Mark: Hi Zak, how are things with Circle II
Circle these days?
Zak: Very well, thank you Mark!
M: In an age when people are buying less and
less CDs, I found it interesting that you and
your label just to release an EP a month or so
before the new full length album hits streets.
Can you tell me a little about why you chose to
do that and what you hope it does for the new
album?
Z: We actually released two EP Singles,
one for Europe ("Every Last Thing”
and a separate single for North America. “So
Many Reasons” is the single title in NA
and both CDs have the same design/cover. The label
makes the decisions on releasing these singles,
and it appears they’ve had great success
with these over the past three records for CIIC.
They also aid in introducing radio (both in America
and Europe) to the single choices for each album.
M: The thing I immediately noticed when “So
Many Reasons” started is the new album is
likely to be less intense than Burden of Truth
was. Would you agree or disagree with that statement?
Z: “Delusions” is intense
in its own form I guess. This album was more like
just choose the best 13 songs and go for it. But
I like the overall intensity on this new record.
It follows a more basic musical flow, but I like
the way the song order takes you through the various
emotions. It’s got a nice flow to it, much
like a concept album in many ways.
M: I always felt like Burden of Truth was an
album that would have been exhausting to make.
Would you say that that was the case? If so, how
did that shape your approach to the upcoming album?
Z: It wasn’t really as exhausting
as one might think. I found it challenging at
times but it wasn’t bad. I really enjoyed
creating the lyrics, following the storyline around
a central conceptual theme. It was a good creative
break from the process of making non-concept albums.
I sometimes think that making “regular”
albums, as opposed to concept albums, is more
difficult because there really is no “template”
to follow so you have to hope that the songs will
compliment each other and the song order will
flow correctly.
M: What were your goals or expectations for the
new album when you began recording it? Were there
particular thoughts or ideas that you felt you
needed to speak about this time around?
Z: This album is just about every day
life in America, lyrically speaking. Times are
pretty tough right now in the US with the economy
taking a dump. So a lot of hate for this situation
comes out in this new album. We had pretty high
expectations going in because we were about to
explore some new territory and take the whole
thing one step further. “Delusions”
is mostly about every day life stories so there
is no doubt a lot of personal factors from me
that sneak into the lyrics that one would not
have too hard of a time recognizing I’m
sure.
M: If the EP is any kind of musical indication,
it appears that the new album will have a more
hard rock feel. This batch of songs seems to embrace
the progressive and metal side still but they
also have a lot of groove in them in my opinion.
Do you see this is a departure or maturation?
Z: It’s just the result of the
“next album” syndrome, if you will.
I think it was a logical progression musically.
And I like the fact that now all of us Southern
boys in the line up from South Carolina, Tennessee,
and Mississippi started to show a little metal/Southern
rock feel on several tracks. That’s what
I’m talkin’ ‘bout.....Like in
“So Many Reasons”....To me, this album
has a combination of departures and maturation
that come together. I think working in the new
studio that we utilized in Jay Stanley Productions
(Orlando, FL) also created a great recording vibe
in many ways. It resulted in a powerful record
and the change of musical/studio environment was
good for us from the creative perspective as well.
M: “Every Last Thing” definitely
brings to mind your work with Savatage, especially
the first couple albums you did with them. Your
voice really soars on it. Is that a comment you
welcome or cringe at?
Z: That’s totally fine with me,
I have no problem with that kind of stuff. That’s
a big part of my musical history. It’s only
one side of my voice but that’s a fair comparison.
Although it’s reminiscent of Savatage I
still like performing that style of vocals. I
think we’re more likely to draw that comparison
on this type of song because it has that “counterpoint
vocal melody” component where several melodies
are firing off at one time simultaneously. That
was an element prevalent in songs from my era
in Savatage.
M: Would you mind sharing a little about the
thoughts/ideas/inspirations behind “Every
Last Thing” with us?
Z: It’s really about a relationship
gone sour. It’s about the fact that as hard
as one would want to try, some things just aren’t
in the cards. They’re just not meant to
be. It’s a tough wall to be up against and
I just tried to capture what was inside of all
that from a human perspective. Time usually heals
this type of situation, but separation from the
component that’s causing the pain must happen
before wounds like this can heal.
M: Which song of the new album best represents
where you, personally, are at right now in your
life? And, of course, why?
Z: The song “Echoes”; I’m
just at that time of life where reflection is
being accomplished a lot more. Even though things
are still flying at light speed, I’m finding
ways to slow it down. I’m appreciating everything
in my life a lot more, my kids, music....That’s
a part of what “Echoes” is about.
The other component is about the fact that I want
to be there for all the important things, but
this musical life can guarantee that this won’t
happen at key times. This is why additional strength
in this area of life is necessary in this thing
we call the music biz.
M: Will you be touring to support the album here
in the U.S.? If so, what can we expect?
Z: We’re touring the US in September/October
with Jon Oliva’s Pain (JOP) and we hope
to see everyone this fall. It should be a blast.
We just got back from touring Brazil and that
was absolutely unreal....We have a great time
on the road, especially here at home. I really
think the upcoming CIIC/JOP tour will be great
for the fans of all three bands; Savatage, JOP,
and CIIC. This type of show will offer a great
experience for fans of all ages to see and hear
new material from both acts. There should also
be some surprises at the end of the show, hint,
hint…
M: Thanks so much for your time. I hope to catch
you live this time around! Do you have any parting
thoughts you’d like to leave our readers
with?
Z: I’d just like to say thank you
for all the support throughout the years and we’ll
see everyone this fall on tour. This year makes
16 years since I joined Savatage to make the “Edge
of Thorns” album. YIKES!
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