Doomed Confessionary: Max Furst (The Watcher)
Photo by Hilarie Jason
The Watcher is a doom/heavy metal band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2016, the band features current and former members of Morne, Malleus, Akrasia, Isolant, Avudim, Death’s Door & more.
Nearly four years after their cult »Your Turn To Die« EP, The Watcher are about to release their highly anticipated debut album »Out Of The Dark« on November 29th, 2024 via Cruz Del Sur Music. Fans of Iron Maiden, Pentagram, Trouble, Satan and the like, pay heed.
The Watcher are Paden Reed (vocals, guitar), Max Furst (guitar, bass) and Chris Spraker (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We’re just a group of humble lads trying to write some catchy, heavy tunes.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
The biggest challenge for the band was getting things off the ground from an initial concept demo. Once we crossed paths with Paden, things seemed to take on a natural momentum, but prior to that, it was literal years of searching for a vocalist who could complement the music. Patience and persistence paid off for us.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Completing this album is the biggest feat thus far, coupled with assembling a live lineup of the band this past year. Both are considerable accomplishments in my eyes, neither of which we ever would have expected to see come to fruition just a few years ago.
What was your biggest regret?
Regarding music, my biggest regret is having wasted with people who don’t share the same commitment to a common goal. Being in a band requires a certain level of hustle, but when you’re constantly chasing someone to meet their obligations, it feels like they’re actively working against progress.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We have only played three shows to date, but my favorite of those was a DIY show we played over the summer. It was late June, nearly 100 degrees (40 Celsius) outside, and we loaded all our gear into this stuffy warehouse to play a gig. It was our second show ever, and having shaken our nerves out on the gig the night before, we really let loose, fully embracing the hot and sweaty room of blank stares. We gave it our all and had a blast doing so.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
It depends on what music scene you are referring to, but as someone who grew up in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I can’t wrap my head around the nu-metal revival happening at the moment. There’s nothing nostalgic about that era of mainstream music for me.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
My musical rotation usually consists of seasonal obsessions. As we enter the year’s colder months, my music reflects that with many ambient/synth artists and black metal. In terms of current bands who have caught my ear in 2024: Alement, Spectral Wound, Iron Curtain, Tonnerre, Black Hurst, and Morgul Blade.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Perhaps not advice given to me directly, but I have always subscribed to the age-old wisdom of staying true to your own voice. Write what you know. As soon as you deviate from your own path you’re only betraying yourself.
What are your guilty pleasures?
I’ve no shame in confessing that I still revisit the music of my youth when I need a dose of feeling good. Stuff like Nirvana, The Offspring and Green Day. These bands were pivotal to my development as a kid, not just musically but also helping me to establish my own personal identity at the time. This ultimately led me to pick up an instrument and start my first band when I was 13 years old, then onward to discover underground punk, metal, and so on.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Boston / New England?
New England has lots of bands of the punk and metal variety, but not many music venues sadly. I think many cities are suffering from the same dilemma. Some noteworthy local acts people should check out and support are Funerary Spell, Demon Chrome, Mistress, Uniformed Service, Anthropophagous, Burning Wind and Phantom Rider.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We have two shows before the end of the year. One of which happens to coincide with the release of our album on November 29th.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We’ll see what opportunities that come our way. As soon as the record is out I hope to hit the ground running. We will be doing some shows around New England up to Canada, and we hope to come play in Europe in 2025.
How can people best support your band?
If our music resonates with you the best way to support us is by sharing it with your friends. Even amidst the digital age, word of mouth remains paramount.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Cheers to everyone who has supported us thus far. We look forward to a productive and prosperous 2025!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well