Interview

An Interview With The Members Of Till Doomsday

Charleston based hard rock and metal act Till Doomsday is currently working on recording their first self-released demo. The members of the band recently answered a series of interview questions for Metalunderground about their history, style, and take on the metal scene.

xFiruath: When did you first start playing music and what originally made you want to be a musician?

Mike: I was born on the road (laughing). I've been playing out since age 4, when my parents put an instrument in my hands. I played the mandolin in their bluegrass band, and sang. Imagine that, a little snot-nosed curtain climber singin' tunes of Appalachian bluegrass folklore (laughs). I eventually became influenced by Guns 'N Roses, Metallica, & Megadeth, and got a hold of a bass. Then I got into studying guitar shortly after that.

xFiruath: Tell me about the beginnings of Till Doomsday. How did you guys all meet and come together as a band?

Mike: I met Dallas in a local music forum and we have been on the same page since day one. I was in another band, which I guess you could call a side project, with Robert (drums) and Keith (bass), and I decided to fuse it together with those two entering the lineup.

xFiruath: How would you describe your music to someone who had never heard your band before?

Dallas: New age metal with an 80s/90s feel and a European progressive style.

Mike: X2. There's definitely that old Metallica meat and potatoes metal foundation, but with lots of sharp-edged lead fills.

xFiruath: The info on your MySpace page says that your music focuses on end times prophecies, specifically in the book of Revelations. Would you consider yourselves a religious band, or is the "end times" aspect there more to give your music a darker feel?

Mike: I'm not a huge fan of “religion” or institution due to corruption and misinformation. However, we do have Christian beliefs and are born again. The power of God is undeniable, and we all may see the full extent of it during our time here. But there are a multitude of topics that interest me, and I enjoy the art of songwriting and making music. The lyrical possibilities to me are endless, because there are many issues that need addressed, particularly current day politics, as well as potential future events. To answer the second part of your question, the factor of darkness in our sound and message is very important to us, and has been highly effective. This is not a happy place and time we live in, despite what some musicians decide to believe or portray. That's not us, and it's not reality.

xFiruath: How is your first demo coming along, and are the songs on your MySpace page the same ones we can expect on the demo?

Mike: During the three years I have been pounding this out alongside Dallas, we have progressed immensely. We had another sound in our older work when we had a different rhythm section (bass and drums). Since recently changing that up, we have found a new edge and direction, and the guitar pieces I have been writing on all this new stuff we have now is faster and far heavier. The upcoming demo will feature such. Everything will be redone this month to improve the quality by leaps and bounds, and we will probably put "From The Ashes" and "Auspex Of Cataclysm" on there. We should have those and a few others posted up on Myspace by February.

xFiruath: What has been your favorite show or venue that you've played so far?

Mike: I've had a good time almost everywhere, but there have been so many shows I can't keep ‘em straight. There are a few venues we are looking forward to getting into soon. The Brick House in St. Albans, West Virginia, and Sound Factory here in Charleston. There are also a few festivals & national tours we'll try to get on for a leg or full tour soon.

xFiruath: How is your guys' local metal scene and fan reaction?

Mike: The local metal scene is pretty solid. There are a lot of loyal fans who really support all the area bands.

xFiruath: What do you think is the most absurd or ridiculous thing to happen in the metal scene?

Mike: The death of Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott, without a doubt. It seemed like he was constantly improving as an elite guitarist, and then some deranged nobody feels like he's gotta carry something like this out. Dimebag was probably the nicest rock star, to everyone he met, especially the fans.

Dallas: No doubt.

xFiruath: When you aren't playing music, what albums do you find yourself listening to the most and what do you like about them?

Dallas: Trivium (Ascendancy), Everything Machine Head has released, Dry Kill Logic (Of Vengeance and Violence), Warbringer (War Without End), Volbeat, Megadeth (Youthanasia), Cavalera Conspiracy (Inflikted). I like their strength and heaviness.

Mike: My favorites are God Forbid (Constitution of Treason), Opeth tunes from different albums, Trivium (Ascendancy), Trivium (Shogun), In Flames (Soundtrack To Your Escape), Metallica (And Justice For All), and Megadeth (Countdown To Extinction). I enjoy the in-your-face all out power and commanding presence of all of these, coupled with serious guitar talent. Opeth is one of my favorites because of their complexity and melodies.

xFiruath: On your dream tour, what bands would you be playing alongside?

Mike: Marky Mark, Kenny Rogers, and Rick James! (laughing) No. I'd say Metallica, Johnny Cash, Megadeth, No Doubt, who I still think rocked it, Unknown Hinson, and Will Sasso's band when he played Kenny Rogers on MadTV...what were their name, .Chumchugger? What a lineup, huh? A couple pretty tough acts to follow up or open for, for sure.

Dallas: Machine Head, Disturbed, Trivium, Five Finger Death Punch.

xFiruath: That's all my questions, so do you have any parting words for the fans?

Mike: We have fans? Cool. Nah really, we appreciate your messages and ongoing support, and hope to melt down, I mean perform in all your towns in the not so distant future.