you will always remember, since the beginning of ‘Millennial Reign’ ?
Millennial Reign has been a full band less than a year so right now I would have to say our debut show. It was a very good experience being on stage with it for the first time.
TMR: And the worst thing were ? (if there is one)
I can’t really think of anything right now. We haven’t been together long enough to have any Spinal Tap moments yet. LOL
TMR: So what makes you laugh?
I have a miniature dachshund dog and he’s pretty good at doing that.
TMR: What is your biggest fear ?
That’s a hard one… probably not ever being able to play again. Music is what and who I am. If I were not able to make music, life would be very dis-heartening.
TMR: What are some of the things you like to do away from the band?
Spending time with my wife, and I am also a firearms enthusiast. I trained my wife using firearms and we spend a lot of time at the gun range.
TMR: How do you promote your band and shows ?
Every way possible… the Internet makes it much easier to reach people now but you still have to do a lot of things the old way.
TMR: Tell us about the hardrock/metal scene in your area please?
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a very large area. There are thousands of bands here so in-tern there is a lot of talent in the area. Although, out of all of those bands there are only 3 to 4 European powermetal bands here.
TMR: How do you prepare for a show?
Nothing special really, I just try to warm up a little before we go on.
TMR: Speaking of recording, your upcoming album “Carry The Fire” will be released on Oct. 30th. what can you tell us about the album [such as the recording process, the songs, album-title etc.]
The recording was all done in my own studio. Once that was done we took it to nomad studio and JT Longoria did the mixing. It was also mastered there by Gary Long. James came up with all the song titles as he was writing lyrics. And finally the album title, we had several names we kicked around and decided on Carry The Fire. That is actually a lyric line from the song Forever Changed, the opening track.
TMR: The album will be released through Ulterium Records, how did you get signed by them ?
I had actually discovered Ulterium Records several years back. I was listening to bands like Audiovision, Innerwish and Theocracy at the time. I researched the label they were all on and knew then that I would eventually be submitting to Ulterium. After James and I began recording the album I submitted to 10 different labels that I felt we fit the genre. Although, Ulterium is the one I really had my eyes on because I felt we fit the most. They responded and it has been by far the best working relationship I have ever had with a label.
TMR: About the cover artwork. Do you think it is as important as your music? Does it visualize the lyrics of your songs or what’s the actual story behind its concept?
Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Theocracy) actually came up with the cover art concept. He is a great artist and I feel he captured the feel of the title very well.
TMR: What would be the ultimate cover tune for ‘Millennial Reign’?
It’s funny you ask that… Triumph – Allied Forces is one of those albums that has stuck with me all my life. The songs Allied Forces and Fight The Good Fight have always been two of my all-time favorite songs. Although, I have never been in bands that covered those songs because either the vocals were too difficult, or the bands didn’t want to put the time into learning the songs. Millennial Reign has already added Allied Forces to the set list. We played it at our debut show last weekend. Fight The Good Fight is next on the list to learn.
TMR: What is your favorite concert that you saw and what made it so good?
That’s really impossible for me to answer. I’ve seen many many shows from the time that I first went to a concert. Too many good bands to list. I had the privilege of seeing so many shows from the 70s and 80s, bands who are no longer around.
TMR: What is the most embarrassing music on your phone or in your collection and how do you justify it to others?
The only one that comes to mind is Europe – The Final Countdown. To me that will always be a great album, but a lot of people make fun of it now. Why, I have no idea, they are still together and making great albums today.
TMR: If you could pick a band to tour with, who would it be? And where would the tour go?
Iron Maiden hands down… they have millions of fans worldwide and I feel our music would really reach that audience. If we could do a full world tour with them, that would be heaven.
TMR: What is the dumbest question you have ever been asked?
It’s been several years but I was actually asked by a girl if the band I was in at the time pantomimed our music on stage. It took me a few seconds to realize she was serious, so I just told her “yes we did.” LOL
TMR: What are the biggest obstacles for bands ?
First and foremost is probably finding like-minded musicians that are willing to go the extra mile. Then secondly is probably getting really good shows to showcase your material. Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area the venues don’t really choose the talented bands that fit the genre for openers of major acts. It’s all about who’s willing to sell the most tickets for the privilege of opening at the venue. Needless to say, the same mediocre bands willing to do anything just to play, end up opening practically all of the major act shows. Although, there are those of us who are unwilling to do the venues job for them.
TMR: As a band today, what do you think is the biggest challenge you face?
Reaching your target fans with your music. The Internet has made it much easier in this day and age but still, getting out on tour and targeting the right places is difficult. Fans don’t flock to shows like they used to back in the 80s.
TMR: Any (tour) plans for the near future ? European tour maybe ?;l
We are just doing one small show a month until the end of the year. We have two scheduled out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, one being out-of-state. After the first of the year we hope to work with Ulterium on some shows here in the states with Theocracy and then hopefully Europe as well.
TMR: Dave thanks for your time and the interview. We wish ‘Millennial Reign’ all the best … Is there anything you wanna say at last ? [any final statement ?]
Thank you very much, I’ve enjoyed it. We definitely appreciate people like you who love metal and work to help bands reach more fans. Your work makes all the difference in the world.
Upcoming Shows:
October 16th: Wits End – Dallas, TX
November 21st: Acadia – Houston, TX
December 19th: TC’s Midtown – Conway, AR
“Carry The Fire” [CD/LP] can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store
Lyric video: ‘Men Stand Alone’
Video below: “Carry The Fire” (Album Teaser)