Fredrik: Alright so if you could start us of by introducing yourself (or selves), and
explaining your significance in the Christian metal scene.
Mercury: My name is Matt Brown- alias Mercury. I am the vocalist and lyricist for the
Australian progressive Blackmetal band Fearscape. I also co-run the unDark.net
Christian metal store.
Fredrik: Were all of you raised in Christian homes? If not how did you come to salvation?
Please share any testimonies you have.
Mercury: All of us were raised in Christian homes. Phil (bass) has an amazing testimony
regarding his specific path to the Lord. He suffered from Schizophrenia,drug
addiction and alcoholism and epilepsy and was involved in the occult. He was miraculously
saved. After a chance encounter with a prophet ( who prophisied he would play for the
Lord from the turn of the millenium-he wasn't saved at that stage), joined Fearscape
in early 2000 I think.
He has been healed of all those conditions and has been medically verified as free and
healed of all these conditions. He was engaged a few days ago and is an amazing living
testimony.
Fredrik: What has been the greatest show you guys have performed thus far?
Mercury: Definately playing with Arcturus on their 'Shipwrecked in Oz tour 2007. We were
able to hang out with Hellhammer ( Mayhem,Immortal etc), and Vortex (Dimmu Borgir).
We played the set of our life and had the heads of the toughest blackmetal crowd banging.
Fredrik: Do you find it a blessing being in a band such as Fearscape?
Mercury: Absolutely! We have been fortunate enough to witness Christ to people in the Death
and Blackmetal scene in Australia and New Zealand. Being able to use our abilities
for Christ is amazing. We have seen the Lord soften the hearts of people who were
so opposed to Him.
Fredrik: Do you get much hatemail? How do you deal with it?
Mercury: No actually. We get very little negative responses because we work extremely hard
at being good witnesses and building friendships with unsaved metalheads.If
anything, we find other Christians can be a little more difficult to deal with.
We believe that an excellence in performing and being creative and fresh with
our music silences many scoffers. Fearscape have played with alot of the most
demonic bands in Australia and have earned respect through hard work and integrity.
There have been the odd mocker, but they haven't been able to fault our music or
performances-just the message and that isn't a worry.
Fredrik: Which album would you say people reacted greater to? Which one do you prefer?
Mercury: Even though 'Scent of Divine is only a few months old- people have reacted extremely
well to it. I think the music, message and production on this album are very tight
with very few weaknesses. I think the reaction will grow as more people come into
contact with the album.
Fredrik: Do your familys enjoy listening to your music?
Mercury: Yes, I think so. We are blessed with wives ( and fiance) who either have an
appreciation of metal themselves or are supportive of our ministry. I met my
wife at a festival-she was a fan haha ( there is a much contended story behind that).
Fredrik: If you had the choice to play with 5 bands, Christian or secular.
Which 5 would they be?
Mercury: Crimson Moonlight,Extol,Immortal,Opeth,Enslaved. We have played with Mortification
and Paramaecium a few times.They are always great gigs, I think we all push each
other in a healthy way.
Fredrik: What are some bands that you enjoy most? Which have had the biggest impact on your
musical career.
Mercury: We all have similarities and differences in our tastes. Phil comes from the days
of early Metallica, Slayer,Coroner. Pete has an extremely eclectic taste-he would
probably say Opeth, Enslaved,Lamb,Vali and I'm sure some kind of classical musician.
Paul is into Iron Maiden,Obituary, old Mortification, Anthrax and Megadeth. I really
enjoy Opeth, Immortal, Nile, Emperor and Enslaved.
Fredrik: How often does Fearscape meet for practices?
Mercury: Usually once a week. At the moment we are having a break, so no practices at
the moment. For the Arcturus gig we were rehearsing several times a week as well
as gigging.
Fredrik: What other styles of music do you enjoy aside from metal?
Mercury: I think we all appreciate music which is emotional and engaging. Pete likes drum
and bass, I like Simon & Garfunkle. I know phil enjoys playing classical music.
Paul- to be honest I don't know, I'll have to ask him haha.
Fredrik: Do any of you attend specific denominations of churches?
Mercury: We all attend pentecostal churches.
Fredrik: What is your favorite Bible verse?
Mercury: Hmmmm.I don't know. I think for me I enjoy specific stories rather than specific
verses. The story of the Centurions servant or the believing thief are inspirational
to me.
Fredrik: In your own thoughts, do you think it is alright for a Christian to cuss? And do
you agree with this segment of scripture?
James 3:10-12
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can
both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a
fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce
fresh water.
Mercury: We agree totally with that verse, swearing is not ok and is a compromise. I
have heard it said that in some countries bad language has become accepted- can't
see how Jesus would agree with it. Playing in a blackmetal club where people
know who you are and what you are about-you just can't, your testimony would be
over straight away. You have to be above reproach.
Fredrik: What are your top 5 favorite albums? Christian and secular.
Mercury: Speaking for myself,
Blackwater Park-Opeth
Ride the Lightning-Metallica
Sons of Northern Darkness-Immortal
Prometheus-Emperor
Covenant Progress-Crimson Moonlight
Fredrik: Favorite song?
Mercury: Tyrants-Immortal
Fredrik: Where do you see Fearscape 5 years from now?
Mercury: Pushing the limits. We will work very hard at surpassing 'Scent of Divine Blood'
and challenging the scene.
Fredrik: Do you believe that miracles still happen today?
Mercury: Absolutely. We have experienced them in our own lives many times.
Fredrik: Do you feel it is a necessity to pray and read the Bible daily as a Christian?
Mercury: It certainly is a good idea. Having said that, I feel that discipline should be
balanced by passion. There are times when God seems to draw you, and there are times
He wants you to push into Him.
Fredrik: What are other things you guys enjoy doing aside from music?
Mercury: Speaking for myself,
I really enjoy reading, body building and as nerdy as this sounds- building model aircraft
and growing fruit and vegetables (when I am not marking essays and being dad).
I know Phil loves camping and Pete is the computer guy. Paul-I'd have to ask him haha.
Fredrik: Hymns or modern worship (i.e. Hillsong, David Crowder, Matt Redman)?
Mercury: Neither-worshipping your own way. I think the best times I have ever had in
worshipping God has been through playing 1 or 2 chords on the guitar- or singing
my own praises when a great metal song is on the stereo.
I guess interms of church, a combination is cool, as long as it is led by the Lord and not
humans. When the Holy Spirit does what He wants, that's the best worship time!
Fredrik: Can you tell us anything about upcoming material?
Mercury: At this stage we are keeping ideas in the back of our heads. I do have a very
challenging concept in my mind which I am waiting for the right time to write.
Pete is currently working with InExordium, so maybe some of that may rub off. Phil
and I are working on a devasting side project called 'Rose of Sha'aron. Think
Emperor meets Nile meets Anaal Nathrakh. It is very extreme and technical blackmetal-
maybe that may rub off as well. I think what ever we will do it will build in the
strengths of 'Scent of Divine Blood'.
Fredrik: Any last words? Any prayer requests that you would like readers to pray about?
Mercury: Prayers for health. Phil has just gotten engaged, Paul is only newly married, I
have child number three in the way in early July and Pete has just moved into a
new business venture and has a young family.
Pray for the lost-there are so many and the workers are few.
Fredrik: Thanks a lot!
Mercury: Our pleasure!