Mark: It’s been a few years since we
had a new studio recording, so how are things
in camp Metal Church?
Metal Church: Well, we are excited about
the new record but we did have some problems with
a little warm up tour we had planned. But all
is pretty good at this point.
M: Since this is vocalist Ronny Munroe’s
second album with the band, how do you feel he
is settling in?
MC: Yes, he has really found his own
identity in the band.
M: The Weight of the World seemed to be very
well received. At this point in your career, is
Metal Church’s music more about reception
by fans or whatever it is you need to get off
your chest at that specific time?
MC: A bit of both actually. I want to
keep the old school metal sound but try to update
it a bit.
M: One of the things I’ve always enjoyed
about your music is the fact that you’ve
always distanced yourself from the stereotypical
metal paraphernalia. How challenging has it been
over the years to remain positive in a genre known
for its negative nature?
MC: It can be a bit difficult at times
but, we just stay true to what MC has always been
about and try not to pay attention to what everything
that is going on around us.
M: Has it ever been tempting just to throw out
some hate-filled lyrics and add a pentagram to
your logo in order to reach more fans of the metal
market?
MC: Nope, I want nothing to do with that
crap!
M: Your latest album, This Present Wasteland,
will be released in September. Did you approach
the writing/recording of it any differently than
you have on your past albums or have you found
the right formula over the years?
MC: I guess it’s always been the
same approach basically. But trying to come up
with interesting riffs and keep it musical and
melodic and still have it be powerful.
M: When you were writing for this album, what
kinds of things did you want to express as a band?
MC: Musically I wanted the riffs to be
memorable and catchy. lyrically we wanted to say
something that was a bit more topical. There is
a slight theme running through the record in the
sense of the state of things in the industry and
in the minds of Americans. That’s where
the title of the album came from.
M: So much has been done in metal music since
you first began 25 years ago. Do you find it more
challenging to write and be unique now than back
then? Why or why not?
MC: Not really, I’m not really
trying to be unique anymore, I think the fact
that we don’t follow metal trends makes
us unique in itself.
M: One of the standout tracks on the new album
is “Deeds of a Dead Soul.” Would you
mind telling our readers a little about that song
and what the inspirations for it were?
MC: Musically I wanted a classic slow
plodding type of riff and the lyrics are basically
about “reaping what you sow.”
M: What song off the new album do you feel best
represents Metal Church in 2008?
MC: Boy, let me see…. I think it
would be the opening track “The Company
Of Sorrow” or “Monster.”
M: If you could go back and do one thing differently
in your career what would it be and why? How would
it affect Metal Church?
MC: I would have paid WAY more attention
to the business affairs and the people who said
that they were looking out for us. It would have
made it much easier for the band to have stayed
together and not so many disappointments and getting
ripped off and lied too.
M: Thanks so much for your time. Great album,
as always. Do you have any parting thoughts you’d
like to leave our readers with?
MC: My pleasure and thanks to all the
fans for these long years of continued support!
Cheers!
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