ENDOMINION

 

Seven months before the end of a year, I already can tell you that “Invoking Deception” is one of the most interesting albums of 2004. This perfect blend of top-class musicianship and intensity will have many fans…

 

This is the interview with Brian Johnston (Drums) and Aaron Graves (Guitars/Vocals)

 

METAL SIDE:  When and in what circumstances have you formed Endominion? Did you have any problems to form a stable line-up what is a curse for so many bands?

AARON: In 1998 Brian and I got together and formed a band called Sicks and made a few demos with the help of our friend Ben Stout.  After trying out several guitar/bass players Brian asked his friend Bruno Muenzler to play bass for us. After trying out a few more people for the 2nd second guitar position, Brian and I decided to stay a 3-piece band. It was very difficult and frustrating to find someone with both the talent and the dedication that we were looking for. We had a few problems w/ the band name so we decided to change the name to Endominion when we released or latest album "Invoking Deception". 

METAL SIDE: Do you remember when you heard first death or thrash metal albums? Do you remember their titles? Were you shocked that someone could play so violently or did you think at once: that's music for me?

AARON: I was listening to stuff like Metallica and Iron Maiden since I was 7 or 8 years old so when the music got heavier I was into it. The rest of the guys had a similar upbringing.  Brian was actually playing in a death metal band by age 11 (Necrotomy).  I don't remember which one it was but the first death metal album that I ever herd was either Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption or Deicide - Deicide. Around the time I was 11 I bought Morbid Angel - Alters of Madness and Obituary - Slowly we rot. After that it was like a competition between me and my friends to see who could get the most death metal albums. We also enjoyed a lot black metal and still do. It was a very exciting time back then because there was so much awesome music coming out.

 

METAL SIDE: What motivates you to play death metal?

BRIAN: Actually we don't like to label ourselves 'death metal'.   When we are writing material, we don't say o.k. lets write a 'death metal' song.  We get the music from our minds and most of the time it is pretty intense.

 
METAL SIDE: Listening to your music, I think that you may be influenced by Florida's death metal from early 90's. Am I right? What are your favorite bands?

AARON: Definitely.  We like all of them. Of course we got into bands that were from different states and from different countries, but the Florida death metal scene just had so many legendary bands. I really can't say what my favorite bands are. It would be a list 10 pages long. We all listen to different types of music besides death metal and that would also add to the list. Lately I've really been getting into Behemoth - Zos Kia Cultus, Impiety - Kaos Kommand 696, and Immolation - Unholy Cult.   

BRIAN: Awesome conclusion!!!! One of my favorite drummers of all time is Sean Reinert (former Cynic, Death ).
 
METAL SIDE: "Invoking Deception" is one of the best albums of 2004 I've herd so far, that's why I wonder what is the method of songwriting that resulted in such good material. How do you compose your music?

BRIAN: Damn, thanks a lot!! We really appreciate that because we really put a lot of work into our music and it means a lot when someone recognizes that.  Usually during writing, Aaron comes to practice with riffs or portions of songs he has in mind.  Then Bruno and I are good at modifying and writing transitional pieces for the songs.  We all contribute to the composition.  Usually our songs have completely different lines for the guitars, bass and drums.

METAL SIDE: Have you already composed any tracks for the next release? In what direction would you like to head with your music?
AARON: We have put together one song since the release of Invoking Deception in January.  We have been too focused on playing shows and plus Brian and I are in school so sometimes we don't get as much work done as we would like but we also don't want to rush the process.  As far as direction, the only thing that I can say is that we will concentrate very heavily on how the music is structured.  Personally I would like to see some heavier more experimental type of stuff happen. 

METAL SIDE: Your label is Building Sound. Tell us more about this company. What should we expect from it in the future?

AARON: We all expect big things from Building Sound.  Our Drummer, Brian Johnston, is the creator/owner of Building Sound and has self-trained himself in a small studio he built from scratch and  done some amazing work.  He did all of the recording for our last album and he has produced three other bands so far. He is currently trying to record more bands and he is working with music companies to work out distribution contracts.

BRIAN: The goal right now is to find major distribution.  I would like to get some contacts in Europe because I realize that the people would appreciate our music much more than they do here.  In the U.S.A., its very mainstream, and people tend to be closed minded.  I'm in favor of moving to Europe if we can build a base there. We have very much respect for Europe and Scandinavia.  

METAL SIDE: How do you promote your album? Do you care how many copies will be sold or doesn't it matter for you?

AARON: We promote our music any way that we can.  Shows, interviews, zines, web sites, album trades... As far as sales go, of course we would like to sell a million copies of our album but we are not concerned with that.  We play for the feeling and because there is nothing in the world better than when the music grabs you by the throat!!  That's it.  It doesn't matter to me if we sell 1 or 100 cd's at a show.  We are much more concerned about writing music that is satisfying to us than album sales. I think if we take that approach then people will enjoy our music and appreciate it more.  

METAL SIDE: How often do you play gigs? Have you thought to find a second guitarist to strengthen your sound when you play live?

AARON: We play as many shows as we can.  Brian is devoted to playing some shows in Europe some day.  We would all really love an opportunity like that.  Before we started recording Invoking Deception we were looking for a second guitar player.  We couldn't find anyone so we decided to stay a 3-piece.  I think it makes us have more of a raw sound when we play shows. 

BRIAN: I don't see us acquiring a second guitarist.  The three piece we have formed is extremely powerful live.  We all get really pumped up for the shows and the fans have been extremely responsive!!

METAL SIDE: Some bands decide to spend some money playing 'pay to play' festivals. What do you think of such way of promotion? Is it worth expenses?

AARON: I don't know because we've never played anyone to play a show.  I guess it could be worth it if the band plying got a lot of exposure, but I don't see us doing anything like that.   

METAL SIDE: You recorded the album in Baton Rouge, and the production is really very solid. I wonder if it is difficult to create an original sound that would separate a band from others. What is your experience?

BRIAN: Thanks a lot. I’ve been building my studio for about 5 years now.  One thing I have learned is that you don't have to have the most expensive equipment to have a great recording.  We are able to work great sounds out of equipment that some people around us throw in the trash.  Each recording gets better and better!!!

AARON: Our experience w/ recording and Brian's talent has helped us get an original sound.  We usually try and get the cleanest sound possible, and we experiment a lot w/ the sound before we decide what to keep.  A lot of metal bands go for a brutal sound but the tape ends up sounding like crap.  Getting a guitar rig to sound good for a recording is a totally different thing from getting it to sound good for a show.

METAL SIDE: There are some places and producers, who are very famous and their work is always appreciated by fans and press. Who are the most influential producers of our era in your opinion? In 1990 most of us would have said that Scott Burns was number one, but who is number one now?

AARON: I would agree that Scott Burns and Jim Morris were some of the best producers of that time.  As far as today though I'm not sure who would be considered the best. Stephen Wilson is really good.  Many bands now are recording albums themselves and are making quality recordings. 

METAL SIDE: Is Endominion your only band?

AARON: We all experiment in other bands. Right now Endominion is my main focus. Bruno plays in a death metal band called Suture and another called Wolf System. 

BRIAN: I play drums in another band called Peckernut.  I play guitar in Wolf System and Sheep Grinder and vocals for Wolf System.  Also, I record all of these bands for Building Sound.  I hope to send you new releases from all of them pretty soon.

METAL SIDE: Is death metal scene in Louisiana strong in your opinion? What bands from your state could you recommend?

BRIAN: There are a few people that like this kind of music but its hard to find them.  The majority of the population does not even begin to understand the music, therefore they look down upon it. 

AARON: I'm afraid that the scene has gotten weaker over the years.  When I was younger there were more people at the metal clubs. But, every once in a while there will be an awesome show with a packed club.  All of the bands I mentioned earlier are very talented and worth checking out.  Some more Louisiana bands that are badass: Scrotesque, Minus Infinity, Rat in a Bucket, and Suffer. 

METAL SIDE: Are the lyrics equally important for you as the music itself? What are their topics?

AARON: Yes the lyrics are very important.  I usually write about past experiences that I have had or my personal beliefs.  Really that is all that I have to go on.  I stay away from the overly used gore and satanic lyric styles of death metal. 

METAL SIDE: I don't know if you are interested in politics, but if you are,  tell us please what you think about Iraq and domestic policy of your
government.
BRIAN: The main thing I really don't agree with is the attitude of the government.  They give the whole nation a bad representation.  It is true there are a lot of arrogant people who take the things we have for granted, but there are some that are hard workers and are very intelligent people.  I think the Iraq situation could have been avoided.  It seems sometimes like people here are so greedy that they will go to no end for a little extra money.  I could talk for days on this topic...

AARON: I am usually very uninterested in politics. Not because I don't care about what happens but I just think that most politicians are corrupt. I'm not saying that they are all criminals but I bet most of them aren't doing what is in the best interest of their people. As far as Iraq goes, all I can do is hope that the U.S. had a legitimate reason to go over there and blow the hell out of another country. A lot of media coverage tries to say that the U.S. didn't have any reason to invade Iraq.  Some of it says that we did have a legitimate reason.  It's all about making money to the news companies so I try not to pay attention to any of it.    

METAL SIDE: Thanks for the interview.

ENDOMINION: Thank you and we hope to stay in touch! 

 

www.endominion.com – www.buildingrecords.org

 

May 2004

 

Metal Side: www.geocities.com/deathmetalside/mainpage6.html