Benedictum Interview

The Gauntlet: About how long have you and the guys from Benedictum been playing together?

Veronica: With this particular line-up that we currently have, I'd say about eight or nine months. But we had a different line-up previously, so I'd say a little over a year, overall.

The Gauntlet: And then you and Pete, the guitarist, played in a band together before Benedictum, right?

Veronica: Yes, we did.

The Gauntlet: Can you talk a little about that band?

Veronica: We were called Malady, it was a band that was local here in San Diego. We ended up leaving because we had different directions that we wanted to go in. We had already been working with Blackie (drums), jamming at his rehearsal studio for a while, and we knew we wanted to put something together as well. They all come from different bands and stuff as well, so we put our stuff together and formed what's now Benedictum.

The Gauntlet: What got you interested in heavy metal, initially, when you were younger?

Veronica: Trey Goldie. He's been a friend for a while, and I just liked the power of it. I liked a lot of different types of music, and when I started listening to it I was like wow, there's just a certain energy to it that I just didn't find anywhere else. I really resonate with it.

The Gauntlet: A lot of female singers in metal opt for the more operatic, high-pitched sound, but your voice has as much aggression in it as any guy's does. What got you singing in this style?

Veronica: Well, I do have a loud voice anyway, so yeah, I get asked that a lot! It's just kind the way it comes out � when I feel the energy of that type of music I just think it goes well with that, I don't really know how to pinpoint an answer to that. My voice is very masculine and very loud so when I add some extra oomph to it, it blends really well with metal. I really admire the women with those operatic voices but that's just not me, you know?

The Gauntlet: "Uncreation" is your first full-length album with Benedictum � what was the process like to write and record your first album?

Veronica: It was quite a journey. It wasn't completely linear. We really had to work with (producer) Jeff Tilson's schedule. So, us being in San Diego and him being in L.A., and then with his schedule, so things happened piece by piece. It was like a "hurry up and wait" type of thing. So initially we worked with Jeff doing a three song demo, and during that process he felt strongly that something good was going to happen for us, and when that did happen and we got the deal, we wanted to stay with Jeff. So it was just a matter of going back, writing some more pieces, and coming up piece by piece to do it when we could fit it in to everyone's schedule. It was an absolute blast, and we pulled it together, but there were times � it would be weeks before we could go up and then we'd have to go up for a block of time and just take care of business. It was quite an adventure, it was pretty cool.

The Gauntlet: Is there a particular band member who writes the majority of the music or the lyrics, or do you write everything together?

Veronica: I write all the lyrics and melodies, and Pete will come up with a cool riff and then everyone will add in. It's a collaborative effort, basically. I'll kind of take a riff and listen to it and get inspired by certain pieces of it and pull some stuff together � set lyrics and melody lines to it and then we arrange it.

The Gauntlet: Where do you personally get the inspiration or ideas for what you put into your lyrics?

Veronica: From the ups and downs of my own life, really. It's very experiential. With the exception of I'd say "Misogyny" and "Wicca" everything just comes from my own depths, whether is be depression, or really good times, just different emotions that I have. It's almost therapeutic.

The Gauntlet: Now that you album's been released, what's your take on the fan and press reaction?

Veronica: Well the European press so far has been really really great. The release just happened pretty recently here in the States so it still remains to be seen. So far so good, we're happy with the reception that we've received, and actually been quite surprised, pleasantly so.

The Gauntlet: A lot of bands that play your style of metal � which is kind of old-school tinged with a little thrash influence � don't use a full-time keyboard player. What led you guys to bring Chris (keyboards) into the band full-time?

Veronica: That's something that for me personally and Pete as well, like the flavor and atmosphere that keyboards can bring. It's not all the way through, all the time, but it adds a certain texture that I've always admired. Chris does it just right � it's not overdone but it's not understated. So far, the way it's come together has been pretty cool. I think it's a certain element that just adds a little different flavor.

The Gauntlet: Which song off the album is your favorite?

Veronica: Two Steps to the Sun. I wrote that during a really bad time in my life and I always credit that song with helping me pull through a really bad time.

The Gauntlet: Would you say that it's true that the band's image revolves more around you than anything else?

Veronica: It's wasn't planned, but we knew that when we met with the representatives from some labels that they were going to promote it in that way. But I'm hoping that it kind of � because it's not Veronica and Benedictum, it's Benedictum. I don't play those instruments, they do. We've got a great group of people, it's a collective. But obviously there's a lot of focus, I do most of the interviews and stuff like that, which is great but I've got these great guys too who I want to join in with this experience of what's going on with us right now. So, I guess that's just a marketing thing, maybe that'll shift a little bit.

The Gauntlet: What's the best band you've had the opportunity to share the stage with live?

Veronica: Hmm, that's a good question, I've got to think about that one. We had fun with Lynch Mob, this would be before Benedictum though. That was pretty cool. Michael Schenker Group, we really enjoyed that. I'd say MSG, I really enjoyed that one.

The Gauntlet: And do you have any plans for a US or European tour right now?

Veronica: We're leaving on the first of June for Gods of Metal, so we go from Milan to Barcelona to Madrid, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and then the UK. So we'll have a jam-packed full week and a half there. Then possibly going back to Spain in July, and then in September for some festivals, so we're hoping that works out. But that's what we've got right now, we've been looking at flights and stuff to get things going on over there in Europe.

The Gauntlet: That sounds amazing, have fun!

Veronica: Yeah, I hope it'll be fun, I'm scared to death! But it should be cool.

The Gauntlet: If you could cover and record any song, what would it be?

Veronica: I think I've done enough of those, don't you? Haha, you know, I covered the one song which I always wanted to do which was "Heaven and Hell." That was what I always wanted to do, and I realized a dream there, so I'd say I've done it.

The Gauntlet: Where do you see yourself and Benedictum ten years from now?

Veronica: Hmm, ten years from now? I'd hope to see, number one, making some money from doing this. Because right now, this is our passion, but we all talk about "wouldn't it be nice to pay the bills." I'd like to see us ten years from now with a few really stellar albums under our belt and having garnered some deep respect in the music industry. Maybe make a mark of our own and open some doors for other bands and just be accepted for the style that we do.



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Tags:  Benedictum  , Veronica, interviews

Andrew Sudano    April 29, 2006