Hello, good day. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about Blood of Christ, that’s appreciated. We have been keeping busy since the release of our new album, “Unrelenting Declivity of Anguish”; by way of performing as many gigs as possible and writing for our next album! We have, already, a planned split 7” vinyl EP release coming up with Ottawa death metal aficionados Deformatory. This split 7” will feature two songs from us: one new and one reboot of a Blood of Christ classic number. We’re pretty excited about it! It will, like our new album, be released by CDN Records; most likely in October of this year.
2.Recently you have released a new album, what are some of the things you feel you have done differently with this recording that you where not able to do on previous releases?
The recording process for “Unrelenting Declivity of Anguish” was much more comfortable and fluid than previous releases. Working with Thomas “Ben” Ireland at Icehouse studios is pretty chill and he’s open to almost anything we throw at him. We feel that the final product is a pretty vicious and tight offering. That’s not limited to the recording, even the artwork and themes are back to the ferocious inspiration of our youth. We wouldn’t have been able to do that with certain previous flakes in our fold (see album 2 and 3 for reference). This album is the most true and focused representation of Blood of Christ since “…a Dream to Remember” back in 1996!
3.This is the first full length in 15 years, what where the band members doing musically during this hiatus?
We all kept busy during that time period. On a personal note, I was always working on Blood of Christ music behind the scenes like a sleeping giant. A few of the songs I had started during that era have appeared on our new album and a few more will trickle down onto our next album! Chris and Mark had their own projects before coming into this band and Jason was off working with artists such as Baptized in Blood and Will of the Ancients.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
On “Unrelenting Declivity of Anguish” the lyrics are a definite return to a more vicious form. Subjects such as personal strife, the destruction of nature by mankind, oppression by the upper 1% and also revolt against said upper 1% are what make up the journey that this album is. With respect to our progress as song writers, I think we have matured and developed a strength in focus over time. In our youthful days, song writing was quite wild and spastic. However, having said that; I feel that even in our maturing we have retained the barbarism of 1995. There is no fear in our song writing, we approach writing no differently than waking up to a mountain morning and knowing that there’s a wild adventure ahead of you.
5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the band name 'Blood Of Christ'?
Absolutely I can! Initially, the genesis of giving our band this name was born of angst and a youthful desire to offend our oppressors and regular day-to-day “normal” people. There are no roots in any religion for us, however, and it is somewhat an unfortunate situation that we are often linked to a particular creed: because we are 100% secular. These days, we simply hope that fans of the genre will enjoy our music and find their own meanings within the band name and lyrics, regardless of what culture or religion they come from. For me, music is meant to be shared universally and that’s one of the best parts of the heavy metal genre; it is global.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We have played numerous gigs over the past 24 years so it is certainly tough to pick a favourite. Genuinely I feel that every gig counts and we always try to put our best foot forward on stage. It isn’t an easy task to describe our own stage performance, for me. I can only go by what I feel, or felt, on stage and it seems quite powerful and tight. For me, the critical aspect is whether or not there’s action in the pit. If there are people slamming in the pit during our performance, I’m thrilled. Ultimately I would suggest that we play at a fairly tight and high caliber level and am hopeful that attendees find some enjoyment and release because of our performance.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Absolutely we do! There are several shows and mini-tours in the works and hopefully soon it will all come to fruition. We definitely would like to get out on the road to new regions and venues so metal heads from all walks of life can participate in our unrelenting declivity of anguish on stage!
8.The new album was released on 'CDN Records', how would you compare them to other labels that you have been a part of in the past?
There is no comparison, CDN Records is boss. Top notch label with excellent people working hard for their roster. What more can you ask for?
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of brutal death metal?
The response has been more than favorable and we’re flattered and thankful for that. This new album seems to have elements that please listening ears from a few sub-genres, which is nice because we have always felt that our music should be limitless. We genuinely appreciate the fact that after all these years, people are still curious about Blood of Christ.
10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Speaking from a personal standpoint, there is nothing else. My energy and musical focus is being infused solely into Blood of Christ and will remain as such until I am a worm’s breakfast. After over a decade of epic hiking through the sidelines, I have finally come home.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
The sky is the limit! Or is it? Maybe we’ll be the first death metal band to play in space, the final frontier. Musically our future is exciting and I feel like we have only just begun to explore our creation; epic dark metal. For the near future, on the horizon there’s the aforementioned split 7” with Deformatory and then our 5th album in 2019. We’ve already started writing for it, and it’s shaping up to be quite moody and dark.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Oh wow, there are a lot of exciting albums coming out lately. To me, it seems like there’s a surge of energy in the metal scene again. This week, the new Immortal album is seriously kicking me in the butt! I’m also still hooked on the new Rivers of Nihil album and truly feel that they’re something special to watch out for, same with Bolzer and their latest album; wow. Mind blown. Having said that, I am not sure if my recent playlist has or has not influenced my writing. It is my feeling that we were more influenced by our own past on this one. There was a subtle, subconscious effort to revisit Blood of Christ circa 1995 and 1996. I would suggest that we did so rather well.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Great question! Outside of music, I am loving and enthusiastic about seeing my young son grow up and discover many exciting things. It is always an adventure learning with him. I also really enjoy reading, bike riding, walking, model railroading… but, never have time for any of those hobbies. Real life is busy! Between my family, my band and day job; really there’s only time left for sleep.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Absolutely, yes! Thank you again for your time and the thoughtful questions. It’s a pleasure. I’m hopeful that your readers will now check out our new album and they can do so over at cdnrecords.com, iTunes, Googleplay or on their Spotify account. Thank you for helping keep metal alive and continue to flourish. Cheers!
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