Musician Interviews
Here I will be posting interviews that i have with Christian Metal musicians. Be sure to check out this page to see more updates!
INTERVIEW: DRUMMER BRANDON TRAHAN of IMPENDING DOOM
Deathcore act Impending Doom have recently released their 5th studio album "Death Will Reign" this past November. Being a huge doom fan, I picked up the album right away. Impending Doom has been making music for over 8 years, and in those eight years they have released five albums and one E.P. I recently had to privilege to speak with current doom drummer Brandon "Btown" Trahan to talk about music, the industry, faith, and his love for drumming. Check out what he had to say below!
Jordan: well, thanks for taking the time out for this I appreciate it bro, anyways the first question that comes to mind is what made you want to start playing heavy music?
Btown: Korn, Deftones, Slipknot. I grew up on 80s hair metal as a little kid. Then as I aged, it led to heavier stuff.
Jordan: Same here, I first discovered Metallica, then it lead to Megadeth, then from thrash to death metal, I was kind of an old school metal elitist, always trying to shun metalcore and deathcore saying it was poser music until i actually opened my mind up, now im more into everything. When did you decide that you wanted to start drumming?
Btown: That's cool man. I first started being intrigued by drums because a good friend of mine in 9th grade had a kit, and I was his bassist in a band. I kind of just thought drums were cooler than bass.
Jordan: I feel ya, and when you started drumming, did you try joining certain bands (in the sense of forming them) before Impending Doom and XdeathstarX?
Btown: Yea. My first band was with Mitch lucker from suicide silence. I hadn't been a drummer at the time. His band had started and was called "breakaway" and played a few shows and I was so attracted to fast double bass and he asked me to join, so we changed the name to dying dreams. Other bands I've recorded for are darasuum and Austrian death machine. I'll always play. I want to play on a lot of records.
Jordan: That's pretty rad, with your drumming I take it you are trying to be more diverse with your playing, even on Death Will Reign I heard a bit of a Meshuggah influence instrumentally, which was pretty fresh to hear. Are you always looking for new ways to expand your playing?
Btown: Yea, I mean, I've always wanted to be diverse. It can be tricky at times. And Tomas Haake is my top favorite drummer honestly. So Meshuggah has and always will be a huge influence on me. As for always trying to expand, I have been home from tour and stripped my kit down to a 4 piece, with just two crashes, hats, a ride and chyna. Simplicity man. It reveals so much later after you do it for a while.
Jordan: Really? Im no drummer or musician so I wouldn't know these little tips/tricks when it comes to playing. So were you always raised around the Christian lifestyle or was it something you later on discovered in your life around the music scene or personally?
Btown: Raised Christian, but became agnostic around 21 till about 26.
Jordan: Oh alright, well I can totally relate there is so much that makes us doubt God's existence. But at the end of the day we gotta just look around at all of this that God created (mountains, the ocean, the human body) like that's proof enough for me. When you joined Impending Doom were they like a second family in a way almost instantly or did it take time for you to get adjusted?
Btown: Def second family, I was always close to the dudes.
Jordan: That's whats up bro. So what do you think of the music industry currently? (In the sense of trying to make it, and the people/fans) and also the state of Christianity in today's society? Has this also affected you and your band?
Btown: Trying to make it is rough. The scene? Terrible. Poor kids these days are led so astray. Musically bands lead kids down the wrong musical path. The stuff bands are getting huge off of now, me and some of the doom guys were playing in local bands. It's mind blowing. It's like music is degressing....if that's even a real word. Haha. Christianity in today's society....well I'm not sure. I just know I can't stand atheism. I have a problem with it. Atheism expects so much tolerance from other beliefs, and they swear Their whole entire logic is out to have a problem with every "religion", but if you look closely, they attack Christianity 95% of the time. That's a lot.
Jordan: Totally agree with you bro, you hit it right on the nail. It's getting harder and harder to stand for Jesus right now. But it only makes us stronger the more we stand for what we believe in, and the more we speak about what we stand for to other people whether it be in music, artwork, or even a show. The lyrical writing for Impending Doom seems really political at times. Usually the norm in metal is talking about politics, armaggedon, and corruption. But for ID it's like lyrics about politics and corruption from a point of view of a believer, songs such as doomsday (nuclear warfare), deceiver, peace illusion kind of show that side. For the writing of the lyrics, is it like a team effort by all the band members or is it just one person?
Btown: Usually Brook (the lead singer) writes lyrics and everyone throws in their two cents on this and that. It goes with the making of any song.
Jordan: Most definitely, since you guys have been signed with Eone, how has this label differed with Facedown records? In the sense of support and just being a good label in general, and what advice would you give up and coming bands who are trying to get signed to a label?
Btown: Yea def. But Facedown.... they were an awesome label. Jason Dunn does a lot for his bands and works hard for them. Sometimes switching labels is due to different opportunities that a present label can't offer at the time. It's just how it is. For up and coming bands? Have fun man. Take it too serious and watch it all fall apart.
Jordan: Totally makes sense, cause then the people in the band will be pretty devastated once something goes wrong. Have you guys ever gotten any testimonies from fans of ID, like how your guys music helped them grow spiritually etc? Oh, and is there anything you want to say to anyone reading this interview when it's already up?
Btown: Yeah we've totally been told that from kids. I've seen some messed up people out there that need God. Wrapping it up... thanks for the interview dude, God bless :)
Jordan: You too bro, take it easy man!
Impending Doom's latest album "Death Will Reign" is out now! To pick up a cop and support click here:
http://www.fye.com/s/product/3199149/Impending-Doom-Death-Will-Reign#.Uq--l_RDu0g
To keep up with all things Impending Doom, follow the band on fb here:
https://www.facebook.com/impendingdoom
Jordan: well, thanks for taking the time out for this I appreciate it bro, anyways the first question that comes to mind is what made you want to start playing heavy music?
Btown: Korn, Deftones, Slipknot. I grew up on 80s hair metal as a little kid. Then as I aged, it led to heavier stuff.
Jordan: Same here, I first discovered Metallica, then it lead to Megadeth, then from thrash to death metal, I was kind of an old school metal elitist, always trying to shun metalcore and deathcore saying it was poser music until i actually opened my mind up, now im more into everything. When did you decide that you wanted to start drumming?
Btown: That's cool man. I first started being intrigued by drums because a good friend of mine in 9th grade had a kit, and I was his bassist in a band. I kind of just thought drums were cooler than bass.
Jordan: I feel ya, and when you started drumming, did you try joining certain bands (in the sense of forming them) before Impending Doom and XdeathstarX?
Btown: Yea. My first band was with Mitch lucker from suicide silence. I hadn't been a drummer at the time. His band had started and was called "breakaway" and played a few shows and I was so attracted to fast double bass and he asked me to join, so we changed the name to dying dreams. Other bands I've recorded for are darasuum and Austrian death machine. I'll always play. I want to play on a lot of records.
Jordan: That's pretty rad, with your drumming I take it you are trying to be more diverse with your playing, even on Death Will Reign I heard a bit of a Meshuggah influence instrumentally, which was pretty fresh to hear. Are you always looking for new ways to expand your playing?
Btown: Yea, I mean, I've always wanted to be diverse. It can be tricky at times. And Tomas Haake is my top favorite drummer honestly. So Meshuggah has and always will be a huge influence on me. As for always trying to expand, I have been home from tour and stripped my kit down to a 4 piece, with just two crashes, hats, a ride and chyna. Simplicity man. It reveals so much later after you do it for a while.
Jordan: Really? Im no drummer or musician so I wouldn't know these little tips/tricks when it comes to playing. So were you always raised around the Christian lifestyle or was it something you later on discovered in your life around the music scene or personally?
Btown: Raised Christian, but became agnostic around 21 till about 26.
Jordan: Oh alright, well I can totally relate there is so much that makes us doubt God's existence. But at the end of the day we gotta just look around at all of this that God created (mountains, the ocean, the human body) like that's proof enough for me. When you joined Impending Doom were they like a second family in a way almost instantly or did it take time for you to get adjusted?
Btown: Def second family, I was always close to the dudes.
Jordan: That's whats up bro. So what do you think of the music industry currently? (In the sense of trying to make it, and the people/fans) and also the state of Christianity in today's society? Has this also affected you and your band?
Btown: Trying to make it is rough. The scene? Terrible. Poor kids these days are led so astray. Musically bands lead kids down the wrong musical path. The stuff bands are getting huge off of now, me and some of the doom guys were playing in local bands. It's mind blowing. It's like music is degressing....if that's even a real word. Haha. Christianity in today's society....well I'm not sure. I just know I can't stand atheism. I have a problem with it. Atheism expects so much tolerance from other beliefs, and they swear Their whole entire logic is out to have a problem with every "religion", but if you look closely, they attack Christianity 95% of the time. That's a lot.
Jordan: Totally agree with you bro, you hit it right on the nail. It's getting harder and harder to stand for Jesus right now. But it only makes us stronger the more we stand for what we believe in, and the more we speak about what we stand for to other people whether it be in music, artwork, or even a show. The lyrical writing for Impending Doom seems really political at times. Usually the norm in metal is talking about politics, armaggedon, and corruption. But for ID it's like lyrics about politics and corruption from a point of view of a believer, songs such as doomsday (nuclear warfare), deceiver, peace illusion kind of show that side. For the writing of the lyrics, is it like a team effort by all the band members or is it just one person?
Btown: Usually Brook (the lead singer) writes lyrics and everyone throws in their two cents on this and that. It goes with the making of any song.
Jordan: Most definitely, since you guys have been signed with Eone, how has this label differed with Facedown records? In the sense of support and just being a good label in general, and what advice would you give up and coming bands who are trying to get signed to a label?
Btown: Yea def. But Facedown.... they were an awesome label. Jason Dunn does a lot for his bands and works hard for them. Sometimes switching labels is due to different opportunities that a present label can't offer at the time. It's just how it is. For up and coming bands? Have fun man. Take it too serious and watch it all fall apart.
Jordan: Totally makes sense, cause then the people in the band will be pretty devastated once something goes wrong. Have you guys ever gotten any testimonies from fans of ID, like how your guys music helped them grow spiritually etc? Oh, and is there anything you want to say to anyone reading this interview when it's already up?
Btown: Yeah we've totally been told that from kids. I've seen some messed up people out there that need God. Wrapping it up... thanks for the interview dude, God bless :)
Jordan: You too bro, take it easy man!
Impending Doom's latest album "Death Will Reign" is out now! To pick up a cop and support click here:
http://www.fye.com/s/product/3199149/Impending-Doom-Death-Will-Reign#.Uq--l_RDu0g
To keep up with all things Impending Doom, follow the band on fb here:
https://www.facebook.com/impendingdoom
INTERVIEW: ANIMAE CAPRONII
Recently I got a hold of Christian black metal musician Animae Capronii (aka Cesare Sannino). Cesare, who hails from Italy has an impressive track record with his one man black metal project Animae Capronii. Dishing out more than 20 albums in five years (that's not including compilations and eps!) Cesare is one busy man. We talked about heavy metal, his interest in heavier music, and why he does what he does as a musician. So with no further a due, i present to you Animae Capronii.
Jordan: Well, to start to start this off, how did you first get into metal music?
Cesare: Well, it was at the age of 13/14, but at that time I haven't had a right idea about how to distinguish heavy metal, hard rock etc. In fact i liked the music of bands like Europe, Nirvana, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and also the Italian rock band Liftiba. Some schoolmates of mine were into the more heavier bands like Sepultura (at the time that was the most extreme metal act that i have known).
Jordan: And this was during the 90's right?
Cesare: At the age of 15 to 16 years old (that was around 1999/2000) my friends in high school formed the band Hereafter, and then formed In Human Form. They were influenced by Metallica, Slayer, and even Carcass. I was a fan of them, and they were the ones that introduced me to real heavy metal. I started to listen to various metal bands, from Helloween and Blind Guardian to some melodic death metal such as Carcass, early Children of Bodom, and Inflames. One of the very first black metal band I heard was from an Impaled Nazarene cd also. At the time I wasn't able to play an instrument, so I just went to rehearsals and then I bought a classical guitar so I could start a death metal acoustic joke band with a friend.
Jordan: Oh really? What was the name of the band?
Cesare: This was around 1997/98, and the name was Kantina Marcia. We recorded lots of horrible but funny tapes, now only my friend has some of them.
Jordan: That's crazy haha, so what inspired you to make black metal music?
Cesare: At school I started to take free guitar lessons, and the same professor started to teach another friend of mine (Simone Bonetti, which was at the time in a band called In Hunna form, and later went to another band called Keeper of Darkness) to play bass. Simone was quite rich and had the opportunity to buy lots of cds. He also had satellite T.V. in which he showed me a program of heavy metal videos. Here, I saw for the first time videos of Immortal. Cradle of Filth, and Satyricon. I was both scared and fascinated! I still was a Christian at this time so I had some fear to approach this music. Meanwhile, another schoolmate of mine (Guido Sutti, now with Ars Manifestia, with the stage name "harmful") who was also into Sepultura started to play in a black metal band called Proximus Morti. Later they became Neldoreth, and i bought their first demo. They inspired me to start making black metal music.
Jordan: It seems like the more you got into metal, the more you started to listen to more heavier bands.
Cesare: Yes, exactly.
Jordan: So what year did you form Animae Capronii?
Cesare: In 2002 I formed my very early prototype of a black metal band called Night Evil with my friend Luca Radaelli (aka Lord Alarim) as guitarist. I was also in another psuedo black metal band called Sarcophago. With them I rehearsed some ugly songs on tape, along with Luca and Martino Cornaggia (aka The Bliss) on guitars. In 2003, after my military service period, i formed my very first black metal one man band. The band was called Armagherion. Luca "Lord Alarim" participated as session guitarist in two tapes. We had lots of material, but now it's all gone. I also gave some of these tapes to Paolo Barri (aka Sir Mordred) in the same perion when we founded our now split-up black metal band Evig Begravelse. In 2004, I started the one man project Animae Capronii. I was mainly inspired by DarkThrone musically, being that the music is very raw and primitive.
Jordan: Correct me if im wrong but Animae Capronii's early lyrics weren't exactly Christian based right?
Cesare: Martino and Luca were on session guitar during the recordings of the very first demo "La Testa Del Battista", but later they left the band and Animae Capronii was a one man band again. I started to do evil pseudo-Satanic lyrics as a joke, but i later became wrapped up and fascinated with occult atmospheres etc. My black period ended around 2008 when I embraced again my real faith in God.
Jordan: Wow well that's amazing that you decided to turn around your lyrics and your lifestyle. How many albums has Animae Capronii put out when you became a new believer?
Cesare: Well, in that black period I lost my faith following these stupid anti-Chrsitian/Atheistic things. I was really blind spiritually, but I wasn't participating in Satanism, i was just posing as one. I was into a lot of underground tape trading, and I got in touch with miriads oof evil occult black metal bands. In the last years I re-contacted some of these guys sending em my Christian material, and talking about my re-found faith in the Lord. Most of them never answered, but some yes. If you consider the first non-Satanic albums from "Harmony of the Disease Lady" ( I slowly started to return to Christianity at this point but the album didn't have Christian lyricsyet, the lyrics were more metaphoric subliminal Christian lyrics. But i released 24 albums (that doesn't include E.P.s and compilations).
Jordan: That's great! At least you are witnessing to them now. And 24 releases, that's more than what some bands put out in 20 years. So what are your plans for Animae Capronii for the year 2014?
Cesare: Yes, I have title and some ideas for the next full length album. The album will be called "Jesus is my hope when I am hopeless". The title was taken form a song by Rotting Serpent, the old band of my Canadian friend Michelle Mosher. This new album will contain some old school death metal influences and some musical experimentation, we'll see. Im not sure if to sing it in Italian or not, but we'll see haha. Oh, and in 2014 some compilations of my Christian songs will be released by my friend Fredrik Karlsson on his Swedish new born music label. Yes, i released a lot of albums, but my head is full of music ideas, and if I don't compose music, I become sick!! haha :) It's something I feel inside from the depths of my heart. I need this form of self expression and it's great because it's also my way to glorify the Lord, giving the best of me for him. I take it also as a mission to introduce Jesus Christ in the lives of the ones who deny or refuse him, hoping that they will change their hearts.
Jordan: That's great dude! This definitely sounds interesting, as an avid fan of death metal i am pretty excited! Well that's all the time I have for today, it was great talking to you man. Is there anything you want to say to anyone reading this before I end this interview?
Cesare: Yes, of course! I want to thank you for this good and nice interview and I also want to salute all the readers of Christian Thrash Metal Alliance. Remember, my brothers, stay strong in the Lord in everyday life, even in moments of difficulty when everything appears so bleak, the word of Jesus will give you strength and courage. Remember, God is always so close to us all. He made us a promise of salvation and he always keeps his promises so trust his word! Thank you all again, hope you'll enjoy my music and it's message, I embrace you all and cheers from Italy!
Animae Capronii's music can be found at his website for free download here: http://www.animaecapronii.comlu.com/1_6_download.html
Follow his page on facebook to keep up with all things a Animae Capronii!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ANIMAE-CAPRONII/223996964292145
Jordan: Well, to start to start this off, how did you first get into metal music?
Cesare: Well, it was at the age of 13/14, but at that time I haven't had a right idea about how to distinguish heavy metal, hard rock etc. In fact i liked the music of bands like Europe, Nirvana, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and also the Italian rock band Liftiba. Some schoolmates of mine were into the more heavier bands like Sepultura (at the time that was the most extreme metal act that i have known).
Jordan: And this was during the 90's right?
Cesare: At the age of 15 to 16 years old (that was around 1999/2000) my friends in high school formed the band Hereafter, and then formed In Human Form. They were influenced by Metallica, Slayer, and even Carcass. I was a fan of them, and they were the ones that introduced me to real heavy metal. I started to listen to various metal bands, from Helloween and Blind Guardian to some melodic death metal such as Carcass, early Children of Bodom, and Inflames. One of the very first black metal band I heard was from an Impaled Nazarene cd also. At the time I wasn't able to play an instrument, so I just went to rehearsals and then I bought a classical guitar so I could start a death metal acoustic joke band with a friend.
Jordan: Oh really? What was the name of the band?
Cesare: This was around 1997/98, and the name was Kantina Marcia. We recorded lots of horrible but funny tapes, now only my friend has some of them.
Jordan: That's crazy haha, so what inspired you to make black metal music?
Cesare: At school I started to take free guitar lessons, and the same professor started to teach another friend of mine (Simone Bonetti, which was at the time in a band called In Hunna form, and later went to another band called Keeper of Darkness) to play bass. Simone was quite rich and had the opportunity to buy lots of cds. He also had satellite T.V. in which he showed me a program of heavy metal videos. Here, I saw for the first time videos of Immortal. Cradle of Filth, and Satyricon. I was both scared and fascinated! I still was a Christian at this time so I had some fear to approach this music. Meanwhile, another schoolmate of mine (Guido Sutti, now with Ars Manifestia, with the stage name "harmful") who was also into Sepultura started to play in a black metal band called Proximus Morti. Later they became Neldoreth, and i bought their first demo. They inspired me to start making black metal music.
Jordan: It seems like the more you got into metal, the more you started to listen to more heavier bands.
Cesare: Yes, exactly.
Jordan: So what year did you form Animae Capronii?
Cesare: In 2002 I formed my very early prototype of a black metal band called Night Evil with my friend Luca Radaelli (aka Lord Alarim) as guitarist. I was also in another psuedo black metal band called Sarcophago. With them I rehearsed some ugly songs on tape, along with Luca and Martino Cornaggia (aka The Bliss) on guitars. In 2003, after my military service period, i formed my very first black metal one man band. The band was called Armagherion. Luca "Lord Alarim" participated as session guitarist in two tapes. We had lots of material, but now it's all gone. I also gave some of these tapes to Paolo Barri (aka Sir Mordred) in the same perion when we founded our now split-up black metal band Evig Begravelse. In 2004, I started the one man project Animae Capronii. I was mainly inspired by DarkThrone musically, being that the music is very raw and primitive.
Jordan: Correct me if im wrong but Animae Capronii's early lyrics weren't exactly Christian based right?
Cesare: Martino and Luca were on session guitar during the recordings of the very first demo "La Testa Del Battista", but later they left the band and Animae Capronii was a one man band again. I started to do evil pseudo-Satanic lyrics as a joke, but i later became wrapped up and fascinated with occult atmospheres etc. My black period ended around 2008 when I embraced again my real faith in God.
Jordan: Wow well that's amazing that you decided to turn around your lyrics and your lifestyle. How many albums has Animae Capronii put out when you became a new believer?
Cesare: Well, in that black period I lost my faith following these stupid anti-Chrsitian/Atheistic things. I was really blind spiritually, but I wasn't participating in Satanism, i was just posing as one. I was into a lot of underground tape trading, and I got in touch with miriads oof evil occult black metal bands. In the last years I re-contacted some of these guys sending em my Christian material, and talking about my re-found faith in the Lord. Most of them never answered, but some yes. If you consider the first non-Satanic albums from "Harmony of the Disease Lady" ( I slowly started to return to Christianity at this point but the album didn't have Christian lyricsyet, the lyrics were more metaphoric subliminal Christian lyrics. But i released 24 albums (that doesn't include E.P.s and compilations).
Jordan: That's great! At least you are witnessing to them now. And 24 releases, that's more than what some bands put out in 20 years. So what are your plans for Animae Capronii for the year 2014?
Cesare: Yes, I have title and some ideas for the next full length album. The album will be called "Jesus is my hope when I am hopeless". The title was taken form a song by Rotting Serpent, the old band of my Canadian friend Michelle Mosher. This new album will contain some old school death metal influences and some musical experimentation, we'll see. Im not sure if to sing it in Italian or not, but we'll see haha. Oh, and in 2014 some compilations of my Christian songs will be released by my friend Fredrik Karlsson on his Swedish new born music label. Yes, i released a lot of albums, but my head is full of music ideas, and if I don't compose music, I become sick!! haha :) It's something I feel inside from the depths of my heart. I need this form of self expression and it's great because it's also my way to glorify the Lord, giving the best of me for him. I take it also as a mission to introduce Jesus Christ in the lives of the ones who deny or refuse him, hoping that they will change their hearts.
Jordan: That's great dude! This definitely sounds interesting, as an avid fan of death metal i am pretty excited! Well that's all the time I have for today, it was great talking to you man. Is there anything you want to say to anyone reading this before I end this interview?
Cesare: Yes, of course! I want to thank you for this good and nice interview and I also want to salute all the readers of Christian Thrash Metal Alliance. Remember, my brothers, stay strong in the Lord in everyday life, even in moments of difficulty when everything appears so bleak, the word of Jesus will give you strength and courage. Remember, God is always so close to us all. He made us a promise of salvation and he always keeps his promises so trust his word! Thank you all again, hope you'll enjoy my music and it's message, I embrace you all and cheers from Italy!
Animae Capronii's music can be found at his website for free download here: http://www.animaecapronii.comlu.com/1_6_download.html
Follow his page on facebook to keep up with all things a Animae Capronii!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ANIMAE-CAPRONII/223996964292145