1. Congratulations on the new album Dominion. You must be very happy with the positive reviews? Does it help validate all the hard work that went into the project?
Thanks. Yes we are quite pleased with how the new CD has been received. We all worked hard very hard on this CD, and having new members and working with a new producer this time around, there was quite a learning curve. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and sacrificing to the metal gods into this one!!!!!!!!!!
2. Dominion seems like Benedictum has gone in a harder and heavier direction than their past work. Was this done on purpose?
There has always been a heavy influence in our music. With that said, Dominion is a bit heavier from top to bottom. I think it’s the result of a mixture of new members, new producer, natural progression, and lots of frustration both personally and worldly.
3. We talked in an interview with Veronica about being a female singer in metal and people asking her to changer her voice to a more conventional style of music. On the flip side, is it difficult to write material challenging enough for her big voice? (It’s a good problem to have.)
No not at all. Veronica and I have been writing together for a long time. It comes naturally for us. We feed of each other’s energy and build from there.
More with Pete after the warp:
4. Jeff Pilson has long been associated with Benedictum. What’s it like working with someone of his caliber and influence?
AWESOME!!!!!!! Jeff has become a great friend and mentor to me. Working with Jeff has taught me a lot about song writing and the business side of things. Aside from his talent as a musician and producer, Jeff is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
5. How does Benedictum differ from your previous work with Veronica in the band “Malady?”
Malady was a great band full of potential but never really met that potential. Essentially benedictum is malady on steroids!! Veronica and I were the primary song writers in that band as well. Another thing would be the addition of keyboards. We always wondered what we sound like with some atmosphere created by keyboards, and we found out with the creation of benedictum
6. You have Tony Diaz on keyboards for this record. It must have been very difficult to replace the talented Chris Morgan?
Chris is a great keyboardist!!!!!! It’s always hard to replace a great talent and Chris is that. But we feel Tony stepped up to the plate big time. We had a bit of a learning curve with the difference in styles and influence, but I think things worked out great!!!!!!! by the way Chris is now tearing it up with his new band Storm hammer and I believe they are going to be releasing a new CD real soon
7. The name Ronnie James Dio comes up in countless references when reading about Benedictum. It’s been a year since his passing and the grief in the metal community still seems very raw and real. Has it been difficult for the band to put his passing behind them?
Yes. It is always difficult to lose an idol. And as you may know, Craig Goldy is like a family member of Benedictum and seeing what he went through was very sad. Dio was like a father to him. And Dio was another one of those people that you couldn’t help but love RIP RJD
8. What are the touring plans behind Dominion?
Our management is working on some shows now. We’re going to try and hit the states this year. The new CD seems to be doing really good in the states and charting. And we will hit Europe towards the end of this year and next summer
9. As a band that is loved in the European market, what do you feel is the major difference between European and North American fans?
I think the major difference is not in the people but what’s offered to the people. The atmosphere that is created for the fans and the amount of festivals they have all across Europe each year, it’s like a huge celebration
10. What are the next steps for Benedictum?
We are working to build our base here in North America and writing for the next CD
11. With the virtual collapse of the music industry due to a number of factors; where do you feel music as a whole will be in 10 years?
Mostly digital, With Less record companies and more distributers. I think there will be more bands recording their own CD’s on their own at home, with their own money. I think the illegal downloads is killing the entertainment business in general. It cost money to make CD’s so please support your favorite bands and buy their CD’s
Martell
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