MK Magazine Interviews

RB- I think that’s thematically what I write about in general. The album wasn’t really a concept album or anything, but yeah, it’s definitely basically what I try to get across.

SJ- There’s also a lot of talk about war on the album is this literally a war, or a war with others, or a war within… or a little bit of both?

RB- Well, some of it is literally physical consecration that is going on in various parts of the world and some of it is also, like you were saying, thinking for yourself—the struggle against mediocrity and the apathy that most people in society immerse themselves in. So, it’s literal and metaphoric.

SJ- In the song with the soldier talking about being in Baghdad…

RB- Yeah, that’s the title track

SJ- Right, Ashes of the Wake. Is that an actual soldier—how did you get that?

RB- Yep. Um, our drummer got that somehow through, I think, a news service. We had to pay to use the sample, but yeah, it’s a real Marine.

SJ- Wow. That’s really cool. The album seems to me to be a real drum showcasing album more so than Palaces. Was this intended?

RB- I think it’s maybe just that the drum sound was better and the production brought them out more. I think the bass definitely came out more on this rather than Palaces.

SJ- definitely

RB- … which made me very happy.

SJ- That goes into my next question. I love the new improved sound, but, I was a little bit disappointed to hear that you’re not working with Devin (Townsend) anymore… but how did you like working with Machine?

RB- I loved it. I loved working with Devin and I loved working with Steve Austin. Machine, so far, has been my favorite producer vocally because… that’s his deal. He really loves producing vocals—he gets really excited. Whoever we use to do our next record, whether it be Machine or not, I’m certainly going to fight for him to come in and produce the vocals.

SJ- Cool, so you could have him just produce vocals and someone else come in and produce the album.

RB- Well, that would be my intent, producers are a weird breed. Some of them might be like, “No.” But, we’ll have to see what happens. We still have a long ways to go on the touring cycle of this record, so I’m not even worried about it.

SJ- Right. So, how did you find out about Machine, because I know he does a lot of other types of music besides metal.

RB- Our manager let it be known through whatever industry channels there are that we were looking for a producer for the next record. We were wanting to branch out and try something different. And I guess Machine sent him his reel. It was a management deal I suppose.

SI- How do you feel about getting all this radio airplay in the last month or two. Because you guys have just exploded. We are getting you on our local hard rock radio station which would have never played you a year ago. Would you rather remain underground or do you like all this radio airplay you are getting?

RB- Well, I don’t ever listen to the radio. (Laughs) EVER. So, I don’t know—it’s interesting. It doesn’t bother me. As long as whoever is making the music makes it with integrity and stays true to their intent as it were then you could play it on TRL for all I give a fuck. (Laughs)

SJ- Right (laughs)

RB- I don’t care. Maybe if it gets played on the radio and opens some kids’ minds to more brutal metal, more real stuff, then I suppose that’s a good thing. But really, I don’t really care because I don’t listen to the radio.

SJ- Yeah. Last question. Who are 3 bands who influence the Lamb of God sound?

RB- Top 3. Jesus. That’s kind of an interesting question because we all listen to so much different stuff—I’ll answer for myself.

SJ- Ok.