BLEEDING RAVEN – interview

Interview with Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven & Gnostic Gorilla

Introduce your project, and describe your latest release:

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: Hello. I have two projects—one is Bleeding Raven, and it’s my more recent and the other is Gnostic Gorilla. “Bleeding Raven” is a very recent project. I have been involved in another project, “Gnostic Gorilla” which has released material that is ‘Gothic’ and ‘industrial’ and generally dark alternative electronic music. I wanted to do music that is specifically ‘aggrotech’ and so I started “Bleeding Raven” as an experiment in this genre. Some history though–Way back, I got involved in music and did a single. “Dark Hallway/Golgotha” and it was released just as “Dean Mason” and the so called indie label was Lonely Ghost Productions. In 2012 I decided to revisit doing music as a hobby more or less and began recording electronic music, more of an industrial bent. In 2016 I released my first album (after having released many singles) called “St. Basil’s Asylum”. I originally went with the project name of “The Lonely Ghost Project” but when I found out there was an American band called “The Lonely Ghost Parade” I decided to rename the project “Gnostic Gorilla”. I released a few albums as Gnostic Gorilla and in 2018 Cleopatra released “St. Basil’s Asylum” anew and that was a very special highlight for me as Cleopatra is a classic label with a great roster of artists, many of the more alternative type. In May of 2019, I started the “Bleeding Raven” project as an experiment in more aggressive and creepy industrial music that some call ‘aggrotech’. More or less, “Bleeding Raven” is inspired by Native Canadian spirituality. The Raven, is quite prominent in Native Canadian/American mythology and folklore. Sometimes the Raven is seen as a symbol of transformation…even from death to new life. The Raven is also common in the folklore of many other cultures. My idea of a “bleeding raven” is specifically a reference to a fractured soul…or wounded soul. More recently, I’ve released dark ambient and dark tech tracks.

What’s the hardest part about being an artist in this day and age?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: It’s all been done. That’s one of the challenges. I know that may sound like a copout but it’s true. We are now recycling everything. I was thinking back to the days when KISS was new. People couldn’t believe their eyes. These guys in kabuki makeup—big platform boots—I mean—I remember the first time I saw a picture of this band called KISS. I was blown away. We thought they were badass…especially Gene in his early days—like the cover of ALIVE. He looked like a menacing evil dude. And I don’t care what anyone says, and they have been severely criticized, but they had some really kick ass songs and they were instantly memorable. They made you move and they were heavy as feck –for them days. After that, the competition was on to be more shocking—heavier—weirder—etc. For the non metal or hard rock music, think of Madonna—another major pioneer. The 80’s New Wave scene, especially with Gary Numan who really changed the rules when it came to recording music. He made electronic music come alive in ways that I think were ahead of his time. The industrial scene owes a lot to him in many ways. I think of Marilyn Manson. Another one that pushed the limits. Hip Hop and Rap etc. also changed the scene on so many levels. Metallica in many ways ushered in a different approach to heavy metal. Then you eventually have different genres of extreme music—Black Metal, Death Metal, Noise Core—a lot of fusion of the genres. Even the shit I do is more or less aggrotech which is a fusion of extreme metal meets industrial/electronic music. I could go on. So—how does one break new ground today without imitating someone else—without being a clone of someone else? It’s all been done. Anyway. That’s one aspect of it all I guess, and I’m rambling. Is it tea time?

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: So, that’s a good question and the term ‘project’ is so appropriate in my case. It all started as a hobby really. Then, I ended up with a label deal with Cleopatra Records and I also have releases on other labels, not to mention quite a few collabs and I’ve had some of my dungeon trash on compilation releases with various artists. And I’m still poor as feck. hahaha

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: This should be an easy question to answer but it’s not straightforward unfortunately. I’m just now thawing out after about 5 years being dormant. It was after I lost most my hearing in 2019, with a condition called SSHL. My left ear is no more and the other one is on life support. In 2021 I more or less just gave up for various reasons, and some of that was career change. So more or less EVERYTHING I’ve ever released hasn’t been promoted at all by myself or the label, save for Geishab0y Records with the vinyl releases. So—it’s all completely new.

One of my best albums, now that I look at it, is “St. Basil’s Asylum” which is a Gnostic Gorilla release. It’s the very first Cleopatra Records release. Honestly, it’s sad that I never promoted this better but it wasn’t really possible for me after 2019. Along with that, there is “Hide The Ghost” with Geishab0y Records (UK) that also, in my opinion is a very strong album. The vinyl albums and singles are brilliant! I’m so grateful to Rich from Global Citizen for having released those. I owe that guy a ton of gratitude. He also is technically the one that inspired me to consider getting into some recording. I was inspired by his own work—truly amazing stuff!

Then there is also “Shaman Rave” which is a Gnostic Gorilla release that got more or less—zero promotion save for an amazing promo video that was created by William Westwater of Fear Incorporated (Scotland). William is an amazing artist himself—a legend in his own right!

With the Bleeding Raven releases, I eventually did continue to experiment with some dark ambient type material but also recorded VERRTRANDT which has a video made by William Westwater. That song is in a category of its own. Violet Plague is another recording as Bleeding Raven and honestly, that track is kick ass.

So, more or less—people can expect anything from Gothic to Industrial to Dark Tech and Aggrotech and even Black Metal like ambient. All of it is dark and bizarre.

How does a song typically come together for you?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: So, I usually set out to record with a general idea of what kind of track I want to do. Then I start messing around with different beats/drum parts or synth lines or atmospheres or bass riffs…it all depends. Then I start to build a track and I allow it to take on a life of its own…sort of like how a First Nations wood carver allows the wood to “speak to them” …and follow through. Sounds strange but it works. Then, I usually add good and raunchy guitar or synth riffs or strings and then strange FX and so on. Sometimes a track has a clear ‘chorus’ and other times not. I don’t always write songs that have a chorus because that’s a bit too ‘pop’ for me. I like more experimental…I like that feeling of “where the hell is this going now?” and then surprising the listener. When I have a basic ‘demo’ finished I then write the lyrics and record the vocals. I decide what style I want to use. A lot of my music, as far as vocals go, is a mix of deep growl sounds and screeching bitch (lol) sound. Then the worst part…mixing. It’s such a pain in the ass to get the vocals mixed in right so that they’re not too pronounced…or too faint. It has to be just right. Then I usually finish off with adding some FX or at times, wild percussion sounds or whatever. Sometimes I get to a complete track and I’m like… “nope…that’s no good”. And it get’s trashed.

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: My ‘stuff’ ranges from Goth-like to industrial to aggrotech or dark tech and everything in between those poles. I call my ‘stuff’ dungeon trash. It’s dark, weird and if you’re looking for nice fluffy love songs, look up Justin Bieber or summat.

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your ‘sutff’?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: I’m not sure how to answer that. My sense is that most people would reach for their benzodiazepines or seroquel lol after listening to my stuff. Hahaha But, some of my lyrics do speak about a lot of the dark realities in our world today—like hatred and violence and racism and bigotry etc. Some of the lyrics are written in such a way that the listener can decide what it means for them.

How would you say that the sound of your projects have progressed over the years?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: Eventually, I became more and more interested in more extreme type music—really heavy industrial or dark tech. That’s more or less where I am at now—IF—I were to record again—

How excited are you for 2026, and what can fans expect from you?

Dean Mason of Bleeding Raven/Gnostic Gorilla: I don’t know if I’m excited yet but I’m pushing myself to get moving with more promotion and who knows? I guess we will see.

Thanks by the way for the interview!

Dean Mason