Interview God.i.am

Howard, thank you for joining us today. Let's start by delving into the creation of your debut album, "hanc aeternum, infinitum nihil 23.23." What inspired you to delve into the occult-themed concept and tell the story of Serenity's ill-fated journey? 

Thanks for this opportunity. The concept of my Debut album just came to me one day. When I write poetry, stories and/or music, a thought just enters my mind and I go with it. I have never sat down and planned on writing anything. It always just happens out of nowhere. So there was no inspiration from an outside source. It simply flowed from my first thought about her story.

As a multi-instrumentalist, you took on the challenge of playing all the instruments on the album. How did you manage to capture the essence of doom metal using your unique approach, particularly with the unconventional use of a 5-string bass guitar for the guitar work?

I knew from the early stages of writing the songs that I was going to do all that I could to NOT sound like anyone else, so I worked hard to create my own bass tone...because I knew that I was going to do everything on my 5 string bass. I developed the crazy-heavy tone that you hear and knew that was what I wanted to hear. I also knew that my bass playing and tone, my drumming and my vocal/songwriting style would also seperate me from sounding like anyone else, too. That has (and will) always mean everything to me.

Your bass guitar tone is described as very heavy, which adds a distinctive element to your sound. Could you tell us more about how you developed this unique lead bass guitar tone and how it enhances the overall atmosphere of the album?

I spent months developing my uniquely heavy bass tone. I only used 2 pedals to acheive that sound. After much experimentation, and when I got it dialed in and truly heard my god.i.am tone for the first time, I fucking screamed out in elation because I knew that was it! I knew that what I had just developed was going to help capture the overall essence and severity of Serenity's journey...as well as encapsulate the raw, chaotic sound of god.i.am

The song titles on the album reference different stages of Serenity's journey. Could you walk us through the evolution of the story and how each song contributes to her eventual collision with the Dark Netherworld? 

The songs and their respective titles do mark that progression. But I really don't want to reveal too much because I am currently writing a Short Story to coincide with the concept and occult theme of the album. Let's just say be careful what you wish for.

In addition to the music, you mentioned that there will be a short story accompanying the album. Can you provide us with any insights into the storyline and its connection to the music? And when can we expect the release of the book? 

The story will fill in most every blank (but not all) that the songs themselves create. The story line is that of disgust, want, betrayal and destruction. I really don't want to divulge any other pertinent information. 

Doom metal is a genre known for its heavy, dark, and mysterious sound. How did you ensure that your drumming, songwriting/arranging, and vocal style stood out and created a unique identity for God.I.am within the genre? 

The dark and mysterious nature of Doom Metal is definitely what drew me in. My playing and songwriting styles are respectively well suited for Doom Metal. This project and album was my first attempt at doing lead vocals. They came out as being pretty dark and mysterious, and some say that they're even mournful and brooding. So in that respect, I feel like I naiied it. All of this helps god.i.am stand out as being very original.

The album's title, "hanc aeternum, infinitum nihil 23.23," has a Latin translation that suggests eternal nothingness. What does this title mean to you and how does it encapsulate the themes and atmosphere of the album? 

The translation is "this eternal, infinite nothing 23.23", and that's basically how I feel about this current existence I'm suffering through. There have been and there will be other lifetimes for me, so that gives me some hope. The number 23.23 is something deeply personal for me, but I did release the album on Feb 3, 2023 (2.3.23) as a means of paying homage to my cherished numerical sequence.

As an artist, how do you explore the balance between crafting immersive stories through your lyrics while also delivering impactful, heavy music? What role does storytelling play in your approach to doom metal? 

I feel like the story telling aspect is vital to the overall feeling of the album and it's occult-themed concept. The balance between the concept and the music is merged as one through the unapologetic chaos that I inflict upon the listener. This is accomplished through my off-time drum parts, the intentional "brown notes" that confuse your inner ears, and my often mysterious and unintelliigible vocals...they all serve to force you into diving deeper, and well-below the surface of the album to gain an insight that will transcend anything you think you already understand.

In doom metal, there are often dark and brooding vocal styles. How did you develop your own unique vocal style, and how does it contribute to the overall atmosphere and narrative of the album? 

As I previously said, this was my first attempt at recording lead vocals. I was suffering and slowly recovering from a bad case of Covid when I recorded them. So, they came out the way you hear them. I actually liked what I heard and it felt good to do them that way. I figure that we probably wouldn't understand much on a superficial level if we were communicating with a Dark being from the Netherworld, so the way my vocals turned out truly did that justice.

Serenity's journey culminates in being consumed by the Dark Netherworld through a Dream Daemon. Can you explain the significance of this event within the concept of the album and the impact it has on the listener's experience? 

Everyone knows about sleep paralysis. Who's to say that when that happens, it's actually a Dream Daemon attempting to lure you in and consume your mortal soul and energy...removing you from this plane and enslaving you in theirs? To your friends and family, you "woke up dead", or died in your sleep. But to you, you became a Daemon.Slave for eternity ... Why not? Is that too far-fetched? I don't think it is.

The concept and themes of occultism are prevalent in your music. Can you share any personal interests or inspirations that have influenced your exploration of these dark and mysterious elements?

I don't have any real world inspirations. And I don't follow anyone's teachings or anything like that. I'm my own man. I'm my own god. I have my own sense of consciousness that makes sense to my own levels of being. So, that translates into my poetry and story writing style.

With "hanc aeternum, infinitum nihil 23.23" as your debut album, what do you hope listeners will take away from the experience of immersing themselves in the world of God.I.am? Is there a particular emotional or intellectual response you aim to evoke? 

I want anyone who listens to my music to hear more than just music and words. Each song lives on it's own level, yet is in sync with the next. I urge all to ride that slowly growing swell of dark musical energy, from one song to the next...while soaking in every chaotic nuance that I personally delivered. Close your eyes and play it loud as fuck when you do!!

As an independent artist, what challenges have you faced in bringing your unique vision to life and reaching a wider audience? And how have you overcome those challenges? 

This digital/streaming world is a real pisser for an old school guy like me. So all of this computer shit is for the fucking birds and I fucking HATE it. Yet, here I am...so I know I have to adapt to it somewhat, and that has been a challenge. But I guess I'm learning how to navigate a little better.

Looking ahead, what are your future plans for God.I.am? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or live performances that fans can anticipate? 

Next in line will be getting my Short Story published that will coincide with this first album. I'm currently working on new music for my second album, and it's subsequent Short Story release. My mind is very active and hardly rests, so music and writing are my 2 greatest outlets. As far as live play goes, that will happen when everything is aligned properly.

Lastly, could you share a piece of advice or insight for aspiring musicians and artists who are looking to develop their own unique style and sound, just as you have done with God.I.am?

Be original. Be true to yourself. And fuck what the doubters tell you. 

Now... 

"Rise Up, and Prey with Me..." god.i.am 23.23

https://www.facebook.com/stop.praying.Im.not.listening

Howard King (@god.i.am_2323) • Instagram photos and videos

Interview Without the Sky

 In this interview, the artist behind the one-man raw black metal project "Without the Sky" discusses the origins of the project, the blending of genres, the emotional atmosphere conveyed in the music, the decision to change the band's name, and future aspirations and projects.

 

How did you come up with the name "End." for your one-man raw black metal project, and what does it symbolize to you?

 

When I formed End. I was looking at it as my last project. I never intended on writing new material the plan was to release all of my back catalog in a way that was more true to what the songs meant to me. The name was meant to represent finality and an end to that particular chapter of my life.

 

Can you tell us more about your musical background and what inspired you to start this project?

 

I’m an entirely self taught musician. I started learning how to scream and growl in my early teens by listening to post hardcore and extreme metal while experimenting with my voice. When I was around 17 I met a bass player sort of by chance, we formed a band and started looking for new members. We found a guitarist quite quickly. But after more than a year we never found a drummer. So I bought a drum kit and learned how to play drums while also being the vocalist. I learned to play bass in my spare time and that eventually lead to me learning to play the guitar. It was some time within the last years of that band that I started working on what would eventually turn into End.

 

I was also part of a hand full of duos and bands in my home town in the years after my first band dissolved. Mostly as a guitarist and backing vocalist. It seems like the story is pretty much the same for every band I’ve been in. Eventually we either broke up in a spectacular explosion or the members all just slowly drifted apart. 

 

I think I just got tired of having to rely on other people to create music. I had learned everything I needed to in order to write and record songs alone so there was no excuse for me not producing something. In all the years I was in bands not an album, EP, or single came out of any of it. I wanted to feel like I had an accomplishment from the decade of work I had put into my music.  So I started  End.

 

As a one-man band, how do you handle the different instruments and vocal parts during the songwriting and recording process?

 

Generally I start working on the guitars first and build a basic song with guitar and vocals. Once the song feels like it’s starting to come together I get a drum track ready and record the guitars over the drum track. Once the song is complete instrumentally I start working on lyrics and vocals. So far nothing I’ve released has bass guitar in it. I don’t own a bass and most black metal doesn’t have audible bass anyways. I decided it was something I could skip until I find a cheap bass.

 

With my newer material I’ve started incorporating synthesizers which has changed how I do things quite a bit. I’ll start with the synth line, build drums from that and then record the guitars. 

 

Your music incorporates influences from punk, post-hardcore, and black-gaze. How did you decide to blend these genres, and what do you hope to achieve with this fusion?

 

In my opinion black metal as a whole has become stagnant and boring. There are so many bands and solo projects that just seem to be emulating 2nd wave black metal with nothing new to add.

 

Black-gaze was what got me back into black metal after years of not really listening to it. I found it to be an interesting new approach and also a logical progression of black metal.  I’ve always been a fan of post hardcore, it was my doorway into more extreme music.  Modern Shoe-gaze and black-gaze share a lot in common with post hardcore and by extension punk. They are all genres that I have some history with and that share enough in common that they fit together relatively well.

 

I think as far as what I want to achieve, it’s really about trying to make something different. I want to make music that is brutally honest and true to my own emotions.

 

 

Could you describe the specific atmosphere and emotions you aim to convey through your music, particularly within the context of the raw black metal genre?

 

Grief, depression, anxiety, anger, fear, and isolation are the main themes of my music. I try to make the atmosphere feel somewhat vague, confusing, and unnerving. Most of it is a projection of my anxieties.

 

I feel like raw black metal captures something similar to what live music does. It’s a truer representation of what the artist has made and not a studio perfected version of it.

 

What motivated the decision to change the name of the band from "End." to "Without the Sky"? Can you share the reasons behind this change and its significance to the evolution of your music?

 

There are about 7 other bands with the name End or END which makes my music nearly impossible to find on streaming services or on YouTube. There is also a clothing line called END. so it was a necessary change. I also wanted to pick a name that reflected a change in my music as I move further away from the standard black metal sound. The name is meant to convey a feeling that something is missing. Something you never knew you needed is just gone and there’s no way to get it back.

 

How do you approach the production and recording process to capture the lo-fi atmosphere that is characteristic of the second wave black metal sound?

 

Mostly I just don’t go out of my way to make the music sound “polished”. I’ve had people ask me if I mixed and mastered my music and the answer is yes I do mix and master my music. I’m just not aiming for a “clean” sound. In some cases I’ve actually added field recordings and radio static or tape noise back into the mix to intentionally make it sound dirtier. Sometimes I will EQ a guitar track to emphasize the static buzz from the amp. Some of the sound comes from having as many as 7 guitar tracks layered over each other “The Rotting Sun” is a good example of that. I also initially started with pretty minimal gear and was recording to a phone though a 3.5mm audio jack. All of that contributes to the lo-fi atmosphere. In a lot of ways I’m doing exactly what the second wave bands were doing at the time. Im working with what I have and embracing that my music isn’t perfect.

 

Are there any specific themes or concepts that you explore lyrically in your songs? If so, what are they, and why are they important to you?

 

A lot of my lyrics are deeply personal, often they are about incidents or issues in my life that I can’t seem to let go of. The things that really bother the hell out of me and keep me up at night. Often times when I do vocals they are somewhat spontaneous. I just let everything out at once even if doesn’t seem to make sense at the time. I’ve realized over the years that I make music because I need to. This outlet is necessary for me express myself properly.

 

Can you share some insights into your live performances?

 

I don’t currently preform live and I have no particular plans to play live in the future. I’m not interested in using a backing track, I feel like that takes a lot away from the live experience. I’ve thought about finding a drummer but I’ve been looking for a long time. I know a few local drummers but none of them are particularly interested in my project or black metal. If the situation ever arises I would love to make Without the Sky a live band. I just don’t see that happening any time soon.

 

How do you adapt your one-man project for a live setting, and what kind of experience do you aim to create for your audience?

 

As I mentioned I don’t do any live performances. Though as far as the experience I want to bring my listeners. I want to keep black metal and underground music alive. I feel like it’s something that’s fading Into obscurity. I would hate for the next generations to miss out on something thats helped me in my life so much. I also hope to help people feel less alone through my music. I was very isolated as a child and teenager and my only window outside was music, I realized through many forms of music that I was not alone in being angry and confused at world that breaks us down and makes us feel worthless. It’s my way of paying it forward.

 

What are your future goals and aspirations as a musician with "Without the Sky"? Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you can tell us about?

 

The plan for Without the Sky is to release singles for the next year or two and build up an audience. I plan on continuing to experiment with the music and keep working towards making something truly unique. The first single for Without the Sky will be on the 5th of July. The song is called “Luna”.

 

As far as other projects are concerned Im currently running a small black metal and dungeon synth cassette label called Rotting Sun Records. I also have a dungeon synth/dark ambient project called Under the Yggdrasil. In general I’m always doing something music related. I’m taking a lot of this one day at a time and just seeing where it goes.

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Interview GregFilth

 

In this interview, we had the opportunity to speak with GregFilth, a one-man band project that emerged from the unique fusion of music and tabletop role-playing games, particularly Dungeons and Dragons. GregFilth shared how his experience as a Dungeon Master in "The Curse of the Vile Divine" campaign inspired him to create music.

Can you take us back to the beginning of your musical journey and share how your experience as Dungeon Master in "The Curse of the Vile Divine" campaign inspired you to create music?

Well the curse of the vile divine was a homebrew campaign based in the world of filthenburg, a swampy southern coastal town off the black ocean. 

The first mission of the campaign was to find the evil magician enki who needed to find 3 elves and rip out there organs to perform a ritual, ultimately enki found some elves and robbed them of their organs and summoned an evil elder god that followed the players throughout the campaign to transform them into elder beast slaves. There were dark tones to the story, misery and struggles as the players evolved through the campaign. I felt that it needed dark music to fit the moment. I started with making drum beats when battles started. In down time there was ambient atmospheric music I made, like a calming safe mood to break the intensity. With each chapter I wrote every down and made a song about it. Which evolved into focusing more on making music after the campaign ended because I had so much written material to build songs with. 

How did you go about translating the stories and experiences from your Dungeons and Dragons campaign into songs? What was your creative process like?

I started with a chapter like one example was a boss map where there were old rotting hardwood and broken ceramic all over the place. At the end of the room was the flooring slayer boss. He threw saws and had an air nailer gun as weapons. Used extension cords as a lasso to attack the players. The players found that the knees of the flooring slayer was his only weakness so they beat him that way. After that chapter ended I made a song called “the flooring installers nightmare” about that chapter. As well off my new survival horror album I included an old song about the Flooring Slayer himself. I basically took the best parts of the d&d campaign and formed songs about the most eventful moments. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting your plans for the next campaign, what made you decide to transition from being a Dungeon Master to starting a one-man band project, GregFilth?

Well when COVID started we joked it off because we were all resident evil fans among the group of players, until it hit Arkansas then one player got sick and another got too paranoid to show up and play so we just put the campaign on hold. I faked being sick at one point to give myself a wonderful two weeks off giving me loads of time to work on the campaign. As I was working on the campaign building towers, minis, maps and stories I decided to add some guitar into the battle drums, some ghostly screams into the ambient songs. Over time I realized I wanted to end the campaign after the finale and have my next focus on the music more than building a dungeons and dragons campaign. All the musical work turned into the first ever GregFilth demo album. I felt that since I was the only one doing all the work and crafting to the dungeons and dragons campaign that I might as well do all the work in the band too. Becoming a one man band. 

Could you tell us more about the six albums you've released since starting GregFilth? How do they reflect the world and stories of your Dungeons and Dragons campaigns?

Well the first 3 albums are mainly focused from the dungeons and dragons campaign then after that I had some life changing events, some were amazing, some were traumatizing, some were absolutely horrible events in my life. I decided to veer away from the dungeons and dragons theme to more of what’s going on in my life. I went through a heavy depression through catastrophic events and my music made a turn. Right around when the song chaotic evil came out that’s when I felt that I was fueling my music through my depression, trauma and anger. My emotions and life journey changed the overall theme of the band to more of a dsbm/ gloom/ sorrow type resulting in more eviler music. I loved it because I knew I could go deeper into the rabbit hole and make my music more evil with an 8 string guitar and a 6 string bass that I started using than a regular 6 string guitar. 

Being featured on a podcast episode must have been an exciting experience. Can you share the details of that opportunity and how it impacted your musical journey?

Yes it definitely was a fun exciting moment being on crashcast podcast. I wore corpse paint and requested the episode to be in black and white to fit the theme of the dark depressive theme of where the direction of my band was going. 

I talked about several different topics and themes that me and Cory definitely vibed with, a lot of laughs and horror stories from my life. 

It definitely got a massive reach of new fans coming in from the Little Rock Arkansas area as well as bands from the Little Rock scene reaching out to me and bands from different countries reaching out. 

Landing a place on Rotting Sun Records is a significant achievement. Can you discuss how this record deal came about and what it means for your future as an artist?

Well from what I know Rotting Sun Records started from a band called End. It was excellent black metal that hit all the right notes and tones. Then End changed its name to without the sky. Then somehow in between that Rotting Sun Records emerged, brand new, looking for bands for the new label. I immediately reached out and i was accepted on the label. It’s my proudest moment in my band. Honestly I never thought I’d get on a podcast or even land a spot on such an amazing record label. The owner is a great friend and a powerful ally on bringing up a legendary trail of success. So far RSR has made GregFilth shirts, CD’s, Cassettes, And Stickers. 

We are discussing alot of powerful long term ideas constantly and running ideas of my new albums to him. It’s a great partnership and I couldn’t be happier in the situation I’m in with RSR. 

As a one-man band, how do you handle the various musical elements in your compositions? 

As a one man band I do the drums, bass, rhythm and lead guitar, vocals, mixing, production, all artwork and logos. 

I take it day by day. Like example I’d do the drums one day then add guitar then bass then vocals and mix the song for a few weeks until I feel that it’s ready. The quality isn’t important to me because I still want to have the black metal aesthetic of the sound. I’m able to play and record music then mix the music on my phone when I’m out and about. Even sometimes I’ll recording vocals while I’m driving to get that shitty black metal vocal tone too. 

Do you play multiple instruments or use technology to create a full sound?I don’t use any drums machines or anything that I haven’t made into my music because I prefer to have my music to sound as raw and rage fueled as possible. Like true GregFilth coming from the core of my soul. Letting fans and musicians alike know my suffering and pain through the sounds in my music. 

Are there any particular Dungeons and Dragons moments or characters that have had a significant influence on your music? If so, could you share some examples?

Well when I started the campaign I went as the code name Dungeon Master GregFilth for the entire campaign. It kinda stuck with me then I looked up that it wasn’t a band name yet so I decided to claim it as my own. 

Can you describe the overall genre or style of music that you create as GregFilth? How would you define your sound?

As the style and genre for GregFilth I’m not 100% sure because I’ve made doom, black metal, atmospheric black metal, dsbm, ambient synth, electronic music, raw sludge , I did land a spot on the metal archives and I was labeled as blackened Sludge Drone which sounds fitting because every song I make isn’t true black metal but something that comes from my core so I can’t really place a name for an exact genre. 

Has your experience as a Dungeon Master in D&D influenced your songwriting techniques or storytelling approach in any way? If yes, could you elaborate?

Yes because as a dungeon master you have to build a story, build characters, environments, back it up with structure etc. which I still include in my music. I do like structure in my music, I can’t make a song without a theme or story so I still in a way make music as I would as a dungeon master. 

How do you envision the future of GregFilth? Are there any specific goals or projects you have in mind for the coming years?

I’m not sure on the future of GregFilth. I do strongly believe in time I’ll be able to gather some members do perform certain instruments to become a full live band, like having fake blood splatter onto the crowd, wearing full corpse paint every show, very theatrical each performance. I have a low key dream of finding a video game developer to use my music in a game with the help of Rotting Sun Records by my side to make it happen. But currently being the only one working in my home paying all the bills and working 6-7 days a week limits how much I can go out. Until my son is a bit older then I’d be able to do live shows. 

Finally, do you have any advice or words of wisdom for aspiring musicians or fellow D&D enthusiasts who may be inspired by your unique fusion of music and tabletop role-playing games?

For advice on future one man bands, don’t let anyone ever make you feel alone or bad about the music you make that comes from your heart. Your music is a part of you. Don’t change who you are for anybody. Keep going, you’ll fuck up a lot but you’ll learn as you go. It’s all about finding who you are as a musician. Reach out to folks, even if it’s half way across the world  there will always be someone who loves your music.

https://www.youtube.com/@jackstudios2772/

https://www.facebook.com/GregFilth6

GregFilth (@gregfilth) • Instagram photos and videos

Interview a Moment of Violence

Welcome to an exclusive interview with "A Moment of Violence," a dynamic and electrifying hard rock band hailing from the vibrant tropics of South Florida. With their angelic melodies and head-banging energy, this five-piece ensemble is making waves in the metalcore scene. Having recently debuted their first song and now with their second single, "Scrape," already creating a buzz, their music combines bright and happy instrumentals with powerful growls and screams, delivering a captivating and unforgettable experience. Blending classic metalcore vibes with their own modern flair, A Moment of Violence creates a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Get ready to dive into their creative process, influences, and aspirations as we delve deep into the metalverse with A Moment of Violence.

1.Can you introduce yourselves and give us a brief history of how "A Moment of Violence" came to be?

Well, my name is Desi Pena or Dez. I am the founder/leader of the band. I play lead guitar and typically would be considered the chief songwriter  for the group. I’m joined by Alex Xcean (vocals), Brent “The Metal Cowboy” Richardson (rhythm guitars), Scott Eriksen aka “Scotty Balls” (drums), & Brian Tomsak prefers to be called “Womp” (bass)

Scotty, and I were on the same softball team for a few months without knowing that each other played instruments. Until one day some metal was being played in the parking lot after a game and we got to talking about music and how we were both musicians. It wasn’t until several months later that we actually dove in and decided to start a band. While we wrote the first two or three songs, we had active adds on social media searching for the other pieces of the puzzle. We searched high and low for another guitar player to compliment myself while playing leads, but had no luck in finding the right person until my neighbors wife and I were talking out front one day and she mentioned that her husband at the time (Brent) was a guitar player. I contacted him, had him come down, yet the music was that of something he wasn’t used to playing as he typically played acoustic rock and blues. However, he worked harder than anyone I’ve ever seen to learn and perfect these parts. So, a three piece we were.  We ended up going through four or five bass players prior to hiring Womp to play. Other guys were cool, they just didn’t work out for personal reasons they had at the time. As far as finding a vocalist…… that has been a daunting task that can frustrate the heck out of you! Until we did actually find the right fit in Alex. He also worked like an animal to get where he needed to be for the position as our front man. In January of this year (2023) we dropped our first single as a finally complete band, and are making quite the impact on the scene. 

2.Your debut song was released in January. How has the response been so far, and what inspired you to release music with such a bright and happy instrumental feel combined with growling and screamed vocals?

The response has been AMAZING! We’re are insanely grateful to have gotten the response that we did. It seemed to be immediately received well with just about anybody in many different genres. We worked incredibly hard to push that very first single, and are very proud to say that the reactions from people who have heard it, have been overwhelmingly positive, and super supportive! 

3."Scrape" is your second single, and it showcases a blend of melodic and heavy elements. Can you tell us more about the song and the creative process behind it?

So, for the guitars parts, I was just jamming on my guitar one day and started with the main riff and thought it was a cool sounding heavy chugging part. And then (like with most of our songs) I decided to put some midi drums behind it and then moved onto the verses, the chorus, and the interlude. Once I had that going, we practiced it as a band for a bit before Alex was even on the team. But once he was, we made the decision to actually record it in our studio. Alex and I then sat there once the music portion was complete, and came up with the lyrics collectively. Typically, I like the listener to tell me what they think the song is about. However, to us it’s about being in a bad place in a relationship that turns sour, and trying as hard as possible to get out from under it. 

4.Your music has been described as having a nostalgic feel. What influences and experiences have shaped your sound and songwriting?

I grew up as a big fan of Megadeth, and Pantera to name a few. Nowadays, I enjoy bands like As I Lay Dying, and We Came As Romans, etc. As a listener, I enjoy much heavier tunes than what I actually write. However, my father is a musician and has always preached about things being catchy, and tasty sounding. That said, it was drilled into my head that this was the best way to do it. And quickly I became a melodic, yet heavy guitar player that was able to switch back and forth as called for within the particular song. 

5.How would you define the unique sound and style of "A Moment of Violence" within the hard rock and metalcore genres?

I’d say just that….. it’s not just metalcore. It’s not just Hard Rock. It’s not just NuMetal. It’s……………..    Ready for this????????? “NuMetalCore”. In our opinion, it’s truly something new, unique, and refreshing that people are wanting to hear. 

6.What are some of the recurring themes or messages in your lyrics, and what inspires your songwriting?

Seems a lot of the time a sour relationship is the topic of a lot of tunes. But literally, we tend to stray away from being about the same occurrence or type of event. Another challenge of being a good songwriter is to have fresh ideas to write about that may be slightly out of your normal realm of what your typically would do. 

7.As a band from South Florida, how has your local music scene influenced your development and growth as musicians?

I’d say that there are some really incredible bands down here in Florida for sure. We’ve played with several. So similar to 25 plus years ago when the Seattle scene blew up with all of these amazing bands coming out, I feel Florida is the next area/region to go. That said, everyone we’ve had the pleasure to play with, has been amazingly supportive and we also return the favor. 

8.Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from your live performances that have stood out to you?

I would say that there’s not really one time over another that really stands out where maybe something crazy has happened. However, we go out there each and every time and give it the best performance possible. The crowd loves it for sure. We always get asked for an encore song which is awesome! I will say that once we have a mosh pit in front of us, that it fuels us even more to give the additional performance  boost that the crowd wants and deserves. 

9.What are your thoughts on the current state of the hard rock and metalcore genres? Do you feel that your music aligns with the trends or offers something different?

I feel that now is the time that Metal makes a huge come back. Here in the United States the music biz has been dominated by hip hop and R&B for the last couple of decades. But I feel now, more than ever is the best time for heavy bands to come out and push for their dreams. Secondly, we have a unique sound. You may hear elements of our musical influences here and there. But overall, it’s different and something that people have been waiting for. 

10.What are your plans for the future? Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you can tell us about?

I have to be kind of vague on this one. However, the plan right now is to write and record a boatload of tunes, with a show here and there. Maybe like once per month. But otherwise it’s down to business in the recording studio. I will also say to everyone who reads this to be on the lookout for what we do over the next 5-7 months. We’ve got big things happening very soon. Stay tuned! We’re very excited to share with you what’s happening but can’t just yet. Once it’s public, then you’ll understand why we have to be discreet. 

11.How do you approach the balance between creating music that appeals to a wide audience while still staying true to your artistic vision?

Hmm, that’s a good question. I really believe the only answer is that I’m blessed or more fortunate in one way or another. I’ve been playing music for 30 years or so. That said, I’ve always been truly grateful that my songs have remained current and fresh. And I’ll say that I’m always a fan of new and current music which will keep my writing and production up to pace with what’s happening in the world of heavy music at that time. You see, most people that I know listen to music for the words, or the way that it makes them feel. As do I, but I’m also listening for the production value as well. And I will always remain up to date with my production. And put the most amazing sounding mixes. 

12.Are there any specific bands or artists that you dream of collaborating with in the future?

In the near future I’d like to open for bands like “Motionless in White”, or “Falling in Reverse”. Our plan is to take this band to the moon very soon!! Which is starting to happen already and we’re stoked about it!! 

13.What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to start a band and make a mark in the industry? 

Never give up. The minute after you decide to quit, is the minute that your dreams are about to come true. Also, to stay positive, and understand that there will be more losses than wins overall. But the wins have a much greater reward and feeling. 

14.How do you handle creative differences within the band, and what strategies do you employ to ensure effective collaboration and decision-making?

Well again, our process starts with me and writing the initial idea. But to keep everyone involved and to make sure that everyone’s opinion is valued I’ll simply have everyone sit in on the mix down of the song. And if there’s a dispute, we typically will put it to a vote. It rarely happens that way. And we’re very like minded as a group. 

15.Finally, what message would you like to convey to your fans and listeners, and why should they check out "A Moment of Violence"?

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to listen.  Time is the most valuable asset and we appreciate yours 100%. Keep liking and sharing our content. We put a lot of effort to delivery fresh and current stuff. But most of all, come out to see us at a show soon. We’re very approachable. We talk and hang with everyone. We’re all humble down to earth dudes. And be sure to follow us on all major platforms, including our website. 

https://amomentofviolence.net

Again, Thank you!

Dez & AMoV 

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing more from "A Moment of Violence" in the future!