2. How did Martial Barrage come into being? Give me a brief history of the band. How long have you been playing, have you played in any previous bands, etc?
The band came together when I recruited the members this spring, agreeing with them on the fundamentals and goals of the campaign ahead. Stockpiled songs were injected with life and recorded during the summer of 2004 to form the "Hail the Valkelion" demo. Options for further recordings were examined and we signed with Sinister Sounds for a full-length album. We have all been playing for many years in different applications and places, none of which have any bearing on Martial Barrage other than the experiences and wisdom we have gained through them.

3. What bands influence Martial Barrage or in case you've got other special inspirations, where does it all come from?
Influences are numerous and diverse, and span centuries of social sciences and the humanities. Obviously, a common devotion to metal bands rife with that intangible spirit transcending genres is what crossed our paths. In this, I speak of whatever it is that sets Incantation and Immolation atop the otherwise rank heap of what gets called "New York death metal". It's what has been so pervasive in countries like Australia and Brazil, and is what burned brightly in Slayer for those first four albums only to eventually fade away completely. It is that element in "black metal" that separated it from the rest of metal early on, and which has since become so rare in what is sadly considered to be "death metal". Two decades of metal in this vein and a more recent penchant for neo-classical music would be the primary influences on Martial Barrage, a name which we feel to be both evocative and representative.

 

4. Is there any particular message the band is trying to get across? Those able to interpret the symbolism, gematria, metaphors etc. will be few in number, and those who enjoy it perhaps fewer ; a dedication to quality over quantity runs deep. Overall, there reigns a desire for perspective, introspection, stimulation and ascension, to name but a few. Ralph Waldo Emerson demanded "Let us affront the smooth mediocrity and squalid contentment of the times", and our accordance with this maxim is ubiquitous. 5. You recently release a demo-CD, so, what are your thoughts on "Hail the Valkelion"? How are the divulgation and reception of it? The demo has been spread throughout the world and very well received. It is the result of discipline and sacrifice, and we proudly feel that it is a just representation of Martial Barrage. At the same time, it is but the beginning.

6. How do you view the metal scene in Canada these days? Are you well received there by the metal scene?
As with every other civilized nation of the world, Canada has bands that I like and bands which I don't, along with people that I like and those that I don't ; it's very possible that I have more in common with a random citizen of Iceland, for example, than someone down my own street. There is not really one national "scene" to speak of, but rather small provincial and civic enclaves, many being very different from the next. Being lauded by a scene on any level is not a concern of ours, and we indifferently leave that up to the many socially and financially desirous sheeple who choke the metal world with their ephemeral rot, from joke bands and fashion magazines to consumerism and vapid "entertainment". Those who have been exposed to what Martial Barrage has done thus far have received it well, all nationalities aside, and forays abroad in the future will determine further reactions.

7. Some personal questions... How do you see Mike Browning in 1982, when started playing Metal, and today?
Well, it's sort of like I said my personal Magickal Record on audio, you can see the different types of Magick and the Occult that I was into at the time by the lyrics I write. So in the earlier days I was more into just the dark side of Magick like Satanism and the Necronomicon. But the older I got the more I learned and that was reflected through my lyrics mainly. Right now I can't wait to get a good guitar player and start working on some new After Death stuff because I have tons of new lyrical ideas already!!!

8. What did interest you first, metal or occultism?
Occultism was first, my Mom was into Witchcraft and things like that back in the 70's, so I was interested in Magick before Musick.

9. Is there a particular song you've written, that you are most proud of or dislike? If so, why?
When I look back at the old Nocturnus stuff some of it seems kind of childish now and I wasn't really too much into the Science Fiction aspect that Nocturnus turned into, I was more into the type of stuff that was on the demos, but when other people joined the band they wanted to write lyrics as well and so the band changed from what it was originally was supposed to be Occult Metal. That's why I formed After Death and the main problem with keeping people in the band, they all want to come in and change what I want the band to be and I am only playing musick because I want to do a specific thing with it, not because I want to make money or whatever!!! But I think most of the After Death lyrics are my favorite just because of the personal Magickal experiences I have been through are contained in those lyrics!!!
 

10. How do you spend your spare time? Hobbies, interests? Do you read much? What books impress you most of all? I work a regular job and play in 2 bands and the rest of my time is usually spent on reading and practicing Magick. I read mostly stuff on Crowley or Thelemic Magick and especially Kenneth Grant, his stuff is probably the most interesting to me. Also a lot of books on the Kaballa and Egyptian Magic. And other authors like Dion Fortune, Helena Blavatsky, Robert Wang, Eliphas Levi, Michael Bertriaux, just to name a few. I have a very extensive Occult library of over 400 books.

12. What is the importance of originality to you? How do you see the future of metal?
To me it's very important, but to record companies and the majority of bands, they just want to sign or be like others that are already out there!!! The future of Metal is always changing and morphing, but I really like the creativity in Black Metal the most. 

13. Plans to the future? Are you recording anything or planning to record?
We just finished recording 2 new songs for the Lisa The Wolf band. They were engineered and produced by Erik Rutan of Hate Eternal at his Mana Recording Studios. The 2 songs are available on MP3 through the demo link on our website. www.lisathewolf.com 

14. Thanks for answer my interview, Mike... Your final bullets...
I just want to say Thanks to You and everyone out there who has enjoyed the things I have done in my life and as long as I can play Musick I WILL!!! Here are the 2 bands websites: www.afterdeath666.com www.lisathewolf.com 
 

After Death site