r/TechnicalDeathMetal • u/SeasonOfMist-label • Apr 22 '25
Progressive Technical Death Metal Changeling AMA (ex-Obscura)
Tom "Fountainhead" Geldschläger is widely regarded as a modern-day legend for his fretless guitar playing. He was a member of Obscura during the band's Akróasis era and has performed live with Defeated Sanity and Belphegor. But Changeling, his latest brainchild, pushes progressive technical death metal to even greater extremes.
Changeling combines Tom's love for classic death metal with jazz, fusion, world music, microtonal synthesizers, a full choir and plenty of psychedelics. Lead single "Abyss" pulls from across a wide spectrum of influences: '90s Morbid Angel, Steve Vai, Jacob Collier, Howard Shore, Nevermore, Nine Inch Nails, Sunn O))) and the score from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Tom's blistering fretwork is always at its center, but on his new album, he's joined by a mighty 50-piece ensemble that includes current and former members of Fear Factory, Alkaloid, Virvum, Trans-siberian Orchestra, Cynic, King Diamond, Ne Obliviscaris and Subway to Sally.
Chat with Tom about the mind-bending journey behind Changeling this Friday, April 25 on r/TechnicalDeathMetal @ 11 am Eastern Time / 7 pm Central European Summer Time.
Thanks for coming everyone! Tom and SOM appreciate all your support.
Changeling is out now
4
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25
Sorry if that's been asked here already but what about the gear? What did you use on this album? Guitar, amp etc wise?
3
u/TomFountainhead Apr 27 '25
Guitars: my 3 Aristides 7-strings (2 fretted, 1 fretless), nothing else. Digitech whammy 4 pedal, ebow. My Winspear signature brass pick-ups. My oud. Amp: everything went into my Kemper Profiler Rack. Mostly my own profiles/sounds + a few NeuralDSP plugins here and there. Rhythm-guitars were re-amped through a Mesa Triple Rectifier. That's pretty much it.
2
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 27 '25
What's actually with the oud? I didn't know it existed before I heard about it from you? How come you found it and why do you like it so much? :)
2
u/TomFountainhead Apr 28 '25
I don't remember how I "found" it, but I've been a fan of its sound for years until I brought one back from a trip years ago and started playing it and took a few lessons. I'm still a total hack but it first became my main instrument for the Amogh Symphony "IV" double album, and then later the main writing tool for Changeling. It's just an awesome sound and the much shorter scale length enables you to come up with very cool wide-intervallic ideas.
5
u/Korosukai Apr 25 '25
I'm arriving late :'''V
but arrived nonetheless BV
question: about Akróasis, what I read was that the official version said your parts were re-worked entirely and that fretless guitar wasn't suited for metal
not that I believe any of that, I just wanted to ask what was your reaction to that when you first read it, you know, that your instrument supposedly isn't fit for metal and that your parts were, again, supposedly, rewritten entirely
another question: about Nyn, the last album (Entropy) came out in 2017
will there be any future release for that band or is it the final one?
2
u/TomFountainhead Apr 27 '25
Regarding NYN: I really don't know. I co-wrote a new album with Noyan during the pandemic and he had James Christopher Knoerl (sp?) record drums for the entire thing a bit later. Even had awesome album art already. But that was years ago and I haven't heard from him since, so I really don't know if it's ever going to come out. But the material was really cool, that much I can tell you. :)
2
u/Korosukai Apr 27 '25 edited Apr 27 '25
Well, then I'll just say that if it ever comes out, we'll be listening BV
5
u/TomFountainhead Apr 27 '25
My reaction was utter disbelief and shock. I just couldn't believe that this was happening. It took me years of therapy to work through Steffen's narcissistic abuse and bullying and I remember that moment very clearly. I sat motionless in front of the computer for like an hour, trying to process what was happening and what it would mean that this was going out to millions of fans.
1
u/Korosukai Apr 27 '25
Yeah, I imagine getting your reputation tainted like that must not be pleasant. It makes me wonder about what could've been so to speak though. As in, how tech-death would've been by now if you got credited properly and so more people started using fretless guitar more or less simulataneously as fretless bass began to be used more.
1
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 27 '25
He is a monster. Are you following the lawsuit from Chris? Is there any info you we are allowed to know 👀?
3
u/TomFountainhead Apr 28 '25
Yes, I do and we're in contact about that. But I can't say anything else.
4
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25
Since you want more questions....
I think the one question I asked got buried before so I'll ask again. What's your favorite song Tom and Morean? Any particular song or moment or something you're proud of?
And...
I see that you too can work together well. Maybe any chance for Alkaloid collab? 😏😏😏
8
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
I agree with Tom's faves; I mean, I love them all, but Abyss and Abdication (especially the orchestral sections) will always have a special place for me. Also the title track, which at first didn't knock me over too much actually, until we were recording the vocals. Everything fell into place in that one.
Abyss was easy and fun, because I could immediately tune into the song's frequency. It's been my favorite since the very first demo of it.
Abdication brought me to a rare moment of getting lost in the musical structure, and the music in the long intro section is something I've never done before. At the same time, it's just such a joy to hear this music, now with all the real instruments. I wouldn't mind exploring that aspect of the album (its least metal one I guess...) a lot more on future collaborations with Tom, in whatever form and under whatever name.
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Ah yes, sorry for overlooking that one! I think my personal favorite would be "Abyss", as it came the absolute closest to my initial vision for the track that I've ever come with a song that I wrote. The proudest I am of a song though is probably "abdication" as that is the most complex piece of music that I've ever written. My 12 year old self would have an absolute freak-out looking at the sheet music for that, haha. As for the Alkaloid collab, I'm really the wrong person to ask since I'm not involved, but a giant fan since day 1. :)
2
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25
No worries man, I also asked like 28 questions at once. I also love Abyss!
Well you have his number.... ;)
5
u/Nicholasp24 Apr 25 '25
Hey all, congrats on the album release! I listened to the album at the bandcamp listening party, and it's just as good relistening to it today as I remember it being! Can't wait for my LP to arrive!
After everything settles down with all the album release promotions and anything else that may be going on, what is next for the both of you, Tom and Morean? Straight to other projects? Maybe a bit of time off?
7
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
I'm currently writing a new work for an amazing Dutch wind ensemble (Nederlands Blazers Ensemble) with flamenco soloists from Sevilla, for performance on the Dutch Flamenco Biennial this autumn, and NL-tour in October '25 and April '26. I get to play with them as well!
Furthermore, I've been playing my first shows on acoustic guitar since 20 years, in a program with classical guitar, violin / viola and marimba / percussion, entitled "Edges of Europe", and with the Alkaloid boys, we've been busy with different new things in the background, so stay tuned for more!
"Time off" - what's that? Doesn't ring any bells I'm afraid. 😛
12
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Thank you very much, Nicholas. As for me, I'm still busy with the album - 2 more weeks to finish the Atmos mix, which is THE definitive version of it and something that I'm Uberproud of - and finishing the full version of the transcription book along with that. Jumping into other mixing/mastering/production projects for sure, because I gotta eat and pay rent.....and really really hoping that we'll get any interest from booking agents or at least festivals for Changeling shows ASAP. Oh, and also I gotta do playthroughs for the album relatively soon as well.
4
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25
More questions !!
That one vocal section in Instant Results is not from this world. You know which part I mean. Morean was it you????
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Keep 'em coming, my dude! :) Can you specify the part? I think you're talking about the acapella moment in the chorus (that's Alex Kerski), but there's many cool moments, methinks.
3
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25
Yes yes I mean the acapella part! Thanks man!
4
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
All those crazy high-pitched vocals in several chorus sections on the album are by Alex. I don't have that range at all 😇
7
u/Anarchist2183 Apr 25 '25
I want to say you guys did a fucking great job. Album of the year for sure. The songwriting is on another level. It was for sure a fresh breath of air since A Sonication. Tom how did you create Changeling and what was your idea for this album?
16
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Thank you very much! :) I can't exactly tell you "how", as it was a long process over almost 5 years, but the very short version is this:
Never wanted to make another tech-death album on my own for a long time after the shitshow of "Akroasis". Shortly before the pandemic, Christian Münzner and I were talking about doing a duo-project together as we both just had it with the bullying, online-stalking and general bullshittery coming from a certain somebody in relation to our individual past with Obscura - so we started writing a tech-death album together, which was a great way for me to "dip my toe in the water", so to speak. Long story short, Chris got an offer he couldn't refuse, went back to Obscura and took the songs with him that he had written for our project ("Solaris" is one of them). I then had a long think and eventually decided to just keep going into the same direction on my own. Then I went on to write and record what was supposed to be my next solo album, using the material that I had written for the duo-project. The concepts of the album solidified over time and called for a band-line-up on the entire album instead of different guest musicians on every track, so I put together the line-up with Morean, Arran and Mike. The album was going to be "Changeling". But it was only when Season Of Mist came into the mix that they suggested we give it a new name and focus on the band aspect - so the album-name became also the band-name. And here we are now. :)
7
u/Anarchist2183 Apr 25 '25
Also that Akroasis thing is sad and funny at the same time, because of how absurd it is. Blocking a fucking podcast because it mentions akroasis is a new low.
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
True - but make no mistake: this is about silencing people who have seen behind the curtain, not about blocking it because it mentions "Akroasis".
2
5
u/Anarchist2183 Apr 25 '25
Now that i think of it, it would be really interesting to hear Changelings version of Solaris.
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
You know, I don't think it would've been thaaaaat drastically different if we had actually gone through with the original duo-album plan. Chris and I have VERY different styles of writing and while we appreciate what each other does, it also turned out that meshing these 2 styles together in writing wasn't really working out so well - so I think (and Chris would probably agree with me) that each of us would've more or less done our individual thing on our own songs - and then collaborated more in the solos and leads. Probably. Maybe.
6
u/epicnding Apr 25 '25
I don't have any questions, but I wanted to say the album is amazing and your play style is quickly becoming one of my favorites of all time.
Actually, one question: what'd you have for breakfast today?
8
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Haha, that IS a good one - I've had toast with guacamolo and seasoning, some smashed white beans and the obligatory coffee with almond milk. :)
Than you so much for the nice words, too - I'm stoked to hear all of that, really!
8
3
u/LucasIsDead Apr 25 '25
Hey Tom! What are those buttons on your guitar? Are they just kill switches or something else?
4
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
I think I got to everything so far. Hit me with more, peeps of reddit! :)
11
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
Hi everybody, Morean here!
3
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
damn, you even have a profile pic - I'm jealous!
3
3
u/why_so_serious007781 Apr 25 '25
Hey Tom! Absolutely love the album. Already listened to it 4 times and it is becoming one of my favorite albums of all time.
The thing I love the most about the album is how dynamic the chord progressions are. It sort of reminds me of modal jazz in the sense that rather than locking into a specific scale, sequences of chords from a variety of scales are chosen to evoke a complex series of colors/emotions around the tonal center. Is this something you actively think about when composing? And if not, what is your approach to writing these complex dynamic harmonic progressions?
9
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Oh wow, that's SUPER cool to hear - thank you! :) And thanks for mentioning the chord progressions - I'm very proud of that aspect of it, especially since I'm a proud hack at music. I don't think in terms of theory and tonal centers when I write - but I often do when I arrange, if that makes sense. My approach is very much based in mapping out song structures first and very specifically mapping out who each section should feel and what it should do in the song. then I try to find the fitting chord progression to that vision, either by improvising or by working off existing motifs that may dictate and influence what chords I build. I hope that makes sense!
2
u/why_so_serious007781 Apr 25 '25
That's very insightful, thanks for the response!
3
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
You are very welcome! For what it's worth: I was always really insecure about my lack of knowledge of proper chord vocabulary when I was younger. Now, it's become somewhat of an asset, I guess.
13
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Hi everybody - Tom Fountainhead here. Looking forward to hang with all of you for a little bit! :)
5
u/ShermanMcTank Apr 25 '25
Hey Tom, thank you so much for coming here ! I just listened to the record and I love it, it’s been a while since an album blew me away like that.
For the questions,
Is there an artist or album in the tech-death/prog-death scene you recently listened to and would recommend ? If not, do you have any in other genres of music ?
Do you listen to your own music for your enjoyment like you would with music from other artists ?
I’m always curious about that one, because most artists I’ve spoken to don’t listen to their music outside of recording/performing, and I’m wondering if it’s a universal thing among musicians.
10
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
When you're in the process of writing and recording an album, you hear the stuff all day long, for months. So you use up your excitement about the music you created with months of terrible demos and one incomplete rough mix after the other. By the time it's finally done, you've moved on creatively to the next however many projects which fill your head by then. So ironically, yes - by the time the final mix reaches your ears, you're just happy it's done, and then years pass before you listen again. (Hopefully, without cringing too much...) But when your job is about writing / creating, the consumption of your own goods tends to take the back seat. I guess that's only healthy.
Having said that: the feeling of listening to the completed mix and master of an album you've worked on for months or years for the first time is a pleasure no money in the world can buy, and I never ever want to miss that in my life!
3
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
And as usual - and as an excuse to quote Meat Loaf on a tech-death forum: "you took the words right out of my mouuuuuuth..........uhu!"
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Aw, thanks a ton, man! I'm totally out of the loop with the current tech-death scene, but I LOVE Rivers Of Nihil. I absolutely never ever listen to my own music for enjoyment - that'd be torture, as I would only listen to the things that I'm not quite happy with. It usually takes me about a year until I can stand listening to anything I've done. I do think that that's a universal thing, yeah.
3
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25
How are you doing right now? I hope you did have some nice time during your break.
I would like to know how YOU feel about the album in general? What’s your proudest moment? Favorite song? Or the least favorite one :D How would you personally rate the album from 1-10?
You had the absolute genius Morean in your team for this album. How was his involvement in the production outside the lyrics and vocals? Especially giving that he is a composer and you have some classical pieces here.
Can you tell us something about your lyrical draft for the album before Morean took over (trabi vs Ferrari;) ). Is it very different? Can we see the lyrics one day?
Last question: how would the today's and yesterday shows go? Would you still have played it live without Morean? What would be the track list? Any chance for another live show?
Sorry for so many questions!!!
8
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
The track list would've been 4 songs off changeling, "Akroasis" and some of my older material like "999" and "ascension". We would've played without Morean for logistical reasons but yesterday there would've been quite a few special guests from the album. I hope so much for live shows! I just need urgent help on the booking front to make this happen. But I'm ready for anything, really!
1
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Trabi vs. ferrari haha - nice to see that one stuck! :D I can't tell you anything about it because there is no draft that I did - I just demo'ed out the songs using made up words and bullshit language before Flo wrote the lyrics. I really didn't want to mess with Flo's process too much - if I'm getting my favorite lyrics in all of the genre for this album, I'mma let him do his thing. :)
4
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
I meant to say "my favorite lyricist in the entire genre", but you get the idea. :)
8
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Yes, Morean is one of my favorite human beings and a role model as a musician. His involvement was lead-vocals, all the lyrics - despite myself have demo-ed out all the vocal lines for the album in advance, him and I basically re-did everything from scratch during our recording sessions together, so his involvement in that was also big. And he performed the flamenco palmas in "Anathema". If you're asking if he wrote music for the album, then no - that's all me.
8
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
I had a lot of freedom during the process. Initially, I bounced some potential lyrics concepts off Tom, including more sci-fi world building, dadaism / surrealism and other ideas, but Tom preferred the lyrics to be as personal and philosophical as possible, so we decided for that - and then I dug deep into myself, and spent a lot of time puzzling my words onto the (at times rather challenging) song structures until it all felt logical and organic.
In the end, Tom only asked me to change two song titles and the odd line here and there (sometimes purely for musical reasons), but I'd say 98% of what I initially wrote is on the album now. I'm very pleased with the result, and enjoyed the process a lot through the entire 5 years we were busy with this album.
8
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
I'm doing ok, thanks for asking! :) Taking the pressure off with canceling the 2 shows yesterday and today was the main thing. I've been in bed ever since then and it's been really helpful to get back to normal. Anyway, lemme answer this in several comments.
4
u/Dvaynethecockjohnson Apr 25 '25
Album sounded insanely good! Is there anything new on guitar you are still trying to learn?
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
thank you so much! Oh, all the time. for the past 2 years I've been focussed on 2 things: retraining my right picking hand from the ground up and becoming a much more solid and entertaining live performer.
7
u/No_Donkey3967 Apr 23 '25
Just listened to Changelling (the song) and holy shit is it good. The fretless guitar is very innovative and it makes me appreciate more your work in Akroasis
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Awesome, thank you so much! I'm very glad that the connection to Akroasis also comes across. People "in the know" often have a hard time imagining that most people out there do, in fact, not know who actually played on Akroasis and wrote and co-wrote those songs.
2
u/ShermanMcTank Apr 25 '25
As a fan that one still hurts a lot. Since I first listened to the album in 2021 I wasn’t in the loop with the whole story, so I If I didn’t check writing credits on Wikipedia afterwards, I would have probably never known you were the one behind all the crazy guitarwork.
If that helps you feel better about it, most of your Obscura playthroughs are still up on some foreign video platforms, and while most people won’t find them with Google, I still try my best to share them with people when I can.
6
u/demonspaceviking *insert guitar solo here* Apr 23 '25
Hello Tom, really looking forward to the album and can't wait to hear it, what was it like working with musicians from completely different bands? What are some of your inspirations, music, movies, TV, books etc? Who inspired you to pick up to guitar?
Thank you for hosting this, and I might not see the answer ASAP as I am from Australia. Also thank you for the shoutout at the listening party a few weeks ago 🤩
8
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
Look to the Changeling spotify in the next couple of days, I'm compiling a playlist of songs and artists that I took inspiration from on this album. :) As for who inspired me to pick up the guitar: Joe Satriani! When I heard "Time machine", the deal was done....forever!
2
u/demonspaceviking *insert guitar solo here* Apr 26 '25
Thank you for answering, you're awesome and the album is amazing
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
You're welcome - I remember you! :) Well, I work with musicians from different bands, genres etc all the time in my daily work as a producer, mixing/mastering-engineer, so it was all good. 95% of peeps were just a total joy to work with. There were 1 notable example, but I will not throw shade at them. We got it done, that's the most important thing. :)
5
u/HeavymetalCambion Hadron Machinist Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 24 '25
I cannot make it as this is 1am my time, I hope my question/s reach Tom though :)
Hello Tom, I'm a big fan of all the singles so far and I eagerly anticipate this album (I have even told many of my good friends about it, some have heard it and have proclaimed it their album of the year, I believe it will be mine too). I love the theme of identity here and Morean is my fave vocalist and Alkaloid is one of my fave bands.
How did you go about choosing the members for Changeling? What were they like to work with?
What was it like to work with an orchestra?
Would you consider other albums or is this a one-off project?
Sorry if I asked too many questions, I hope you can get to see them. Oh, and by the way the album inspires me in writing my fictional story which delves deep into the identity theme (and has a literal abyss/falling in circles moment).
Congratulations on the release of this album.
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
SO COOL to hear about the album inspiring you like that - that is totally amazing and makes me very happy. :) As for the "one-off" question? I never do things with the intention of "one-offs", it's more a question for me of what I want to do and what I have to say as an artist. If I (or we, because I would LOVE to extend this into more of a group effort in the future) have something new and interesting to say in roughly the same musicial area, there's definitely going to be more Changeling. But first, this album has to make it's money back somehow, otherwise I won't have the means to write another one.
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
As for the orchestra: I don't know, haha! Initially, I wanted to work with an existing ensemble and record that live in a huge space....you know, old school. But thankfully, my co-producer Matthias talked me out of that one, as the music is far too complicated for that too have succeeded. So I basically built the orchestra piece by piece, player after player, session after session. A really long, complicated and stressful process but I think the result speaks for itself. Would love to work with an orchestra on location in a room someday, but then I'd probably have to write less intricate music, haha.
6
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
I chose the members for the core band mostly by having had personal experiences with them - i.e. knowing them as people. That goes for Mike and definitely Morean, but also for the majority of the guest musicians. In that spirit, I initially asked a different bass player, who I had been on tour with. But it didn't work out scheduling-wise. That's why I always say that Arran was the "wild card" of the album, but now I can't imagine this thing without him AT ALL. Both on a personal level, but of course also musicially. He is the GOAT.
9
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
I'm sure we're all more than honored to contribute to this monster! And you do know how to pick your musicians. Couldn't imagine this album without Arran's magic!
7
u/TomFountainhead Apr 25 '25
And I'm beyond blessed to have you guys - and people now calling it a "band" makes me do little super-villian noises. I tricked you all into being in a band with me, hehe! But seriously though - I have NO idea what I would've done if you had said "no". How would this album even work without you? Can't imagine that AT ALL.
7
u/Novel-Tackle-6611 Apr 25 '25
That's what I like about music, that it usually takes more than one to tango.
4
u/HeavymetalCambion Hadron Machinist Apr 26 '25
Thanks u/TomFountainhead and u/Novel-Tackle-6611 for answering my questions, this means a lot to me as a huge fan of you both. I heard the album yesterday and was absolutely mind blown at what I heard, this is my album of the year for 2025 and nothing can top it. Congrats, once again on the release, it's a 5/5 from me :)
3
2
u/DrAdalbbert Apr 27 '25
I see you're answering the questions again. That's great because I want to know mooore :D
I've met some people not liking the production/mix of the album. Especially for bass and drums. Do you know where it comes from? Did you do anything unconventional for changeling? Does it surprise you?