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THE ARCHIVES
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Morrigan's Pit has closed down as of November 2006. The site and its articles will stay online as an archive until September at least, but probably longer.
The Archives
2002-2006
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BENEDICTUM
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Veronica Freeman
February 2006
http://www.benedictum.net
Congratulations with "Uncreation", how have the reactions been so far?
So far I must say we have been really happy with the response. It is great to see something you put your all into get a good reaction. We know it will not be everyone's cup of tea so to speak, but we really did our best and Jeff Pilson did such a great job with the production. We still have a ways to go and are waiting to see how sales go. But overall we are thrilled with the majority of the reactions to "Uncreation"!
You've got an aweful lot of direct and indirect connections to Dio (Chris having played in Dio tribute bands, Craig Goldy, Jeff Pilson, 2 Sabbath covers), how come? How did all the guest musicians end up on your album? And why did you put two covers, from the same band even, on the album? I mean, not everyone would want to replace a song of their own for a cover, let alone two.
Wow that is a great story in and of itself! Lets see, for starters Blackie, Chris and I were indeed in a Dio tribute band for a brief period of time. I had to let it go because the band I was in at the time had some members that really gave me a hard time for having a side project.
Craig Goldy has been a close friend for years. He was responsible for me getting into metal in the first place and I would venture to say even was responsible for me having the balls to try and sing! He would always encourage me and promised me that he would do what he could when the time was right.
I call the whole Dio connection and series of events surrounding this album the "domino affect". Craig was in town one day… came by the house and listened to some of the rehearsal recordings we had. He was really impressed and felt that it was time to see what he could do. He had us put together a demo…. Took it to his people and they saw the talent but said we needed better production. It was at that time that he introduced us to Jeff Pilson. We sent the demo to him and impatiently waited to see if he would be willing to work with us. You can imagine how excited we were when he said yes!
We started the process of doing a 3 song demo (that's all we could afford ha ha ) and went from there. Once we got shopped and got a deal I already knew that I wanted to do a cover of "Heaven And Hell" on the album and of course since Craig and I had always dreamed of doing something together I asked him if he would play on the album and he was gracious enough to do so.
The second Sabbath cover was not intended at all. After the album was nearly done.. we were out of time and money… the idea was proposed by the label to do a bonus track. At the same time Jeff thought it would be cool to see if Jimmy Bain would cameo on it. We had to record in San Diego (Kings Ransom Studios) and only had one day to do something we all knew. Jimmy came down to San Diego, we originally recorded "Rainbow In The Dark" and had enough time for one more so we did "Mob Rules". When we heard the playback, "Rainbow In The Dark" just didn't have the sound or energy we wanted to project so all we were left with was "Mob Rules". On top of that, that track was only supposed to be on the digi pack version and NOT on the final album but .. it is there. When you think of it though, it was so worth it to get a chance to play with a legend like Jimmy Bain. What a character! The whole atmosphere was like a circus and a bunch of clowns running around. I would not trade that experience for anything.
So that is the whole story about that!!
How was it to work with Jeff Pilson? Did he have a lot of influence on the songmaterial?
Oh I love to answer this question! Jeff has become one of our dearest friends now. He was so down to earth and so damn talented. HOWEVER, he makes you WORK! He put poor Pete through his paces the first day we went up there and we thought we were just going to discuss things… NOT. Jeff gets so involved and intense it is really cool to watch his mind and talent at work. He took each one of us to a new level and I can't thank him enough for that!
If I look at your and Pete's incredible talents, I'm truly wondering why we (fans world-wide) haven't heard of you before??
Well that is a wonderful thing to say. In truth this world is full of talented people and it is hard to get noticed out there. This is not the easiest business to be in that's for sure but we really thank you for the compliment.
You're welcome :) You and Pete seem to be the core of the band, are you two also the main songwriters?
Well I would say yes to that at first, but now that we are solidifying as a band we are working more as a collaborative effort. I still feel that Pete's riffs drive the machine and we build on that. There has now been a strong presence of everyone as a whole and it will be heard and felt on the next album.
What musicians and/or bands influence you as a band as well as a singer? I hear a lot of the late Dawn Crosby's (Détente, Fear Of God) style in your vocals, was she an influence as well? What music do you guys listen to mostly?
I hear the Dawn Crosby comparison a lot and I can see it… but I did not know much of her until recently to be honest. Of course you can hear the Dio influence and I would also say .. Tina Tuner. If you listen to her really early stuff you can hear the rawness and power of her voice even though she was singing a different kind of music.
We'll all listen to many different types of music and our influences are wide ranging. Buddy Rich to John Bonham, Warren DiMartini, Randy Rhodes, Pantera, At the Gates, Testament, Black Sabbath and many more, too numerous to mention. We bring our stuff to the table and come out with Benedictum.
What do you do for your voice and did you have any official training?
No, no official training at all. As a matter of fact I went to a vocal coach and she was honest enough to tell me that if she were to train me … I wouldn't be singing the way I do AT ALL! So that was the end of that. I did have an opera coach at one time… that was only a few lessons but very informative (and expensive). He felt that I had GREAT power but would have blown a fuse trying to train me to sing in the fashion that I do. I just need to get my stamina up and look forward to seeing what it will be like to be on tour. That will be tough for me so I need to get at it!
As Morrigan's Pit is pretty much run by women, it's extra cool for us to talk to a female metal musician or singer! When I got into metal 25 years ago, it was rare for a girl to like metal, what do you think of the part that women have in the metal scene these days? Do you think they are being taken serious enough (not counting all the soprano or gothic female singers that front a metal band but often aren't really into metal)?
I shall not get on my soap box. I feel that there is room for all at the table of metal sopranos and everyone else. In truth of course there has been biase over the years. I have been doing this for a while myself. I am not longer a teenager and not even in my twenties anymore (and proud of it) but the reality is that in my experience I have been helped along by many males who just plain believed in me even when sometimes I did not believe in myself. This style of music is indeed dominated by men, but so what, that does not detract from what women have been doing all along. I have many female friends who just love metal and many times at shows in the past women will come up to me afterwards and grab my arm and thank me for singing with "balls" ha ha. I can't even begin to express what that means to me.
Indeed there have been shows that I have done where I walk on stage and some people have walked out.. they had the old expectation in metal.. oh no a chick singer… well after a while they would drift back into the club and many of them, to their credit, would pull me aside afterwards and have the honesty to tell me "hey I didn't want to even listen once I knew the band had a female singer .. but you rocked the house". When you think of it.. that takes a lot to say that. It was an honor to hear it and I appreciate it.
Male dominated as this has been, I have been fortunate and I also feel that many other women in this genre do get their props.. it may be harder to come by, but we prevail!
What's your inspiration for lyrics?
My life experiences for the most part. The joy, the sadness, the depth of despair and the ever presence of hope and the light of life! You name it ..its there!
You've got some cool ones, like the awesome line "I'm your backstreet filthy whore, I'm the bitch you can't ignore". Are you that angry or is it just fun to play the bitch? ;))
Well on this one I think people pull that line from the song not knowing what it is about, so I am always glad to explain it. "Misogyny" is about serial killers like Ted Bundy, The Hillside Strangler, BTK and the like. Since their crimes against women are deeply rooted in their misogynistic views I wrote the song from the perspective of a victim. Since most of the victims of these monsters were often prostitutes or people at the "margins" of society I wanted to write as if I was their spirit shouting back that no matter what you may have done to me .. you shall not take my dignity! That is what that song is about!
That is truly awesome.. I didn't know from the lyrics alone, so thanks for explaining! Another favorite lyric line comes from my favorite song "Them": "They tell me I can't cuz I'm a chick, I tell them kneel down and suck my dick"! Right on, HA! But.. I just can't figure out who you are singing about, who are "them"?
Aaah good question. It started out that "them" were some people where I used to work, that were so deceptive and back biting that I couldn't believe it. I got the "oh you are just a hysterical woman" treatment and it really made me mad. But as the song progressed it can just be an anthem for anyone who was told they couldn't do something.. bite me .. I will do it anyway! They were born to follow we were born to lead.. they will try to tear me down.. they shall not succeed… a song to the naysayers.
How did you end up with Locomotive Records?
During the process of the demo with Jeff Pilson he had a friend of his listen to what we had done so far. This person had worked with Jeff in the past and was impressed enough with what he heard that he shopped a European deal for us. He picked Locomotive for he felt they would give us good promo. I must admit for a small label they have promoted us well and I hope they will continue to support us as time goes on and our name gets out there. It would be a shame for us not to get out there this year to support the album, so I am hoping we can work together towards that end! We are happy so far!
Assuming you can't live off metal, what are your normal jobs?
Jesse works construction, Pete works for the city water department, Blackie has a window washing company and does graphics as well, Chris works for Fish Organs and repairs Hammond keyboards. I am assisting in the opening of a huge hardware store of all things… from the ground up.. right now the store is being merchandised and all the details being set in place. It is hard work so I hope some day all of us can quit our jobs and just play music and be happy!!
Are you actually bikers, or are those beautiful Strip Club Choppers in some of your pics just rented for show? ;) (not that I'd mind!:))
They were donated so to speak. We have a great working relationship with Strip Club Choppers. The owner is a great guy and I met him at the Easy Rider Convention (all sorts of fabulous custom bikes) here in San Diego. We had an idea that we could help each other out.
I was so nervous during the photo shoot that I was going to scratch the paint with my boots! Jessie rides and I am learning to. Ever since I sat on that thing I have been hooked! Took a ride on my friends silver anniversary addition Harley the other day and it was awesome! I just need a bike that is a bit smaller.
Are there already plans for a tour, or maybe a festival? I hope to see you in Europe soon!
We will be at the Gods of Metal Festival in Italy and are working on a small tour around those dates. Also a tour with Grave Digger in 2007.
What would be your dream tour?
Aaaaaaaah.. lets see. The dream tour would be all expenses paid and of course I want the plush double decker limo bus with a full vanity and lots of gorgeous men ha ha. But I think our dream is just to be brought over to Europe and allowed to play all over in front of a lot of people and just get an outrageous reaction. I think that is what it is about for us.. the reaction and the energy! We want our day in the sun!
Some day we would love to see a real ressurgance of this type of metal in our own country with money to back it up!
I think that's it:) Thanks so much for your time!! Do you have any last words for our readers?
Just a great thank you for your attention to this band. It means so much to be recognized and given your time it means a lot. We hope your readers give "Uncreation" a listen and enjoy what they hear!
Thanks
V
submitted by Marlies 28.02.2006
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