Abominant is a total all out death metal band that has been since 1994! This band has put out some lethal music over the years and here is an interview with Mike May:

 

MC: Did you always live in Kentucky and what sort kid were you growing up and were you into music at a young age and if not at what age did music start to be part of your life?

MM: I GREW UP JUST OUTSIDE OF DENVER, IN A SUBURB CALLED NORTHGLENN. I WAS PRETTY MUCH LIKE THAT KID ELIOT IN "E.T."

A TOTAL NERD INTO STAR WARS, DINOSAURS AND THE MUPPET SHOW. THE FIRST ACTUAL "BAND" I LIKE WAS KISS FOR SURE.

MY FIRST RECORD WAS "DOUBLE PLATNUM" AND I SWEAR I WORE THAT FUCKER OUT. MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE WHOLE THING WAS "BLACK DIAMOND".

I AM GUESSING I WAS ABOUT 7 AT THAT TIME, AND I STILL LISTEN TO KISS TO THIS DAY.

 

MC: : When did you discover the wonderful world of underground metal and what were some early bands that you got into and was it like a drug when you heard this music and you wanted more and more?

MM: AFTER MOVING ON FROM KISS TO STUFF LIKE AC/DC, ZEPPELIN AND VAN HALEN, I STARTED TO GET INTO HEAVIER STUFF LIKE IRON MAIDEN, PRIEST, DIO AND OTHERS, BUT NEVER REALLY WANTED TO OR THOUGHT I COULD PLAY MUSIC LIKE THAT.

IT WASNT REALLY UNTIL I DISCOVERED THRASH IN ABOUT 1986 THAT I STARTED TO WANT TO PLAY GUITAR AND WRITE SONGS ABOUT EVIL. I WAS 15. I THINK MOST OF US IN ABOMINANT CUT OUR TEETH ON THE TRANSITION FORM THRASH TOO EARLY.

DEATH METAL WITH BANDS LIKE BLOODFEAST, DARK ANGEL, POSSESSED, SACRIFCE, KREATOR AND EVERY OTHER GREAT RECORD OF THAT ERA. PROBABLY THE MOST "INFLUENTIAL" TIME IN MY LIFE.

 

MC: Now some of the early bands that you liked, are you still a fan of them now and back in the day did you ever get to see them live? Did many tours pass through KY or where you lived at the time?

MM: I WAS STILL LIVIN IN DENVER IN 86-88 BUT I DID GET TO SEE SOME STUFF LIKE ANTHRAX, ARMOURED SAINT, RAVEN AND SLAYER. AFTER WE MOVED HERE, IT WAS LIKE 140 MILES TO GET TO BOGARTS IN CINCINATTI TO SEE THOSE TYPE OF BANDS,

BUT I TRIED TO GO WHENEVER I COULD FIND A RIDE. THE FIRST DAY I ACTUALLY MET TIM, HE WAS DRIVING ME AND OUR MUTUAL FRIEND GEORGE TO SEE KREATOR AND CORONER THERE FOR "EXTREME AGRESSIONS" TOUR.

I REMEMBER THAT LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. AND YES, I AM STILL A HUGE FAN OF MOST OF THE STUFF FROM THAT ERA, MAYBE MORE SO.

 

MC: Did you ever do any tape trading or buy fanzines and stuff before the band started? Were there any record stores that you were able to buy metal stuff at?

MM: OH YEAH. TIM AND I HAD A BAND CALLED SARCOMA AT THE TIME AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO A ZINE CALLED "INFECTED VOICE", SO THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE MAILBOX EVERY DAY.

ALOT OF MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BANDS LIKE SUFFOCATION, DR.SHRINKER, MORTA SKULD AND IMMOLATION WERE ALL DEMOS DUBBED ONTO ONE 90 MIN CASSETTE.

THERE WAS A STORE NEARBY IN RADCLIFF CALLED "AVATAR RECORDS" THAT WAS RUN BY A METAL HEAD THAT COULD GET YOU RARE STUFF AND THERE WAS "EAR X-TACY" IN LOUISVILE WHICH WAS ALOT BIGGER.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY BOTH CLOSED DOWN POST 2000.

 

MC: At the time I am typing this, but I see that ¾ of the band are still original members and this was back in 1994! The only member you replaced was the drummer and according the internet you also had Buck Wiedeman on guitar. How long was he in the band and how did it end up that Craig Netto left and how did you find your current drummer?

 

MM: CRAIG AND BUCK WERE BOTH IN THE BAND AT THE INCEPTION. AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR WE RECORDED OUR FIRST DEMO, PLAYED ONE SHOW AND THEN BUCK NEEDED TO JOIN THE AIRFORCE, AS HE HAD A SON ON THE WAY.

ABOUT 4 MOS. LATER WE HAD A SHOW AS A THREE PIECE AND TIM HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MIKE BARNES, AND ASKED IF HE WOULD WANT TO TRY OUT PLAYING WITH US. (TIM SANG ORIGINALLY). WE HAD KNOWN MIKE FROM HIS PREVIOUS BAND CATACYSM AND ALL LOVED HIS VOICE.

THAT WENT GREAT AND WE ASKED TO JOIN, WHICH HE DID. WE DID A DEMO AND THE FIRST THREE RECORDS LIKE THAT AND SOMWHERE AROUND 2000 BUCK WAS BACK IN TOWN AND WANTED TO TRY ANOTHER SHOT AT IT, SO WE WELCOMED HIM BACK.

AFTER 3 MORE RECORD WITH THAT LINE UP, WE ALL GOT PRETTY SICK OF CRAIGS ATTITIUDE AND FINALLY KICKED HIM OUT IN 2005. JIM HAD BEEN WITH MIKE IN CATACLYSM AND HAD ALOT OF OTHER DEATH METAL BANDS THAT ABOMINANT PLAYED SHOWS WITH SO IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT WE WERE AT LEAST GONNA TRY IT WITH HIM ON DRUMS.

MOST OF HIS OTHER BANDS NEVER GOT PAST THE DEMO STAGE, AND FROM HANGING OUT WITH HIM, WE COULD TELL HE ALWAYS WANTED SOMETHING MORE STABLE. AFTER RECORDING "TRIUMPH OF THE KILL" WITH THAT LINE -UP, BUCK DECDIED HE WAS DONE WITH IT. HE HAD A SECOND CHILD AND WAS SPREAD PRETTY THIN, LPLUS I THINK THE 4 ALBUMS

THAT HE PLAYED ON, WE WERE PRETTY MUCH THE APEX OF WHAT ABOMINANT WAS GONNA DO POPULARITY OR SALES WISE. WHICH WE WERE FINE WITH, BUT I THINK HE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE A BIT MORE SUCCESS. BOTH CRAIG AND BUCK WERE A BIT YOUNGER THAN US (3-4 YEARS) WHICH REALLY WAS MORE OF A PRO THAN A CON, BUT BOTH WERE MORE INTO

THE NEXT WAVE OF STUFF LIKE CARCASS, ENTOMBED, DEATH ETC. BUT DIDNT HAVE MUCH AFFINITY TOWARDS STUFF LIKE EXCITER, MANOWAR, AGENT STEEL AND THAT STUFF. JIM IS REALLY MORE OF A FIT FOR US AS HE AND MIKE GREW UP TOGETHER AND HE ALSO REALLY GETS INTO MORE "OBSCURE" STUFF. ESPECIALLY BLACK METAL.

 

MC: Now had did the band form and how can you explain that the core of the group has stayed together since 1994 and has any of the 3 original members almost quit the band?

MM: ALL OF US HAD PREVIOUS BANDS THAT FELL APART ABOUT THE SAME TIME, AND I GUESS WE ARE THE DIE HARD LEFT THAT WANT TO CARRY ON.

NONE OF US HAVE "ROCK STAR" DELUSIONS OR WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD WITH OUR SONGS. WE JUST LIKE TO DRINK BEER, HANG OUT, TELL JOKES AND WRITE DEATH METAL SONGS. SOME GUYS LIKE TO GO ON FISHING TRIPS, WORK ON HOT RODS OR PLAY FANTASY FOOTBALL. WE PLAY DEATH METAL, SIMPLE AS THAT.

NONE OF THE TI OR THE 2 MIKES HAVE EVER WANTED TO QUIT AS FAR AS I KNOW. EVEN DRUING OUR DEMO TIME, WE HAD NO PLACE TO PRACTICE, SO WE JUST MET UP ON THE WEEKENDS, GOT DRUNK AND TALKED ABOUT THE BAND.

 

MC: So how did you all find each other and were their natural chemistry between the 3 of you right away? What were the early practices like and I assume you messed around with cover tunes. At what point did you start writing your own songs and how does a song come together?

MM: TIM AND I HAD MET THROUGH OUR FRIEND GEORGE GREGORY, WHO EVENTUALLY MOVED AWAY AND HELPED START THE BAND AFTERLIFE.

AFTER GETTING SARCOMA GOING, WE KNEW THE OTHER GUYS FROM TAPE TRADING AND PLAYING SHOWS LOCALLY.

EARLY PRACTICES WERE NOT TOO DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE NOW, BUT YOU ARE RIGHT THAT EARLY ON IT WAS A FEW COVER SONGS AND A FEW ORIGINALS.

TIM AND I HAD DONE COVERS IN SARCOMA AND MOST OF THE OTHER GUYS BANDS HAD AT LEAST 8-10 SONGS WHERE WE COULD SEE WHERE THEY WERE COMING FROM.

THESE DAYS TIM USUALLY HAS 3/4 OF THE SONG READY TO GO AT HOME AND PULLS IT OUT TOWARD THE END OF PRACITCE TO PLAY WITH JIM AND SEE WHAT ME AND MIKE B. THINK.

I USUALLY LET THEM GET AT LEAST 1/2 WAY THRU THE SKELETON BEFORE I EVER PLAY A NOTE.

ITS KIND OF NICE LIKE THAT WAY, SO THAT I CAN LEARN IT WITHOUT FUCKING THEIR PROCESS UP AS WELL AS HAVING AN "OUTSIDE" POINT OF VIEW ON THE SONGS PREMISE.

 

MC: So in 1994 you released 2 demos. Why 2 demos and many songs were on each and looking back what are your thoughts on them these days and do you have original copies of them and might them and some older unreleased goodies see the light of day on a cd one day?

MM: THE DEMOS WERE ABOUT 10 MONTHS APART SO IT WASNT THAT PROLIFIC, BUT ALSO THE FIRST DEMO HAD BUCK PLAY BEFORE HE LEFT AND THE SECOND WE HAD MIKE SING SO ME WANTED TO GET IT OUT THERE WITH OUR NEW VOCALIST.

THE SONGS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME VEIN ON BOTH, BUT WE WERE YOUNG AND HUNGRY AND IT WAS PRETTY CHEAP TO MAKE A DEMO SO....

SOME PEOPLE REALLY LIKE THE 2ND DEMO BUT I THINK THE SOUND IS SHIT. WILD RAGS PRESSED IT ON TO CD AND I THINK THAT’S ABOUT AS MUCH AS IT NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED.

WE MAY TRY TO RE-DO 1-2 OF THEM SOME DAY AS I THINK ONLY 3 SONGS MADE IT ON THE FIRST ALBUM. THAT WOULD BE FUN.

 

MC: Did you send the demos around to many fanzines and or labels? Did you send one to that guy that does Metal Core Fanzine ha ha?

MM: CHRIS FORBES? FUCK YEAH! YOU HAD TO BACK THEN. THAT GUY WAS/IS A LEGEND. I REMEMBER MEETING HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN KNOXVILLE 1995. HE INTRODUCED ME TO ROSS FROM IMMOLATION AND I SWEAR I HAVE NEVER BEEN CLOSER TO SHITTING MY PANTS.

 

MC: Did you get to play many live shows and if so what kind of crowds did you draw and who did you share the stage with?

MM: MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN LOCAL, BUT YEAH...OVER THE 20 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO PLAY IN CITIES LIKE DETROIT, CLEVELAND, CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE, ATLANTA AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE MIDWEST.

ALL OF THOSE WERE WITH HELP FROM FRIENDS FROM OTHER BAND, AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE GRATEFUL OF THEIR SUPPORT. THE LIST WOULD ACUTALLY BE KIND OF BORING BUT SOME OF MY FAVORITES HAVE BEEN:

ANGELCORPSE, DECEASED..., NUNSLAUGHTER, ESTUARY, IMMOLATION, INCANTATION, CARDIAC ARREST AND GOREAPHOBIA. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW BIGGER ONES LIKE DEICIDE, GOATWHORE, DEATH ANGEL AND ABORTED, BUT I TEND TO LEAN ON THE UNDEGROUND.

 

MC: Now in 1996 you released you 1st full length on Wild Rags Records called "Unspeakable Horrors". How was it working with Richard C? I worked with him on couple releases for the band Symphony of Grief I was managing at the time and I had no problem with him. How was the response to this and will this ever come out again and any of your other releases and are most available still?

MM: MIKE B. STARTED US OUT WORKING WITH RICHARD AND TO BE HONEST.... YEAH, I'M PROBABLY THE WRONG PERSON TO TALK TO ABOUT HIS BAD REPUTATION.

HE RELEASED 3 FULL LENGTHS AND PRESSED OUR DEMO ON CD IN THE 5 YEARS WE DEALT WITH HIM, SO WE COULDN’T REALLY ASK FOR MUCH MORE.

I DIDN’T EVER REALLY ORDER THAT MUCH FROM HIM, SO THERE WASN’T MUCH OF A CHANCE FOR HIM TO RIP ME OFF.

EVAN AT DEATHGASM REPRESSED THE 3RD RECORD SO THAT IS AVAILABLE AND I THINK DARK DECENT STUMBLES ON SOME HIS DEAD STOCK, BUT THE REST OF IT PRETTY MUCH EBAY.

 

MC: Now the next release came on Wild Rags as well, "In Darkness Embrace". Did these releases help you with getting the name out and were you getting a bunch more mail and stuff now that you had a few releases under your belt?

MM: I ACTUALLY THINK THE SECOND RECORD IS WORSE THAN OUR FIRST, AT LEAST IN SOUND QUALITY. WE WERE DRINKING HEAVY BACK THEN AND DID THE THING IN 2 DIFFERENT SESSIONS AT A STUDIO THAT DIDNT NOW WHAT TO DO WITH US.

SOME OF THE SONGS ON THERE ARE COOL, BUT OVERALL, I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE RECORD TO SKIP UNLESS YOU ARE A COLLECTOR OR NEED THE WHOLE DISCOGRAPHY.

 

MC: In 1999 a 3rd release came out also on Wild Rags, hell do a box set of his stuff ha ha, called "The Way After". How easy was it to churn out new albums every year? Did you ever get to do a small tour or play out of state at all at this time?

MM: OKAY, "THE WAY AFTER"...NOW YOUR’E TALKING. THIS IS THE RECORD WHERE WE FINALLY FOUND OUR MOJO AND STILL IS ALOT OF PEOPLE FAVORITE BY THE BAND.

"UNSPEAKABLE" WAS FINISHED PROBABLY 6 MONTHS BEFORE ITS RELEASE AND WHAT I REMEMBER OF "IN DAKRNESS" WAS PRETTY THROWN TOGETHER. SO WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING 3 RECORDS IN 5 YEARS INSTEAD OF 4.

I THINK AFTER "THE WAY AFTER" PEOPLE STARTED TO TAKE NOTICE AND STARTED THINKING WE WERE THE BEST THING WILD RAGS HAD AT THE TIME. WE DID SHOWS IN CINCINNATI AND NASHVILLE, BUT NOT MUCH FURTHER.

A PLACE IN CLARKSVILLE, TN. USE TO HAVE US DOWN PRETTY OFTEN AND WE TOOK OUR FIRST TRIP TO HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA BACK THEN. BUT NO, WEVE NEVER DID MORE THAN A 3 SHOW TOUR. PROBABLY NEVER WILL.

 

MC: Did the closing of Wild Rags Records surprise you guys at all?

MM: I GUESS SO, AS FAR AS I KNOW, "THE WAY AFTER" WAS THE LAST RELEASE THAT MADE IT OUT OF THERE.

WHETHER THAT’S A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING IS HARD TO TELL, BUT IT’S A GOOD RECORD NONE THE LESS.

LOOKING BACK, IT’S NOT HARD TO BELIEVE NOW...I DONT KNOW HOW ANY LABEL MAKES MONEY THESE DAYS.

 

MC: Now 2 years later you popped up on Deathgasm Records with the release "Ungodly". What are your thoughts on this and when do you think you got to the ‘Abominant" sound to speak?

MM: "UNGODLY" IS ANOTHER ONE THAT A LOT REFER TO AS OUR BEST WORK AND I ADMIT TO IT BEING PRETTY FUCKING GOOD.

BUCK HAD COME BACK IN A GAVE A REVITALIZED FEEL AND IT IS...WHAT I THINK...OUR MOST POLISHED AND MELODIC RECORD.

ALOT OF PEOPLE SAID WE SOUNDED EUROPEAN AND SHIT LIKE "IN FLAMES' AND "ARCH ENEMY' WERE THROWN AROUND, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT WAS ANY OF OUR INTENT.

I THINK "THE WAY AFTER" IS WHEN WE ESTABLISHED THE CORE OF OUR SOUND, BUT "UNGODLY" IS WHERE WE POLISHED IT.

I MEAN... I THINK THERE ARE PARTS ON THE 1ST RECORD THAT HAVE IDENTITY BUT IT JUST DIDN’T SEEM LIKE WE KNEW OUR PATH TIL "THE WAY AFTER".

I DO THINK THESE DAYS WE HAVE SIMPLIFIED STUFF DOWN AND WORK IDEAS OUT MORE THAN HAVING 20 RIFFS IN ONE SONG, WHICH SEEMS MORE NATURAL OVER-ALL.

I THINK WE STILL HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND AND KEEP THINGS INTERESTING FOR AL OF US, WHICH IS AWESOME AFTER 10 RECORDS.

 

MC: How would you describe the band’s music to someone who has never heard you? Around this time how much time, in any given week, was spent doing band related stuff and what did your parents think of the band?

MM: OVERALL, I’D SAY BLACKENED DEATH METAL. A LOT OF OLD SCHOOL SLAYER PARTS, WITH THE MAIN IDEA NOT BEING BRUTALITY BUT WE DO HAVE SOME OF THAT.

WE USED TO JAM TWICE A WEEK BUT POST 2000 IS USUALLY JUST ON WEEKENDS. I DO AS MUCH BAND RELATED STUFF AS I CAN, BUT ITS NOTHING LIKE IN THE EARLY DAYS.

MY DAD ONLY LISTENS TO OLD SCHOOL COUNTRY AND MY MOM IS CRAZY FOR JESUS, SO THEY WOULD RATHER LOOK AT PICTURES/VIDEO OF THE BAND THAN LISTEN TO US, BUT I THINK THAT’S THE POINT ...RIGHT?

 

MC: Now what were your thoughts on the internet as it started to rear its head into everybody’s life?

MM: IT REALLY HAS IT ALOT EASIER TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND ALSO OTHER BANDS/PEOPLE.

YOU CAN GET RESPONSE BACK IN HOURS INSTEAD OF DAYS NOW, AND DO INTERVIEWS AT 3 IN THE MORNING LIKE I’M DOING NOW!

IVE NEVER BEEN A PHONE PERSON, SO IT MAKES THINGS ALOT EASIER FOR ME.

 

MC: Now several albums followed every 2 years all on Deathgasm Records. I must assume Evan March, who I know, is he a great guy to work with. Has he ever put any of your stuff on vinyl and is that something you would be into at all?

MM: YEAH, EVAN HAS BEEN GREAT. WE'VE STAYED AT HIS HOUSE AND IF YOU INCLUDE HE RE-RELEASE OF "THE WAY AFTER', HE'S PUT OUT 7 RECORDS BY US.

WE'VE NEVER BEEN PRESSED ON VINYL, WE WOULD LIKE TO, BUT I DON’T THINK THERE DEMAND FOR IT. WHEN WE RECORDED "BATTLESCARRED" IN 2012, THE INTENT WAS AT LEAST 2 OF THE SONGS WOULD BE FOR A 7"

BUT WE GOT TIRED OF WAITING FOR THAT AND JUST RELEASED THE WHOLE THING ON MINI-CD.

 

MC: What are some of the major things you have seen within the underground change and what are some things you like about it and what are some you wish would go away?

MM: THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS SUPPORT. IT'S ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THESE DAYS. THERES NOT ALOT OF FANS WHO ARENT EITHER IN A BAND THEMSELVES OR FOLLOW SOME HOT TOPIC TREND.

IT SEEMS EVERYONE THINKS THAT MUSIC IS JUST FREE AND NOT MANY PEOPLE COME OUT OF THEIR HOUSE FOR SHOWS UNLESS IT’S A BIG PACKAGE/FEST. I THINK WITH THE ONSET OF YOUTUBE PEOPLE WOULD RATHER JUST SIT ON THEIR ASS AND WATCH STUFF IN THEIR UNDERWEAR. IF ANYTHING, I THINK TECHNOLOGY/AVAILABILITY IS MAKING PEOPLE LAZIER AND SELF CENTERED. (right on the money mike-chris).

I’M ALSO NOT A HUGE FAN OF PEOPLE THAN PIGEON HOLE THEMSELVES INTO A GENRE. "BRUTAL DEATH METAL" ONLY OR JUST "EUROPEAN POWER METAL".

I THINK EVERY GENRE HAS ABOUT 10-20 GREAT BANDS, 10-20 HORRIBLE ONES AND ABOUT 10,000 MEDIOCRE ONES. ASIDE FROM THAT, I DONT CARE.

I DON’T WANT EVERYONE IN THE MALL WEARING A BESTIAL MOCKERY SHIRT AND LISTENING TO NUNSLAUGHTER VINYL. I GUESS THAT MAKES ME AN ELITIST.

 

MC: Is there any of your releases that you’re not too fond of these days? If so, why is that?

MM: "IN DARKNESS EMBRACE" IS PROBABLY MY LEAST FAVORITE, MAINLY FOR PRODUCTION, BUT THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT CRADLE OF FLITH INFLUENCE ON A FEW PARTS, WHICH IS KIND OF EMBARRASSING, BUT YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO AND IT WAS ALOT OF FUN.

"TRIUMPH OF THE KILL" IS ALSO SO AWKWARD FOR ME AS IT WAS WRITTEN MOSTLY WITH CRAIG AND ALSO THE LAST RECORD BUCK PLAYED ON. IT'S GOT SOME GOOD SONGS ON THERE AND THE PRODUCTION IS SOLID, I JUST PREFER THE RECORD BEFORE AND AFTER TO THAT ONE.

 

MC: You did a cover of Metallica’s "Battery" on a tribute release. How did you end up on that and who put it out and what made you to that song and what are your thoughts on them these days?

MM: WE DID THAT AND ALSO DID THE DESTRUCTION TRIBUTE FOR DWELL RECORDS. WE ORIGINALLY WANTED "DISPOSABLE HEROES" BUT THEY SAID THAT WAS TAKEN. THEN IT CAME OUT, AND NO "DISPOSABLE HEROES"???

I’M NOT A BIG FAN OF OUR VERSION OF "BATTERY". I THINK IT’S KIND OF "BOUNCY" FOR US AND ALSO THE PRODUCTION IS PRETTY THIN. IT WAS ONLY IKE $400 SO YOU CAN’T EXPECT MUCH, BUT THE DESTRUCTION SONG CAME OUT A LOT BETTER, I THINK.

 

MC: Tell me all about your new release, "Onward to Annhilation". How did the recording for this go and what are your plans for this and would you like to even do a mini-tour behind this and what has been the farthest you have played away from KY and have you ever played overseas?

MM: WE DID "ONWARD" AT THE SAME STUDIO AS "WHERE DEMONS DWELL" AND I THINK IT CAME OUT BETTER OVERALL. SCOTT IS REALLY GETTING GOOD AT RECORDING AND I THINK HE WENT THE EXTRA MILE FOR US, CAUSE IT SOUND ALOT BETTER THAN IT DID RECORDING IT , I THINK.

RIGHT NOW, IT SEEMS LIKE AT LEAST ONE OF THE BEST WE'VE EVER DONE AND TIME WILL TELL IF IT IS THE BEST.....BUT I KNOW IM PRETTY STOKED ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

WE MAY DO ANOTHER 3 DAY WEEKEND THING BUT WITH OUR JOBS/FAMILIES IT’S HARD TO GET TIME OFF FROM RESPOSIBILITES AND I KNOW I GET HOMESICK PRETTY QUICKLY.

SO GOES THE LIFE OF A 40 SOMETHING HEADBANGER. WE HAVE UPCOMING SHOWS IN INDY AND NASHVILLE AND HOPEFULLY GET BACK TO CHICAGO SOON AS WELL.

 

MC: How long do you see the band around or is it more of a month to month thing and describe a bit about your other band members?

MM: RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE WERE JUST GOING TO KEEP HAMMERING ON, WE HAVE 4 SONG POST "ONWARD" AND HOPEFULLY WILL GET BACK IN THE STUDIO NEXT YEAR INSTEAD OF 3 YEARS (LIKE "DEMONS" TO "ONWARD")

WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO HANGING OUT AND JAMMING AS WE DID 10 YEARS AGO, SO IT WOULD TAKE A BIG CHANGE TO STOP US FROM BANGING HEADS FOR ANOTHER DECADE.

I GUESS WERE KIND OF LIKE COCKROACHES, WE'RE GONNA BE HERE. IF YOU WANT US TO BE OR NOT.

 

MC: Do you like any other forms of music besides metal and what to do like to do when you’re not doing band related stuff?

MM: I LISTEN TO OTHER STUFF WHEN IM WITH MY FAMILY. I LIKE GANGSTA RAP AND A FEW POP STARS, BUT MOSTLY METAL AND 70S ARENA ROCK. I HAVE WEIRD AFFINITY TOWARD BOTH NEIL DIAMOND AND JOHHNY CASH, EVEN THOUGH I’M NOT A FAN OF EITHER OF THEIR GENRES. OUTSIDE THE BAND, I’M KIND OF A CINEMA SNOB, A STAR WARS NERD AND I LIKE TO TRY DIFFERENT FOODS/BEERS.

I ACTUALLY KIND OF ENJOY YARDWORK AND PLAYING VIDEO GAMES WITH MY OFFSPRING.

ALL OF THESE THINGS MAKE ME LOSE "SCENE POINTS", BUT I THINK IVE GOT PLENTY OF THOSE TO SPARE.

 

MC; Favorite concert you saw and what would be your dream concert be?

MM: ALL TIME FAVORITE CONCERT WAS MY FIRST METAL CONCERT.

IRON MAIDEN "WORLD SLAVERY" OUTSIDE AT RED ROCKS 1985 WITH ACCEPT OPENING.

I WAS 14 AND ON LSD, WHICH SEEMS KIND OF SAD.... BUT IT CHANGED ME.

ALSO KING DIAMOND WAS A BIG ONE. BLACK SABBATH.

DREAM SHOW WOULD BE BANDS I HAVENT SEEN YET SO: MANOWAR WITH MOTORHEAD AND VOIVOD.

 

MC: Plug any websites and merchandise you have for sale.

CHECK OUT DEATHGASM.COM AND DROP ME AN EMAIL: KISSTHEGOAT@YAHOO.COM

WE'VE TONS OF SHIT, AND WE NEED BEER MONEY.

 

MC: Any last words horns up for the interview

MM: JUST THANKS FOR THIS EXHAUSTING INTERVIEW, METAL CORE RULES, ALWAYS HAS AND ALWAYS WILL. METAL ABOVE ALL!!!!!