INTERVIEW WITH MIKE DAVIS (GUITAR) FOR METAL NIGHTMARE (2000)

 We had material that we had to get out. Ideas that never made it to the table before could no longer remain in their watery grave, lost and forgotten. Also we are all a lot more organized with our personal lives as well as our goals. Ironically, the new record is like a piece of archeology in some ways.

Was it easy to locate everyone?

 We had to do some looking for our drummer, we needed someone who was more multi-functional, technical but flavorful. The original members all fell in after that.

 Did you find that not everyone wanted to rejoin? Where'd you find the new guys? Had they been in other bands before?

Yes, we decided to look for a drummer and found Rick Bizzaro from Sarrasota, Florida. He has been in many bands before. I think he was in RABBIT'S CARROT, but I'm not sure.

What was everyone doing in the years off? Computer programming?

Actually you are partially right, Louis [Panzer, keyboards] is managing a software company, Emo [Mowery, bass and vocals] is in school for computer science, Sean [McNenney, guitars] has a job as a county inspector and myself and Rick own our own businesses.

Any personality problems aside, is it easier being a live band now that you don't have a singing drummer?

Absolutely, that was always a difficult situation even though we pulled it off for some time. It was always a unpredictable outcome. The situation now is much more confident live.

We've got a video of you rehearsing at some old self-storage place. Where do you rehearse nowadays?

Wow! I haven't even seen that video. Could I get a copy? Sounds like that was the days we played next door to MORBID ANGEL. We were constantly turning up trying to drown each other out. We have a much better place now with better soundproofing, air conditioning, refrigerator,etcetera.

Were there problems getting a record deal this time?

It was pretty much the same old drama, record a demo and shop it around. We had a few offers before actually going with Season of Mist.

Will we see even more samples in the future? They fit the band!

Yes, we have always tried whatever means possible to establish a vision or atmosphere of a particular song. We defininitely will be experimenting more with that in the future.

The new album gives us the impression that you haven't listened to ANY of the new death metal albums of the past five years. Its just so outstanding style-wise, you seem to be influenced by nothing but your own old albums.

Thanks, It really just kind of happens. I listen to all kinds of bands from death metal to fusion or even video game music. I think everything is influential in some way or another. It certainly helps to be flexible and open minded, I think a lot of people shut themselves out of things due to fear of the unknown.

We also have to say that your sound on the new album is more complete, more compact, but to be honest, the wild sound on The Key, that was something else.....so our guess on the style change is this: We think you progressed from a band that wanted to show everybody just HOW good of musicians you are, to a band that doesn't give a shit about impressing people, and writes for the sake of the song itself, not for self-esteem reasons. What do you think?

I think we are trying harder these days to have the song capture the landscape of the plot. If you can shut your eyes listen to the song and see images of the plot or story, for me that is the creative dimension. We still love a great guitar solo or a blur of technique, its just a question of where and when.

Will we see you on tour or will you end up being one of these bands that just records, rehearses, records?

We will be trying to play as many shows as we can to support the record, but as you know that's a whole business thing. We would love to play the entire globe, but right now it looks like just some shows here in the States and maybe a tour of Europe late in the year.

Why they were you a band that never toured a lot? The only one we can think of is the BOLT THROWER/ NOCTURNUS Tour in Europe (91??)... although I think there was a US tour as well? Labelmates MORBID ANGEL toured a lot, as did every band out of Florida back then!

We toured with BOLT THROWER in '91, then with NAPALM DEATH in the U.S., and then another European tour with CONFESSOR in '92. We never really got along with Earache very well, that coupled with bad management and our tours were chaos. But all we can do is continue to push ahead and play as many gigs as possible as long as someone will listen. Or maybe we will just listen ourselves.

Was the old Earache deal only for two full lengths? Or was the split because you were fed up with the business side of things and it was the only way to get out of the contract?

Actually Earache dropped us. We never really liked that label anyway, and they were tired of fighting with us about money and other stupid shit. I think now if it wasn't for MORBID ANGEL, Earache would be out of business... they have nothing else really happening to my knowledge.

What ever happened with the project you were starting with Trey Azagthoth?

Myself and Trey still want do it sometime, but with all the different schedules it may be some while yet. We actually have some ideas down on A-DAT that could turn into full songs in the future.

Why were there only two tracks on Possess the Priest?

Those two songs were for the third Earache release. We recorded them so Earache could listen and get a idea of the direction of the band at that time. They then dropped us from the label at that point. I guess they just didn't understand. We then got in touch with Moribund Records and they said that they would love to put it out as a 7" ep. As you know, the band took a leave of absence after that.

Kelly Shaefer of ATHIEST called you guys "brilliant visionaries" last year. Any comments?

That's excellent. We have always been great fans of ATHIEST and we played a few shows with them back in the day. They were definitely innovators for their time. Good luck Kelly with your new band. ATHIEST, R.I.P..

It seems like the first time around, there wasn't much appreciation for what you were doing. Now, it seems like there's almost like a cult following for your old albums. What do you think about that?

Better late than never. Sometimes it takes a while to catch on. In this case I think it is interesting that people want to find the old stuff, maybe a record label will re-release it or The Science of Horror demo from 1988. That would really be an ancient artifact. We never found the master reels for that recording. They are truly lost forever.

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