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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
» CD REVIEWS
» INTERVIEWS
» LIVE REVIEWS
» SPECIALS
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JACOBS DREAM
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James Evans
May 2005
http://www.jacobsdream.us
Since I've been a fan since album #1 and started their previous website at truemetal.org (it forwards to their new one now), I was very happy to finally see them back at the metal front again with their 3rd effort "Drama Of The Ages", after a four year hiatus. Time for their old webmama to fire some questions at them that James Evans answered.
Hello guys, it's been way too long since I talked to any of you!
Hey Marlies, this is James. It's good to hear from you.
The biggest change in Jacobs Dream and/or the music since the last CD is of course the vocalist. David left to spend more time with his family, but if I remember correctly you had been trying for a while to get David back before finally replacing him?
Yes, we really wanted to do all we could to accommodate him to try to keep him with the band. His heart was pulling him hard in the other direction and that's what he had to follow. We still wish we could have worked with him but Chaz has filled in very well and the fact that he is friends with Dave means there is no tension between him and us.
Tell me how you found and recruted Chaz Bond? Were there any other candidates?
Chaz was the vocalist for a band called Biogenesis who we had played some shows with. There were a few others that showed interest, some through e-mail and some came to audition. Chaz really felt our style and direction.
Is Chaz still in Biogenesis as well?
No. The band broke up about 2 or 3 months ago.
Does he take part in the writing process of the songs?
He took part in some of the writing but most of the songs were already written when he came in. "Spinning Leaf" is a song that Chaz brought with him. He will be more involved in future albums.
His voice is much darker and deeper than David's, so it has an impact on the new album. How have the reactions been so far?
Most reactions have been very positive. We weren't looking to find someone who sounded like Dave, just someone who enhanced the new material.
You (or some of you) are still in touch with David, how is he (and his family) doing and is he still active in music in any way?
Dave is working and his family is doing well. He is not involved in anything musical at this time, however, we did get him on stage last summer at a festival to sing a song with Chaz. He has said he really likes the new album.
Wow, that must have been a special moment, to have him on stage again for a moment. What festival was that and which song did they sing together?
The festival was just a small one in Lancaster Ohio which is where Dave lives. I don't remember the name of the festival. If my memory serves me correct on the song, I think it was "Scape Goat" from the first Metal Blade release.
It's been 4 years between releases, did you just write and rehearse for Jacobs Dream in the meantime or did any of you also have some other projects going on?
No, "Drama Of The Ages" is the only project we were working on, aside from building the studio. We were actually playing shows about 2 years ago with this material and John Berry singing.
You've gone back in time with the line-up: Gary is back on drums. Doesn't he miss playing guitar?
He has always loved playing guitar but it always seems he gets pulled back to the drum kit. I think he has finally accepted that this is his place in the band.
You are all very religious people, but you never force anything upon anyone. How do the 'standard' metal fans react to it when they find out?
Most people don't have a problem with it and many are intrigued. There are, of course, people who take offence but that goes with the music business in general. I feel that most metal fans respect the music.
I have always felt very at home with you guys when I was still running the website, and it's never been a problem in our friendships that you are believers and I'm not. I thank and love you for that respect, but many of the religious fans who frequented the forum and chatroom at the time, couldn't give me the same respect and it was the main reason why I started to feel out of place and turned the site over to someone else. What do you think of that - I'd say they drive people away instead of showing them the way to your god?
I think believers should respect that non-believers are still people and they just look at things differently. If you want to convince someone of your beliefs, it is better to be respectful, presenting your faith without attacking or judging. I think love is more attractive than wrath. I think believing readers should consider your question here.
Thanks, James :)
Ok, back to "Drama Of The Ages"! I'm not too crazy about certain parts of the production and I would think that one of those popular metal producers (like Sneap, Kernon, Köhler etc) would IMO be able to give the music the dynamics it deserves and take it to a higher level. Is there a reason besides perhaps money that you are keeping it in your own hands?
We like to have total control of the project. Not to mention a producer is someone you really have to trust and it helps to get to know someone first. Money is also an issue but the more we do it I'm sure it will get better. This album may not have the best production but I have heard worse.
Please tell me about the hidden track! Is it an old song or maybe something existing (classical) or just a thingie that didn't fit in with the rest of the material?
The hidden track is a pet project of mine that I have wanted to do for a long time. It is "Pachabel's Canon in D". It was hidden more for fun than anything.
Oh my, shows my knowledge (errr...) of classical music. I looked it up and it seems to be a favorite piece for weddings. If only I'd known your version when I got married ;)
Isn't it hard to headbang with a veil on?
Hahaha! A veil?!?! ;) I stuck with small white satin flowers in my hair ;)
Anyway... next question: the coverart is really beautiful, who made it and what else has he done?
The cover was done by Bret Melvin. He has done some advertising art work and is currently an intern at Disney.
I'm sure you have great memories of the European tour in 2001 and the festivals you did - what gigs did you do in all the years until now?
We played about 4 local festivals last summer, several club gigs, A Halloween show with October 31, The benefit show at the Alrosa for the victims of the shootings there and most recently, an acoustic set in conjunction with the Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles festival, at Alice Cooper's Town in Cleveland.
Oh, right, how was that BW&BK show, I would've loved to see/hear you guys acoustic! How was the response?
The response was really good. We didn't know what to expect since it was our first attempt at an acoustic set. The festival seemed to have a good turnout.
What are the new live plans in support of the album?
We would like to do both a US and European tour and we would like to be involved in as many festivals as we can. The album may have come out a bit late for the Euro-festivals but we have been asked to play a festival in Peurto Rico this fall.
Any last message to all your fans?
Thank you to all who have been faithful and welcome new fans. Marlies, you have always been a faithful metal fan and always have shown us friendship and support. We hope to see you and all the other metal heads there this year.
Thank you, James, and see you soon hopefully!!
submitted by Marlies 07.06.2005
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