Pedal to the Metal: Fraser Edwards is Flooring it

With a Youtube account boasting viewing figures into the millions, international tours and a Universal distribution deal, the irons are hot in the power metal fire for Fraser Edwards. Before he strikes London, I catch up with him at his Leeds residence to talk music.

Its been a busy couple of years for Edwards, now 29, and it seems he’s on an ever evolving mission to add more strings to his bow. “The role of a musician in general has kinda changed, you need to do more stuff” he tells me. A fair statement, though you do wonder if the sentiment is spelt out every mealtime in alphabet spaghetti. Artist, producer, guitarist, videographer, mastering engineer, animator (it goes on). He first cut his teeth in the power metal scene as the guitar shredding virtuoso in Aberdeen outfit, Ascension. They released their debut album, ‘Far Beyond the Stars’ on Japanese label ‘Spiritual Beast’ back in 2012, which went on to sell a shit-load of copies out there. It gave him the springboard to immerse himself in the industry; the ember of the fire for his many irons (the bands sequel, being one of them).

“I’ve never experienced anyone that’s too fun… is that possible?”

It’s two weeks since he landed back on British soil from his tour of Germany with Swedish rock outfit, Captain Blackbeard. He still looks haggered- like he needs to be taken out back and given a ‘twice over’ with a wicker dustbeater. “I got ill because in all the bars there, people are smoking and I’ve got asthma. Also you’re drinking like, every day and you don’t get that much sleep”. I wonder if I’ve come on the wrong side of the tour- he might be physically derelict but his passion still pushes through; “I was really lucky to be touring with them, because they’re all so much fun to be around”.

Too much fun, I suggest? 

“I’ve never experienced anyone that’s too fun… is that possible? Wait, maybe thats me! I did seem to be having a lot more fun than everyone else on that tour”. 

Its a tongue in cheek remark that you really can believe when you see the tour videos. In one of them, he’s downing beer from a skull. In another, he’s strumming his guitar onstage with a big pink vibrator, intermittently raising it like the Jules Rimet. The audience go wild. I ask him about that and he bashfully pauses to recollect, as if he has to summon the psyche of a dildo wielding demon. 

“I mean, I could do the most insane, sweet picked arpeggio, play the fastest solo ever at 30 notes per second or whatever, but then you just whap out a pink dildo and you get a better crowd reaction than doing all of that!”

Its been 3 years since his solo debut, I Am God (again, selling exceptionally well in Japan). Its follow up, ‘The Architect’ will be unleashed this summer. Fraser spent the most part of December mastering the record at the infamous Fascination Street Studios in Stockholm (reknowned for the likes of Baby Metal, Dragonforce et al). “It was cool to work with Tony again. He’s worked with a lot of top acts that I like so I learn a lot from him”. His first album was 9 years in the making, and I wonder how the output differs in the relatively short timespan: “[I Am God] was kind of like a collection of songs. This one’s more focused on being an album.” He replies, with the kind of adamance born out of hard work and maturity. “It’s a better product overall. I just want to get it out there so I can do something new!”

“It’s a good feeling to learn that you’re good at something.”

Not that it’s been stopping him, mind. He’s dedicated a large chunk of the last few months honing his newfound skills in animation- creating a cartoon spin-off of the hugely successful Sharky Sharky- a children’s shark-themed rock band created with other members of Ascension. The bands’ catalogue of marine-themed tunes has brought about a worldwide following of brooding metal-heads, as well as the group winning a pride of Aberdeen award and appearing on STV. “We’re still trying to figure out how it’s going to be released, but it’s been satisfying to learn a new skill. It’s a good feeling to learn that you’re good at something”. 

Fraser already has his sights on his next venture as he contemplates his relocation to London later in the year; “I’m thinking of going into the video-game audio industry. I know some people and they seem to be having a good time with it”. I ask him what he makes of the Leeds scene after the year he’s spent here, and he replies in a moment of self amusement: ““Honestly, I’ve hardly left the house”. It’s hardly surprising given the amount of projects he’s had on the go. “I’m really happy just continue what I’m doing but in London, so I’ll see what opportunities arise”

Paying homage to a cliché closing question, I ask him what he’d pick as a career highlight. His gaze locks in pondering sincerity. He runs his fingers through the remaining threads in his torn jeans, as if he’s combing the haystack for a needle of an answer. The clock ticks out like a dripping tap before he returns his gaze and answers, “I’ve done nothing”.